It was a good job that Holsworthy Walk and Talk groups had enjoyed the autumn sunshine as it has now yielded to the ‘Monsoon’ season.

During the winter there will be a selection of forestry walks with hard tracks keeping everyone’s feet relatively clean and dry.

The reservoirs are still very much in need of the rain. A Level 3 walk was held during September at a very depleted Roadford Lake. A second at an even more depleted Upper Tamar Lake was also undertaken in September.

Cameras were at the ready on the Level 2 walk at Dunsland Park in November. They came across a red horse chestnut tree which has smaller leaves with a more beechnut-type fruit than the familiar horse-chestnut tree and its conkers, but are poisonous to humans and animals.

The tree is a hybrid mix between a horse-chestnut and a red buckeye, originally being introduced from Europe to enhance ornamental gardens because of the deep pink flowers.

Celebrity status was awarded to Mike Jackson, treasurer, last month when he was interviewed by Radio Devon’s Pippa Quelch as part of their Children in Need broadcasts with an emphasis on mental health. Mike did an excellent job promoting the group and some of the benefits of walking with a group in general.

As Christmas celebrations this year fall on a Sunday, the Friday walks will continue uninterrupted. The Monday walk in the park will miss two consecutive weeks due to being Bank Holidays. If anyone feels the need to walk off some of the festive fare or make a New Year’s resolution to get a bit fitter, get out and about and meet new people, the groups walk on Mondays and Fridays. All walks start at 10.30am and are free. Membership forms are available from the volunteer walk leader prior to the start of the walk.

The website has lots of up-to-date information, together with the current programme of walks, details below.

Email [email protected] or visit the website holsworthywalkandtalk.co.uk

Alternatively, call one of the volunteer walk leaders: Gillian Aston 07854 677784; Mike Jackson 01409 261196; or Paul Davies 01409 253250.