These walks commenced in February, 2008 and between 15 – 25 people take part each week. The walks are open to anyone and are free of charge. The walks leave from the starting points shown below at 2.15pm prompt on most Tuesday afternoons during the year. Walks finish back at the starting point.

There is parking at the Community Centre and at the pubs, parking is a little further away at Blackwood Road and for the Co-op.

The Community Centre and the Parson and Clerk can be accessed by the little red S1 bus. The 377 stops at the Parson and Clerk, directly outside the Co-op, and at the entrance to Blackwood Park on Blackwood Road. The Hardwick Arms is at the terminus of the 994 bus.

Walking in Streetly always involves hills! The walks are planned so that they avoid steep hills (except one walk in Sutton Park), but there are some longer, slower hills. Whenever possible, the walks start downhill so that people build up their heart rate gradually and are much more able to tackle any slight inclines later.

All walks have been successfully tried and tested by walkers of varying abilities including some using walking sticks. Don’t worry if you are new to walking -you can walk at your own speed. If you are already a good walker you can walk further and faster than the rest of the group and catch them up again on the way back!

Shorter walks take about 30 – 40 minutes. They are mostly flat along footpaths and sometimes over grass.

Walks in Sutton Park take 60 – 75 minutes. The walk from the Community Centre is over mixed terrain and mostly flat. The walk starting at the Parson and Clerk does involve a hill but it is a very pleasant flat walk until the hill is reached and walkers can always opt to finish their walk before the hill. When weather permits we walk through Hardwick Wood and over Little Aston golf course.

Two or three times a year we walk though Hardwick Wood and then to Pacific Nurseries where we discuss the walks over a cup of tea.

below are Date, Starting point and descriptions of type of walk

09/02 Co-op, Chester Road Flat, footpaths and grass

16/02 Streetly Community Centre, Foley Road East Sutton Park

23/02 Parson and Clerk, Chester Road Sutton Park

02/03 Blackwood Park – entrance, on Blackwood Road Flat,footpaths and park woodland

09/03 Streetly Community Centre, Foley Road East Sutton Park

16/03 Co-op, Chester Road Footpaths and grass. Medium incline

23/03 Hardwick Arms – corner Chester and Hardwick Rds Woodland walk – weather permitting, followed by Visit Pacific Nurseries

30/03 Parson and Clerk, Chester Road Sutton Park

06/04 Blackwood Park – entrance Blackwood Road Footpaths. Slight incline on return

13/04 Streetly Community Centre, Foley Road East Flat, footpaths and grass

20/04 Parson and Clerk, Chester Road Sutton Park

27/04 Co-op, Chester Road Flat, footpaths and grass

Walking is one of the best and the easiest ways of becoming more active. It doesn’t cost money and can be done at any time of the day and anywhere.

Walking regularly makes you fitter and stronger. It can

• Help with weight loss
• Ease back pain
• Make your heart stronger and reduce the risk of heart disease
• Increase bone density
• Increase your muscle tone and joint flexibility
• Improve your balance
• Give you more energy
• Make you more confident
• Help you relax
• Help you make new friends

Walking is particularly good exercise if you are an older adult or suffer with back pain. It will make you fitter and stronger and help you maintain your balance. Walking with a group means that you have regular company and are safe and can walk in places such as Sutton Park where you would never dream of walking on your own.

So – why not give it a try. Start walking now and get fitter and stronger. To join our walks simply turn up at the starting point between 2.00 – 2.15pm. Don’t forget that the walks leave promptly at 2.15pm. Wear suitable footwear and dress according to the weather. Bring a drink if the weather is warm.

Walks will not take place if it is raining torrentially at the start time or conditions are dangerous underfoot.

Copies of the walk schedule and welcome packs for new walkers can be obtained at Streetly Library on Blackwood Road, telephone 01922 654864. For more information contact 0121 353 4751.

Details of the walks can also be found in Streetly at Tescos, at the Co-ops, the newsagents on Blackwood Road, the community notice board next to Garys on Blackwood Road, and at Streetly Community Centre, Foley Road East.

Walsall Sports and Leisure Services also organises regular weekly walks across the borough. The nearest ones to Streetly start in and around Aldridge and are very well attended. For details of these walks visit www.walsall.gov.uk or see the ‘Whats On’ brochure available in Blackwood Road Library.