Walking Festival

Around Corby Walking Festival 2nd - 4th May 2009

A Great Weekend

Though old news, this item has been left in place to show how the last festival went and how the next even better event will be formatted.

A great weekend of walking during this, the first walking festival for Corby, its rural areas and villages. The weather was very kind. Saturday was hot at times but gradually clouds formed over the following two days culminating in light drizzle toward the end of Monday's 14.5 mile walk, which otherwise went very well.

Hosted by Des Barber of Corby Radio, the opening in East Carlton Park at 11.00 on the Saturday got off to a flying start with an introduction by Mel Jarvis followed by the 'official opening' and ribbon cutting ceremony performed by an exurberant Mary Butcher, deputy Mayor of Corby Borough Council. Local MP Phil Hope visited later after attending another event in Corby town centre. 

Ready for the off - Roz Crane with her walkers for the 16 mile first leg of the main 'Around Corby' route

Saturday was the busiest time for the walk programme with a short walk and the first leg of the complete 'Around Corby' route setting off at 11.20 from East Carlton Park. There were many other walks on the day and from many other starting points over the rest of the weekend led by Northants Ramblers, members of the Rotary Club of Corby Phoenix and Corby Photo club, not forgetting those led by Suzanne Preton and others from Corby Borough Council. Jo Newbury from the Walking the Way to Health initiative plus many others who either led or helped both on the Saturday and over the rest of the weekend.

All of the walks were, in the main well attended. For example, the complete 34 mile route was led by Roz Crane who went with nine walkers on the Saturday over the 16 miles to Brigstock and three for the final 18 miles from there to East Carlton Park on the Sunday. 

 

John Dixon of the Rotary Club of Corby Phoenix leads the 6.4 mile wak to WilbarstonWilbaston

                                     

The three history walks led by Peter Hill and Billy Dalziel around Corby Old Village and then Great Oakley with Elisabeth Jordan leading a walk around Gretton went very well. The Gretton history walk is worth special mention as there was a trip up St James' church tower as an optional extra with tea availabel at the Baptist Chapel afterwards. 

There were many display stands in the park on the Saturday including Northamptonshire Enterprises, the RSPB, Ramblers, the Primary Care Trust, Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Northamptonshire County Council Highways footpaths officers, the Rotary Club of Corby Phoenix and many others. They all added to an interesting and eventful day, a fiiting start to the festival.

The Future

It's to be confirmed but pencil in May 1st, 2nd and 3rd 2010 for the second 'Around Corby' Walking Festival. They'll be more to do and see and certainly walks to interest walkers of all abilities.