Walking For Health - Coldham's Common, Cambridge

17/10/2020

Hello walkers! A few weeks ago I was raring to get going with walks again but now Covid-19 is back on the increase, I don't feel so comfortable. Apologies for the delay while I make decisions but my position is entirely voluntary and Covid-19 adds a whole new layer of responsibility, checks, and risks that I didn't originally have to account for. As I have asthma and most of my walkers are in the vulnerable category, I am going to put things on hold for a bit longer. But, I am going to look at ways to bring walks to you virtually, so you can walk with your family and friends in your bubbles etc. So do watch this space.

25/09/2020

Hello walkers, this is a useful article for everyone to read before embarking on any walks with Walking For Health or Ramblers. I'm not going to be able to organise a walk for this weekend because I'll have to do new risk assessments for the routes. This will be even more vital after this windy weather! I'll have talks with my fellow volunteers to decide what we can manage between us and keep you updated when we can agree on safety measures etc. Thank you for your patience. https://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer-zone/coronavirus.asp

The Ramblers - Britain’s walking charity working to protect and expand the places people love to walk and promote walking for health and pleasure. Walking information, advice and campaigns, walking news and events, group led walks and an online library of walking routes.

24/09/2020

Hello walkers! Just to let you know I have been going through the Covid-19 rules and regulations and will be coming up with a plan to restart walks soon. I was hoping to start this weekend but might have to be the following Sunday to make sure everything is Covid secure. Watch this space!

08/07/2020

Pinned post:

Hello walkers,

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I have thought of you all many times - mostly Sunday mornings, funnily enough - and I do hope this email finds you safe and well, and your families and friends too. At present, we are doing well at mine, but it's starting to wear a bit thin now. Who could've predicted that when all this started, it would still be dragging on now? And that for the foreseeable future we are going to have to keep on taking safety measures until a vaccine or other cure is available?

Anyway, I just wanted to keep you updated. The Walking For Health website says, "guidance has been released to help you safely resume your walks. Some activities still remain suspended – including training, social activities and other meetings. These activities have stopped until further notice, subject to further developments". I haven't received any instructions yet, so I will sit tight and see what comes.

As far as I am aware, the Abbey Leisure Complex is also closed and the website doesn't have anything to suggest opening yet. As per the government guidelines, it is likely it will be a bit longer yet.

I know most members of our lovely group are in a high-risk category, and as an asthma sufferer (who is not on any shielding list!) I also see myself as vulnerable, so if and when walks do resume, I want to make sure that we are all as safe as can be. I will send out an email about safety procedures etc. and we can all have a discussion about what we think will work for our group.

I fear this will still be a long way off, so until then, please stay safe if possible, walk places if and when you can, and hope to see you again at some point 🙂 Until then, here are a few photos of some brighter days.

Take care,
Simone

25/06/2020

Hello walkers, hope this message finds you well. Just a quick update to say that Walking For Health is still not happening for the time being. I am waiting to hear but the website still has the Covid-19 warning on it.

We're England's largest network of free group health walk schemes. Run by Ramblers, we're helping all kinds of people lead a more active lifestyle.

10/04/2020

31/03/2020

Hello walkers! The walks are still not on for now, but I'm still managing solitary walks. I took a peculiar route today but Map My Walk failed so I can't show it to you. What I can do is share my photos though. Please feel free to post to this page if you managed to get out and about, even if it's just for a short while.

14/03/2020

Well, what a tough year this is proving to be for meeting up for fresh air and rambling. First, storms and high winds and now a pandemic! We were told by Walking For Health and the Ramblers that we could go ahead with our walks until we were given instruction to do otherwise, but as an asthmatic who also lives with an asthmatic I feel that the government's message yesterday was not adequate.

After much thought, deliberation, and a discussion with Jane, I have come to the personal decision that I will have to cancel all walks until further notice. This is mainly due to my asthma but also because I do not want to be responsible for putting vulnerable groups at risk and I have read on the World Health Organization (WHO) website that older people are in this category. Sorry to politicize but I am inclined to agree with the WHO than the current gov!

I will be keeping an eye on updates - you know me. It's every five minutes at the moment - and I'll keep you posted when I feel the time is right to start up the walks again. Please accept my apologies for this. I am very disappointed to have to do this, as I love this walking group and I get a great deal of pleasure from walking with you all. Do please feel free to keep in touch and email me at any time with any questions.

Here is a handy set of mythbusters from the WHO website:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

For more information contact Simone Chalkley: [email protected] or Jane Nunes [email protected]

Thanks and best wishes,
Simone and Jane

11/03/2020

The next walk is scheduled for this Sunday 15th March, but we will have to update you if we are advised to cancel due to the recent public health risk of Coronavirus.

We have had an email from the Ramblers/Walking For Health team that says:

We know that walking is a great way to bring groups of people together, to enjoy the outdoors on foot. Thousands of group walks (and other activities) take place every year, and we take the welfare of our schemes very seriously.

With the spread of coronavirus posing a risk to public health, we’re following government updates and the latest NHS advice closely.

For now, most people can carry on as normal - taking steps to minimise the spread of the virus.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation, and provide updates as necessary.

Please share this with volunteers in your scheme.

If any further action is needed (such as the cancellation of walks or local events), we’ll get in touch directly by email.


Best wishes

Ramblers Walking for Health Team
Ed, Emily, Lucy, Paul and Alice

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/?utm_source

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public?utm_source

Find out the number of cases and risk level in the UK, what to do if you’re a returning traveller, and what the government is doing about the virus.

23/02/2020

Sorry walkers, but I'm cancelling today's walk due to high wind. I just tried to let the cat out the back door and I could hardly open it! Report says gusts are 41mph now and only down to 35 mph by 11am. I either walk near trees or houses so I'd be concerned about falling branches or flying roof tiles. Fingers crossed we are luckier with the weather in March. Next walk is with Jane on 1st March.

22/02/2020

Sorry, thought I'd made an event for tomorrow, but that must've been last week! The weather is not looking too promising at the moment. Will let you know by about 9am if I'm going ahead with the walk. Fingers crossed 🤞

09/02/2020

Looks like it was a good idea to cancel the walk. Stay safe today, peeps!

According to the Met Office, the risk to life has been heightened throughout the county and the forecaster has now issued and amber warning