Pathway beckons to health and fun (From Penarth Times)

Pathway beckons to health and fun

AS THE dark winter days start to brighten it will soon be time to get our circulation flowing. So how about starting up a hobby that can make a difference?

Don't despair - you don't have to squeeze into Lycra. The difference here will be to the environment, as well as to your lifestyle. And you would be more likely to pack your wellies and wax-jacket than your leotard.

The painless route to fitness and fun is known as Valeways.

The well-established group of volunteers and paid staff organises regular walks around some of the most breathtaking scenery in Britain, and it is based right on our doorstep.

Joining Valeways is a great idea for anyone with spare time on their hands. And because the majority of people who help out are volunteers, you can offer as much or as little time as you can spare to the group.

Valeways began as a simple idea. In 1996 a group of concerned country walkers had a meeting at the Amelia Trust Farm to see what could be done about reinstating many of the lost rights-of-way around the Vale of Glamorgan.

It was the time of the new Unitary Authorities and the Vale of Glamorgan Highways Department had responsibility for public footpaths.

From that first meeting, it was decided to try and get financial backing. The Countryside Council for Wales appointed a part-time co-ordinator to see if it was feasible for a group of unqualified but enthusiastic volunteers to make a difference.

It was, and volunteers appeared every weekend at the Amelia Trust Farm to help clear pathways and make walking around the Vale an enjoyable experience.

Since then, Valeways has grown almost beyond recognition. They have just published a booklet called the Valeways Millennium Heritage Trail.

This details some of the most historically valuable landmarks in the area. It has beautiful graphics, with a mixture of black and white and colour photography.

At the front of the booklet there is a simple map with reference numbers along routes.

These numbers match up with the pages in the books that hold the information on that area. The whole trail is 64 kilometres long, but the shortest walk comes in at just four kilometres. So there is a route for everyone. Combined with several smaller and more detailed maps, this makes sure even the least experienced walker can find somewhere to go.

Sometimes finding out which direction to strike out is the hardest part. Which was why, during the summer of 2001, Valeways teamed up with the British Heart Foundation and Bro Taf Health Authority.

The group took part in a pilot scheme where local doctors referred patients to Valeways for gentle exercise. To encourage people just to step away from their front doors, a range of Urban Walks led people along pavements to fields.

The Valeways team identified 12 easy routes, all very accessible. One of the strengths Valeways has is its approach to the delicate situation of public rights of way.

It has long been a battle between certain walking groups and farmers. But the Valeways committee has invited farmers to represent themselves at meetings.

It has found a formula that works well for landowners and country-lovers alike. It has a diplomatic way of forging links and opening communication between the two factions.

In fact, during the foot and mouth outbreaks, even though the Vale of Glamorgan was clear, Valeways stopped all of its walks to make sure nobody could endanger the livelihood of the farmers.

Now that the whole of the UK has been declared free of the disease, Valeways is back and looking for more volunteers.

There are regular walks that are not widely advertised called 'Walk and Clears'. Volunteers take to the footpaths armed with shears and tools. They clear the paths as they walk, familiarising themselves with the area and setting the scene for future weekend strolls.

To date, Valeways has opened a number of major routes for the community to enjoy, over 100 kilometres of land. Group members meet at public houses before embarking on walks of different lengths.

They advertise the lengths of the upcoming weekend events in the Times' What's On column for anyone who wants to come along.

For more information on Valeways, or to order a copy of the booklet Valeways Millennium Heritage, telephone Barry 01446 749000.

Or call into the office in Unit 7, Barry Community and Enterprise Centre, Skomer Road, Barry. The booklet is priced at £6.99 if you buy it at the office, or can be sent to you via post at the above address, priced at £8.49, including postage and packaging. The e-mail address is valeways@btclick.com