Towns Welcome Walkers

Ramblers' Association 'Chairman', Kate Ashbrook, is now also the patron of the Walkers Are Welcome Towns Network, an initiative which aims to promote walker friendliness in and around towns.

Started in West Yorkshire's Hebden Bridge - itself on the Pennine Way - in February 2007, Walkers Are Welcome is an accolade awarded to towns which have made a special effort to, erm, make walkers welcome both in the town itself and around it.

Right now there are 12 such towns aross England, Scotland and Wales - including Hebden Bridge, Moffatt, Prestatyn, Otley and Richmond, North Yorks - with a further 13 pursuing the accolade.

Not surprisingly, Chairman Kate is very positive about the initiative, commenting:

“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."

All good stuff we reckon, more details at www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk