Paths for All Volunteer Newsletter

Summer 2014

pathsforall.org.uk

Plus:• Maggie’s a

great buddy• A busy week

of walking

Inside:Barrows, shovels and a roller!

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Dear readerWe often hear that volunteers get more out volunteering thanthey put in. This definitely has been the case when we were ableto offer volunteers one of a hundred pairsof Glasgow Commonwealth Gamestickets courtesy of the ScottishGovernment’s Legacy 2014 programme.Volunteers nominated in our 2013volunteer awards and those organising a Commonwealth Big Fit Walk will beenjoying watching mountain biking, badminton, gymnastics,boxing and lawn bowls this summer.

We also welcome the launch ofScotland’s National Walking Strategy – Lets Get Scotland Walking by Healthminister Michael Matheson. He was joinedby school children and walkers at ourCommonwealth Big Fit Walk in Falkirk. Over ten years ago Falkirk Community Trust

and GP Jenny Linn with local schoolchildren organised a Big Fit Walk. Withfunding from the Big Lottery CelebrateFund we have been able to expand theCommonwealth Big Fit Walk all acrossScotland. We will share your photos in theAutumn/Winter edition of Footnotes.

The pictures on page 7 fromHealth Walk groups venturing on the newly opened John MuirWay shows a little walk goes a long way!

I’ve really enjoyed our StepCount Challenge this yearwhere we had three staffand board member teams.Find out more about this year’schallenge on page 10.

Yours sincerely

Ian FindlayChief Officer

Contents2-7 In the news

Features

8 Barrows, shovels and a roller!Path maintenancetraining day forvolunteers

9 Maggie’s a greatbuddyPut Your West FootForward Buddy Walkproject

10 Every step countsOur 2014 workplacepedometer challenge

11 Volunteering aninterest improvesaccess to walksRetired GP Ian Brown,volunteer with MidlothianPaths Team

12 A busy week ofwalkingLeading Health Walkshas given John Reilly an active social life

13 Community mappingUsing online maps torecord walking andcycling routes

Regulars

14 Word on the street Your letters, emails,comments and tweets

14 The quiz

15 Feeling poetic

15 Packed lunchesGiant garlic mushroomburgers

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Cover story: Barrows, shovels and a roller!Pictured on the front cover are volunteers on our pathmaintenance training day at Oatridge College, West Lothian,see page 8 for this story.

Footnotes Summer 2014

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Footnotes Summer 2014

3Walking everyday, for a happier, healthier Scotland

Local People Local Paths grantsWe have grants available tocommunity groups through ourLocal People Local Pathsprogramme. Groups can applyfor up to £1,500 to improve orpromote their local paths. Ourgrant can be used to purchasetools, path materials,professional labour, plant hire,insurance or promotionalmaterials such as leaflets orsigns. You must be able toshow:• There is a need for your local

path improvement,development or promotion

• More people will beencouraged to use the pathsin your community.

Local volunteers areencouraged to carry out theimprovement work on paths orto promote the paths.

This grant is a limited fundwhich has been made possiblethrough support from ScottishNatural Heritage.

If you have any questionsplease contact John Duffy at:localpaths@pathsforall.org.ukor call 01259 222 392.

Take action Grants of £50 to £250are available for practicalactivities that involvevolunteers in improvingoutdoor spaces orcreating habitats forwildlife. CSV’s ActionEarth grants can beused to purchase

In the news...plants, tools and materials orto cover volunteer expenses.

If your group is volunteeringon a Local Nature Reserve youcan get up to £500 forpractical work, wildliferecording or educationalactivities that encourage morepeople onto the reserve.

For more information and toapply online go to:actionearth.csv.org.uk

Sit and stretchOur resources promotingstrength and balance in olderadults have been reprinted.The new edition features fournew seated exercises. Theseexercises are particularlyappropriate for frailer olderadults such as in care homes.They are also suitable for olderadults who may have lostsome fitness due to illness.These exercises shouldimprove range of motion,circulation and strength around

the ankles andimprove hipmobility. Overtime this willimprove the

ability to walkwith a proper heeltoe motion andmobilise moresafely.

If you alreadyuse the originalcue cards, withthe ten exercises,and would like to have a copy of

the four new

seated exercises, pleasecontact Marion Munro, Training Administratormarion.munro@pathsforall.org.uk or call 01259 222 336.

Strength and balancetraining is available forcommunity walking projects. It is a 3.5 hour interactiveworkshop for up to 20 WalkLeaders. You can find detailson our website:pathsforall.org.uk/training

On the treasure trailThe Commonwealth WoodsProject has introducedTreasure Trails at some of their sites. They are an excitingnew activity that will inspirepeople and families to exploretheir local woods, solvingpuzzles along the way andfinding out more about theCommonwealth Games,Commonwealth countries andthe importance of woods topeople across the world. Fordetails of their arrival check outcommonwoods.org.uk

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morning walking group thatwhen she was no longer ableto drive to her sister in-law’shouse for a lift, she took thebus from Denny some 10 milesaway. It sometimes means an8am start!

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Footnotes Summer 2014

Volunteer leads the way Edinburgh’s Health All RoundVolunteer Walk Leader RandiDocherty, led the PhysicalActivity Health Allianceconference Health Walk fromHaymarket train station toMurrayfield stadium in April.She encouragedCommonwealth Games andSport minister Shona Robisonand NHS Scotland’schairperson Margaret Burnsand other delegates to fit 30minutes of brisk walking intotheir busy working lives.

If you are organising an

Aboyne Health Walkers celebrated their 10th anniversarywith coffee and cake after a walk. Part of the CairngormsWalking to Health project, they meet every Monday atthe local Bonty Court care home, for a 30 to 45 minuteHealth Walk followed by refreshments.

event or conference why notadd a short Health Walk to theprogramme. It’s a great way topromote physical activity in theworkplace.

Inspiring Isa One of Stirling WalkingNetwork’s most dedicated and committed walkers IsaMcKillop, received a cake and photo collage from herwalking friends to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Isa has a “get up and geton” attitude to life. She is socommitted to her Thursday

walkingyour way

Walk away with an awardOur 2014 volunteer awards arenow open for the followingcategories:• Community path volunteer

of the year• Health Walk volunteer of the

year• Health Walk group volunteer

of the year (new)• Volunteer manager of the

year• Workplace volunteer of the

year

Nominate your walkingchampions online at:pathsforall.org.uk/pfa/volunteering/volunteer-awards-2014

All entrants will be invited to a Parlimentary reception inEdinburgh on Tues 4thNovember and receive acertificate. The winners willreceive a certificate, award, gift and £250 for theirvolunteers.

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Footnotes Summer 2014

5Walking is for everyone, everyday, everywhere.

Bridge over Glentarken burn

After much planning and hard work, theCommunity Councils of Lochearnhead and St Fillans celebrated the formal opening of theGlentarken Bridge on 9th May.The project was completed thanks to the dedicated work of the Community Councils with support from Paths for All, LochLomond and Trossachs National Park, Tayside LEADER andSustrans. Local MSP Roseanna Cunningham also added her full support to the project and the result is proof of how effectivepartnership working can be.

The event was attended by school children from Comrie andStrathyre primary schools, members of the local communitiesand walking enthusiasts, among many others. The bridgeprovides a valuable link over the Glentarken Burn along thedisused railway path between the two villages. While the newbridge is very impressive in itself, it is an important stage in thedevelopment of walking routes in the area. Before the bridge wasinstalled, any walk along the path came to an abrupt halt when it met the burn. With the bridge in place, walkers and cyclists can now both use the path along the north of Loch Earn.

The bridge took three days to construct and was pushed out on rollers over the gorge spanning over 100 feet, with a dropto the burn below of 130 feet. Officially opened by CameronMcNeish and MSP Roseanna Cunningham, the bridge is acrucial link in the area for opening up more accessible localpaths. As Ms Cunningham said: “Good walking routes providegreat leisure opportunities for local people and are increasinglyuseful in attracting tourists to the area.”

Access to the bridge is via the Glen Tarken track which leavesthe A85, opposite the Loch Earn Sailing Club. It’s a walk worthdoing just to see the bridge!

Pictured L-R: Cameron McNeish, MSP Roseanna Cunningham andvolunteer Geoff Hardman-Carter

Theatre treatWalk Leaders Fiona Wottonand Sheila Kelly with theEyemouth Walk It Grouporganised their usual TuesdayHealth Walk to include lunchand transport toCockburnspath village hall towatch the play “Get Up and Tie Your Fingers”.

Fiona explains: “Eyemouth is a small fishing town on theeastern fringes of the ScottishBorders. Forever etched on itshistory is the disastrous stormin 1881 that decimated theherring fleet. A total of 189fishermen lost their lives, manyof whom were from Eyemouth.Some of them drowned in frontof their families as their boatstried to re-enter the harbour.The play was written aroundthis terrible event anddescribes the hardships of thetime, as seen through the eyesof herring lasses, who usedstrips of cloth to protect theirhands from the gutting knivesand pickling salt.”

The group are grateful toDenise Carmichael, Walk Itproject coordinator, for financial support for thisenjoyable day out.

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A One StopShop for pathadviceHave you an idea for apath project but don’tknow where to start?

If so, our One Stop Shopservice can help you. We can:

• Offer advice to improveyour local path network

• Visit your project• Show you how to survey

a path • Help you plan what needs

to be done and when• Organise training for your

group, if you need it• Discuss options for signs

on your path• Talk you through how best

to promote your path • Advise you on the best

type of path for your area• Help you make sure your

path will last

Contact our One Stop ShopService on 01259 218 888 orlocalpaths@pathsforall.org.uk

Be a winner! Walk a Medal RouteWith over 300 routes in more than 100 locationsthroughout Scotland, Medal Routes is inspiringboth hearts and feet across the country.

Medal Routes are three short circular walking routes that startand finish at the same location. These routes are designed totake approximately 15, 30 and 60 minutes. They start/finish from one central location called a walking hub. The project hasengaged people throughout Scotland and as a result we havepeople walking Medal Routes from Aberdeen to Ayr. Thesefantastic routes can be walked independently and as part of a walking group.

As part of an Ordnance Survey initiative, Medal Routessuccessfully won funding to create a Medal Routes mobile appfor Android and Apple devices. The app will have every MedalRoute walk available and will be packed with other exciting and innovative ideas to motivate more people to give walking a go. The Medal Routes mobile app will be available todownload in August.

To celebrate the launch of the Medal Routes mobile app weare giving you the opportunity to win an iPad Mini. To be in witha chance of winning, simply try out a Medal Route walk and letus know how you get on by completing a short online survey.

To find a walk and to complete the Medal Route survey visit:ramblers.org.uk/medalroutes

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Footnotes Summer 2014

7Everyday walking is the way to a happier, healthier life for everyone.

Fraserburgh walkinggroup celebrated theirfirst anniversary in June.

They have successfullyorganised family evening walksall year including Halloweenwhen they walked the streetsin fancy dress! Walk LeaderDeborah Maitland toldFootnotes about their childfriendly activities.

“We offer three differentlengths of walks to cater forvarying abilities. Our biggestwalk to date had one hundredand fifty walkers! We currentlyhave twelve very enthusiasticleaders who do a great jobsupporting and motivatingwalkers.

Children have their ownnotice board. They add asticker and miles they havewalked next to their name.Once they have completed tenwalks we present them with a medal and certificate. Theyare always amazed to see thedistance they have completedin ten weeks.

We have received greatfeedback about the group: “it’sthe best thing ever” and “it’s agreat idea”. As leaders, we alsoenjoy the company and thebanter of meeting new people.

Many of our walkers saythey wouldn’t go out bythemselves and feel muchsafer in a group. It is veryrewarding to know, that by justgiving up a couple of hours aweek, you are helping changepeoples’ lives in such a positivemanner.”

Family fun

These happy Stirling Walking Network walkers celebrated thenewly opened John Muir Way by walking along it at Gartnessnear Killearn. Their glowing faces are living proof of John Muir’sbelief that “In every walk with nature one receives far more thanhe seeks.”

Muir also said: “It is a good thing to make short excursionsnow and then” and that’s exactly what 25 walkers from the Walkin the Park group did to mark the opening of the John Muir Wayin Balloch Castle Country Park. The Walk in the Park projectsupported by the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs CountrysideTrust, provides HealthWalks in Balloch,Aberfoyle, Callanderand Killin. Walkers fromall groups and scootersfrom Clyde ShopMobility joined togetherto enjoy the stunningsurroundings of LochLomond.  

The Walking Towards Better Health project (based at Healthand Social Care Alliance Scotland) received funding from

Scottish Natural Heritage to organise a walk at Cockenzie and Port Seton.Twenty people enjoyed this thirty minutewalk followed by refreshments atCockenzie House and Garden.

For more information on walking theJohn Muir Way visit johnmuirway.org

A fantastic day on the John Muir Way

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Luckily the sun was out all dayas the volunteers got hands onexperience doing a variety ofpath maintenance jobs on thedemonstration paths atOatridge College. These were

typical maintenance jobsgroups might have to deal withon their local paths. The daystarted off with a quick talk

about the various tools usedfor path maintenance as wellas the all important health andsafety reminders.

The volunteers got to trytheir hand at using a variety ofhand tools, tracked barrowsand a roller. There were plentyof jobs to learn about and try.From brushing off loose stoneto making path surfaces saferfor horse riders, clearingditches out to improvedrainage, moving stone dustwith tracked barrows, to rakingover stone dust along wornsections of path and rolling it.

Everyone did a great job andreally enjoyed the day. All theirhard work has resulted in a

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Footnotes Summer 2014

path that can continue to bewalked, cycled or ridden on for years to come. And thevolunteers have gained newskills, giving them theconfidence to help maintain the paths in their localcommunities.

If this course is somethingyou are interested in we will be running it again at OatridgeCollege on 27th August.

Would you like us to run apath maintenance action day in your local area? If so, pleasecontact Kevin, our TechnicalOfficer on O1259 222 330 or atkevin.fairclough@pathsforall.org.uk

Barrows, shovels and a roller!On the 14th May we held a path maintenance training day at OatridgeCollege, West Lothian. We were joined by 20 volunteers from variouscommunity groups and local authorities across Scotland.

“ ”All their hard workhas resulted in a paththat can continue to be walked, cycledor ridden on for yearsto come

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Footnotes Summer 2014

9Walking is something you can easily do everyday.

Maggie’s a great buddy The Put Your West Foot Forward (PYWFF) 1:1 Buddy Walk Project hasbeen successfully running for over a year now.

Its success is due to thecommitment of our volunteersof whom Maggie Matthews isone. Access to the programmeis strictly on a referral basisfrom the Reablement, KeepWell and local communityphysiotherapy services.

Volunteer Buddy Walkerslike Maggie accompany anindividual on a suitablyidentified 1:1 Health Walk withthe aim of promotingindependence through physicalactivity, and integration intolocal community activities.Buddy Walkers support,encourage and motivateindividuals who may lackconfidence to take the firstcrucial steps to becomingmore active through walking.The original intention was thatwalkers would progress ontobigger group Health Walks,however, most are just happyto be linked back into theircommunity, for example doingtheir own shopping again.

Safety is paramount for ourvolunteers and walkers. Safetyrisk assessments and a LoneWorking policy are in place.

We try to matchpersonalities by asking walkersand volunteers to complete apersonal profile to help matchinterests, likes and dislikes.

Qualities of a Buddyvolunteer include patience,reliability, empathy andenthusiasm all of which Maggiepossesses. Maggie is an active

PYWFF volunteer participatingas a group Health Walk leaderand a Buddy Walk volunteer.She has been instrumental inthe development of PYWFFBuddy walking programme asa valuable member of our

steering group. Maggie evencontinued to do this despiterecent hip surgery and wasback in action within six weeksof surgery! Maggie has aninspirational positive attitudeand finds the steering groupinteresting and stimulating,offering constructive andinnovative ideas from avolunteers’ perspective.

Maggie enjoys the challengeof tailoring walks to individualneeds and seeing the results in helping to improveconfidence and ability. BuddyWalk volunteers make a hugedifference to walkers’ lives.One walker said: “Maggie hashelped me to get myconfidence back. I am nowable to get to the shop myself”.Things that many of us take forgranted.

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Volunteer extraordinaire MaggieMatthews at the opening of theJohn Muir festival

Seasonal inspiration

Get sand in your shoes with a day out on your favouritebeach this summer.

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Every step countsSpring saw the return of our Walk at Work Step Count Challenge. The challenge is now in its fourth year and proved as popular as ever with 3,500 people signing up from workplaces across Scotland.

The challenge aims to getworkplaces on their feet andenjoying the benefits of anactive lifestyle. Participants inthe challenge form teams offive and wear pedometers torecord their daily steps. Theyare then encouraged to findnew ways to build in some walking to their daily routines,such as going for a lunchtimewalk, active travel, using thestairs rather than the lift andeven going for a walkingmeeting.

New to this year’s challengewas the introduction of apurpose built website whereteam’s could record their

Linda’s Long Legged Loveliesteam like their patterned tights!

These ladies are Souper Walkers with OxgangsNeighbourhood Centre, Edinburgh. The centre provides a free nourishing bowl of soup (bacon, lentil and tomatoon the day of the photo) before everyone steps out on a20 – 30 minute Health Walk.

walking your way

steps, chart their progress, getideas on how to stay motivatedand follow the challenge blog.The website also providedparticipants with weekly steptargets and virtual awardswhen these were met.

Many of the teams that tookpart went on a virtual journeyby translating their steps intomiles and mapping out how farthey’d walked. Team AtlanticTrail from Tiree plotted a routearound the west coast ofScotland. Team memberAndrea Metcalf said, “As ateam we have mapped out thecoastal route around all theislands, which wasn’t an easy

task. We’ve included thedistance between the islandstoo, so no slacking here.”

Paths for All’s workplaceDevelopment Officer CarlGreenwood said,“The launchof the new challenge websitehas been really exciting.Allowing teams to add theirsteps, see their progress andset goals brings the challengeright up to date. However,what makes the challengework is the way that the teamssupport each other and makethe challenge fun andmotivating for themselves bygoing on a virtual journey,raising some cash for charity or just getting together for aregular lunchtime walk.”

To find out more about theStep Count Challenge visit:stepcount.org.uk

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Footnotes Summer 2014

11Scotland has superb walks everywhere.

The retired GP has beeninspired to promote theadvantages, both mental andphysical, of enjoying someexercise. But that doesn’tmean just putting one foot in front of the other – hisactivities include path clearing,bridge building, leading walksand writing about them for a newspaper.

Ian first became part of theMidlothian Paths Team sevenyears ago when organisers of a council walking festivalrealised many of the paths they intended to use wereovergrown. The team of abouthalf a dozen, most of whomare retired, got to work clearingvegetation and now theyidentify new paths to tackle.

Volunteering an interestimproves access to walks

Ian says: “We are doing itbecause we are reallyinterested [in] trying to improvethe path connections aroundMidlothian”.

The annual MidlothianWalking Festival is still aresounding success, and Ian is at the heart of it. He takesaround 80 people out eachyear in four walks, with the aimof covering little-known routes,rather than the more popularwalks found in the area.

He says: “We haveattempted to put together adifferent package every year.The paths need to have thevisual wow factor, somewherepeople wouldn’t normally thinkof going and there is usually afair amount of historical interest

along the way. There is a lot ofindustrial archaeology here anda fair number of old castles.”

As well as the physical actsof maintaining paths andleading walks, Ian also wrote a walking column every monthfor a year in the DalkeithAdvertiser. He provided a routedescription, map and localinformation, as well as naturenotes from a ranger andphotographs he took himself.The retired GP says volunteersare necessary in his area: “Itneeds interest and enthusiasmto come up with projects andtake them forward.”

Midlothian Walking Festival8 – 11 Augustmidlothian.gov.uk

Ian Brown was entered in our 2013 community path volunteer of the yearaward for his work with the Midlothian Ranger Service, and he shows nosign of giving up any time soon.

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Footnotes Summer 2014

A busy week of walkingLeading walks from Monday to Saturday with Glasgow Health Walksgives Volunteer Walk Leader John Reilly a very active social life.

He started walking with theTownhead Health Walk in2010. He enjoyed himself so much that after someencouragement he became a Walk Leader in 2011.

His diary is filled Monday to Friday leading Health Walksacross North East and NorthWest Glasgow.

Saturday is a social day withinterested walkers meeting at Buchanan Bus Station tocatch a bus to StrathclydeCountry Park, Largs orLochwinnoch for longerinformal walks. Occasionally,it’s a weekend trip to Dunoon,

Oban or Inveraray.

Every few months walkersarrange to meet up for a meal.There’s always coffee after theHealth Walks and this is whereJohn helps people get advicefrom each other, creating alocal support network. “Wehave a lawyer, microbiologist,citizen advice volunteer, andPR specialist, who can all giveprivate advice to anyone whoneeds it” says John.

Heather Macleod, projectcoordinator with Walk Glasgowhas nothing but praise for hervolunteer. “John is a real assetto Glasgow’s Health Walksand is our most active leader.He always has a bundle ofHealth Walk brochures to giveout to encourage people to

come along. He has beenknown tomeet walkers

near

their house and accompanythem to the start of the walk.Nothing is too much troubleand everyone has a goodword to say about ‘Big John’.He is a real walking champion.He will tell you that he wisheshe had found the walks earlieras he really enjoys them.”

According to John the bestthing about being a WalkLeader is: “Seeing the positivechanges in people. Somewalkers are on less pain killers,others have better mentalhealth because of walking

more.”

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“ ”Nothing is too muchtrouble and everyonehas a good word tosay about ‘Big John’

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All this detail will be used to build the active travel mapfor the Million Miles project. In addition, an array of onlineservices are powered byOpenStreetMap data.Transition Black Isle recentlylaunched an online journeyplanner for cyclists: cycleroutes.transitionblackisle.org: thatuses OpenStreetMap to plotthe fastest and quietest routesfrom A to B.

Contact millionmiles@transitionblackisle.org orvisit the group’s website formore information about theMillion Miles projecttransitionblackisle.org

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Community mappingA community group in the Highlands is using an online map to recordlocal walking and cycling routes.

Make walking an everyday part of your life.

Transition Black Isle’s MillionMiles project is funded by theClimate Challenge Fund andaims to encourage localhouseholds to reduce their carmileage by improving accessto public transport, promotinglift sharing and encouragingactive travel.

A key outcome of theproject is to produce an activetravel map of the Black Isle.However, the Black Isle is alarge rural peninsula and soidentifying all of the paths andtracks between villages andhamlets would be difficult.

The group decided tocrowdsource the map usingthe website OpenStreetMap(openstreetmap.org), a digital map that anyone cancontribute to.

Known as the ‘Wikipedia ofMaps’, OpenStreetMap allowscontributors to add amazinglevels of detail. This isparticularly useful for activetravel, as you can fully describethe path’s features (e.g. surfacetype, width, lighting, barriers).

Transition Black Isle isasking people to sign up to

OpenStreetMap and contributeinformation about the placesthey live, work and play. Editingis easy because you canoverlay ways and points ofinterest onto background maps.

The group has madetremendous progress over thelast year, thanks to enthusiasticlocals and experiencedcontributors. All this effortmeans that much of the BlackIsle is now mapped in superbdetail. For example, houses,paths and woodland aroundCulbokie are now shown (see the maps below).

“ ”All this effortmeans that muchof the Black Isle is now mapped in superb detail

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Word on the streetWe receive so much positive praise it just has to be shared.

“General feedback from people out walking on the path while work was in progress hasbeen very positive. Many had previously walked the route when it was in poorcondition and expressed their delight at themajor improvements carried out and theiradmiration for all the volunteers who gave uptheir time to do the work.”

“Through the group Ihave become familiarwith the area aroundInsch which hasencouraged me towalk with family and on my own.”

“I will continue to enjoy mywalking with the volunteers whoare so enthusiastic. It was lovelybeing able to walk around thebase of the Kelpies last nighthaving watched them being builtfrom scratch.”

Ian Gibb, Earlston Path Group, Scottish Borders

Walker with Insch Walking Groups, Aberdeenshire

Barbara Butler, Helix/Stepforth, Falkirk

J Lodder, Put Your WestFoot Forward, West Lothian

“The members andleaders are veryfriendly. It’s not achore to do theexercise in fact Ilook forward to it.”

Send your news, photos and poems to:volunteer@pathsforall.org.uk by Friday 5th September 2014for the Autumn/Winter edition and receive a £20 HighStreet voucher if your story is featured.

Angela McGroarty, Northen Solemates,Glasgow

“Great group leaders, they listenand encourage feedback and arealways encouraging.”

JohnMclaughlin, Put Your WestFoot Forward,West Lothian

“Everyoneis veryfriendlyand Iwas ableto walkat myown paceuntil Igot usedto it.”

The quizWhat’s the missing wordfrom our t-shirt design?

Stroll, Wander, Skip,Swagger, ?, Tip Toe,Bound, Saunter, March,Strut?

Send your answers andcontact details by Friday5th September 2014 to theFreepost address below orvolunteer@pathsforall.org.ukto be in with a chance towin a £20 High Streetshopping voucher.

Visit our online shop at:pathsforall.spreadshirt.co.ukto buy this t-shirt or ourother designs.

WinnerCongratulations to WalkLeader RosalieMcCrossan in Glasgowfor answering the Eastertreat quiz correctly in the spring edition.

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Footnotes Summer 2014

15Everyday walking does you wonders.

Feeling poeticThis poem was written by one of the Walk In the Park walkers with the Callander group whoenjoy exploring Loch Lomond and theTrossachs National Park.

A free walk in the parkRain, hail, sun or snow,The Tuesday Walkers are on the go!These Healthy Walks a thing to achieve,And aches and pains helped to relieve.

Young or old, fit or not,A chat with the others helps a lot.Leaders are trained, and with a helping hand,No-one’s left out – a real happy band.

Walks are graded, Bronze, Silver and Gold,So walk your own pace – a chance to be bold!Leaders out front, in the middle and behind,Help is always at hand and easy to find.

On Tuesday mornings at a quarter past ten,We gather together and sign in with pen,We meet at the Meadows but sometimes the Square,With programme provided it’s all written there.

The Walks are varied – local and near,Car sharing if needed, so nothing to fear,The Park Office has details, so pop in and see,Just what’s available for all – you and me.

We learn and see more of the beauty around,Plants, trees, and birds, and flowers to be found.Finishing at Twelve, at the Deli we find,A welcome coffee and scone and great peaceof mind.

Author: A.G 2013

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Giant garlic mushroom burgersIngredients1 red onion, sliced finely2 garlic gloves, crushed4 tsp olive oil1-2 tsp balsamic vinegarFreshly ground pepper to taste4 large flat (field) or Portobello mushrooms,wiped clean and stalks trimmed40g Edam cheese grated1tbsp chopped parsley1 tbsp snipped chives2 fresh rolls, cut in half

PreparationPreheat oven to 180oC, gas mark 6Put onion, half the garlic, 2 tsps oil, thebalsamic vinegar and black pepper in a small, non-stick roasting tin; toss to mix well.Spread out in a single layer; nestlemushrooms, stem side up, in amongst theonion mixture. Combine remaining garlic andoil; brush tops of mushroom with garlic oilmixture. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are softened and onionsare just starting to caramelise.Remove from oven; combine cheese, parsleyand chives. Sprinkle herby cheese on top of mushrooms. Return to oven; bake forabout 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.Fill each bread roll with some roasted onionmixture, topped with two cheesy mushrooms(remember to drizzle over any deliciouscooking juices, too). Add a tomato slice to each roll, if you like. Serve with salad.

For more inspiring recipes sign up to HeartMatters, BHF Scotland’s free membershipservice at bhf.org.uk/heartmatters or call0300 330 3300.

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Footnotes Summer 2014

Paths for All is a partnership organisation, for a full list of our current partners please visit: www.pathsforall.org.uk

Paths for All Partnership is a recognised Scottish Charity No: SC025535 and a Company Limited by Guarantee No: 168554incorporated 19 September 1996 at Companies House, Edinburgh. Registered Office: Inglewood House, Tullibody Road, Alloa FK10 2HU.

Contact usPaths for All (Head Office), FREEPOST SCO6890, Alloa FK10 2BRTel: 01259 218 888

Paths for All (North Office), Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness IV3 8NWTel: 01463 725 152

email: info@pathsforall.org.ukweb: pathsforall.org.uk

Keep up to date with us at:

Twitter.com/PathsforAll

www.facebook.com/PathsforAllScotland

What’s stopping you getting more active? The cost?

I want to get fitagain but I can’tafford new runningshoes or to payfor a gym.

Who needs a gym? I’ve reallyenjoyed these free HealthWalks and the baby getssome fresh air too.

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ions

: Dan

Par

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ones

Walking is a great way to improve your health and what’s more, it’s free

Steps Tay Health held a jamboree for sixty walkers atMurton Nature Reserve where they enjoyed sunshine, awalk, the animal farm, lunch and time to get together forthat all important blether.

walking your way

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