Walk Week 2007
 Following the success of Greater Nottingham's Walk Week in 2006, we did it all again in 2007. Between 19th and 27th May, we held a bigger and better calendar of walking events for all ages and abilities.
For several months, a team of partners came together to organise the week, including Nottingham City Council, Nottingham University Hospitals, Catherine Hughes (Nordic walking instructor and personal trainer), Primary Care Trusts, Nottingham Trent University and the Big Wheel.
The participants were sent a Walk Week calico shopping bag packed with walking leaflets and information.
Here are some of the highlights this year:
The launch event at Wollaton Park
On a bright and breezy Saturday, we held the launch event at Wollaton Park, involving "Orienteering for all" in association with the Nottingham Orienteering Club. There were different lengths of course, and full instruction for beginners who had never tried orienteering before. This was followed at Midday by an introduction to Nordic Walking - exercise that is easy to do, great for fitness (you burn up to 30% more calories than ordinary walking) and suitable for all ages and abilities. Over 20 people turned up for the taster class and two people have since become regular Nordic Walkers and competed in the Tara Kinder 10k race on 13 July 2007 (Nordic Walking the route with the other walkers).
Walk Week coincided with national Walk to School Week; an initiative that encourages parents and children to walk to school together. Plenty of primary and junior schools in Nottinghamshire got involved, offering stickers and prizes to the children who took part.
Attenborough Nature Reserve - Nature walks
A variety of birds, ducks, swans and youngsters were spotted during the walks at Attenborough Nature Reserve. Beeston Wildlife group held one of the nature walks, which was then followed by a popular Dawn Chorus Walk (for those who could face getting up at 5am). For Walk Week there was also a Bank Holiday weekend walk in the sunshine. All participants took away a walk week bag and a sense of well being!
At the East Midlands Airport, there was the opportunity to walk the 7 mile circular "Airport Trail" - a walk around the grounds that had been set aside, providing stunning views of both the Airport operation and its rural setting. With links to the Aeropark, there is a picnic site and artwork and other items of interest to the route. There was free travel on the Skylink bus over the Bank Holiday weekend. If you want to walk the trail, you can do so at any time by downloading the trail leaflet [PDF 394KB]  from the East Midlands Airport site.
Rufford health walk
On Monday of Walk Week, a ranger from Rufford Country Park led an hour's health walk around the green and spacious country park. The walk takes place every Monday, and attracts a sprightly group of over-60s who have got to know each other over the weeks. The 90 minute stroll included descriptions of plans that were in the pipeline to improve the park (new play area within the gardens) and looking at new infrastructure (there were new signs in the park, as well as a new flag pole to hold the Green flag award!). The walk obviously keeps the group happy and healthy, and ended with a cup of tea and biscuits, and a well earned Walk Week bag.
Dog Walk
For the first time in Walk Week, we had put a dog walk on the calendar, to celebrate "International day of parks". This was to be held in Rushcliffe Country Park and was advertised via pet shops, kennels and vet surgeries in the area. The dog wardens from Rushcliffe Borough Council came along for advice and poop scoops!
West Bridgford pocket map
To coincide with Walk Week we launched the West Bridgford Pocket map - a credit card sized folding map that showed circular walking routes from Trent Bridge and information about the history and wildlife in the area. It also had a calorie table showing how many calories you would walk off by doing each route. Initially, the map was aimed at staff based in County Council offices in the West Bridgford area but it proved so popular we had another 8,000 printed to be delivered to households close to the routes and to the library. To launch the map we invited young local historian Chris Matthews to lead a lunchtime walk around the embankment area, entertaining staff about the meaning of local words and how things came to be where they are today.
If you would like a copy of the map, they are available free from County Hall reception or West Bridgford library, or e-mail: steps@nottscc.gov.uk.
 Urban Poling
City Centre workers were able to get some exercise and fresh air with the inclusion of some "Urban Poling" into the Walk Week calendar. Lead by Catherine Hughes, high heels were swapped for trainers as they learnt the basics of nordic walking in the newly opened "Old Market Square". There were other Nordic Walking classes throughout the week, which all proved popular, including a session in Mansfield,and a class at Bramcote that involved young people with learning difficulties.
"Walk to Work Wednesday"
The most popular event in the Walk Week calendar is Walk on Wednesday where employees across Nottinghamshire are encouraged to leave the car at home and walk to work. Staff pledging to do so received a free walk week bag, and there were refreshment stations set up to greet walkers at the major work bases. At Notts County Council we held a competition to see who would commute the farthest on foot. Despite good efforts from people in Hucknall and Bingham walking to West Bridgford, the competition was won by Steve Sankey in the resources department, who set off at 2.30am to walk in excess of 22 miles to County Hall. Needless to say, he got a lift home later!
During Walk Week, over 500 people took part in the 32 events. Research from those who pledged online revealed that 77% of the walkers didn't normally walk to work and 40% never or only occasionally walked for their other journeys. It is hoped that the events in Walk Week will encourage people to continue walking and lead healthier lifestyles.
Contact steps@nottscc.gov.uk for further information.
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