A Walk with Sammy

This year we have an extensive programme of Special Walks. These walks are additional to our regular programme and have included a bluebell walk, a couple of walks looking at local history, a walk across the Severn Bridge and a walk to a fossil beach, as well as an evening walk in Hartpury and a walk and pub lunch at Maisemore. 

Cheryl briefing the walkers, with help from Sammy

Yesterday evening 17 of us met at Speech House Woodland car park for one of Sammy's walks along parts of the Sculpture Trail. 

Who is Sammy? He is walk leader Cheryl Mayo's lovely dog, famous for the books 'Sammy's Walks' written by Cheryl.  There is a blog which tells you more and you can see Sammy and Cheryl in the photo.

We were joined by Sammy's friend, Harley

We started by walking to the Cathedral, the beautiful stained glass window suspended in the trees. Its hard to believe it has been there for 30 years. 

We went on to visit a dozen or so other sculptures including two new ones which are well worth a visit. Details of the trail and all the sculptures can be found here. We walked for just over an hour and a half - we had lots of stops to look at sculptures! It was lovely to hear walkers from different walks getting to know each other and describing their regular walks with Forest of Dean Walking for Health, as well as discussing the sculptures. Many thanks to Cheryl and Sammy for organising the walk which everyone enjoyed very much. 

Details of all our walks can be found here, and the books of Sammy's Walks can be found on Amazon

NB In normal circumstances we don't encourage walkers to bring their dogs and ask that anyone thinking of doing so to speak to the walk leader before coming along. We do sometimes have, as in this case, dog friendly walks where well behaved dogs are very welcome.

Sandie's Story

Last summer, two regular walkers at Mitcheldean, Pam and Sandra were trained as Walking for Health Walk leaders and in September  started a brand new weekly walk in Huntley. They advertised far and wide, and here's the story of one happy walker who has joined them on their very successful walk. 

Sandie

"I saw the Walking For Health group advertised in our Huntley Parish Magazine and joined last December. I was a bit nervous as I hadn't walked any distance for almost 2 years and was worried about keeping up, but I was welcomed by Pam and Sandra,  who assured me I would be OK.

Sandie with Walk Leaders Pam (left) and Sandra (right)

On my first walk, I had to sit down half way round, but one of the walk leaders sat with me and assured me it was perfectly alright to stop and have a breather. We are a friendly group with no set pace, just enjoying being outside in the fresh air and in one another's company. I'm pleased to say my walking has much improved and I now enjoy every minute of it."

Some of the regular Huntley Walkers

Why not join Sandie and the other Huntley walkers on a Wednesday morning health walk? They meet at 10.30 at the Red Lion, North Road, Huntley GL19 3DU and return there after the walk for coffee and biscuits. You can just turn up, or call Sandra on 01452 830141 or Pam on 01452 830957 if you have any questions.