Season’s Greetings from the Kirkby Community Walking Group
 This year’s WEA Christmas card shows a breathtaking view, shown here, from the slopes of Ben Nevis in Scotland. The image was captured on camera by WEA student, Bert Reason, a member of the Kirkby Community Walking Group (KCWG) on Merseyside.
The group was started after Tim Stone, Learning Manager at WEA’s North West Region set up an Outdoor Education Programme, two years ago.
“ View from the slopes of Ben Nevis” is the image used on this year’s WEA Christmas card, taken by WEA student and volunteer, Bert Reason.
In Autumn 2002 the WEA ran its first National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) course. His idea was to create a range of courses that would appeal to people interested in developing outdoor skills such as hill walking, navigation and orienteering. NNAS is a nationally-recognised award in navigation skills and provides basic navigation techniques and safety information related to hill-walking for those working towards the award.
 Two of those who attended the course were Paul Cosgrove and Severine Le Pouliquen, both Youth Development Workers in Kirkby. After completing the NNAS course, Paul and Severine recognising the value of the knowledge they’d gained, met with Tim to discuss further improving their outdoor qualifications. Tim suggested that the WEA could run a Basic Expedition Leader Award (BELA), which is designed to qualify people who have an interest in leading walking groups in low level terrain within Britain.
Members of the Kirkby Community Walking Group on a trip to Macclesfield Forest in Cheshire.
BELA is a nationally recognised and respected scheme and a significant component of the qualification involves fulfilling 30 hours of voluntary work – with many of those studying for BELA involved in youth and community-based voluntary work. Having gained BELA accreditation, and in discussion with their WEA tutors, Paul and Severine put forward the notion of forming a walking group in Kirkby. As a result both Paul and Severine are now tutors for the WEA, providing guidance and leadership for Kirkby’s Community Walking Group – including Bert, our Christmas card photographer.
 As part of the group, Bert has enjoyed and endured some demanding walks across dales, peaks, and hills of northern England. More recently, the group organised a trip to Scotland which included a variety of walking opportunities to suit all abilities, and an ascent of Ben Nevis. The outdoors has provided Bert with a very special subject in which to develop his photography skills, and he can be seen [right], caught on the other end of the lens by a fellow member of KCWG, crossing the three wire bridge at the head of Glen Nevis.
At 69 years of age, Bert takes the lead, crossing a three-wire bridge near the Steall Falls area of Glen Nevis.
Bert, along with other members of group has recently completed his Bronze, National Navigation Award Scheme – just as Paul and Severine did in their first course with the WEA.
Describing how the relationship between the WEA and the Walking Group first came about, Paul Cosgrove explains, ‘The WEA has demonstrated that with determination, patience, flexibility and an understanding of the needs of learners an impact can be made within the community. KCWG, is a great example of what is possible. We produce a regular newsletter and promote education to our members. It’s been brilliant seeing people’s confidence grow and now they are leading the walks. Our partnership with WEA has been wholly positive and we’d recommend other groups and individuals to give one of their courses at try.”
Further information on Kirkby Community Walking Group can be obtained from: Paul Cosgrove, Severine Le Pouliquen or Jennifer Deering on 0151 546 2416. Members of the group are always willing to meet other people who may wish to establish a group in their own area.
Our thanks go to Bert for the use of his photographic work for our Christmas card and for his voluntary work with the WEA this year. We wish him continued success with his photography and happy walking with the KCWG crew in 2005.
The WEA Christmas card is available from 25th November and can be ordered from the WEA Corporate Services division. Further details are available on our Christmas card order form.
WEA Christmas card order form
Further information on the work of the WEA North West Region is available from:
Workers’ Educational Association
North West Region
7/8 Bluecoat Chambers
School Lane
Liverpool
L1 3BX
 0151 709 8023
 0151 708 0046
 northwest@wea.org.uk
 www.nw.wea.org.uk
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November News