ALTON TOWN COUNCIL
PRESS RELEASE
09/02/2016
Walkers take on Alton’s Walking Festival
Last weekend saw over 260 eager walkers take part in sixteen walks around Alton and the
surrounding areas, covering varying distances. Despite the hectic rainfall, all walks went
ahead. Most even managed to miss the rain completely! Alton’s status as a Walkers are
Welcome town was experienced and praised by many.
The festival organised by Alton Town Council (Active Alton) and working alongside a
number of local organisations and volunteers, would like to thank the walkers for embracing
the weather and taking in the sights of Alton. We would also like to thank Hampshire
County Council for the funding and our volunteer walk leaders for their time and efforts,
without this the festival would not go ahead.
The Walking Festival started with the St Swithun’s Way walk, the longest of our walks,
which set off early Saturday morning starting at Winchester Cathedral. This 21 mile walk
saw our walkers taking in some of Hampshire’s unspoilt village’s, much of the route
following that taken by the Pilgims on their way to Canterbury. We would like to thank
the Alton Long Distance Walkers Association and its walk leaders for leading this walk.
New to this year was our two Supernatural Tours Ghost Walks. Both these walks were
fully booked within 3 days of bookings being opened and unfortunately we had to turn
many away. These spooky walks offered the festival something different and exciting and
feedback from walkers suggested that they were a real success.
The Alton Tree Walk and River Walk offered nature lovers an insight into the collection of
tree and river life that exists in Alton. The Alton Tree Walk led by Alton’s very own
volunteer Tree Warden, Jim Dickinson educated walkers on the different types of trees and
their history in Alton. A tree walkers said “Jim went over and above his line of duty
informing walkers not only about the trees but local buildings on the way. His knowledge
and enthusiasm made the walk so interesting.” On the Sunday Dr June Chatfield of the
Northern Wey Trust offered walkers her experience behind our river life in Alton. Dr
Chatfield’s report from her walk is available to those wanting a further insight into her walk
The Alton Ramblers Association led the Selborne to Alton Walk which took in the
Worldhams, Neatham Down, Neatham Mill and back along the river at Alton Train Station.
Town Hall, Market Square, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1HD
Telephone: 01420 83986 Fax: 01420 542490
Email: info@alton.gov.uk Web site: www.alton.gov.uk
The Alton Ramblers organise many different walks throughout the year, if you would like
to get involved in long distance walking then please make contact.
If you enjoyed your walk or inspired by the festival and would like to take part in more
walking, then please contact Megan Horwood (Alton’s Community Sport Officer) she will
provide more information about walks and walking organisations around Alton.
We are indeed blessed with a rich and diverse walking network in Alton, in very special
Hampshire countryside – fitting of our Walkers are Welcome status. We are also blessed
with many knowledgeable and pro active members of the community who have voluntary
given up their time to lead the walks. Without them this event would not have happened.
My thanks are to them for making this happen. My thanks also extend to everyone else
involved in the Festival who made it a success.
Megan Horwood
Community Sport Officer
Ends
Media contacts:
Note to Editors
For further information about Walkers are Welcome, visit www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk
Photos of many of the walks have been uploaded onto the Alton Walking Festival Facebook
Page.
Town Hall, Market Square, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1HD
Telephone: 01420 83986 Fax: 01420 542490
Email: info@alton.gov.uk Web site: www.alton.gov.uk