The launch event to celebrate becoming an accredited Walkers are Welcome town in June, went ahead as planned over the weekend of Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October.  With the help of volunteer leaders from the Ryedale Walking Group and the White Rose Walking Group, a programme of nine walks was organised. This was a free event, and an open   invitation was extended to anyone who wanted to come along and explore the local footpaths. Over 60 walkers decided to do just that, and had a choice of walks from 5.5 miles to just over 10 miles, covering as many as possible of the almost 80 miles of footpaths in Pickering parish. Councillor Brian Baker, Pickering Town Mayor, was invited to officially launch the event, and was presented with the certificate of Pickering’s Walkers are Welcome status, which is now on display in the Tourist Information  Office. A great boost to publicity for the event was thanks to the Tourist Information Office for allowing the group to put in a window display, and also to Trailblazer Outdoors and Flintoft the Ironmonger who lent the many items used in the display. 

            Unfortunately, one walk had to be cancelled, but this event was also planned so that the kind of footpath problems that led to this can be identified. The group is working closely with North Yorkshire County Council who have provided   mapping, survey forms and guidance, and is busy collating a report for them of all the local footpath problems.  In time, the Pickering Walkers are Welcome group will be working with the council to   improve local footpaths and access, for the benefit of everyone.

            Plans are continuing for Pickering’s first walking festival on Saturday and Sunday 17th and 18th April 2010. It is hoped there will be a variety of walks of different lengths and different themes, so that there will be something to suit everyone. On Saturday 17th April, an Irish music band called the Randy Monks will be performing at the Memorial Hall in the evening. This is a local band that performs to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer  Support, so even those who may not be joining any of the walks, may wish to come along and support this very worthy cause.  Everyone will be most welcome.

            The Pickering Walkers are Welcome website ( www.pickeringwaw.btik.com ) is updated regularly with what the local group is doing, and there is also information on the national website:

(www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk ) if you are interested in what this initiative is about at a national level.

Sam Borman.