What is walk week?
What happened last year?
This year's events
Walking all year round

What is walk week?

Greater Nottingham's Walk Week began in 2006 as an annual celebration of walks, and aims to encourage people of all ages and abilities to walk more in their daily lives. Walk Week is organised by a team of partners including:

• Nottinghamshire County Council
• Nottingham City Council
• Nottingham University Hospitals
• Catherine Hughes (Nordic walking instructor and personal trainer)
• Primary Care Trusts
• Get Moving Nottingham
• Shape Up Notts
• Nottingham Trent University
• Broxtowe Borough Council
• The Big Wheel.

The first ever National Walk to Work Week is taking place this year, between 27 April and 1 May 2009.

What happened last year?

Last year's Walk Week ran from Saturday 17 May 2008 to Monday 26 May 2008. All walk week walks and taster sessions were free and every registered participant received a free gift and details of events to encourage more walking in the future!

This year's events

Walk to Work Wednesday - 29 April 2009

Last year, the best effort came in the form of Jan Punter – not only did he walk from his home in the Vale of Belvoir (around 12 miles) but he also walked home again in the evening, and agreed to be filmed, photographed and interviewed on all sorts of media. Fortunately for Jan, there were refreshments and rewards (and a kangaroo) waiting for participants.

Pushy Mothers - Thursday 30 April

Pushy Mothers is a group for new mums who'd like to take regular exercise with their buggies to get some fresh air and back in shape. "It’s about getting out of the house and meeting new mums as much as taking exercise and getting rid of the post pregnancy bulge," says instructor Vanessa Gretton. The taster session will be held at 2pm in Woothorpe Park. Contact tel: 07979 520085 for your free place.

Nordic walking taster sessions - Friday 1 May

Nordic walking is an amazing way to try something new and flex muscles you didn't even know you had. Free taster sessions will take place at 10am at Rushcliffe Country Park and at 12pm at County Hall, West Bridgford. Call tel: 07940 575758 to book your free place.

Old Market Square - Saturday 2 May

This is your chance to speak to representatives from lots of different groups who can provide you with more information about ways to keep fit, make friends, relieve stress and save money by walking.

Nordic Starlight Trek - Saturday 16 May

If you'd like to raise money while you walk, then this could be the event for you. The walk goes along the waterways of Nottingham and raises money for the Garden of Grace Charity. You can read more by visiting www.nordicst.org.uk or by phoning tel: 0115 945 5416.

Walking all year round

We encourage people to find walks taking place in their area. You can find walks in your area on the Walking for Health Initiative website at: www.whi.org.uk

The Best Foot Forward and Taking Steps programmes both offer free led walks every day of the week around Greater Nottingham. These include:

Mondays

Mary Potter Walk

A weekly short walk in the Hyson Green area walking along the Forest and sometimes into the Arboretum. Meet 10.30am every Monday at the Mary Potter Health Centre. Volunteer Walk Leaders are Colin and June.

Tuesdays

30 minute walk around Wilford Circular. Meet at Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road in the reception to start at 10.30am.

Canal Walk

A weekly short walk along Nottingham Canal every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm. Meeting point at the 'Exchange Diner', off Queens Drive, Castle Marina. Volunteer Walk Leader is Mary.

Wednesdays

Approximately 50 minute walk around Rushcliffe Country Park, Ruddington - meet at the Education Centre to start at 10.30am.

Clifton Walk

A weekly short walk in the Clifton area every Wednesday at 10am, meet at the front entrance to Clifton Leisure Centre. Volunteer Walk Leaders are Lindsay and Roy.

Melbourne Park, Aspley

A new walk around Melbourne Park, Aspley. Meet 10.30am every Wednesday at the Aspley Centre, Melbourne Park, Melbourne Road Entrance. Volunteer Walk Leader is Brian Sweetland, tel: 07855 410695.

Wollaton Park Walk

A weekly walk in Wollaton Park, every Wednesday at 12pm. Meeting point is at Wollaton Park, 1st car park, Wollaton Road entrance. Volunteer Walk Leaders are Mick and Stewart.

Thursdays

Mary Potter Walk

A weekly short walk in the Hyson Green area every Thursday at 10.30am, meet at the Mary Potter Health Centre. Usually a visit for refreshments at the Bridge Community Centre follows the walk. Volunteer Walk Leaders are Colin and Sue.

Fridays

Approximately 50 minute walk around Cotgrave Country Park meet at the Rose and Crown pub to start at 2pm.

Old Basford Walk

A weekly short walk in the Old Basford area every Friday at 10.30am, meet at the Garage on Mill Street. Walk Leader is Christine Adams, tel: 0115 942 0323.

Saturdays

Bulwell River Leen Walk

A weekly walk along the River Leen every Saturday afternoon. Meet at 1.50pm at the railway station car park at the footbridge. Volunteer Walk Leader is Brian Sweetland, tel: 07855 410695.