Your readers may be aware, that 2018 is the Year of Physical Activity in Hertfordshire, and as part of an initiative led by Hertfordshire County Council, the 10 district and borough councils and the Herts Sports and Physical Activity Partnership, May has been designated Walking Month.

Fortunately, Hertfordshire is blessed with some of the country’s most outstanding countryside and open spaces, making it an ideal location for engagement by our residents.

A fantastic array of over 60, free to join health walks are on offer every week, delivered through a volunteer-led programme under the auspices of the county council’s countryside management service, and every Saturday morning there are 15 parkruns that take place at 9am, catering for runners, joggers and walkers of all ages, sizes and abilities. We also have a growth in walking sports with some excellent work being undertaken by, amongst others, the Hertfordshire Netball Association, Hertfordshire Football Association and England Squash.

With inactivity recognised by the World Health Organisation, as the fourth biggest cause of preventable death surely there can be no better time for your readers to move more and feel great.

The recently launched #NeverTooLateHerts Campaign is a timely reminder that we are never too old to start exercising and in doing so, we can improve both our physical and mental wellbeing.

Over the past week, I have had the pleasure of witnessing an 82-year-old woman skipping; I have been schooled by a 75-year-old walking squash player; and watched a 77-year-old lady complete her first parkrun.

The message must be, that there’s something out there for everyone - and it’s never too late to start.

John D. O’Callaghan

Partnership Director

Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership