Approaching Piercefield House
An intrepid group of walkers celebrated one year since their formation by taking a three mile circular route from Chepstow Leisure Centre to Piercefield House and returning via the Wye Valley Walk.
The Chepstow Fit 4 life walking group was formed in September 2012 when members of the Monmouthshire National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) agreed to meet each Monday morning to explore the area by foot. The Exercise Referral Scheme encourages people who have a wide variety of medical conditions to lead a more active lifestyle by attending sessions at their local leisure centre and taking advantage of opportunities for more exercise.
The Chepstow Fit 4 life group is supported by Monmouthshire County Council’s Leisure and Countryside services and receives additional support from the Chepstow Walkers are Welcome organisation and Let’s Walk Cymru – a Wales-wide initiative supported by Sport Wales, the Welsh Government and Ramblers Cymru. Fit 4 life walking groups operate from the council’s three other leisure centres at Caldicot, Monmouth and Abergavenny and thirty volunteers have trained to act as walk leaders, planning routes and ensuring safety on each walk. As well as regular weekly walking sessions, groups also meet socially after each walk.
Dave Windsor (74) from Chepstow is a keen member of the group and has qualified as a walk leader. Following by-pass surgery three years ago, Dave was directed to Newport’s St Woolos Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation programme and later the National Exercise Referral Scheme Cardiac Rehab group at Chepstow Leisure Centre. Dave says: “Attending these groups gave me the confidence to go out walking on my own. I am now fitter than I was 15 years ago and now visit the doctor only on a routine basis. I can say with certainty that NERS and the Fit 4 life walking group have made a positive difference to my lifestyle.”
For further details contact MCC’s GP Exercise Referral Coordinator, Joel Morgan on 01633 644286.
