Walking Festival Information Booklet - Sport Across Staffordshire

Sunday 5 to
Saturday 11
May 2013
Stepping out in Stafford Borough
StaffOrd BOrOugh
Walking
Festival
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH
Stafford Borough Council
Civic Centre,
Riverside,
Stafford ST16 3AQ
web www.staffordhealth.co.uk
email ksquires@staffordbc.gov.uk
tel 01785 619 686
Working in partnership with
If you need this information in large
print, Braille, other language or
on audio cassette please contact:
email info@staffordbc.gov.uk
tel 01785 619 000
04
13
www.staffordhealth.co.uk

welcOme
The Stafford Walking Festival, now
in its fourth year, is a celebration
of walking in Stafford Borough.
This week-long event is jam packed with
opportunities to join led walks or to take
to the hidden footpaths of the borough independently
- whichever you choose, you will be sure to discover
and explore new and beautiful places - many of them
right on your doorstep!
The Walking Festival coincides with two national
walking events: The Ramblers ‘Get Walking Week’ and
Living Streets’ ‘Walking Month’ - visit www.ramblers.
org.uk or www.livingstreets.org.uk for more information
about free led walks and local events near you.
Walking Good for you,
good for the planet and
your pocket
Walking is an easy and cheap form of exercise that
is accessible to people of all ages and fitness
levels, and you can do it anytime and anywhere.
For people who currently do little or no exercise,
walking is a fantastic way of increasing activity levels.
It’s a great way to improve or maintain your general
health and will also strengthen your heart. In fact,
regular walking reduces the risk of heart problems
by a half, and the risk of a stroke by a third. It also
provides mental health benefits by bringing you
closer to nature taking away from the stresses of
every-day life.
Walking is the most eco-friendly and economic way
of getting from A to B,
so whether you want
to reduce your
carbon footprint or
save fuel costs
walking is right
for you!
gOOdie Bags
The first 100 walkers who take part in the Walking
Festival will receive a goody bag courtesy of Marks
and Spencer, Stafford, The Beauty Academy,
Stafford College and the Shire Hall Gallery. We
would like to thank everyone who has contributed
to making the 2013 Walking Festival the best yet.
schOOls
Local schools will take part in the 2013 Walking
Festival by completing an orienteering style walk
around their school grounds.
Walkers will get their cards stamped at check
in points located around the school in order
to complete the set course. Working in
partnership with Stafford and Stone
School Sport Partnership and Hobby
Craft, who kindly provided the ink
pads and rubber stamps. Everyone
who participates will receive
a certificate.
Local nursery groups will be taking children in
their care out on a walk as part of the Walking
Festival. Using inspiration from the walks they
will be going back to the classroom to make
artwork from their observations using craft
materials provided by Hobby Craft.
Local Youth Clubs will also be
organising their own walks.

sunday
5 May
9.30am
Stafford Rambling
Group Walk
the ramblers association
A pleasant 5 mile rural walk around the Haywoods.
There are a few hills on this route.
meet Castle Hill Car Park, Stafford ST16 2QB
call Trevor 01785 823 591
10.00am and 2.00pm
Maps and
COmpasses
walking festival - book now
A walk organised by Staffordshire County Scout
Active Support Unit with support from Silva,
manufacturers of fine compasses.Teams of four will
receive simple instructions and then, together with
the maps provided and compasses (bring your own
or borrow one for a refundable £20 cash deposit) will
navigate a 5 mile circular route on Cannock Chase.
During the walk, you will also learn a little about the
history of this area.
Not part of a team? Don’t worry, come along and
make new friends!
The walk, which will take about three hours is open
to all but please be aware of the length of the walk
and the potential for challenging terrain. Young people
under 18 are welcome but must be accompanied by
an adult and dogs must be kept under control at all
times.There is no charge for this walk but numbers
are limited so please call to book.
meet Broc Hill Car Park,
Broc Hill Way,
Brocton ST17 0UB
book 01785 619 387
10.30am
To the Crown and Back
a walk for health
Join us for a two hour walk in and around Hyde Lea.
As the walk begins and ends at the local pub, there
will be the chance to enjoy a chilled pint or warming
coffee at the end of the walk. No need to book, just turn
up on the day. The pub also offers Sunday lunch,
booking recommended call 01785 253 332.
meet The Crown, Hyde Lea Bank,
Hyde Lea, Stafford ST18 9BG
2.30pm
BeatiNg the BOunds
walking festival - book now
This annual event revives the ancient tradition of
walking the boundaries of the parish. It was an
opportunity to pray for the parish, its people and its
produce and to make sure that people knew where
the local boundaries lay.
Important boundary markers such as gateposts would
be beaten with sticks to reinforce this message. In
some parishes, a choir boy - being young and
impetuous and needing to know his limits - would be
held upside down over a marker and his head would
be gently knocked on the post! Luckily, this practice
has died out but the annual Beating the Bounds walk
is kept alive in Colwich parish although nowadays, the
walks only take in part of the parish with occasional
stops for prayer and reflection.
Beating the Bounds has become an established part
of Stafford Borough Walking Festival and traditionally,
takes place on Rogation Sunday, the fifth Sunday after
Easter. The walk itself will take about 90 minutes and
will conclude with a short service and refreshments in
one of the parish churches.
meet tbc, please call for details
call Kim Squires 01785 619 686
email ksquires@staffordbc.gov.uk

ank holiday
monday
6 May
10.00 am
Little Haywood
a walk for health
This walk includes the canal towpath and fields as
well as quiet country lanes. Refreshments are
available in the Red Lion after the walk.
meet Lamb and Flag Pub, Main Road,
Little Haywood ST18 0TS
call 07790 113 798
10.00am
Rising Brook
a walk for health
This walk includes quiet lanes and green spaces not
far from this popular shopping centre. Pushchair and
wheelchair friendly.
meet Brook Café, Rising Brook Baptist Church,
Burton Square, Stafford ST17 9LT
call Ian 01785 211 400
10.30am - 2.30pm
BlueBells
and BlOssOm
walking festival - book now
Come along to Sugnall Hall just outside Eccleshall to
explore this beautiful country estate. The walks start
in the walled kitchen garden at Sugnall, where the
pear trees should be in flower. Walkers can guide
themselves around the local network of recently made
permissive footpaths through the fields with good
views, using a map provided, and/or join a morning
or an afternoon guided tour of the bluebell woods
and their ancient fishpools.
Guided tours take about one hour and are not
demanding although stout shoes are recommended.
The footpaths followed connect to others allowing for
longer independent walks; for example there is a
good 4 mile circuit around the 40 acre Copmere pool
via The Star Inn, or you can range even further by
going westwards onto Gratewood Heath and towards
the Bishop’s Woods.
Leaflets on the walled garden and its history, the
Sugnall Farmer’s Markets, the Jackson’s Coppice and
Marsh Nature Reserve, are available free and other
local history booklets are on sale in the bookshop.
There is a nominal charge of £2 for entry to the estate
payable on the day. The estate has a lovely tea room
where you can buy a refreshing cuppa
and slice of cake.
meet Outside the tearoom in the walled
kitchen garden, Sugnall Hall,
Sugnall, ST21 6NF. Parking is
available in the business centre
car park opposite the hall.
call 01785 850 820

tuesday
7 May
9.30am
Mid-Staffs
Ramblers Walk
the ramblers association
A rural walk around Sandon. This walk does include
some hills.
meet To car share, meet at Wildwood car park at
9.30am. Otherwise, meet opposite the
Dog and Doublet in Sandon at 10.00am
[grid reference SJ947292]
call David 01785 661 076
10.15am
Stafford
Children’s Centre
a walk for health
This walk is in quiet areas around the centre.
Pushchair friendly.
meet Stafford Children’s Centre, Faraday Road,
Stafford, ST16 3NQ
call Jackie 01785 854 705
10.50am
Stone
a walk for health
This walk is in local beauty spots. Two walks are
offered; one for those who can only spare a small
amount of time and another for those who wish to
walk a little further. Pushchair friendly.
meet Car park past Westbridge Park and scout hut
[by the towpath], Stone ST15 8QW
call 01785 813 604
8.45pm
StaffOrd
TOwn Centre
GhOst Walk
walking festival - book now!
Find out about Stafford Ghosts on this chilling walk
around the Town Centre. Hear scary tales of what
may lurk behind the doors of some of Stafford’s best
known buildings. Join us if you dare!
Sorry, this walk is not suitable for young children.
Young people aged 14 - 18 must be accompanied
by an adult.
The cost for this walk is £3.60 per person payable at
the time of booking.
meet Market Square, outside the Shire Hall,
Stafford ST16 2LD
book Booking essential call 01785 619 387

wednesday
8 May
10.00am
Culture and Cake
walking festival - book now
A tour around our county town to discover the
fascinating stories that have taken place in buildings
we pass without a second thought. We will finish
in the Shire Hall Gallery with a tour of the historic
courtroom and a look at the Mad Dogs and
Englishmen exhibition; this will be followed by
scrumptious homemade cake, and tea or coffee in
the Balcony Coffee Bar. The cost for this walk is £3
per person, payable at the time of booking.
meet Shire Hall Gallery, Market Square, Stafford
book Booking essential call 01785 619 387
Artist - Lauren van Helmond
10.30am
Cannock Chase
an extended walk for health
This offers people the opportunity to extend their walk
by following a figure of eight. The shorter walk will
take about 1 hour while those who opt to continue
will walk for another hour or so. This walk is led by
one of Stafford Borough’s trained and experienced
Health Walk leaders.
meet Milford Common car park, Brocton ST16 2LD,
then car share to Chase Corner car park.
call Roy 01785 245 693
12.15pm
Wednesday Walkout
a walk for health
Walk in traffic free areas of the town including parks
and Local Nature Reserves within 5 minutes of the
Market Square. Pushchair and wheelchair friendly.
meet Shire Hall Gallery, Market Square,
Stafford ST16 2LD
call Kim 01785 619 686
2.00pm
Derrington
a walk for health
Learn more about this small community as we follow
the new village trail along the Greenway, around the
Millennium Green and through local woodland. This
walk will take about 1 hour. Pushchair, wheelchair
and dog friendly, refreshments available.
meet St Matthew’s Church, Derrington, ST18 9LU
call Kim 01785 619 686
6.30pm
Hixon Agility Walk
a walk for health
Join us for a pleasant walk and then try out the
innovative outdoor gym at Hixon playing fields.
meet Hixon Memorial Hall, Hixon. ST18 0QF
call Kim 01785 619 686 or Sue 01889 270 983

thursday
9 May
10.30am
Signpost Centre
a walk for health
Walk in green spaces including Stafford Castle and
Castlefields Lake. Join the group for a refreshing
cuppa in the centre after the walk.
Pushchair, wheelchair and dog
friendly, refreshments available.
meet Signpost Centre, Auden
Way, Stafford ST17 9TX
call Kim 01785 619 686
11.30am
teddy Bears’ Picnic
walking festival - book now
If you come down to the park today, you’re in for a big
surprise. Come with your teddies to Rowley Park for
a fun day of teddy hunts and clay modelling. Don’t
forget your picnic! This walk is suitable for teddies
and children under five - please bring a grown up. This
walk is free but please call to book.
meet Meeting Room, Rowley Park,
Averill Road, Stafford
ST17 9XX
book 01785 619 387
2.00pm and 6.00pm
Orienteering - nO
Ordinary walk!
walking festival - book now
Join local orienteering specialists Walton Chasers for
an introduction to this popular sport. You will receive
expert training and then, using your new map-reading
skills and a specially drawn map, you will navigate
your way between control points in and around
Rowley Park. The fastest team or individual will
receive a prize. This family friendly event is suitable for
people of all ages and promises to be very popular so
please call to book your place.
There is a small charge for this event: families (1 - 2
adults plus children) £5, adults £3 and children £1.50.
Please note, that as this is a public area and some of
the event will take place outside the park, young
people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Places are limited so please call to book.
meet Meeting Room, Rowley Park,
Averill Road, Stafford ST17 9XX
book 01785 619 387
6.30pm
StOne
Heritage Walk:
Culture and Canals
walking festival - book now
Dr John Wilcock is a well-known lecturer in local
history and archaeology. He will lead us on a 4 mile
walk around the canal, railway, streets and buildings
of Stone. The walk should take about two hours and
there should be time for a visit to a local hostelry for
those who are interested at the end of the walk. Notes
about the walk and local history will be available
afterwards. The canal towpath could be muddy, and
suitable footwear is recommended. This walk is free
but is sure to be popular so please call to book.
meet Free car park at the corner of Westbridge Park
by Old Walton Bridge [grid ref SJ90223341]
book 01785 619 387

friday
10 May
10.00am
CaNnOck Chase
RamBle
walking festival - book now
Join Anne Walker from the AONB for this 6.5 mile
walk on footpaths on Cannock Chase, one of the
borough’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Remember to bring your picnic as this walk will take
about 4 hours to complete. Dogs with well-behaved
owners are welcome. There is no charge for this walk
but places are limited so please call to book.
meet Seven Springs car park,
opposite Meadow Lane off A513
book 01785 619 387
2.00pm
nature Walk
walking festival - book now
Come along and join Stafford Borough Bio-diversity
Officer, Bill Waller at the borough’s newest Local
Nature Reserve at Ferndown. The area, which used to
be agricultural fields, is a mixture of meadow and
woodland in Clayton and is home to a newly created
wildflower meadow. Bill will answer your questions
about this fascinating site, the natural habitats of
different species of wildlife and plants and the types
of conditions they need to thrive. The walk is free of
charge and accessible to all. Please call to book as
this walk is sure to be popular.
meet Ferndown Local Nature Reserve [by the bus
stop], Ferndown Drive, Clayton, ST3 4RX
book 01785 619 387
12.30pm
Stafford Hospital
a walk for health
Explore the nearby Local Nature Reserve at Kingston
Pool Covert or Kingston Hill or the surprisingly varied
hospital grounds.
meet Side entrance to the hospital by the Postgraduate
Centre, Weston Road, Stafford ST16 3SA
call Craig 01785 230 860

saturday
11 May
5.00am
Dawn ChOrus Walk
walking festival - book now
What better way to start the day then at the crack of
dawn, to a cacophony of beautiful birdsong? Join us as
we are led through the grounds of Stafford Castle with
local birdsong expert David Scattergood and learn to
identify the many species of birds by their song.
This event is organised with support from Staffordshire
Wildlife Trust’s ‘Wild About Stafford’ project which is
funded by Perkins through the Caterpillar Foundation.
The walk will take about one hour and is free but, as
numbers are limited, please call to book your place.
meet Visitor Centre, Stafford Castle,
Newport Road, Stafford, ST16 1DJ
book 01785 619 387
10.30am - 12.30pm
GeOcachiNg
walking festival - book now
Do you fancy a walk with a difference? Then geocaching
is just for you! A treasure hunt for the 21st century,
geocaching uses satellite technology and your mobile
phone, to locate hidden ‘caches’.
Geocache enthusiasts will fill in a log to prove they
have found the cache and exchange a small item -
like a pen or a keyring - from the cache for something
else. That way everyone will have some SWAG (Stuff
We All Get) to take home.
The Walking Festival Geocache event will take place
at Stafford Castle where geocachers will be given the
co-ordinates to find the first cache. Each cache will
lead you to the next until the geocache trail is
complete and you find the hidden treasure.
The caches will be hidden on the day and removed
after the event. The event is free and there is no need
to book, just turn up with your mobile on the day.
meet Visitor Centre, Stafford Castle,
Newport Road, Stafford, ST16 1DJ
8.45 pm
Bat walk
walking festival - book now
Join local bat expert Jane Rock for the chance to
observe the amazing aerial acrobatics of this
fast-flying mammal. This walk is offered free of
charge but donations to the Staffordshire Bat Group
are welcome and may be made on the night. This is
sure to be a popular walk and places are limited
so booking is essential.
meet Wolseley Wildlife Centre, Wolseley
Bridge, Stafford ST11 0WT
book 01785 619 387

BecOme a
VOlunteer
Walk Leader
In Stafford Borough, trained leaders lead the many
Health Walks and we are currently looking for
more volunteers to assist on existing walks or to
set up and lead their own walk programme.
If you enjoy the outdoors, like meeting people, love
walking and would like to help others improve their
health and quality of life then why not join the Stafford
Borough network of Volunteer Walk Leaders?
You will be joining an established award winning
walking scheme and will receive on-going support
from the Walking for Health Co-ordinator and other
experienced Volunteer Walk Leaders.
The next one day training course will take place on
8 June 2013, so if you are interested in training for
a rewarding volunteering opportunity please call the
Walking for Health Co-ordinator on 01785 619 686 or
email ksquires@staffordbc.gov.uk.
WalkWise,
walking for health
Stafford Borough has a number of led walks that
take place each week. Led by trained volunteer
walk leaders, these are aimed at people who
currently take little or no exercise but want to
improve their health, become more active or
simply meet new people.
Most of the walks take 30 - 40 minutes but are usually
tailored to the ability and needs of the walkers. No
one will be left behind, as the back marker will keep to
the pace of the slowest walker. Although some walks
begin in town centres, the leaders will take walkers off
the beaten track, taking advantage of the many traffic
free and green spaces that the borough has to offer.
Walks take place every week and more information
can be found in the WalkWise leaflet.
Our award winning Doorstep Walks leaflets cover a
range of walks around Stafford Borough which you
can try on your own or with friends.
Prefer to walk alone?
Walking as part of a group is brilliant; you meet
new people and socialise while enjoying the
outdoors but sometimes, it’s great to have a little
time to yourself to appreciate all that the natural
world has to offer.
Our Walking Guide, Come for a Walk in Stafford
Borough, shows you just where to go to find out about
the numerous opportunities for independent walking
that the borough offers.
Find out more…
WalkWise leaflets and the Come for a Walk in Stafford
Borough Guide are available from the Civic Centre,
Stafford Leisure Centre, the Visitor Information Centre
at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, GP surgeries and
local libraries. Visit our website www.staffordhealth.
co.uk or contact the Walking for Health Co-ordinator
on 01785 619 686, email ksquires@staffordbc.gov.uk.