January - June 2020 Feeling Fitter 38 part of Renfrewshire Walking Network WednesdayW d d andd CommunityC it WalksW lk aroundd RenfrewshireR f hi In association with Why Should I Go Walking? Walking is a great way to stay healthy and benefits are plentiful. Below are a few of the benefits that you can expect to gain by maintaining a level of walking which suits your ability. • Helps control weight • Builds and maintains healthy bones, muscles and joints • Improves the function of your heart and lungs • Relaxes you • Reduces signs of stress and anxiety • Gives you more energy • Reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol • Increases self confidence • Keeps the brain active Why not build up your walking programme If you are starting out on your first walk build up your fitness gradually and join one of the many health walks in your local community, meet lots of new friends and chat while the miles disappear and before you know, it’s time for a well earned cuppa, whilst reflecting on your morning’s exercise. Next on the programme is Level 1A which is slightly longer than your health walk but you know you are ready for the challenge! Moving on to Level 1B which is slightly more adventurous than the last level, incorporating more inclines and walking for a slightly longer distance. Last level on the Renfrewshire Walking Network programme is Level 2 which incorporates all levels adding in rougher ground, longer time and distance walking but just as enjoyable with lots of company along the way! So whatever your level of fitness there is a walking group in Renfrewshire for you. Welcome Hi, let me introduce you to Feeling Fitter 38, another exciting programme which hopefully will give you hours of happy walking. A special thanks to the Volunteer Walk Leaders who give up their valuable time so everyone can enjoy their walk safely. The Renfrewshire Walking Network Committee who work behind the scenes securing funds to enable the programme to operate. Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Rangers and Gleniffer Braes Country Park Rangers who guide us and share their experience with us. The Community Mental Health Team who help us to make a difference. Forestry Commission who bring an important partnership to the group. Paths For All who support the walking programme on a national level. I would also like to thank Renfrewshire Leisure and Senga McLeod in particular for all her help throughout the years in producing the booklets. Happy Walking Everyone. Thank you Stephen Davison Stephen Davison Secretary Renfrewshire Walking Network 3 Health Walking Groups In Your Local Community LOCHWINNOCH Every Monday meeting at McKillop Centre at 10.30am FERGUSLIE Every Monday meeting at St Ninians Church at 11.00am GLENBURN/FOXBAR Every Tuesday meeting at Glenburn Parish Church at 10.30am ERSKINE Every Tuesday meeting at Bargarran Community Centre at 10.30am BARSHAW PARK Every Thursday meeting at the middle entrance (café) at 10.30am JOHNSTONE Every Thursday meeting at Johnstone Town Centre (next to bandstand) at 10.30am. RENFREW Every Thursday meeting at Robertson Park Gates on Inchinan Road at 10.30am. BARSHAW PARK Every Thursday 10.00am at the middle entrance car park This walk is designed for people who have been affected by cancer STROLL IN THE PARK Every second Tuesday, at Paisley Town Hall at 11.00am, (For more information on this walk pattern please call Senga McLeod on 0300 300 1362) All walks last approx. 1hour and are suitable for all abilities All Community walking groups are Macmillan Cancer Friendly Look out for new walks starting in a community near you ! 4 Level 1(A) 15 January OOR WEE TOON (CIRCULAR 2.5MLS, 4.0KMS) Our first walk of the 2020’s remembers some of Paisley’s inspirational characters as we embark on a journey back in time and visit some of their legacies. The walk is mainly flat and comfortable shoes are recommended. Walk starts at 10.30am at Paisley Town Hall 29 January PAISLEY MYSTERY TOUR (CIRCULAR 2.8MLS/4.5KMS) Join us today as we venture around our historical town. This walk will be on paved surfaces and comfortable shoes are recommended. Please come dressed for the weather. Walk starts at 10.30am outside Paisley Town Hall 12 February TARTAN WALK (CIRCULAR 2.0MLS/3.2KMS) Come and join us for fun, laughter and song as we meander through the village of Lochwinnoch dressed in tartan. This walk is suitable for all abilities and everyone is encouraged to walk at their own pace and enjoy the atmosphere. Walk starts 11.00am at Castle Semple Visitors Centre 5 26 February PAISLEY ALONG TO ELDERSLIE (LINEAR 2.8 MLS/4.5KMS) Today we start our walk in Paisley and wander along the national multi use path towards Elderslie where we will be steeped in the local history of William Wallace. This walk is flat, please wear comfortable shoes and come dressed for the weather. Walk starts at 10.30am at Canal Street Station Restaurant 11 March PAISLEYS WEE HILLS (CIRCULAR 3MLS/5KMS) Today we will visit one of Paisleys hidden treasures as we look for the weather to behave so that we can see amazing views over the town to the hills beyond. We will then visit the local nature reserve and hopefully be lucky to see a kingfisher as it glides along the river. Mainly paved underfoot with a slight incline, comfortable shoes are recommended. Walk starts at 10.30am outside Paisley Town Hall. 25 March PARK LIFE (CIRCULAR 2.5MLS/4.0KMS) Today we will visit one of Paisleys unsung parks where we will discover some of the town’s history. From there, we will wonder through the grounds of the old RAI as we make our way back to the start. Walk starts at 10.30am at the Charleston Centre, Neilston. Road 6 8 April BARSHAW AND THE ABBEY, LINEAR 2.5MLS, 4KMS Our walk today will be slightly different from our usual outings as we are firstly visiting Barshaw Park where we will enjoy all it has to offer, from there we will head towards Paisley where we will visit the Abbey. This walk is on paved surfaces throughout and comfortable shoes are advised. Walk starts at 10.30am at the Lagoon Centre 15 April EASTER BONNET PARADE, CIRCULAR 2.5MLS/4KMS Get dressed up in your finest for an enjoyable and fun walk in the Park, prizes on offer for imaginative bonnets, enjoy yourselves! Walk starts at 1pm at Glen Lodge, Glenfield Road, Gleniffer Braes Country Park 22 April DISCOVER THE AULD PAISLEY (CIRCULAR 2.8MLS/4.5KMS) Today take a step back in time and visit places to discover what they used to be in times gone by. Paisley was once a bustling town full of industry, churches and prominent family houses. This walk has a few inclines but time and care will be given to them. Walk starts at 10.30am at Paisley Town Hall 7 6 May PORTERFIELD ROAD – BRAEHEAD. (CIRCULAR 2.8MLS/4.5KMS) Today we walk through the historic Royal Burgh of Renfrew winding our way through Robertson Park. We head towards Braehead along the Clyde pathway returning to town by a different route. Walk is flat on paved surfaces, comfortable shoes advised. Walk starts at 10.30am at Robertson Park entrance on Paisley Road 20 May ACROSS THE BORDER (LINEAR 2.5MLS/4.0KMS) Join us today as we walk from Glenburn to neighbouring Foxbar where we will visit the paths surrounding Durrockstock dam. The walk is on paved surfaces and comfortable shoes are recommended. Walk starts at 10.30am at the Braehead Road shops, Glenburn 3 June WEST END RAMBLE (LINEAR 2.5MLS/4.OKMS) Today our walk takes us to the West End of Paisley where we will visit a park and a garden. Hopefully we will see some local wildlife along the way. Most of the walk is on surfaced paths and comfortable shoes are advised. Walk starts at 10.30am outside the Museum, Paisley 8 17 June UNDER THE ARCH (LINEAR 2.2MLS/3.5KMS) Today we start our walk at Phoenix Retail Park from where we will wonder. Along the cycle track to Ferguslie Gardens and will finish the walk at Maxwellton Park. Walk starts at 10.30 beside the taxi rank outside Asda 9 Level 1(B) 15 January LINWOOD MOSS (CIRCULAR 3.5MLS/5.5KMS) Today our walk is on flat terrain and takes us past the Linwood Moss to the River Gryffe. We will mainly be on country roads and will meet some farm and commercial traffic. Walking shoes or boots are recommended. Walk starts at 1pm at Napier Street bus stop. 29 January RENFREW HERITAGE TRAIL (CIRCULAR 3.2MLS/5.1KMS) Today we will walk in and around the historic Burgh of Renfrew, taking in a number of interesting buildings and parks. Flat walk and comfortable shoes are recommended. Walk starts at 1pm at Inchinnan Road entrance to Robertson Park 12 February TARTAN WALK (CIRCULAR 2.0MLS/3.2KMS) Come and join us for fun, laughter and song as we meander through the village of Lochwinnoch dressed in tartan. This walk is suitable for all abilities and everyone is encouraged to walk at their own pace and enjoy the atmosphere. Walk starts 11.00am at Castle Semple Visitors Centre 10 26 February EGLINTON COUNTRY PARK (CIRCULAR 5MLS/8KMS) Today we will visit the town of Kilwinning and make our way to the hidden treasure of Eglington Country Park. Once there, we will enjoy a short walk around the park before heading back for a well earned rest on the train.