Please note that some of the walk details printed in the latest issue of SCAN magazine are wrong. Correct dates are featured here and on the 'what's on and events page'. Details are also available on the usual noticeboards and in Blackwood Road Library.

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.

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.

You may also be intrested to know, 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, the Institute of Ramblers walks. Distance between 5 - 10 miles and within an hours drive of Birmingham. Keep fit, make friends and enjoy the countryside. Subscription £8.00pa. Call 0121 453 9583 or visit http://iwalk.webplus.net

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

TUESDAY AFTERNOON WALK PLAN COMMENCING MAY, 2010.

Date... Walk ref Number... Starting Point... Type of walk

04/05 ref 12 Parson and Clerk Mixed terrain in Sutton Park

11/05 ref 10 Hardwick Arms Hardwick Wood or surrounds

18/05 ref 2 SCA 40 –50 min. walk in Sutton Park

25/05 ref 7 Blackwood Park Flat including woodland in Park

01/06 ref 12 Parson and Clerk Mixed terrain in Sutton Park

08/06 ref 3 Co-op, Chester Rd. Flat. Footpaths and grass

15/06 ref 2 Hardwick Arms Hardwick Wood or surrounds

22/06 ref 12 Parson and Clerk Mixed terrain in Sutton Park

29/06 ref 6 Blackwood Park Flat. Footpaths and park woodland

06/07 ref 2 SCA 40 – 50 minute walk in Sutton Park

13/07 ref 4 Co-op, Chester Rd. Footpaths and grass. Medium incline

20/07 ref 9 Hardwick Arms Woodland walk weather permitting, followed by visit to Pacific.

27/07 ref 12 Parson and Clerk Mixed terrain in Sutton Park

03/08 ref 8 Blackwood Park Footpaths. Slight incline on return

10/08 ref 1 SCA Flat. Footpaths and some grass

17/08 ref 12 Parson and Clerk Mixed terrain in Sutton Park

24/08 ref 5 Co-op, Chester Rd. Flat, footpaths and some grass

Additional notes and information:

SCA – Streetly Community Association, Foley Road East. Blackwood Park – entrance on Blackwood road near the library and health centre.

The walks are suitable for people of mixed abilities. Walks along the footpaths tend to last about 45 minutes. Walks in the park last longer. In the park, you can walk at a slow steady pace – you will not be left on your own. Or you can go off at a quick pace, walk further and catch the other walkers up on the way back. Most people tend to walk with the group because they enjoy the company.

Walking in Streetly always involves hills! Walks are planned so that they avoid steep hills, but there are some longer, slower ones. Wherever possible, the walks start downhill so that you can build up your heart rate gradually. This way you will be much more able to tackle the slight inclines later in the walks. All walks start at 2.15pm prompt from a variety of starting points. Just turn up on the day. Between 15 – 20 people walk each week. If it is raining heavily or is dangerous underfoot at the start time, the walk will not take place.

Full details of all the numbered walks can be obtained from Blackwood Road Library together with copies of this walk plan. Any queries phone 0121 353 4751.

Bus route information for Tuesday walks

Co-op/Somerfield on the Chester Road, and the Parson and Clerk Pub on Chester Road, are served by the 88 (little red bus) which leaves the Hardwick Arms at 1400.

The 77 bus which runs along Foley Road West at approximately 1400 and on through Blackwood Road, Bridle Lane and Chester Road.

The 56 Brownhills to Birmingham via Streetly service leaves the Foley Arms, Aldridge Road at 1355 - alight at the stop at the junction Bakers Lane and Sutton Oak Road.

Blackwood Park entrance, Blackwood Road is on the 77 route.

The Hardwick Arms, Chester Road is served by the 935, 78 and 88 buses.

Streetly Community Centre, Foley Road East is served by the 78 little red bus.

Timetables for all these services can be obtained from Streetly Library on Blackwood Road or by visiting www.networkwestmidlands.com

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
• Strengthen the heart and reduce 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.