Stepping out… Chasewater Strollers first event, from their Facebook page.

You may remember that I recently plugged a new parent and toddler walking and social group that was starting up a Chasewater – their first meeting and walk took place last Monday Morning. A good time was had by all.

I knew that longstanding friend of the blog Rose Maria Burnell (mum to top ginger chap Ed) would be interested, and she popped along to check it out.

Rose and Ed had a great time, and Rose has written a great writeup for the blog, for which I thank her most profusely.

The Chasewater Strollers are meeting every Monday at Chasewater Innovation Centre, and tomorrow  (Monday, 21st April 2014) will meet at 10:00am when the centre opens.

Esther Allen, organiser, had this to say about tomorrow’s walk:

Happy Bank Holiday Weekend!

Chasewater Strollers are still meeting this Monday but we are pushing it back to 10 am as the Innovation Centre opens later.
This week we will meet behind the Reception on the left. We will aim to leave by 10:15 am.

If the weather is nice we’ll be having a picnic afterwards -all welcome. I’ll check the forecast Sunday night and confirm.

If you come on the walks and want to keep updated please join the Chasewater Strollers private group (just do a search).

Esther

Rose wrote:

A great atmosphere for parents and their kids… image from Chasewater Strollers.

Chasewater Strollers Launch

On Monday 14th April I went along to the launch of the new Chasewater Strollers walking group. We met at the Innovation Centre at 9.30am and set off for a walk around the reservoir at 9.45am.

I have to be honest and tell you that I really wasn’t expecting much from this event, but how delightfully wrong I was! It’s a beautiful thing in life where the effort and thoughtfulness of someone is met with the response from the community that it deserves. This is exactly what happened on Monday. Esther Allen who formed this group is passionate about creating something positive both for the parents in the local area and for Chasewater. She has thought very carefully about the whole venture, completing risk assessments and getting the backing of local councillors, the support of staff at the Innovation Centre and has even secured a grant from Staffordshire Council to help fund it. There was a great turnout with 18 babies and over 20 adults!

‘Hope you’ve got my best side!’ Ed goes for no publicity. Image from Chasewater Strollers.

When we arrived, we were welcomed by Esther’s husband (in his Chasewater Strollers high viz vest!) into a room where there were beautiful displays of colourful balloons, cakes and hot drinks! The walk was very good exercise as well as being a brilliant way to make new friends. We strolled along in the sunshine chatting happily and enjoying the wildlife. It wasn’t just all mums either – there were two dads and a grandmother. Any parent or carer is welcome with a baby in their buggy and there is no charge to join in. Esther had the keys to the gates which were opened wide for us all to go through. This enabled a lady with a double buggy to enjoy the walk, too.

Afterwards we enjoyed cakes, coffee and Esther gave out balloons to all of the babies. Most people stayed for another hour enjoy each other’s company and when we left we each were given the details to a Facebook group where we can keep in touch.

All the fun of Chasewater and the outdoors with a great social atmosphere, too. Image from Chasewater Strollers.

I would highly recommend a walk around Chasewater to anyone and with this new group you have the added bonus of making great new friends, too. Esther’s vision is that they will have a play session after the walk for children to socialise whilst the adults have a chat and refreshments. Chasewater Strollers will be there every Monday at 9.30am. (On Monday bank holiday there will be a slighter later meet of 10am.) Anyone would would like to give it a go would be made to feel very welcome indeed.

Contact details:

Search for Chasewater Strollers on Facebook
chasewaterstrollers@outlook.com
Chasewater Innovation centre 01543 370737

Chasewater Country Park is signposted from the A5 near Cannock and Brownhills, just south of the junction with the A452 (Chester Road). The postcode for satnavs is WS8 7NL.

Any questions please send us an email or facebook message. Otherwise just turn up and you will be made very welcome!