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SHEPPEY STEPS OUT TO STAY
IN SHAPE
TWICE weekly HealthWalks
on the Isle of Sheppey, which
are supported by NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent, are proving a
great way to improve health.
The first HealthWalks
began on the island nearly three years ago under the
leadership of Jenny Chilvers and her son in law Ian
Jennings. Since then other volunteers have been recruited
and the walks attract beginners and enthusiasts from all
over Sheppey.
Joining them on a bright
March morning, Explore Kent stepped out from Leysdown, past
Muswell Manor, noted as being the birthplace of British
aviation 100 years ago, through Shell Ness and other beauty
spots for a two hour long walk.
Jenny said: “When we
first started the walks we found some people were happy to
go on a longer walk as well as a shorter one. Now, we hold a
two hour walk on Wednesday mornings and a one hour stroll on
Fridays. Bad weather doesn’t put us off. I recently led a
group of 14 through fog a few weeks back.
“People have said to me
how much fitter they feel as a result and it has become a
great social event as well. We often have around 30 people
joining us.”
Jenny is a keen map
reader and has charted out the walks on the island’s public
footpaths. There are only a handful of paths which the
groups haven’t yet walked – but they hope to put that right
during the next few weeks.
If you would like to join
any of the Healthwalks sponsored by NHS Eastern and Coastal
Kent, please call 0800 849 4000 and ask for Martyn or Sam.
You can also email enquiries to healthwalks@nhs.net or look
at our list of current HealthWalks at
www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk/eastkent
See also
Swale
Walks info
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