Walkers are Welcome
CHURCH STRETTON
THE FIRST WALKERS ARE WELCOME TOWN IN THE MIDLANDS.
Already known throughout Shropshire as perhaps the county's finest walking centre, Church Stretton has now earned the proud accolade of becoming the first Walkers Are Welcome town in both Shropshire and the Midlands.
A local steering group of volunteers worked hard over the winter of 2007 to earn Walkers Are Welcome status for their town. To achieve this, six criteria have had to be met ...obtaining over 300 signatures of residents' support for the idea; town council approval; mapping, leafleting and way-marking four local walks ; an assurance that rights of way will be maintained in good condition; guaranteed sustainability of set standards; and promoting sustainable transport.
Future benefits from WaW status will be that our reputation as a fine walking centre will be strengthened nationally; our rights of way will continue to be improved; our links with the Shropshire Hills AONB and the National Trust -- as well as Arriva Trains and Buses -- will be strengthened; four well way-marked trails will encourage families and novice walkers to explore safely our glorious Shropshire countryside; we will gain national publicity from WaW marketing, and links with other WaW towns; and useful benefits to our local economy will follow. The official launch on Wednesday June 4th, the day before the sixth Church Stretton Walking Festival (5th to 8th June), was attended by many local people, and Kate Ashworth, president of the Ramblers Association cut the official ribbon. The local school brass band played to help the occasion swing smoothly, and two walks form the station into the nearby hills were well attended.. The four walks were launched at the same time, see below, Maps, signage and posters are printed and erected in the town, and traders who welcome walkers all have the WaW logo in their windows.
John Woolmer with Walkers are Welcome Booklets
The booklets contain maps, photographs and full information on four Waymarked Walks - all from Church Stretton:-
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Walk One: (Yellow)
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Rectory Wood and the Allen Coppice Trail
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1.5 miles
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Walk Two: (Orange)
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Ragleth Hill
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4 miles
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Walk Three: (Blue)
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Pole Bank (The Long Mynd Summit)
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6 miles
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Walk Four:(Pink)
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Cardington
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9 miles
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The booklets cost only £1.25 each and can be purchased from:
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Newsworld
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28 Sandford Avenue
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01694 722120
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Burway Books
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10 Beaumont Road
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01694 723388
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Longmynd Camping & Leisure
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18 Beaumont Rd
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01694 723780
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Visitor Information Centre
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Church Street
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01694 723133
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Longmynd Hotel
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Cunnery Road
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01694 722244
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National Trust Pavilion
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Cardingmill Valley
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01694 723068
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In October 2009 Church Stretton hosted the third Walkers are Welcome Conference.
THE CHURCH STRETTON EXPERIENCE
Click here for information on :
Kate Ashworth, Chairman of the Ramblers Association gives a report on walking opportunities throughout the country including North Lanarkshire, Scotland and Wales.
Six steps to success - For information on how your own community can join the Walkers are Welcome Towns Network, visit www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk
Church Stretton Walking Festival 3rd to 6th June 2010 -- www.churchstrettonwalkingfestival.co.uk
ENHANCING THE WALKERS ARE WELCOME THINKING
In February 2010, the Walkers are Welcome organizing committee are busy with a project to enhance the Walkers are Welcome brand in Church Stretton.
Amongst the many actions is a fifth walk -- from Church Stretton to Acton Scott Victorian Working Farm and back. This will be launched in late spring.
The project group are also seeking to improve the WAW signage in and around the town, and are encouraging local tourism businesses to display the benefits of the Walkers are Welcome brand to visitors
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