After 3 attempts we finally got into Wales!

16 of us piled onto the train heading to Minera. After an hour on the train and a short bus ride we hit the country near Bersham and saw little of the roads since then. With Chris leading the way, map in hand, we saw some beautiful countryside as we walked alongside the fast flowing rivers and over the slopes of the Welsh countryside. As is the tradition in this country the rain came down early on as we navigated some muddy grassland. After a stop at the visitor centre for a coffee and get out the rain it was back out onto the trial passing through some splendid woodland including a beautiful waterfall.  

Stopping for lunch we had a brief last section through the woods including a detour to see the magnificent Yorke family home at Eddig. From there is was through a small Welsh village before getting back into Wrexham for a brief stop at the café then back on the train for home. Out for almost 9 hours and getting 8 miles across the country was what we had been waiting for and we finally got our wish. See you all next month.!

Matt

It was an early start for the walking group this month. Hoping to catch the 8:30 train, we arrived at Bidston Train Station to find that yet again the trains had been cancelled. Notch up another win for the train company.

With this being the second time our Wales walk has been stopped right out the gate where are getting good at thinking on our feet. After a quick selection of choices and a vote we all piled into the cars and headed out to Levers Causeway where we parked up and set out across a field towards Arrowe Par,k with the nice cool breeze and the sun overhead.

After a two and a half mile walk across country with Jenny leading the wa,y we hit the Cherry Orchard. A quick stop for a cuppa, then we were off into Arrowe Park.

After a long loop round Arrowe Park and a stop of for dinner, we came back past the Cherry Orchard for another cuppa. Then it was back towards Leavers Causeway. Of course this was not before we found a last little cross country section that included a rather fun shimmy across a log to avoid a mud pool.  A last stretch past the motorway saw us back to the start with nine and a half miles under our belts. Overall, another excellent walk with 12 people out. Hopefully we will be able to get into Wales next time round!

Matt Williams

APEx Co-ordinator

APEx Co-ordinator Matt Williams reflects on some recent activities in October...

Walking Group

The October monthly walk was a slight change from originally planned. Thanks to the rain, the trains were off, taking the Wales trip off the table. With 8 of us (and 2 dogs) standing in the pouring rain, we decided we weren’t going to let the weather stop us from getting a good walk in. So, it was off to Moreton train station, where we parked the cars and set off along the front with West Kirby in our sights. Pushing through the mud and jumping over the wall down onto the front started off the walk. The dogs had the time of their lives in the rain, and Chris gave us a nature tour of the birds dancing around on the beach. Sorry, Chris - I can only remember the TurnStone!    After a quick stop to look at a frog and a toilet stop, there was even talk of heading back at Hoylake.  With the rain still coming down this idea was quickly vetoed, so we pushed on to West Kirby. After an excellent walk along the front and into West Kirby there was just time to hit a local café for a cuppa before jumping on the bus back to Moreton. Although not planned, this goes down as one of the stranger, but no less successful, walks. Not wanting to miss out on the planned walk we have decided to put another walk on in 2 weeks time into Wales, so let’s hope the rain stays of for that one...

Swimming

The first of our swimming sessions started on Tuesday 5 October, with 12 of us heading down to Birkenhead School with our coach Anna ready to put us through our paces. It started off as expected with us doing a couple lengths, so Anna could gauge our technique - all the while we could hear the end lane gabbing in the shallow end. Then it was out with the floats for some real work. I can’t speak for the rest of them, but I was not sure at one point if I would make it through the full hour. Once we where changed, I had a chat with Anna upon which I was told this was the easy session and the real work would being next week. This is going to be a tough 5 sessions. Bring it on!

Celebrating World Mental Health Day 2010
Sunday, 10 October 2010 at 11.00am

ENTRY FORM

Name: 

Address: 

Postcode:

Tel:

E-mail: 

Male       Female  (Please Circle)

Date of Birth:        /     /                  Age on day of race

Claiming benefits:         Yes          No    (Please Circle: see below for more details)

If you are taking part with a child (12-16) please state full name(s) and DOB for each child below:

Name(s)                                                      Date(s) of Birth   

Entry fees are £10. Any participant who is in receipt of benefits on the day of the race the entry fee is £4. Donations can be given on the same cheque as your entry fee. No charge to children 16 or under. Please check your details and make cheques payable to: Advocacy in Wirral  

Declaration
I have read the Rules and additional information (see below) and agree to abide by them. I also state that I am entering this race of my own accord and that I am fit and able to do so. The race organiser, sponsors or other bodies will not be held liable for any injuries/illnesses that may occur during or after taking part in the APEx four mile road race.        

Signature:                                                               Date:

Send entries to:       Matthew Williams, Advocacy in Wirral
                            68 – 74 Woodside Business Park
                            Shore Road, Birkenhead,  CH41 1EL

Donations: APEx is dedicated to supporting people suffering from mental health issues and strives to improve the mental wellbeing of its members . We are not a profit making club and rely on fund raisers like this or donations from the public. Please help us continue our activities and put on more events  by making a donation along with your entry fee. Thank you for your support.

 Donation Amount - £   

Please do not send cash in the post if possible.

Thank you for entering the APEx 4 Mile Road Race. Please complete and return page one along with a cheque for your entry fee and/or donations. Ensure you have signed the entry form. Please keep a copy of the Race Information and Rules for your own reference  

Race information and Rules

1. The APEx 4 mile road race will begin on Sunday 10th October 2010 at 11:00am It is suggested runners make their way to the start line at 10:55am
2. Postage entries for this event close 7 days (3 October 2010) before the event. Please ensure you have sent your entry before this date with time to ensure your number arrives in the post. We advise sending entries no later than 10 days (1 October 2010) before the event.
3. Participants must use the car park at the top of Leasowe Road and next to Leasowe Lighthouse where possible. Course maps showing parking are available on www.aiw.org.uk.
4. Race limit is 200 participants. Entries will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
5. Limited entries may be available on the day if race limit (200) has not been reached. It is strongly advised you enter prior to the day of the event. Entries on the day must be completed 15 minutes (10:45am) before the start of the run. Availability of entry on the day will be indicated on the Advocacy website (www.aiw.org.uk) prior to the event.
6. Medals will be available on completion of the race. Please note that there will be limited numbers of these so it will be one medal per runner.
7. Please note that the organisers cannot be held responsible for cancellation of the event due to weather, therefore no refunds will be offered. If this should occur the decision will be made on the day by the events safety coordinator and his decision is final. Cancelled races will be re-scheduled where possible and stated on www.aiw.org.uk
8. Any children (12-16) taking part must be accompanied by a paid and participating adult.
9. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to take part in the APEx 4 Mile Road Race.
10. APEx offers a reduced entry fee for people on benefits in order to ensure no one is excluded from taking part in the APEx 4 Mile Road Race. We would remind people that this is a charity event so would ask that you only claim this reduced fee if you actually claim benefits (please be honest).
    
    Race numbers and any additional information will be posted prior to the event. You will not receive any notification until your race number arrives by post before the event.
    If you have any enquiries regarding this event please contact the Events Organiser Matt on:
    Tel: 0151 650 1530 / 0787 180 8885             Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it