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Louise Moss

Happy New Year everyone!

Hope you had a wonderful time over Christmas and all the best for the new year!

How is it 2018 all ready? We've been having lots of conversations today about how time whizzes past, and what we have planned for the year to come. We were also talking about resolution... do you set yourself a resolution for the New Year?

A quick poll of the Rainham Marshes staff and volunteers found that some of our resolutions include:

  • Walk more
  • Cut down on chocolate
  • Laugh more
  • Eat cake (I like this one!)
  • Get fitter
  • Learn new things
  • Read more
  • and quite a few don't set themselves resolutions.

Do you set any for yourself? I have set myself things to do this year (which is sort of a resolution) like join the Bootcamp sessions (I'll talk about that more later), visit a reserve that I haven't been to before, see a musical and read more.  Do you do well keeping your resolutions?

If you wanted to get fitter, meet new people or learn new things you can always visit us here at Rainham Marshes...

 


Rainham Marshes by Tony O'Brein

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, try new things and you’ll be helping the reserve too! Good for your health and wellbeing.

You can find out about volunteering, and all of the opportunities we have here at Rainham on the RSPB Volunteering website.

Here at Rainham we are looking for help in the cafe, talking to people in the centre, people to help lead the toddlers group and other family activities - check out the volunteering section for more detail and to search by area or type of role you are interested in.

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If you are interested in photography you can always bring your camera with you as you explore the reserve.

There are lots of places to stop and watch the wildlife or take a snap, including our hides viewing area and four bird feeding station (on the main trails). If you want to get more out of your visit you can always have one to one personal tuition tailored to your needs and camera type and hide hire for only: half day £50 (40 for RSPB members), or full day £70 (£56 for RSPB members) based at our woodland bird photography hide (which can be hired on it's own for up to two people half day £25 (20 for RSPB members), or full day £35 (£28 for RSPB members). Entry to the reserve is included in the price.)

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Walking by howard Vaughan


If walking is something that you would like to do why not explore around the reserve trails?

Walking is so beneficial - it's low impact exercise that really can make a difference. Sport England states "many of the leading causes of ill health could be prevented if people were to play more sport and increase their overall levels of physical activity". Being active not only keeps us healthy, but being outdoors helps reduce anxiety and depression.

One loop of the main trail is about 5,000 steps.

You can always take part in our Steps Series - a set of walking challenges, the New Year challenge is the black-tailed godwit. Everyone can help us walk or run the same distance as one of our visiting godwit’s migratory route, from the Iceland to Rainham Marshes (which is 1369 miles or 3,011,800 steps!), all your steps can count.
We have pedometers you are more than welcome to borrow (but please return them at the end of your walk), and lots of smart phones have steps counters on these days just search for a health type app and it should be in there. And even some of you may have been lucky enough to get Fitbits/Garmin/and other brand activity trackers for Christmas! Let us know at reception how many steps you've walked at Rainham Marshes

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If you would like to start running in 2018 you can join our Learn to Run - sofa to 5km sessions.

Over 12 weeks, every Sunday beginning Sunday 7 January 9.30-11 am, join us in a carefully developed programme designed for your needs and pace, with a guide/ running expert to show and help you the whole way, this opportunity is specifically aimed at those who are new to running outdoors.
We will build you up gently from walking to jogging, and then to running. With the bonus of lots of fantastic scenery and wonderful wildlife.  Price includes up to 12 weeks guided course tuition, and outside course support. £25 (£15 for RSPB members), booking is required. For more details and to book speak to Robyn: 01708 899847 or email robyn.smith@rspb.org.uk

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If cycling is more your thing, you can also hire a bike to explore the river wall paths ways, see wildlife and discover Rainham Marshes! Half day (up to 4 hours): £5 for non members and £4 for members.


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Back to Nature Bootcamp picture by Howard Vaughan


If you are aiming to get fitter you could always join the Back to Nature Bootcamp sessions.

There is a taster session on Saturday 6 January, 10-10.30 am. We are starting a brand new Back to Nature Bootcamp in February - come along to this taster session to see what it’s all about – getting outdoors and exercising (without too much equipment!). Anyone can join these group sessions - fantastic views, fresh air, and a great group of people: and being outdoors is great for reducing anxiety and depression as well as getting fit. £3 (£2 RSPB members), it is recommended that you reserve your space.

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Enjoy your New Year!