Letters
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
THE REDSPEAR CIRCUIT
Dalston's Health Walk and Activity Circuit for all Ages and Abilities
 
 
On April 23rd 2008 the first health walk in cumbria was opened by Duncan Graham, Chairman of the Local Access forum, ably helped by some children from St Michael's Primary School.
 
   
 
Put Your Heart Into Walking
These days people are walking less and there are fewer opportunities for children to play outside. Yet, whatever our age, we all know that being active is good for us. Which is why Redspearlands Footpath Group and Cumbria County Council's Access Team put their heads together to create Dalston's 1.24km (approx. three quarters of a mile) Activity and Exeeercise Circuit for everyone's enjoyment and well being.
Top Reasons for Getting Active Outdoors
Stress levels fall within minutes of contact with natural surroundings - good for body and mind. Exercising outside can improve concentration for several hours afterwards, rendering the body more able to cope with stress. Walking at a moderate intensity for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can burn off 2,000 calories, equivalent to 150 calories a mile.
Walk Your Way to Health
Walking at a moderate intensity means working hard enough to be breathing more heavily than normal and becoming slightly warmer, but not so hard that you are unable to talk and exercise at the same time. If thirty minutes all at once seems too much, use the Circuit to split the walk into convenient stages. Should you need to catch your breath, the Dalston and Cummersdale Neighbourhood Forum and Paragon Veterinary Group have both sponsored conveniently places benches for you to sit and take a breath.
Using the Circuit
Six marker posts, decorated from artwork created by pupils at St Michael's and Raughton Head Primary Schools, are placed around the circuit. The posts, created to appeal to tiny tots being buggied around the circuit, are set at eye level so that the colourful characters provide the 'pull' to get kids up out of their seats and walking. After a few weeks regular use, you'll be surprised how much your fitness and that of your children will improve.
Physical Activity and Your Heart
Those who have had a heart attack or heart surgery may wish to use the Circuit to improve their fitness level. If this is the case, they should discuss the proposed activity with their Cardiac Nurse Specialist before using the facility independently. The Cumberland Infirmary's Cardiac Rehabilitiation Unit is familiar with the Circuit's layout and distances and will be happy to advise. Alternatively, have a preliminary chat with your GP or Consultant. If you have angina, find out how much activity you can manage easily without getting chest pain, and then gradually increase the amount. It may be useful to plan a weekly exercise programme based around the Circuit's measured distances. Again, seek advice from your doctor or practice nurse before proceeding.
 
Building-up Gradually
Your target is to build-up gradually to 30 minutes or moderate intensity activity a day, on at least five days a week. You can split the activity into two sections of fifteen minutes each, or three of ten minutes. Don't always walk in the same direction, vary it from clock-wise to anti-clockwise so your body is fooled into thinking it is doing something different with each change. If the total amount of time that youu spend at this moderate level of activity is less than thirty minutes a week, then you are physically inactive. Try building more activity into your everyday routine by, for example, parking away from the shops and walking to and from your car; getting off the bus at an earlier stop; walking to school or the railway station - in other words Think Walking!
 
The Redspear Circuit: Contributors and Sponsors
We are very grateful to the following companies and organisations for supporting this community facility:
Caldew School, Cardaic Rehabilitation Unit - Cumberland Infirmary, Dalston and Cummersdale Neighbourhood Forum, National Lottery (Awards for All), Nestle UK Ltd, Paragon Veterinary Group, Raughton Head Church of England Primary School, St Michael's Church of England Primary School, Tarmac Limited and many others for their advice and support. Dalston Parish Council supports the Redspearland Walking Group through annual grants.