From the WALX & NWUK Community
By Gill Stewart at
Back at Blenheim Palace for Countryfile Live and this time it was Ellie who got the Nordic Walking demo! Our team had a ball down by the Riverside as we encouraged folk to pick up some poles and experience the whole body workout! We even added a song and dance just to prove how energetic
By Gill Stewart at
Back in the Lakes again with our trusty trailer and Dome – fingers crossed for good weather and the chance to actually meet people this year! What a difference form the storms of 2017 – it was HOT HOT HOT and we had packed Taster sessions and huge interest on the stand. Instructors came to
By Gill Stewart at
The HQ Team were getting more requests to attend shows, exhibitions and festivals so enter the BIG PURPLE DOME! There would be no missing the NWUK Team from now on that’s for sure! The Dome was a massive hit at the Keswick Mountain Festival and it even survived the storms which blew many of the
By Gill Stewart at
By 2018 we had outgrown the Festival field in Swanage and wanted our own exclusive location in a more central position with better transport links. Our stunning Festival HUB in Corfe Castle was a great hit…views of the Castle, walking distance to the Village and with great bus and even steam train links to minimise
By Gill Stewart at
In August 2016 we joined the Countryfile Live Team at Blenheim Palace – Instructors from across the UK manned the stand and helped with Tasters and Demos. We managed to chat to Adam and other presenters from the show about Nordic Walking too
By Gill Stewart at
The word was out….. Nordic Walkers wanted to get together, learn more and enjoy amazing walks. Once again despite a massive storm removing our Marquees the night before, we managed to host a fantastic second festival event in Swanage. Over 500 people joined us for the iconic walks, challenges and more. This year we added
By Gill Stewart at
Mike Bushell from BBC Breakfast came to Purbeck to film the HQ Team with the local group. He had a go at learning the basics before joining the group for a scenic walk. Along the way he chatted to them about the benefits they had experienced and also remarked on how effective Nordic Walking was.
By Gill Stewart at
Following the event in Seville, we thought it was time to get to know the Purple people across the UK so we got together with a local running Marathon event and created the Purbeck NW Marathon and a shorter but equally hard 16 mile challenge. To make sure all levels felt welcome we also added
By Gill Stewart at
How delighted were we when we won our first major award! The UK Active outdoor programmes category was all new but we will still up against some very stiff competition. The judging was stringent, endless evidence of best practice was submitted and our protocols, training, systems and values were under scrutiny. The Judges mystery shopped
By Gill Stewart at
In 2015 the NWUK team were commissioned by the Seville Tourist board to create an International Conference for Instructors and Walkers. Taking in the City of Seville and neighbouring walled citadel of Carmona, this event was a first! There was a mix of presentations, themed walks and a challenge event in central Seville on the
By Gill Stewart at
In 2013 Gill was commissioned by BLOOMSBURY PRESS to write a book for their Complete Guide series. With the help of groups around the UK and partners Worldwide, she penned a manual that is as useful for Instructors and Leaders as it is for those curious to know more about walking with poles. Deliberately not
By Gill Stewart at
Our fourth event in 2014 saw us embrace everything form Roller skis, Bungypump and even Nerf guns in our tradition of creating innovative and fun programmes. Instructors from all over the UK joined us for two days of presentations, workshops and business advice from Mike and Innes