Issue 12, October 2006
In this issue
In this edition we're encouraging everyone to get out walking in England, Scotland and Wales, albeit it for quite different reasons.
We're now a third of the way through The Use Your Paths Challenge - a campaign to get every single grid square walked in England and Wales before September 2007. Have you submitted your local grid squares to our interactive map yet?
And in Scotland we're working to make programmes of short walks available in locations where physical inactivity is a huge concern.
Walk this way and get involved!
Target: 25,000 Grid Squares Walked by end of 2006
Have you taken part in the Use Your Paths Challenge yet? We're now a third of the way through our campaign to get all the paths in England and Wales walked by September 2007.
The response so far has been fantastic - the bright green areas on the map pictured show the grid squares which have been completed so far - but we need all the help we can get to blot out all those dark green areas.
To give an added boost we've set ourselves the extra target of achieving 25,000 completed grid squares by the end of 2006. This would get us about halfway to completing the challenge.
You don't need any special knowledge or equipment to take part. If you enjoy walking you can do the Challenge.
Have a look at www.useyourpaths.info for more information.
You Count in the Fight against Climate Chaos
With street bands, entertainment, film, performance and speakers - come and be part of the biggest stop climate chaos event of the year. 'icount' takes place on Saturday 4th November in Trafalgar Square, London, and you can make a difference just by being there.
Thousands of people delivering some ear bending political noise - right on the eve of critical international climate talks, and just over a week before the Queen's Speech which could see the introduction of a bill to help stop climate chaos.
To count you have to be there. And so do your friends. Visit www.icount.org.uk to find out more. And if you live in or around the London area, why not join together with some friends or your local Ramblers Group and organise a walk to the event?
Help us Improve Scotland's Health
As part of our 'Get Fit For Tomorrow' project, funded through the Paths for All Partnership, we are setting up programmes of short, easy 3-5 mile walks in socially and economically deprived areas across Scotland. Our priority is the area in and around Glasgow but we are keen to work in other areas where we feel there is a need to help address physical inactivity and associated health inequalities.
For most people short, local walks are the ideal way to keep active; they are easy, do not require special equipment and can be
easily incorporated into daily life - making them ideal for people who have limited free time.
They are also suitable for families with children and people moving on from very short health walks.
Would you like to get involved and help us with this important work? If you live in or near an area where you feel a scheme like this would have a positive impact, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact Kathryn Wortley, Promoting Walking Officer, on kathrynw@scotland.ramblers.org.uk or 01577 861222 if you are interested in leading walks, putting up posters or taking part as a participant.
For more information visit www.ramblers.org.uk/getfitfortomorrow
Change Your Credit Card and Change the World!
Throughout 2006 the Co-operative Bank has been campaigning to combat climate change, the most serious problem our world faces today. This is just one example of their strict ethical policies, developed in consultation with their customers.
We're proud of our association with the Co-operative Bank and we hope you will consider applying for a Ramblers Credit Card. When you choose the card, the Bank will donate £15.00 to us. When you use it for the first time, we'll receive another £2.50, and for as long as you continue to use the card, we'll get generous donations to support our core work.
For further details visit: www.ramblers.org.uk/creditcard or call the Co-operative Bank on 0800 002 006
Swap to a Ramblers' credit card and put your ethics into action.
Last Word
"All paths lead nowhere, so it is important to choose a path that has heart." Carlos Casteneda, writer
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