May I say how pleased I am that our newspaper is endorsing the current national trend of encouraging healthy living and awareness of our delicate environment.

I would like to add some information that might not be widely known in the borough.

For the past five months Merton Healthy Walks has been in existence. People from all over Merton meet on alternate Wednesdays at an open space in the borough - for instance Wimbledon Common, Ravensbury Park or Mitcham Common.

With the minimum of equipment and the maximum of good spirits we set off for an hour walk on a planned trail, walking at a steady, comfortable pace.

When we walk, we can't help but strike up a conversation with the person beside us.

We begin to discover details of our surroundings which we had previously only glimpsed from the bus or the road.

We find ourselves away from shops, traffic, noise and pollution.

Problems are temporarily put to one side. We conquer small personal mountains - covering a set distance, increasing our heart rate, speaking to a stranger, negotiating natural obstacles.

The atmosphere is one of encouragement and good humour. It is not a race or a nature ramble, yet we are always surprised when the walk is over and how good we feel.

So if you would like to join us, just turn up at 1.15pm on Wednesday, October 18 at Cannon Hill Lane and Cherrywood Lane.

For information see the Merton leisure website, contact Louisa Arnold at Merton leisure development on 020 8545 3663 or email leisure@merton.cov.uk and you will discover how healthy a walk can be.

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