Rhondda Cynon Taff

I Love Walking

Co-ordinator/project lead: Jayne Harry

Tel. no. 01443 744900

Email address: jayne.harry@nphs.wales.nhs.uk

About the Project: Rhondda Cynon Taf offers a programme of led walks each week. We have over ten walking groups that meet weekly, come rain or shine, with more planned for 2008. Many of the walks take place within the picturesque surroundings of the beautiful mountains and valleys of Rhondda Cynon Taf. The walks are gentle and range in time from 30 minutes to an hour, with the emphasis on improving health within a safe and sociable environment.

Events:

23rd January 2008 – A cycling and walking event is taking place in Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare. The event aims to beat those Winter blues with a bike ride around the lake and a walk in the park. The walk is being led by one of the Dare Valley Country park walk leaders who has a vast knowledge of the nature and history of the park. The event is taking place from 10am-1pm, meeting at the Visitor’s Centre. Hot food and drinks are available for all of those who take part! A wide range of bikes and baby seats etc will be available.

24th January 2008 - A new walk is starting in Abercwmboi. The group will meet at the Abercwmboi Communities First Office at 108 John Street, at 10am for a 10.15am start. The walks will last 30-45 minutes. Please call 01443 479962 for more details.

8th February 2008 – A Volunteer Walk Leader training course is taking place in Abercynon. The course is taking place from 9.45am-4.30pm and is free. Please contact 01443 744900 for more details. More Volunteer Walk Leader Training courses will be planned throughout the year.

Saturday 5th – Sunday 13th April 2008 - The Rights of Way Access week is taking place in Rhondda Cynon Taf during this week. An exciting programme of events has been planned ranging from walks to cycle rides to hire rides. If you are interested in taking part or putting on an event then please Liz Dean for more details: Elizabeth.Dean@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk

September - Wales Valleys Walking Festival. More details to be available in the near future.

Quarterly walking meets are being planned throughout the year. These will take place in the Rhonnda Valley, the Cynon Valley, the Taff Valley, as well as another in an area outside of Rhonnda Cynon Taf. Please contact 01443 744900 for more details.

See full timetable

News:

Sponsored Walk - The STARs (Support To Access Recreation scheme) team organised a sponsored walk for groups of adults with learning difficulties on 13th December 2007. The groups were from across RCT and over thirty service users and their carers attended the walk in Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd. The participants braved the elements as it was a very cold morning. However, they walked for an hour around the park and raised money for a good cause. Congratulations to those who attended and thank you to the STARs team and the carers.

There have been several press releases in local news papers as well as a radio interview on GTFM to promote walking in Rhondda Cynon Taf. One of these can be found on the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s website.

Five new ‘Heritage Walks’ leaflets have been designed and distributed. The walks are in the areas of Ton Pentre, Treorchy, Cwmparc, Ton Pentre. If you wish to receive copies of the leaflets then please contact Development & Regeneration on 01443 665000.

We have route cards of health walks in Rhonnda Cynon Taf available. If you wish to receive these then please contact 01443 744900.

New walking groups are being planned for 2008, under the Let’s Walk Cymru programme. More details of these will follow shortly.

Links to other websites:

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Wales Valleys Walking Festival
Taff Ely Ramblers
Cynon Valley Ramblers