Now that the sap is starting to rise and spring is on its way, why not do something different and join a walking group? Why should I bother, you may say? Well, walking is one of the easiest, cheapest and safest forms of exercise. It’s good for your heart and lungs and flexibility and suppleness. It can be done on your own, but you can also decide to be sociable and join a group. While you are chatting away you won’t notice the miles clocking up!
Wirral MIND has a group that meets every Thursday at 11am. They go to all different places over the Wirral, but don’t normally decide where they are going until the week before. They meet at the Wirral MIND Fountain Project, 90 -92 Chester Street, Birkenhead CH41 5DL – tel 0151-512-2200.
Age Concern, which is soon going to be known as Active Age has a walking group that meets regularly and is open to all ages, despite the title! The next walk will probably go from New Brighton on 15 March. For more information ring Age Concern on 0151-647-3537 and ask for Gerard McArtan.
The Stein Centre in St Catherines Hospital in Birkenhead is home to another walking group. They meet at the waiting room in the Stein Centre on Fridays at 1.30pm. More information available from Pete Tarpey, Peter Leay, Dave Ashton or Fran Gladstone. All can be contacted on 488-7708. Please wear sensible shoes!!
Advocacy in Wirral which is based in Birkenhead, down by Woodside, has a walking group that meets regularly. If you would like to join them or for more details contact Chris Shaw at Advocacy on 650-1530, or email him on chris.shaw@aiw.org.uk.
If you fancy going further afield and don’t want to stick to the Wirral, and have a bit more energy to boot – why not try an all day Sunday walk with Merseyside Ramblers. All coaches leave from Bridge Street, Woodside in Birkenhead and sometimes from Eastham, New Ferry, Prenton, and Heswall depending on where the walk is going to. It costs for adults between £11.50 and £13.00 and for children under 16 a flat fare of £5 on all excursions. The walks start on March 7 and destinations this year include Shropshire, Anglesey, Yorkshire, Lake District, Snowdonia and Derbyshire. You don’t need to be a member of the Ramblers to go on these walks but you do need to be kitted out with strong boots or shoes and two meals to last you throughout the day. There are normally at least four levels of walk, from the easy at around 7 miles, to the strenous at around 14 miles – you choose! All walks are led by an experienced Group Leader. For more information contact Ingrid Donakey on 0151-494-9864 (7.30pm – 9.00pm and weekends) or Dave Greaney on (0151) 228-7314.
I'm a married mum of one, living in Wirral. Interested in cooking, growing stuff to eat and fitness. Have Bipolar Disorder but it doesn't stop me leading a full and productive life. 
Alternatively, you could try the Wirral Ramblers who offer 4 grades of walk every Sunday with coach pick-up points across the Wirral, travelling to North Wales, The Lakes, Yorkshire Dales, and the Peak District. They also meet every Wednesday for more local walks and have social events every Tursday in Oxton. Contact Thelma Cowan on 0151 327 4980 or by email membership@wirralramblers.org.uk about joining.