Young at heart: Centenarian Joe Baker on his birthday walk with (from left) Barbara Arnold, Marion Hart, Athena Ridley, and Di Brooks.
Fellow walkers, volunteers, and a crowd of well-wishers cheered as Joe Baker returned to the Kingsbridge Rest Centre after a 45 minute stroll of the embankment to celebrate his 100th birthday on Wednesday – for the third time!
One of the town’s oldest walkers, this was Joe’s third celebration party (he was 100 on 6th January) and he loved every minute of it - particularly walking along the embankment with fellow walkers and volunteers.
Joe joined Kingsbridge Walk and Talk five years ago, and hasn’t missed a single weekly walk.
If volunteers suggest cutting the walk short due to poor weather, he insists they do the full route. He is usually at the front of the group and welcomes the assistance of a walk leader as he is visually impaired.
Kate Wright, Walk and Talk Co-ordinator for South Hams and West Devon, said: “I find Joe inspirational. When I asked him what his secret to a long life was his answer was: ‘A clear mind and helping other people’”.
South Hams Executive Member for Assets Cllr Bill Hitchins said: “Joe is such an inspiration to us all. He really is an object lesson in what exercise can mean in terms of staying fit and active; a real ambassador for the Walk and Talk cause.”
Kate added: “I would like to thank all the volunteers who help with Walk and Talk, and in particular Barbara Arnold for taking photographs on the day and making a wonderful birthday cake with plenty of candles for Joe to blow out!”
Kingsbridge is just one of five Walk and Talks in the South Hams. The others are Dartmouth, South Brent, Totnes, and Ivybridge.
A one hour taster walk in Modbury attracted 24 people on Tuesday 10th January – to show there is interest in starting a new scheme in the town itself. At the moment people living in Modbury have to travel to either Ivybridge or Kingsbridge. To set the ball rolling volunteers are needed to attend a one day workshop which covers all aspects of being a volunteer with South Hams Walk and Talk.
South Hams Walk and Talk is part of the National Initiative Walking for Health. The aim of this initiative is to get people out in their local community, to increase their physical activity and enjoy the social and physical benefits of walking.
For more details about Walk and Talk contact Kate Wright on 01822 813571, 07920 786505, or email kate.wright@southhams.gov.uk.
The Walk and Talk Walking for Health scheme is supported by South Hams District Council, Devon County Council, Natural England, and NHS Devon.
[Double cake: Joe enjoys a twin birthday cake moment with walkers and leaders of Kingsbridge Walk and Talk]
Double cake: Joe enjoys a twin birthday cake moment with walkers and leaders of Kingsbridge Walk and Talk.
