Based in Grangemouth's La Porte Precinct, Spring Forward 2 Health 2008 runs from tomorrow (Friday) until Friday, April 4, and features rock music, dancing, food-tasting and tons of helpful information.

Things start with a bang on Friday night with a special alcohol-free Rock the Talk gig for youngsters.

All the local schools have a programme of events happening as part of the event and youngsters who have already taken part in a project called Max in the Middle are now local Spring Forward experts.

They will use their experience to help others make healthy choices and will be assisting organisers throughout the week, supporting the information points.

Other events planned by schools include walks, dance workshops, skipathons, smoothie making, health workshops, curricular classes on health, and many more things.

Dr Jenny Lim, one of the organisers, said: "The local schools have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic in their involvement in Spring Forward 2
Health 2008 and have made it a success even before the start of the actual week of activities.

"Four pharmacies in Grangemouth have been very supportive and are also all taking part in an initiative which leads on from the Spring Forward event."

The three-month Paths to Health pedometer pilot involves pharmacies supporting patients and customers to take regular exercise by walking.

Organisers are also running walks in conjunction with the local Step Forth project during the week.

They will be starting at 10.30 a.m. from Eleganze in La Porte Precinct from Monday, March 31, and anyone is welcome to go and join in.

"They are easy 30-minute walks to illustrate how much fun and how easy it is to incorporate moderate activity into your schedule," said Dr Lim.

Other activities and events lined up include:
- Line dancing in Skinflats – Monday, March 31, 1-3 p.m.
- Family ceilidh in Grangemouth Town Hall – Friday, April 4, 7-11 p.m.
- Ready Steady Cook sessions in Kersiebank Education Project – Tuesday, April 1, 10.30-11.30 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m.
- Information session on parents, children and drugs in Abbots Road Community Education Centre – Friday, April 4, 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon.

For a full schedule of events and more information about Spring Forward 2 Health Week, call event co-ordinator Jackie Kavanagh on (01324) 508786.

j.trimble@falkirkherald.co.uk