Explore Warrington’s “great outdoors”

EXPLORE Warrington’s “great outdoors” and its rich history and habitats – and enjoy some low impact exercise at the same time.
That’s the message from leisure facilities provider LiveWire who are running a number of free, weekly health walks that encourage people to experience the wonderful wildlife and wild spaces across the borough while enjoying a healthy walk.
Walking is a low impact exercise that has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and dementia plus getting out in the fresh air with friends can help combat loneliness and depression.
During November, th walks will be “Carbon Landscape” themed, run in partnership with the Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Carbon Landscape initiative – a three-year project aiming to promote the environmentally important areas of East Warrington, such as Risley Moss, Woolston Eyes and Paddington Meadows.
Walkers will get the chance to learn more about these important nature-rich havens found alongside suburban areas. LiveWire hopes the walks will help raise the public’s awareness of these areas as places to spend leisure time and their historical importance and environmental value.
There’s also the chance to try ‘Nordic Walking’ on the walks. Nordic walking was originally a summer training regime for cross-country skiers. It’s based on using special walking poles in a way that uses the power of the upper body to propel a person forward as they walk. It’s now a recognised way to turn a simple walk into a whole-body exercise that’s easy to do.
Matt Fairhurst, LiveWire advisor, said: “Carbon Landscape walks are an opportunity to explore once industrial areas of Warrington that are now returning to a more nature-rich habitat, whilst getting some fresh air and witnessing the change of seasons.
“It’s easy to get involved – just turn up before the start of a walk. The groups are very friendly and it’s a great way to take the first steps to a healthier lifestyle, or get back into walking.”
For more information visit www.livewirewarrington.co.uk/lifestyle/health-walks or call LiveWire’s Lifestyles team on 0300 003 0818.