Ramblers’ Association Chairman, Kate Ashbrook, has called for more communities to recognise the benefits of being a walker-friendly town as she takes up her new post of patron of the pioneering Walkers Are Welcome Towns Network.
Kate, who is also General Secretary of the Open Spaces Society and Chairman of the Campaign for National Parks, takes on the role of Patron of Walkers Are Welcome at a time of enormous growth in the towns’ network. The Walkers Are Welcome initiative was launched in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, in February 2007. Since then, 12 towns across England, Scotland and Wales have achieved the prestigious ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ accolade, and a further 13 are actively pursuing the idea.
Kate Ashbrook comments: “Walkers Are Welcome is a stamp of approval, it means that walkers can be sure of a warm welcome in the town and of high-quality walking opportunities around it, with a good public transport network to help them.
“This is an excellent way to ensure that the community, including the local council, works to put the public paths and walking routes in the town’s vicinity in good order—something which, sadly, one cannot guarantee everywhere. It shows that investing in quiet recreation brings rewards as visitors are attracted to the town and spend money there. Walkers Are Welcome literally puts the town on the walking map.
“This pioneering initiative has got off to a great start; I am delighted to be an ambassador for this great initiative and look forward to visiting both the established towns and those which are considering joining the scheme. Now we need to spread the network both south and eastwards, so that the benefits are widespread. ”
Welcoming Kate Ashbrook, Chairman Malcolm Wilkinson, commented: “We are delighted and privileged that Kate has agreed to support Walkers Are Welcome as our Patron. She is a role model to all walkers and we hope that, with her help, Walkers Are Welcome will enable many more walkers, especially novices and families, to enjoy parts of our fantastic British countryside in safety - and with a guaranteed Welcome!”
WALKERS ARE WELCOME communities have to meet six conditions:
• Demonstration of popular support for the concept.
• Formal endorsement of application for WALKERS ARE WELCOME status by
local council.
• Action to ensure ensure rights of way are maintained in good condition.
• Adequate marketing of WALKERS ARE WELCOME status.
• Encouragement of walking using public transport.
• Demonstration of mechanisms in place to maintain WALKERS ARE WELCOME status.
See www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk
