The launch of the new family walking group Mondays up the Malverns by Malvern Hills NCT Branch, was incredibly popular. The first walk on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29th, saw 55 people enjoying the sunshine and a chance to exercise and socialise on the hills.

People came from surrounding counties and from as far as Ross-on-Wye to enjoy the family sling walk. The youngest baby in attendance was just three weeks old, and the oldest toddler being carried was 23 months. Three dogs enjoyed the trip out too. The group were delighted to be joined by David Armitage, Assistant AONB Partnership Manager, who had facilitated a generous grant to the group from the AONB Sustainable Development Fund. The group has used the grant to purchase baby slings which will be available for free long term loan.

The group undertook their Blackhill route for the launch walk, which was kindly designed for Mondays up the Malverns by the Malvern Hills Conservators. This is the shortest of five routes, ranging from 2km to 3.5km, that the group undertake in rotation. Hannah Cooper, Malvern Hills NCT Branch Coordinator, explained that this was the perfect first walk “It was beautifully shady in the woodland and had plenty of benches in case parents needed to stop for a feed or change”.

Mondays up the Malverns take every Monday at 10:30am. For more information, search ’NCT Mondays Up The Malverns’ on facebook.