Hartlepool walkers urged to put their best foot forward

The popular Walk About in Hartlepool initiative, run by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Sport and Recreation Service, offers walks for people of all ages.

It is continuing throughout April, with the next walk starting at 10am on Monday, April 18, from Hurworth Burn. Walkers should meet in the car park near to the bridge on the Elwick to Trimdon Road.

Further walks will take place on Wednesday, April 20, at Crimdon, starting from the upper car park, and on Monday, April 25, at Castle Eden Dene, starting from The Lodge in Stanhope Chase. Both walks begin at 10am.

There is a Durham (Away Day) walk on Wednesday, April 27 – walkers will leave Summerhill Country Park at 9.30am – and the month concludes with a walk on the Headland at 1.30pm on the same day. People wishing to participate in this walk should meet in the car park opposite the Borough Hall.

Further information about any of the walks is available from the council’s Sport and Recreation Service on (01429) 284054, [email protected] or www.gethartlepoolactive.co.uk/walking

People are also being urged support the walks programme by becoming volunteer walk leaders, and a training course is to be held from 10.30am to 4pm on Tuesday, April 26, at Brierton Sports Centre.

The free course will be largely based indoors, although there will be a walk in the afternoon. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather conditions on the day. Tea and coffee will be available but lunch will not be provided, so participants should bring their own packed lunch.

Sport and physical activity officer Angela Crane said: “Becoming a volunteer walk leader doesn’t have to be a huge commitment and even if you can only spare 30 minutes to an hour every month, we’d be delighted to hear from you.”

To book a place on the course or for further information, call (01429) 284054 or email [email protected]