July - Best Foot Forward
This month we introduce you to Best Foot Forward month - throughout July we will show you how to enjoy our borough on foot.
Walking is a great way to start being active or get back into regular exercise and, best of all, it's free!
Lots of us wish we did more exercise. We know it's good for us and we know our health is important, but sometimes it's hard to get started. Walking is often the easiest way to begin, as you don't need any special equipment and, best of all, it counts towards your recommended amount of physical activity.
Find out more about how walking can improve your health on the NHS website.
Even the smallest of steps can help you improve your health for good. Try the Active 10 app to track your walking, starting with ten-minute walks every day.
Walk with us as we explore the delights of our borough, finding new places or reminding you of some you may have forgotten.
Walk With Us groups
If you don't want to do your walking alone, or you like the idea of having other people around to help you stay motivated, then joining a walking group might be the choice for you.
Being in a walking group gives you a chance to have a chat while you walk and have fun while helping yourself feel better and lift your spirits.
Chesterfield Borough Council has re-started a program of short group walks, previously known as Health Walks, ideal for those wanting to start to get fitter or just walk with some friendly folk.
During Best Foot Forward month, we’ll be featuring walks in our Walk With Us program.
You can take a look at a few of our featured walks on our Activities in Parks page.
For more details, contact our Community Lifestyles Officer on 01246 345669 or tina.hensey@chesterfield.gov.uk.
Challenge yourself with a monthly walking target
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – Lao Tzu
Challenge yourself to walk a set distance this month. Maybe start with a mile a day, or even aim for a monthly target of 25, 50 or 100 miles?
Let us know how you did! Email green.spaces@chesterfield.gov.uk.
Spital Cemetery Heritage Walking Tours
Situated three quarters of a mile from the town centre, Spital Cemetery was the first public cemetery to be opened in Chesterfield in 1857. The cemetery contains a number of fine memorials, which provide an interesting insight into Chesterfield's social, political, cultural and economic history from the 19th century.
Read more about Spital Cemetery.
Friends of Spital Cemetery host Heritage Walking Tours from 1pm to 2pm on the second Sunday of every month. Why not join in on Sun 11 July and find out more about this quiet green corner of Chesterfield?
Pre-booking is required by emailing spitalcemeterytours@gmail.com.
Ramblers walking group and taster session
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Ramblers organise group walks, varying in length from 5 to 14 miles, on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays in Chesterfield and surrounding areas. The majority of walks are circular but there are also some linear walks which use public transport.
The group is part of Ramblers, a national charity that promotes walking and aims to improve access to the countryside for everyone.
Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Ramblers invite you to join them for a taster walk on Monday 12 July at 6.30pm at Holmebrook Valley Park, Watermeadow Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 8XP (SK 355 731).
The group will meet by the café, with the 4.4-mile route going through Cutthorpe Green, Linacre reservoir, Brampton and Wood Nook.
A maximum of 30 people can attend in total, hence places must be booked in advance with Leader Mel Hardy on 07732 923862.
For more ideas for walking routes, visit the Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Ramblers web page.
'Tracks and Trails' - walking made accessible by Chesterfield and District Shopmobility
Introducing ‘Tracks and Trails’, a project making off-road tracks more accessible for all.
The project, by Chesterfield and District Shopmobility, is for people with mobility difficulties who may wish to explore traffic free tracks and trails at their leisure – or just go to the local park to get out and about after being isolated during the pandemic. Thanks to the project, members can visit our beautiful local parks or tracks and trails near to them.
Shopmobility are flexible and will aim to put together a package to suit a member’s requirements, whether you’re after a group or solo walk.
They have a wide range of mobility scooters, power chairs and manual wheelchairs to choose from, with something to suit most needs, and qualified staff and volunteers are on hand to provide friendly, expert guidance and safety instructions.
There is a short registration process and driving test for health and safety purposes.
Shopmobility is based on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park attached to The Pavements Shopping Centre. Their service is recognised by Derbyshire County Council as a Trusted Trader.
Shopmobility are holding a taster day on Wednesday 28 July, at Queen's Park and Chesterfield Canal. For full details of the taster sessions and services offered, visit their website or Facebook page, or call on 01246 277881.
