SPRING FEB - MAY 16

BRISTOL AMBLERS

(formerly St Pauls & Easton Walking Group)

DATE WALK MEET, TRAVEL & FINISH DESCRIPTION & LEADERS SYMBOLS Weds Bus Station Bay 15 Around a nature reserve then across Yate by 3rd YATE & WAPLEY 0950 for 1002 No.47 bus paths & parks for coffee and bus back. 3.5 miles FEB BUSHES 1055 Shire Way Community Route includes a mid-walk return bus if needed Centre Finish: 1pm Yate Centre Led by John B / Annette Sails (junction of Bus to Bedminster, then two short walks: around Thurs BEDMINSTER Union Street and the Horsefair) Victoria Park and then a look at some of the 11th HISTORY WALK 1000 prompt remains of historic Bedminster. Return bus could FEB Finish: by 1230 in Bedminster be caught after first walk Led by Jon / Lyn A walk in WSM including a stroll along Lovers Mon WESTON SUPER Bristol Bus Station Bay 9 th Walk. Bring a short poem and wear something 15 MARE including 0950 for 1000 X1 bus red in celebration of Valentine’s Day yesterday FEB Lovers Walk Finish: 1300 at WSM Led by John T / Lyn Bristol Bus Station Bay 11 A circular paved walk including 15th Century Tues NAILSEA 1025 for 1035 X9 bus church and Tythe Barn. Then market day at 23rd WEST 1106 Stock Way North, Nailsea Nailsea. 3.5 miles. Route includes a mid-walk FEB Finish:1pm Nailsea cafe return bus if needed Led by John B / Annette Bristol Bus Station Bay15 A walk round central Newport with markethall, Tues NEWPORT 1030 for 1045 X7 bus castle, cathedral and sites of 1839 Chartist 1st on St David’s Day 1205 Newport Bus Station rebellion MAR Finish:1400 Newport bus station Led by John B / Annette Rupert Street Bus Stop Hg Walk through & Snuff Mills to EASTVILLE to Thurs 1005 for 1015 for 48A Vassalls Park. Route includes a mid-walk return 10th 1035 by Eastville Park toilets - bus if needed. Then 1230 Walkers Feedback then WALKERS MAR corner Fishponds Rd (opposite Meeting at Wetherspoons Vandyke, Fishponds MEETING Garage) Finish:1230 at Vandyke Road Led by Lyn / John T Temple Meads Station foyer Explore the wealth of history in this lovely city. Fri 0920 PROMPT to catch 0941 Walk around the city centre, visiting the 18th GLOUCESTER train (Groupsave tickets available cathedral, renovated docks & passing numerous MAR - approx £6 at time of publication) historic buildings in between. Mostly flat & all on Finish: back in Bristol 1640 hard paths. Cafe at the end Led by Jon / Lyn Neptune’s Statue Starting with part of the Dramway we follow Mon st WARMLEY to 1015 for 1025 No.43 bus Siston Brook on hard paths to end at the Trading 21 BITTON 1105 Warmley Station Post Nursery cafe MAR Finish: 1300 at Bitton cafe Led by John B / John T Bristol Bus Station Bay 18 A circular walk passing the Bishop’s palace, Weds 1015 for 1025 No.376 bus Cathedral, High Street & ‘Hot Fuzz’ film 30th WELLS 1130 Wells Bus Station locations. It’s also market day in Wells MAR Finish: 1300 in Wells cafe Led by John B / Annette Neptune’s Statue, City Centre Down Magpie Bottom and up to Hanham Mount Mon KINGSWOOD to 1000 for 1015 No.42 bus pulpit viewpoint then downhill paths to Longwell 4th LONGWELL GREEN 1050 Kings Chase Centre Green. 4 miles. Route includes a mid-walk APR via Hanham Mount Finish: 1300 Asda cafe return bus if needed Led by John B / John T Explore some of Keynsham’s history, especially along the beautiful Chew Valley. Mostly on hard Tues Bristol Bus Station Bay 16 paths, but if good weather, may extend into 12th KEYNSHAM 0950 for 1000 No.38 bus countryside on grassy riverside paths (stiles). APR Finish:1400 in Bristol Cafe at end (if weather good, in the park) or bring picnic Led by Jon / Jane Bristol Bus Station Bay 19 A exploration of Bath’s western suburbs, through Weds WESTON th 1010 for 1022 No.37 bus the Botanic Gardens in its spring glory, and 20 to BATH via 1105 Oldfield School across Victoria Park APR Botanic Gardens Finish:1400 Pavillion cafe Led by John B / Annette Neptune’s Statue, City Centre Spot over 20 trees (native and imported), views Mon BRANDON HILL 1020 for 1030 walk start (No bus) and potted history of England’s oldest municipal 25th TREE WALK Finish:1300 at Folk House, Park park APR Street Led by John B / Lyn Sun 1st BRISTOL Programme available on- line - Tues WALK FEST from end of March or pick up a A month of many and varied walks 31 MAY www.bristol walking brochure April onwards from Learn new things, get exercise and fresh air, festival.co.uk Bristol Libraries. discover new routes & meet people

90+ 30 – 60 60 – 90 Stop / Wheel mins Bus Train Moderate Un- Rest Café Buggy Mobility mins mins start Steep Stiles Toilet -chair 3-5 & & incline/s even Steps oppor- stop friendly scooter 1-2 2-3 guided incline/s acces miles walk walk ground tunities accessibe miles miles sible

SPRING FEB – MAY 16

BRISTOL AMBLERS

(formerly St Pauls & Easton Walking Group)

Walks in Bristol & Beyond Welcome to the newly named Bristol Amblers!

We offer weekly, free, healthy walks of up to 3 miles and meet in, or near, Bristol City Centre.

Thornbury Castle Walks are led by two trained volunteers supported by Bristol City Council - we welcome new walkers, come give us a try! Walk Leader Contact Numbers As well as walks in the city and countryside, we also try and John Beales 07802 268 839 engage our minds by offering walks that nourish our interest Jon Lucas 07905 314 387 in history, the arts and the sciences

John Townsend 07910 138 699 Before your first walk with our walking group you will need to Lyn Townsend 07960 788 189 fill in a short starter form (each walks group have their own database). Please arrive 10 minutes early, or print off (from Annette Virgo 07740 996 554 the Walking for Health web page below), complete in advance, Jane Sessions 07806 409 535 and bring with you.

Please avoid ringing walk leaders in the evenings. Bear in We ask that all walkers arrive at least 5 minutes before the mind they are volunteers, and pleased to answer your query, advertised time so the walk can start promptly but are not always available. A text is better if possible

If you have additional needs or any queries please contact Bus Travel - we often use buses to take us to the start of our [email protected] or call Public Health Bristol on walks Please note that bus times may be subject to changes.. 0117 3521283 to discuss. Otherwise just turn up! Bus timetables and travel information can be found at: Traveline: 0871 200 2233 www.traveline.info or go to: www.bristol.gov.uk/healthwalks www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/bristol/map/bristol.php www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/volunteering/volunteer- Travel details are correct at time of printing resources/leading-walk-kit

This programme offers walks of between 2 & 3 miles in length. The symbols overleaf are a guide to choosing a suitable walk. A potted history of the group - in 2003 Bristol was awarded Occasional longer walks of over 3 miles may be offered for more funding to develop Health Walks and Easton was one of the six experienced walkers & these will be clearly identified with the areas of Bristol identified for work to begin. symbol Nicola Ferris was the health walks development worker for Easton and Lyn Townsend offered her help, as a volunteer, right from the outset to get it started. When possible, different length options are offered to Launched in January 2004, Easton walking group had attracted accommodate walkers of varying levels and interests a small and steady number of walkers, and in April 2005 St Pauls group was set up. NHS health improvement specialist, The rain won’t stop us walking but weather, transport or other Christina Gray, was the energy behind the initiation of this issues may alter the planned route group which Nicola also helped to launch. One of the early walks for St Pauls was from the Malcolm X Centre to Mina Road Park and many Malcolm X Elders came along. When Please remember Christina moved into a new role, Simon Carpenter took on  dress appropriately for the weather the group support. Easton and St Pauls groups merged at the  bring water, refreshment money and bus fare or end of 2005 when Nicola’s hours reduced. Since then Simon bus pass to each walk and his dedicated team of volunteers have organised walks for  wear suitable, supportive footwear St Pauls, Easton and Bristol residents.  walk to increase breathing but not to exhaust In December 2014 Simon retired and the group came back  do not walk if you feel unwell under Nicola’s support again.  remember to bring any necessary medication At present the walkers have a dedicated team of six volunteers

who meet 3 times a year to plan 4 month programmes for the group. Training Opportunities - booking essential It was recognised that the group had evolved and more and more walkers were coming from outside of the St Pauls and Walk Leader Training - Wednesday 4 February 10-4pm Easton neighbourhoods. The leaders had discussions and Elim Church Conference Centre, 3-15 Jamaica Street, BS2 8JP consulted the walkers about changing the walk group name to For more information and to book contact Nicola Ferris on reflect what the group had become – a health walk group 07810 506 738 / email: [email protected] suitable for Bristol residents from all areas to join.

Hence, the birth of Bristol Amblers in 2016! For information on other health walk groups in Bristol please contact Nicola 0117 352 1283. Nicola will be in a new post in We would particularly like to thank all volunteers past and present 2016, but can refer enquiries to the correct person. for their commitment to building this group from the early days Alternatively you can email [email protected] until now. We say a fond farewell, thanks and good luck, to Michael Romain as he retires from leading, and to Nicola who will taking on a new role with Public Health in 2016