From Chris, who walks on the Lansdowne Surgery Healthy Walk Group (November 2007):

What an excellent idea, a walk round the beautiful Embankment or the Priory Marina in Bedford, stimulating both for mind and body.

After the walk, which generally means talking as you go to different people every week or just walking and enjoying the scenery in a group of like minded people, followed by coffee at the Embankment Hotel which nobody seems to want to leave and often goes on until 1.00pm  (a bit like the old Air Canada advertisements...the flight was so good no-one wanted to get off!).  Christmas Lunch early December, a coach trip in the Summer and now and then a longer walk in a different environment, with pub lunch.

Keeping healthy, making new friends, what a good way to spend a Monday morning.  AND, for some inexplicable reason, we have never got wet in the over 100 walks so far.

From Margaret who walks on the Henlow Health Walk:

3 years ago I was told by my doctor that my blood pressure was out of control and off the scale.  I then had to try a succession of different tablets to try and get it down.  My cholesterol levels had also gone up, meaning tablets for that as well.  Taking all these tablets started making me feel depressed, so I decided enough was enough I wanted to try other means but mainly exercise.

I started with short walks at first, I struggled with 200 yards.  I persevered and 1 year ago I joined the Walking 4 Health group at Henlow run by Martin and Margaret.  I also walk twice a week on my own – about 5 miles in total for a week.  After 1 year I have never felt fitter – after having my blood pressure checked it is the lowest it’s been for 10 years.  Which even impressed my doctor!

Just wanted to express my thanks to Walk4Health.

After a short spell in hospital February 2004 due to a stroke, I took a while to gain confidence and at first a 5 minute walk tired me. My G.P. surgery nurse recommended “walk4health”. Late spring I joined a Tuesday group led by Graham. At first ½ hour walk exhausted me but Graham and his wife Audrey plus group members were so kind and supportive. I now look forward to Tuesdays – the walks, apart from health benefit, have opened up the local landscape to me again. Walking with a group is fun and the companionship great.

Graham & Audrey have planned delightful walks, and, ensure our safety and encourage friendly discussions. Our “get-togethers” after the walks have developed into social gatherings we all look forward to, laughter is so important to health.

On a more personal note on the 11th November our walk was at Marston Vale country Park, what a beautiful Forest and Country Park! Friends adopted trees in the forest 11 years ago in memory of my Husband – I’d promised to visit – but “walk4health” got me there. On the way there we drove past the superb ‘Swan Legacy’ sculpture – it’s magnificent.

I can’t praise our weekly walks enough. I’d encourage anyone to join a “Walk4Health” group.

Yours sincerely
D.W.

Dear Clive,

I joined Graham’s walks in April this year after seeing information about it at my doctor's surgery in Great Barford. I worked as a School Secretary for just over twenty-five years but, after suffering from stress and depression, decided I had to finish in July last year. Also being treated for high blood pressure I thought the exercise would do me good. Now I look forward to my Tuesday walks and wouldn't miss them for anything, come rain or shine. I enjoy the walks immensely.

Although I am Bedfordshire born and bred, I am fascinated to discover areas I was totally unaware of. Apart from the exercise, I enjoy the social aspect of talking as we walk, making new friends and enjoying a coffee together. Graham and his wife, Audrey, are extremely friendly and helpful. I would never find the self-discipline to go walking by myself and it has given me a new lease in life.

A big thank you to everyone concerned in this venture.

When I began to walk with you both back in January (I think I was your 'pioneer' walker for at least the first week) any improvement noticed was attributed to the dreaded steroids. After a few Thursday morning walks what was noticeable was the slight, but definite, feeling of being stronger and more eager for next week's ramble.

I have reached the conclusion that the Walking For Health project has made an important contribution to the way I feel these days and may, indeed, have counterbalanced some of the undesirable effect of having to take steroids.

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John, from Putnoe, Bedford says:

It was one day in September 2001 while on my way to the local shops. I met an old friend of mine, Graham, he told me about Health Walks he was leading from our local surgery and asked me if I would like to join them, but I said I thought being in my seventies that I was a bit old. Graham said they had folks in their eighties.

So I decided to start with them and after a while he [Graham] asked if I would do a walk leaders course, which I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. So on Tuesday mornings I lead a group on a walk for an hour and finish at the pub nearby for tea and coffee and a chat.

I never thought I would start walking at my age, but as the old song says ‘These boots were made for walking’. Through this [health walk] I have made many new friends and feel extremely fit and well and would recommend it to all age groups.

I have been going on this health walk for some time. I have even started walking to the shops in town. But, I do have to catch the bus home as I have my shopping to carry.

From Viola of Great Barford:

Reference the Health Walk Group at Great Barford Surgery. I joined the original group from the Surgery at its outset 2 years ago, the reasons were to improve my health and general well being as I was suffering from quite serious nervous stress and related problems and needed to get motivated and have a purpose in life again.

I found the walks from the beginning beneficial and most enjoyable and improved my energy levels and stamina plus meeting people from a variety of backgrounds was of great interest and I felt a gradual feeling of well being. We became an independent group in January 2004 with the original leader resigning.

To this day we, mostly from the original group, walk each Monday for up to 2 hours and all have become friends. My health is greatly improved and I feel much more invigorated and life is great. I have joined the new group from Great Barford for people who wish to walk at a slower pace where I act as a back-up to the leader Graham.

My husband has now joined the group which is very well attended! I am also. going to assist with a group-on a Wednesday evening for people who work during the day. WALKING THE WAY TO HEALTH IS GREAT. I am a trained nurse but from the late fifties not having nursed for many years. I am also a volunteer at the local Hospice.

From Jim Livingston of Great Barford:

I'm happy to provide a personal testimonial for the beneficial effects of our membership of the Great Barford Walking Group.

My wife and I joined the group at its inception in 2002 (as the GB Surgery Health Walk) and with the exception of holidays participated in all the Monday walks.

As regular walkers and occasional cyclists, the walks were not our sole source of exercise but provided welcome variety and regularity. More significantly, as relative newcomers to Bedfordshire, the walks introduced us to a new circle of friends and interesting local venues.

The preparation and organisation of the walks were exemplary and testament to the professionalism and dedication of the original team leaders. So successful was their example that the original walkers felt confident to continue under their own aegis When the walks were restructured in early 2004.

If you require my opinion on any specific aspect of the walks please feel free to contact me.

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