Chester-le-Street Methodist Church

Church Walks

When	Approximately once a month on a Saturday morning starting about 10.0 am
Who	Anyone who loves exploring the local countryside by foot, from babies in carriers to the fit and mature 60+ ish (!)
Why	To promote friendships, to get exercise and fresh air, and to appreciate our local countryside
Where	Over the last couple of years we have had coastal walks, moorland hikes, riverside rambles, skated across thin ice and followed industrial trails, all within a short distance of Chester-le-Street
Level of fitness	Most walks are around 5 miles in length and are relaxed.  The terrain varies but is announced before the walk - it could be a walk suitable for a pushchair on paths, or more demanding with some steep slopes.

Look for details of the next walk on the notice board in the Walter Best Hall and in the printed Church notices on Sundays.  Lifts can be arranged.

For further information contact: Christine or Andrew Coapes   tel:  0191 388 5069

Over the past two months there have been two walks, the first was through the new Tyne Tunnel, TT2, and the other over the local fells at Waldridge.

On the first Andrew Coapes guided the walk round the outer edges of the site then through the new kiosks and into the tunnel where he explained the different techniques used in the tunnel at different stages, i.e. constructions on the land and how the central part was sunk and joined together. We emerged on the south side and after having visited Bede's World for refreshments, returned to the start via the original pedestrian tunnel with the world's longest wooden escalator.

.

The second walk was led by Ron Patterson over Waldridge Fell. The day was rather misty and the rain the previous day had made the walking quite awkward in places with the mud and surface water. having met the fell ponies we eventually arrived at the garden centre cafe, and having refreshed on tea/coffee/soup/scone etc set off through the wood back onto the fell and to the car park.

.