9th May 2006

Walking at the Weekend

Question: What were 174 feet and three wheels (belonging to 81 adults, one three-year-old, three dogs and an all-terrain child’s buggy) doing over the weekend?

Answer: Walking the Blackwater Valley Path.

Last weekend (Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May) over 80 people, three dogs and a buggy faced the challenge to walk the Blackwater Valley Path, a special event organised by Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership. Collectively they walked a total of 1,300 miles, following the River Blackwater from its source at Rowhill Nature Reserve in Aldershot to where it joins the River Whitewater near Swallowfield. 

People of all ages took part, the youngest being three-year old Alana who accompanied her parents Georgina and Chris - although they had sensibly brought along Alana’s buggy so she could regularly have a rest and take a ride. After the two days mother Georgina, who is due to walk the Great Wall of China in September. said:

“We had a great walk this weekend, I never thought that I could make the 23-odd mile trip. But the whole event was so well planned. A big thank you to all involved.”

Designed to introduce participants to the Blackwater Valley’s many different faces, the walk’s 23-mile route passed through woodland, flower-rich meadows, open countryside, urban areas, nature reserves and parks as well as past lakes and ponds. For those who were looking they would have seen over 20 different species of flower, numerous butterflies, including Orange Tips, Brimstones and Peacocks, and a variety of different birds. However, judging by their reactions, walkers were most excited to see Kingfishers – which are found along the length of the River – a family of Swans, seen on Sunday with at least nine cygnets and a friendly cow!!

Walker Becky Thompson who took part on the Sunday commented:
“Thank you very much for a lovely day out walking the Blackwater Valley Path. Your enthusiasm and dedication, and the encouragement of the walk marshals, made it a very successful day. I will be encouraging my friends to come on the walk next year! It was also great to hear the cuckoo and peewits calling in the fields around the Whitewater/Blackwater, and to see the swans' nest with babies.” 

As well as introducing people to the Blackwater Valley, the event was meant to be both challenging and fun, and for many of the participants it was the first time they had ever walked such a distance over two consecutive days. Refreshments were provided en route, and to ensure no one got lost, walkers were asked to check in at the stopping points.  After two days and 23 miles there were some blisters and a few aching limbs, but all the walkers had enjoyed themselves and appreciated the minibus transport laid on to take them back to the day’s starting point.

Steve Bailey, Manager of Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership remarked:
“We are delighted that so many people signed up to ‘Walk the Path’ and that they had such a good time. But it has only been possible for us to hold this event because of the co-operation and support of all the land owners, businesses and volunteer involved. Our thanks to you all.”

END

For more information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353. 

Notes

• The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is funded by the County, District and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community.
• Members of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership are: Hampshire County Council, Surrey County Council; the District, Town and Borough Councils of Blackwater & Hawley, Bracknell Forest, Farnham, Guildford, Hart, Rushmoor, Sandhurst, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Wokingham and Yateley.