All Portsmouth Healthy Walks are led by trained volunteer walk leaders who are there to ensure the route is safe and have grown in popularity over the years.

trained volunteer walk leaders who are there to ensure the route is safe and have grown in popularity over the years. Designed to be a great way to improve health and wellbeing and also as a chance to meet new people, the walks are ideal for those who would like to improve their health by increasing their physical activity levels and discover the green spaces and scenery that Portsmouth has to offer. There are 19 regular route, including some shorter ones on the walks programme, which is available from www.walkingforhealth.org.uk  or telephone Portsmouth City Council 02392 841379 and ask for a printed copy .

Today’s awards were presented to Robert Smith, Wendy Brown, Kathy Davies, Kate Hurst and Peter Linford. Kate has managed her first 100 walks in just over a year whilst Peter has been walking for 10 years. Supported by some of their walk leaders, friends and families they received their certificates of achievement and a large basket of fruit. The Portsmouth Healthy Walks scheme is open to all, free of charge and very popular, with over 800 attendances every month.

The Mary Rose has been hosting these celebrations for 2 years and today the awards were presented by Professor Eleanor Schofield, Head of Conservation and Collections care at the Trust. Eleanor shared an update on some of the latest research that has come out of the Mary Rose collection, including the work that has formed the basis of the new ‘Many Faces of Tudor England’ temporary exhibition. Following the presentations the groups were given a VIP tour of the galleries and exhibition by Tony, one of the Museum’s volunteer guides, making 101 walks for some.

Professor Schofield said “I was delighted to be able to present these awards in recognition of the dedication the individuals have shown to the Healthy Walks programme. It is a fantastic way for people to keep fit and socialise, whilst taking in the lovely scenery this city has to offer.”

Some of the most popular Portsmouth Healthy Walks take in areas along Southsea seafront, in view of buoy marking the Mary Rose wreck site where she sank during the Battle of the Solent in 1545.  King Henry VIII was on Southsea Common during this historic moment in the history of the city. Her remains were raised in 1982, and are now on display in the museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, along with thousands of the original objects recovered alongside the ship, giving a unique and moving insight into life in Tudor England.