CommunityAd had the pleasure of a walk and a talk with Denise, who first arrived in Overton 14 years ago and wasted no time getting involved with community activities through Overton Recreation Centre, about Walkers are Welcome.
Denise refers to the ORC as “a brilliant charity formed by villagers in 1965 and now running 30 acres of sports facilities. I have also been involved in the Scarecrow Festival – which hopes to return in 2022. It is the long-standing sense of community and togetherness that makes Overton special. And it is good to see incomers have embraced this”.
Another community group Denise lends a hand to, or a foot I should say, is the wonderful Walkers are Welcome, CommunityAd had the pleasure of a walk and a talk with Denise.
So, Denise, how long have you been involved with Walkers are Welcome? What is your role and why is it enjoyable?
With the generous help of walk leaders from Whitchurch, we set up an enthusiastic Walking for Health group in Overton in March 2015. With both a short walk of just over an hour and a longer walk of one and half hours, we soon attracted 50 -60 people weekly on a Monday morning. We meet just before 10 am at the Bridge Street Pavilion.
It was a natural step from there to join the national Walkers are Welcome scheme, with support from Overton Parish Council. The scheme encourages walkers from outside to come to the village and frequent local businesses. Many of our walkers are volunteers helping to ensure footpaths are maintained and safe through groundworks and cutting back vegetation.
My role is as coordinator working collaboratively with a rota of up to 10-12 volunteer leaders and backmarkers. It is enjoyable because the enjoyment, health and social benefits of what we do are so clearly visible. Walking together brings a greater sense of community. Even long-standing villagers have made valuable friendships through the walks. We work in partnership with Overton Parish Council, Landowners and Hants County Council, Countryside team to improve the footpaths in the Parish.
We’re so blessed to live in a place surrounded by countryside, aren’t we? Do you feel people have started to appreciate the beauty we have locally a little more since the pandemic and the lockdowns?
Yes, the countryside around Overton is brilliant and is I believe widely appreciated. With the pandemic and lockdowns, there has definitely been more people walking with their family and their bubble and that has increased their appreciation and sense of privilege. But not everybody had someone to walk with or would walk comfortably on their own. And due to the pandemic and safety rules, we had to suspend the organised group walks for over a year. This led to a real sense of loss – even among those able to continue with their own walks.
Organised group walks are now back – with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards! The walks are open to everyone able to enjoy them.
Why should readers get out and go for a walk today, right now?
People should try to walk regularly because doctors and other experts agree that walking is one of the best activities for improving health. Walking with an organised group like the Overton Walkers brings social benefits – improving health and wellbeing and community connections.