[Monday 19 December 2005]
The Ramblers’ Association’s popular Festival of Winter Walks (26 December – 2 January 2006) will this year showcase the beauty and variety of the Welsh coastline, to highlight the walking charity’s new coastal access campaign.
The Ramblers’ Association (RA) is calling for a right of access to be extended to the coast to complement the ‘freedom to roam’ that opened up over 450,000 hectares of land to the public. The Welsh Assembly has already agreed to extend access to Wales’ coasts by 2008/2009, and the national walking charity is keen to ensure that any changes bring maximum benefits for the public.
The Festival of Winter Walks is Britain’s largest walking festival, attended by more than 15,000 people yearly. It’s the perfect way to kick-start plans to get fit and healthy for the coming year. Over 40 varied walks led by RA members, all free and open to everyone, are planned throughout Wales during the festive period. Many are short and, at an easy-going pace, suitable for all the family.
Beverley Penney, Director of the RA in Wales said: “There’s nothing nicer than wrapping up warm on a cold crisp winters day and heading to the coast where the air clears away the cobwebs and leaves you feeling energised and revived. The coast is one of Wales’s most precious natural resources. We are calling for legislation which will secure public access along the whole of the Welsh coast.”
All who take part in a Festival walk and want to join the organisation will receive a 20% discount off membership. For full walks details please log onto our website at www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks
