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NEWSLETTER

The February edition of Dales Heart newsletter is now available for viewing on-line.

To view the newsletter please click here. This will need Adobe Reader to be installed on the computer.

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Don't fancy exercising in the gym ?

Then why not try 'Nordic Walking' ?

	Nordic Walking ? It is a very suitable form of exercise for cardiac patients because it is a more productive form of exercise than ordinary walking. The use of poles by the upper body during walking increases the stride length and: cardio-effective exercise (modest intensity exercise) is achieved more easily even when walking on the flat because of the upper body involvement. because the poles provide more stability and support, participants unused to exercise or with balance difficulties, have the confidence to achieve the faster walking speeds necessary for effective cardio-protective exercise. Use of the upper and lower body at the same time results in a higher rate of energy consumption over shorter time than walking and is therefore an aid to greater weight loss. the use of poles also enables the upper body to take some of the weight of the body off the hips, knees and ankles, making it a more acceptable form of exercise for those with joint problems Nordic Walking increases muscular strength over the whole body (upper and lower body, core and back), increasing confidence and independence.
Why not give it a go ? - Special classes for cardiac patients and their partner/carer are now available in Matlock Taster sessions of Nordic Walking are normally held on Monday mornings at 9-30 am in Hall Lees Park, Matlock (meet at the bandstand). The taster session is free and poles are provided. Please check with Nicky, who runs the course, on 01629 582291 or email her on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get more information and to check that the taster session is still on. If after a taster session you wish to continue with further sessions, these are normally held on Monday mornings at 10-30 am in Hall Lees Park, Matlock, at a cost of £12 for 4 sessions. Again, poles are provided free. The first taster session, held on the 16th Auhust 2010, had a small group of four. Below are photographs of the group in the park, learning how to use the sticks and experiencing the benefits of the exercise. One of the photographs shows Denys striding out without effort, something he didn't realise until he saw the photograph and something he hadn't done for years. He said that after half an hour, he felt he could tackle any of the walks Mike and Myra had arranged for the group and with which he had struggled. As Pat and Bernie said afterwards "We felt much better at the end of the session and we exercised the whole of the body as well as the brain! It was ideal for balance." [Click on images to enlarge]

Christmas Dinner (15th December 2009)

Thirtyfour members, partners and friends gathered at 12-00 noon at the Kelstedge Inn, Kelstedge, half way between Matlock and Chesterfield, for the annual Christmas dinner. In the warm, cheerful, welcoming pub there was much animated chatter, Greetings and cards were exchanged as we all sat down eagerly awaiting the repast. Grace was said by the Revd.John Williams who reminded us that he was a very recent new member.. He recalled that he had a pacemaker fitted the previous January and was proud of the fact that he was one of the few whose pacemaker had 3 wires to control it rather than the normal 2 wires! Unfortunately after some months one wire became detatched and a few weeks ago he had to have further surgery to have a replacement wire fitted and this dinner, apart from preaching the previous Sunday, was his first real test of his fitness. He and everyone else enjoyed the friendship and the occasion and he epitomised the positive 'get on with life' attitude of Dales Heart members.

The three course meal was excellent, served hot with nicely prepared vegetables. A wide choice of starter, main course and sweet was available and each person had a Christmas cracker to pull, after which most wore the obligatory paper hat! The meal was rounded off with coffee or tea and a home-made mince pie which was then followed by a raffle. A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all. Thanks go to Des and Linda for all their hard work in organising the event.

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26th July 2009

Walk along the river Derwent at Calver (22nd July 2009)

A group of eight members met at Calver Bridge at 10-30 am equiped with rainproofs and umbrellas ready for the rain that had been forecast but in the event they were not required!

The walk started at a gentle pace across a field to the bank of the river Derwent and then along a well marked stoney path amid trees and lush undergrowth. Rain the previous day had made the path rather muddy and slippery in places but the rain stayed away. Other walkers we met along the way were greeted with a cheery "Good morning".

Crossing a small footbrige took us back along the opposite bank as far as the road bridge from where we retraced our steps back to Calver bridge. A very welcome conclusion to a lovely leisurely walk was lunch in the Bridge Hotel at Calver.

29th July 2009

Day Trip to Arley Hall on 28th July 2009

Think “historic house” and you probably think “National Trust”, or at least “Chatsworth”. As members discovered there are other delightful properties besides these more obvious ones.

We arrived during the morning, and those who ventured straight into the gardens had the opportunity to explore a series of different garden areas whilst it was still dry!

With scented garden, herbaceous garden, wild areas and formal planting, this is a garden of superb quality, on an intimate scale – recognisable as a family garden, but with much to explore for the paying visitor.

The house too is on a more intimate scale than some of the better nationally known historic houses.

The rooms are very accessible, with friendly and knowledgeable guides, and with family photographs (rather than just the “official” portraits) we were always conscious that the family still lives there, and it is clearly a much-loved home.

Add to this a super restaurant (the Old Barn) in one half of a cruck barn, and it made the perfect day out, despite some afternoon rain.

Viscount and Viscountess Ashbrook open the house and garden on Tuesday, Sunday and Bank Holidays between 22nd March and 27th September 2009, and we felt privileged to be able to visit. [click on photos to enlarge]

Visit to the Black Country Museum - 15th September 2009

Members and friends enjoyed a very enjoyable day out when they visited the Black Country Museum, near Dudley for the day. An early morning start by coach from Matlock produced a day of reminiscences and experiences as members walked through the streets and saw life in the 1800s being recreated.

Some members donned hard hats, which were very necessary, and walked through a typical small coalmine in near darkness to see the hard working conditions of the time.

A walk along the main street was like being back in time with the sweet shop where old fashioned sweets could be bought, the milliners, the hardware shop with its tin baths and possers, the tiny fish and ship shop where there was a constant queue waiting to be served with fish and chips in paper, the pub, the chapel, the small houses with outside toilets and many more besides.

The half hour lesson in school was certainly an experience, sitting in rather small desks and being taught by a very strict ma'm contrasted with today's laxity. Sitting up straight with arms folded in silence poor Bernie was called a hussy and a fallen woman during hand inspection for wearing nail varnish, Denys was harangued and told to stay in after school for dirty finger nails and Ivy was sent to stand in the corner for not giving a correct answer. The class was taught the two-times table and all had to learn joined up writing using a slate.

A fascinating trip on a narrow boat through the tunnels in the limestone rock of the area completed a wonderful day back in time at the museum.

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Isle of Wight Holiday

5th - 12th June 2010

Early in the morning of the 5^th of June, a Hulley’s coach picked up passengers from the Matlock and Wirksworth areas and set off for Southampton. 25 people were on the coach of which 13 were club members. It was a nice sunny day and we reached Southampton an hour early and were lucky to get an earlier ferry across to the Isle of Wight. Our destination was the Burlington Hotel in Sandown on the south coast of the island.

We settled in and at dinner everyone was pleased with their accommodation. The hotel plied us with a four course meal for the next seven nights. We had a different menu every night and although the meals were very good, there were complaints by the end of the week. There was too much food and waist bands were expanding! We feasted well but dieting was on the cards after the holiday.

Coach trips were arranged for the Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. We visited various places of interest, e.g. the Oriental Pearl, Arreton Barns and Needles shopping centres, the villages of Yarmouth and Godsill, East Cowes and Ryde.

On our free days, the members armed with their Gold Cards set off to view other attractions like the Botanical Gardens at Ventnor, Osborne House, Isle of Wight Steam Railway and the Zoo. Some just enjoyed the beach which was only a stone’s throw from the hotel.

Weather wise we were very lucky with some hot sunny days with only the Thursday spoiling the holiday with heavy rain for the whole afternoon.

Sadly holidays seem to be quickly over and early on the Saturday we retraced our journey back to Derbyshire. We were home in time for tea.

Everyone enjoyed the holiday and club members commented that they got to know the members in the club. Something that is missing in our monthly meetings.

Sadly Des and Linda were not able to come on the holiday which is unfortunate after all the hard work they put in on the arrangements. A special vote of thanks to both of them for arranging such a wonderful holiday. [Tony Holmes]

Dales Heart

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