Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics) is a Bristol based charity founded in 1990 to provide help and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking. We believe that every child has the right to a happy childhood and to live a creative and meaningful life but when drink is the family secret they are more likely to experience family violence, neglect and other problems in their own homes.

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Hi everyone,

I have been a volunteer with the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA) for 5 years and, whilst I don't have any personal experience of alcohol problems in my family, I have come to realise what an important role the charity plays.

Press coverage, including the report found at https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/769135/Children-call-helplines-for-bedtimes-stories, illustrate the issues that some children face when growing up and NACOA aims to provide support to children of all ages with their free helpline.

You can find out more at www.nacoa.org.uk.

Of course, it costs money to fund this service and NACOA relies entirely on donations.  In this extraordinary time of the Coronavirus, many organised events in which fundraisers would obtain sponsorship have been cancelled.  This means the income that many charities rely on for day to day activities is drastically reduced.

So, over the course of the next few weeks, subject to government advice, I will be undertaking a series of walks in the Bath & North East Somerset area entitled "Martin's Local Landmarks Challenge".

I realise these are difficult times but please help if you can.

Thank you.

Martin

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Walk 7 took place on Mon 27th April to the line of the Fosse Way south of the Radstock Road.  The route took me across the Midsomer Norton High Street up to Westfield and back taking the River Somer to the High Street again for some shopping; a total of 3.7 miles.

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Fri 24th April was the date of walk 6 around Paulton.  At about 5 miles, it was slightly longer than I'd anticipated  On a lovely sunny day my route took in Simons Hill, Paulton and Timsbury Basins on the old Somersetshire Coal Canal and Purnell Sports fields, as well as some shopping at the village Co-Op.

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Now out of self-isolation, my 5th walk of 3.5 miles on Sun 19th April was through the village of Welton to the line of the Fosse Way north of the Radstock Road and back.  Mainly countryside views.

N.B.  I would have taken less time if not for having to wait for others to pass by and even take photographs to keep to social distancing guidelines.

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My 4th walk of 6.5 miles on Fri 3rd April was to the village of Chilcompton and back.  I hope you enjoy the photos.

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I undertook my 3rd walk of 2.5 miles on Tue 31st March around Midsomer Norton.   See details below 

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The 2nd walk of about 4 miles (solo this time) took place on Fri 27th March around Paulton, details in my updates.

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The first walk of about 9 miles (with Jason John)  took place on Sun 22nd March starting and finishing from my home taking in the following landmarks:

• Midsomer Norton station
 (home of the Somerset & Dorset Heritage Railway)

 • Jack and Jill Hill at Kilmersdon
 (the origin of the well known nursery rhyme)

• the Radstock Wheel (a relic of the North Somerset Coalfield)

 • the Norton Radstock Greenway
 (part of the disused railway line between Bristol and Frome)