Charity walkers are to take to the streets of South London tomorrow to take part in the Largactyl Shuffle: Women’s Day Walk.
Stemming from the recent passing of ‘International Women’s day’ this “stigma busting, cultural walk” aims to encourage mental health and physical wellbeing through art, exercise, humour and history.
Starting in Camberwell the shuffle aims to take in local parks and green spaces, before ending up at the Feminist Library in Newington. As well as enjoying the local scenery, the walk will feature talks from prominent female figures from South London, including: women’s rights advocate; philosopher and writer Mary Wollstonecraft; the founder of Brixton’s first Black women’s group, Olive Morris and contemporary female artists of South London.
First started by the local mental health charity ‘CoolTan Arts’ in 2007. The name of the walk derives from the oldest anti-psychotic drug ‘Largactyl’ and its distinctive side effect of a ‘shambolic gait’ or ‘shuffling’.
Held on the third Saturday of every month, volunteers of ‘CoolTan’ find intriguing talks on hidden local history, arts and mental health to incorporate into a scenic walk which address a different theme each month, previous walk themes include: LGBTQ History month; Black History Month, Charles Dickens and Summer Solstice Midnight walk. Walks which CEO of CoolTan Arts Michelle Baharier believes: “benefit the community because they are a fun and healthy way to find out about the history of your local area and enable you to feel proud and part of it … they are a great way to meet new people and make friends.”
Although lasting around 4 hours, Emma says: “You can join us for half an hour, half a mile or the full 4.8 miles. It’s more about having a good time then racing to the finish” the walk caters to all ages and abilities and ‘CoolTan Art’ encourages everyone to join in.
Tomorrows walk leaves from outside Maudsley Hospital at 12pm, so get down early in order to register.
For further details go to: http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk/ or contact the walk organizers on 07985658443.
By David Cartwright
