Garstang Walking Festival is launched in Wyre
On Friday 7 May, the Mayor of Wyre and Mayor of Garstang teamed up with Lancashire Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Ann Selby and local walkers to launch the 2010 Garstang Walking Festival.
Guests and local people were entertained by children from St Thomas`s CE and SS Mary Michael RC Primary Schools who danced traditional Lancashire clog and maypole dances in Cherestanc Square.
Rising to the challenge set down at last year's event, Wyre Borough Council's Director of Leisure and Tourism, Tom Pridmore, donned clogs, breeches, flowers and bells to dance with the children to mark the launch of this year's event.
Tom explained: "At last year's event, I was challenged to join in with the dancing and declined, but without thinking I promised to participate next time. A year has gone by and people have not forgotten, so I ended up practicing with Barry and Brenda Parker, who teach the dances in local schools, and they have been helping me prepare for the big event. I felt that taking part was not only an opportunity to promote the festival but also to raise money for deserving local popular charities, including the Ghana Koforidua community and Garstang in Bloom.
Tom added: "I was particularly keen to raise funds for the dance kits worn by local school children during public displays. I noticed that the children were having to swap kit and change in the street between performances so these can now be purchased for all the dancers. The event has raised more than £600 in total so far and I have been delighted with the support of local people, including tourism businesses and council staff."
People enjoying the launch were also treated to a slice of the spectacular country stile cake made by Iced of Garstang and biscuits shaped as walking boots made by staff at The Priory, Scorton. The first walk of the festival was led by volunteers Mike Coleran and Jean Fone along the riverside path to the Millennium Green and back.
Guests to the launch also found out about the special walks on offer this year which are celebrating International Year of Biodiversity.
Walking & Events Programme
Monday 10 May
A Boundary Explorer – The High Walk - 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
A fell top walk from Dolphinholme to Bleasdale.
Garstang Pram and Toddler Walk - 9.30 am – 10.30 am
A short, fun toddle for the under 5’s, and parents. Fully accessible for prams and buggies.
Geo-caching – A 21st Century Treasure Hunt - 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
A country walk incorporating a treasure hunt using GPS technology (GPS not essential).
Garstang/Calder Vale Super 8 Walk and Ride - 11.00 am – 3.30 pm
Catch the Super 8 bus and ramble back to Garstang from Calder Vale.
Tewit Teas - 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Farmland birdwatching walk with the RSPB and Farmer around Bleasdale.
Garstang Health Check and Walk - 2.30 pm – 4.00 pm
A 1 hour health walk with a chance to have your blood pressure and weight checked.
Garstang Bat Hunt - 8.00 pm – 10.00 pm
A walk with the Countryside Rangers to discover more about these nocturnal creatures.
Tuesday 11 May
Walk the Wyre Way Day 1 - 9.00 am – 3.30 pm
First day of a four day challenge – a walk from Knott End around the Wyre Estuary.
Walk with your Camera - 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Come and learn some basic photography skills on a pleasant countryside ramble.
Rambling around Water Features nr. Garstang - 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
A walk investigating how we have utilised the local water resources over the years.
A Four Parish Ramble - 11.00 am – 3.00 pm
A pleasant ramble from Wallings Farm, Cockerham, including a picturesque stretch of Lancaster Canal.
Inskip Health Walk - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A one hour health walk around this rural parish.
Evening Bluebell Walk with Garstang Ramblers - 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Join Garstang Ramblers for an evening ramble to view the Bluebell woods.
Run with Garstang Running Club - 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm
Fancy a run, come and join Garstang Running Club (between 3-8 miles, pace to suit).
Wednesday 12 May
Walk the Wyre Way Day 2 - 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Second day of the Wyre Way Challenge – Shard Bridge to Garstang.
Brock Valley Ramble - 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Walk along the River Brock – through ancient wooded valleys carpeted with bluebells, up to Bleasdale.
A Bushcraft Walk with Tamarak Outdoors - 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Discover the art of bushcraft with local expert Mike Rushton.
Wyre’s Ancient Churches - 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
A chance to investigate the ancient churches – Churchtown and St Michaels – combined with a country ramble.
Claylands Ramble - 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Gentle ramble through the picturesque village of Scorton, with magnificent views towards Morecambe Bay.
Barnacre Health Walk - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A rural one hour walk for those who want to get fit and remain healthy.
Garstang Historical Pub Trail - 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm
Find out why Garstang had so many old pubs and where they were, why some survived and others failed.
Thursday 13 May
Walk the Wyre Way Day 3 - 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Third day of the Wyre Way Challenge – Garstang to Abbeystead.
Hambleton Pram and Toddler Walk - 9.30 am – 10.30 am
A short, fun toddle for the under 5’s and parents, fully accessible for prams and buggies.
Garstang’s Cheesy Walk - 9.30 am – 1.00 pm
Take a ramble from Garstang to the local cheese factory and find out how cheese is made.
Beacon Fell Boundary Walk - 9.30 am – 12.30 pm
Join the Beacon Fell Ranger for a ramble around the bounding of Beacon Fell.
Balsam Bashing - 10.00 am – 2.00 pm
Join the Rangers to help control this invasive weed by pulling up this shallow rooted plant.
Scorton Health Walk - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A rural one hour health walk for those who want to get fit and remain healthy.
Evening Views Across Morecambe Bay - 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
A walk to take in the spectacular evening views across the Fylde plain and out to Morecambe Bay.
Friday 14 May
Walk the Wyre Way Day 4 - 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
The final day of the challenge – a circular loop taking in Tarnbrook and Marshaw.
Bowland Fells Ramble - 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
A strenuous fell walk on the Bowland fells.
Churchtown Legstretcher - 11.00 am – 1.00 pm
A circular walk from Churchtown through Wyre’s rural countryside.
Springtime Ramble - 11.00 am – 3.30 pm
A country ramble starting from JC Country.
Dendrology Walk - 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm
A look at all things woody – a mix of biodiversity and folklore.
From Grass to Ice Cream – Old Holly Farm - 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Walk through the organic farm and see the crops we grow that feed the cows that produce the milk and how the ice cream is made back at the farm.
Garstang Evening Walk - 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm
A circular walk taking in Lancaster Canal & passing Greenhalgh Castle.
Saturday 15 May
The Fairtrade Way - 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
Walk the first leg of the new ‘Fairtrade Way’ between Garstang and Lancaster.
Navigation with BPMRT - 9.30 am – 4.00 pm
Learn to use a map with Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team.
Highrise Herons - 10.00 am – 12 noon
A chance to visit Claughton Heronry to see the birds in their tree top nests.
Trees of the World in Scorton - 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Visit a RHS member’s private tree collection in Scorton.
A Walk with the Bloom Team - 6.30 pm – 8.00 pm
A walk with the ‘Garstang in Bloom’ volunteers around Garstang.
Sunday 16 May
Spring Morning Birdwatch - 7.00 am – 9.00 am
Early morning birdwatch with local farmer and RSPB from Cobble Hey.
Calder Vale Round - 9.30 am – 4.00 pm
A walk into the Bowland foothills from Garstang.
Family Cycle Ride - 1.00 pm – 3.30 pm
A gentle cycle ride for all abilities, led by Garstang Cycling Club.
Bluebell Teas Stroll - 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm
Discover a beautiful bluebell wood at Calder Vale, afternoon teas available (extra cost).
Nicky Nook Geo Walk - 1.30 pm – 5.00 pm
Investigate the geology and landscape of Nicky Nook.
Historical Transport Links of Garstang - 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Discover how Garstang became an important transport corridor to the north.
Sunday Stroll - 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
A guided stroll along the banks of the Wyre Estuary and country lanes.
This is a brief snap shot of what is available during the Walking Festival.
For more detailed information and a copy of the Garstang Walking Festival brochure and booking form from the Visit Garstang Centre, Wyreside Visitor Centre or Wyre Civic Centre.
How to find out more visit www.wyrebc.gov.uk, search Garstang Walking Festival.
Visit Garstang Centre,
Cherestanc Square,
Garstang, Lancashire, PR3 IEF
Tel: 01995 602125
Email: garstangtic@wyrebc.gov.uk
Last Edited: 30/04/2010
Last Edited: 10/05/2010