ST HELENS Health Walks celebrated its seventh anniversary during one of the regular walks to Puckpool Park.

The weekly health walks regularly attract between 20 and 35 walkers.

Seven years ago, health walks were run by the NHS, but have since been transferred to the Isle of Wight Council.

The walks in St Helens started when Maurice Dix found there was not an NHS health walk in the St Helens area, where he lives.

Maurice said: “I met up with two people, Paul Thomasson and Graham Osborne, who were both interested in walking and we decided to organise a regular circular walk, starting and finishing at the Sports Pavilion on the St Helens green.

“We agreed on 10am on Wednesdays as a good time for the walk and we planned some known walking routes around the St Helens, Bembridge, Brading and Seaview areas.

“The length of the walks are normally between four and seven miles, although we can offer shorter walks when required.

“Initially the walk attracted around ten people and it has subsequently grown. We also attract some people who are on holiday in the area and some who are still in work.

“The aims of the walk are in part social, also to encourage an enjoyable way to keep fit while enjoying the superb countryside in this area.

“We always stop for refreshments around half way on the circular walks. I am positive the initial aims are being achieved.”

For the anniversary celebration, 27 people walked to Puckpool Park and back to St Helens, and enjoyed refreshments at the park cafe, coupled with a cake provided by Jenny Harding, one of the walk leaders.