A group of dedicated Carlisle volunteers acknowledged for a decade of organising community walks have been celebrated by Carlisle Mayor Abdul Harid. 

Tuesday Trundles was set up in 2009 to complement the former Carlisle City Council led Walking for Health programme but has now come to an end.

The decision to stop organising and leading the Trundles was not an easy one, but has been a decision taken by the team of volunteers.

The walks provided a step up from the beginner programme, offering more challenging routes and varied terrains for those who wished to raise their walking game.

This well-regarded initiative operated fortnightly, in all weather conditions and in various Carlisle locations.

Peter Sibson, a volunteer with the Tuesday Trundles said: “I recall that I became involved with volunteering as there was a requirement for additional volunteer walk leaders. 

"As a participant in the walks for a year or so I was very happy to become part of the group, making friends and acquaintances over the years as a volunteer, as well as appreciating and becoming familiar with the opportunities for walking in the countryside surrounding Carlisle," he said. 

Underpinned by the ethos of giving back to the community, they researched, planned, and assessed risks for each walk, before leading participants on the trails, with support from Carlisle City Council and Cumberland Council officers. 

Heather Parker, who attended the walks, said: “I am fairly new to the area and through the walks I have gradually found out about where I now live. There are people who walked who really seemed to enjoy the company, maybe not seeing anyone else in between times.

"The leaders were very friendly and were very good at telling you about where you were walking and a little of the history of a particular place," she said. 

Janet Dutton has been involved in the Tuesday Trundles as a walker and a leader for 12 years.

"During the 12 years that I have been involved, I have enjoyed my time planning and leading a large variety of walks and being involved in the administration of the walks. I have met lots of lovely people and made some good friends," she said. 

For further information on Wellbeing Walks, a programme of shorter accessible walks, in the Carlisle area contact wellbeingwalkscarlisle@cumberland.gov.uk for details of walks in other area of the county,  visit Ramblers Wellbeing Walks - Active Cumbria.