Shepshed walking group celebrates first birthday
AN AWARD winning group of walkers is celebrating its first birthday this week hoping to build on its remarkable success since it was set up.
The Shepshed Walking for Health group was established on January 23, 2017, in a joint initiative by the Ramblers Association and Macmillan Cancer Support with support from Charnwood Borough Council.
The group has 130 registered members with an average of 40 walkers attending weekly one hour Monday morning walks around Shepshed.
One of the walk leaders Lesley Walker said: “Our group has now completed a very successful first year. On the whole we have enjoyed reasonable weather with the odd wet and snowy day. We walk every Monday morning except Bank Holidays and continue to have new members joining most weeks.”
A sign of the club’s progress was its nomination for the Best Community Sport/Physical Activity Project Award at the Charnwood Sports Awards 2017 which it duly won.
Lesley added: “The enthusiasm of our Walk Leaders is endless and spurs us on to offer varied and enjoyable walks. We continue to explore all that Shepshed has to offer! The highlight of our year was the Charnwood Sports Awards win - we would like to thank all who attend our walks making them such a success which undoubtedly contributed to us winning.”
Walks start outside Shepshed Library at 10.30am every Monday and are one hour long, although shorter walks are offered for those who wish to gain confidence and fitness, with the hope of progressing on to the full hour walk.
Another of the group’s seven walk leaders, Mal Gargett, said: “Our ambition for 2018 is to continue to encourage members of the Shepshed community to walk with us to improve their fitness levels whilst and the company of others.
“Our aim is to ensure that everyone feels welcome and included. Members attend when they are able and when it suits them, so there is no pressure to attend every week.”
If you are interested in finding out more call 07709 892731or email: wfhshepshed@gmail.com