Take the first steps to a healthier, happier you….by walking.—Wealden District Council, 23 May 2107
Walking is one of the easiest ways to keep fit as you grow older – it takes just ten minutes to walk 1,000 steps. Walking in company, either with friends of a walking group is a great way to socialise – because there is always something to talk about.
“We are highlighting 2017 as the Year of Walking and have launched a new website, Wealden Do Sussex Walks, www.wealdendosussexwalks.co.uk.
It provides walk details and inspiration to encourage people to get out and make the most our marvellous Wealden countryside. Whether you are six or 86, we have walks on our website for you to enjoy and make you fitter,” said Councillor Claire Dowling, Wealden Cabinet member for Public Health and Community Safety.
“Wealden residents are living longer, but they need to keep active to help old age go hand-in-hand with good health.”
As well as guided walks and self-guided walks, the Wealden do Sussex Walks website provides information on wheelchair walks, the health benefits of walking, walks with buggies, inspirational walks, walking with dogs and Nordic walking.
Adding to the fun, we have Beat the Street – a new walking game taking place in our towns and larger villages this June. It uses near-field communications technology to allow players to tag various locations as they walk, cycle or scoot around their neighbourhood. They will be able to form teams, compete with friends and view their progress online. There will be prizes for the winning team and lucky tap prizes, which can be won by any player taking part.
Polegate, Stone Cross, Hailsham, Uckfield, Crowborough, Mayfield and Heathfield are being fitted with Beat Boxes ready for when the game begins on Wednesday 7 June.
To start Wealden’s Year of Walking, a launch event and inaugural walk is being held at Uckfield on Saturday 10 June at the Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, Uckfield. There will be an opportunity to see the new Wealden Do Sussex Walks website before setting off for a two mile health walk around Uckfield at 11am.
The Beat the Streets project has been commissioned by East Sussex County Council’s Public Health team and funded by ESCC Public Health, NHS Hastings and Rother CCG and NHS Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford CCG as part of the Personal and Community Resilience work stream of the East Sussex Better Together and the Connecting 4 You programmes. The project is managed by Intelligent Health. Find out more here: https://www.beatthestreet.me/eastsussex
