Walk off the festive flab

The Ramblers is expecting record numbers at its walking festival, run—in association with Baxters—from Christmas Day to January 3.

The festive season is an expensive time of year and, with most household budgets already overstretched, the charity at the heart of walking in Britain expects thousands more to put on their walking boots in a bid to exercise cheaply.

Rotherham Metro Ramblers has two local walks, but there are many others all over the area.

They are among the hundreds of free walks, led by Ramblers members, taking place across England, Scotland and Wales. Open to everyone and free, many of the walks are relatively short and easy-going, suitable for all the family.

Tom Franklin, chief executive at the Ramblers, said: “Because walking is free, exercise is the one thing we should not cut back on during the credit crunch.

“And with the Festival of Winter Walks happening on our doorsteps, there’s no excuse not to get out over the festive period and walk off the Christmas pudding.”

Everyone is welcome on the two walks led by Rotherham Metro Ramblers, which are:

• Wednesday, December 29, Keppels Column and Barkers Park, easy five-mile walk, meet 9.30am in Holy Trinity Church, Thorpe Hesley, grid reference SK379959 and postcode S61 2QJ, leaders Tom and Rita Doncaster, telephone 0114 246 3437, parking near the church or the number 66 bus, Sheffield, leaves from Stand B9, Rotherham Interchange, stops within five minutes’ walk, passengers should get off at the bottom of Windsor Road
• Saturday, January 1, New Year Resolution Ramble, an eight-mile leisurely ramble meets at 10.30 Sitwell car park, Whiston, grid reference SK448900, to walk local paths in Whiston, Catcliffe, Treeton and Ulley, leaders Philip Ryder and Rosemary Boyle, telephone 01709 371266.

Details of other walks led by Rotherham Metro Group can be found on the rotherhammetroramblers.btck.co.uk website or visit the ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks website.

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