As an active Nordic Walker and member of the U3A,  I have been promoting Nordic Walking, as a healthy form of exercise and social activity, which I believe will be of interest to our members.

As a result of the encouraging response to the taster session, which took place on 27th November 2012, a free course was arranged through Stephanie Boote, Co-ordinator of Sefton Active Walks, in order to train our members in Nordic Walking Technique.  The course was advertised at our coffee mornings and took place over the four week period commencing Monday, 11th February 2013.  It was held at the Meadows Leisure Centre, Maghull, exclusively for members of the Maghull and Lydiate U3A.  The sixteen places available on the course were quickly filled and there are may others who missed out.   A further course will be available for those who were unable to attend this course.  (Please contact Stephanie Boote on 0151 934 2824 for details)

Now that I have received my training as a Volunteer Nordic Walking Group Leader with Sefton Active Walks, I intend to launch our own Nordic Walking Group, for those members who have attended the courses and have received their accreditation.

Due to the fact that participants will require Nordic walking poles for the walks, we will have to rely on Sefton Active Walks to provide us with their poles on loan.  Some members may wish to purchase their own poles of course and may use their £5 gift voucher, which they will receive together with their FREEDOM cards on completion of their course, towards the cost.

In order to decide a suitable day of the week on which to hold our walks, together with other matters, I will be inviting all those who have completed their course, to attend a meeting at 10.3am, during the coffee morning, at the Baptist church on Tuesday, 5th March 2013, in order to discuss this.  It is my aim to get the new group up and running the following week.  The walks will be local at first and will last for approximately one hour, including warming up and cooling down exercises.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Stephanie Boote of Sefton Active Walks Nordic and all the instructors, also the Maghull and Lydiate U3A committee,  for their help and support in making this new group possible.  Also our members for their participation and enthusiasm.

Happy Nordic Walking

Ian Gent