A lively, healthy community
The Rapaki Walk summit is a beautiful place to celebrate achievement. In late October, 11 walkers looked down over the village and Te Muna Road as they marked the first birthday of their Walking Group, part of the Martinborough Healthy Community Project.
Every Friday morning for a year the group has met at Kitchener’s and decided where to walk this week.
“ In Week One there were three of us,” explained unofficial leader Les Robert, “and we’ve built up gradually to around 10-14 weekly. We’d welcome more.
“The idea is to encourage people to get or keep moving for their health. Over the year we’ve noticed that we go a bit further each time and while it’s a decent work-out everyone can go at their own pace.
“Experts say walkers should be able to talk while they walk, and our group certainly can!” he laughed.
Walking is both easy and cheap, and Martinborough’s flat roads and vineyard views make it appealing. The group enjoys seasonal changes, most obviously in the vineyards.
Importantly, participants meet new people. Some have lived in Martinborough for many years, and some only a few weeks. Convivial coffee afterwards builds friendships and a strong community.
The Martinborough Healthy Community Project was initiated by the Martinborough Health Centre. Other major components are the Community Garden in Oxford Street, where volunteers tend mostly vegetable gardens, Wednesday and Sunday mornings (summer hours).
Produce goes to the Community Larder in the Medical Centre. Many residents and weekenders like being able to donate excess product from local gardens and reduce waste.
Anyone can pop in and pick up something fresh, healthy and seasonal for their lunch or dinner, says Practice Manager Pam Shackleton.
The third leg of the community project is a 7-week Healthy Lifestyle programme, a self-management course for people with long-term conditions. After a well-attended and successful course earlier this year, a second course started in October with another planned for early 2019. Anyone interested should contact Kiwa at the Medical Centre.
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