The Lewisham Walking News

Healthy Walking

Most of us are concerned about health and how we might take a bit more exercise, so it is no surprise that the health benefits of walking featured prominently during the festival.

Free health checks were on offer in a marquee in Lewisham Town Centre on Saturday 17th May, organised by the Lewisham Healthy Walks Scheme. Co-ordinator Jenny Budd said: "We're asking people to walk more over the next few months, to see how walking can make a difference."

Jenny organises regular weekly health walks throughout the borough, and numbers swelled during the festival.

"I used to walk a lot with my children," said one local trying out a Health Walk for the first time. "My doctor said to do more exercise so this is great - everyone has been so friendly, too!"

Contact Lewisham Healthy Walks on 020 7188 2838

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Lewisham Links

Lewisham Walking Festival introduced a hidden side of the borough to many residents.

Despite its location, Lewisham has some beautiful and fascinating green spaces - and they are not all out Bromley way.

As well as Downham Woods and Chinbrook Meadows, there were visits to the One Tree Hill allotments and Nunhead Cemetery and walks in Horniman Gardens, on the Waterlink Way and on Greenchain routes throughout the borough.

Greenchain coordinator Aidan Cunningham led a walk from Chinbrook Meadows. Local resident Linda Baker was delighted: "I have obviously walked the area before but never with anyone who could point out all the wonderful trees and flowers - I looked at the woods in a very different way. I have learned things I never knew before".

To buy Greenchain maps contact Mark Budd on 020 8921 5876, or visit the website at www.greenchain.com

Enjoy the woods at Beckenham Place Park

Lewisham Drinks

Walking isn't just about green spaces and healthy activity. It's also vital for our social lives. After all, every journey - by public transport, bicycle or car - starts and ends on foot, and a lot of local trips are made entirely on foot.

A traditional social stroll still enjoyed by many of us is to a local hostelry for a leisurely drink.

To celebrate the many firm friendships cemented over the years with a glass of beer, the South East London branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) organised a pub-crawl in central Lewisham.

With twenty or so attending, the pubs en route welcomed the boost to business, and a lot of fun was had by all.

One drinker was new to real ale, but by the end of the evening had discovered one or two tipples that tickled her palate, and made some new friends to boot.

CAMRA signed up some new members, and a more adventurous crawl is planned for next year.

To join the Campaign for ReaI Ale contact Ian White on 020 8666 1865

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