23/04/2012 - Permalink

Get your boots on as walking weekend launches new Shropshire Way route

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage

Local residents and visitors to north Shropshire are encouraged to get their walking boots on, for the launch of the first section of the newly-extended and upgraded Shropshire Way this weekend from Saturday 12 May and Sunday 13 May 2012. 

The Oswestry Loop is the first section to be completed as part of the Shropshire Way North project, supported by Shropshire Council, to develop new extensions to the Shropshire Way long distance footpath in the north of the county.  The Oswestry Loop will take walkers from Llanymynech to Chirk Bank, onto Ellesmere and back to Llanymynech, and features both hilly and level terrain. 

To celebrate and mark the launch of the 38-mile Loop, Selattyn Walking Festival and the Llynclys Railway Walking Weekend have chosen to have their events coincide with the launch of the Loop, and walkers and well-wishers will be able to join the celebratory guided walks as part of these local walking events. 

The guided walks will start at four key starting points along the loop which include: 

Saturday 12 May 

  • Oswestry Heritage Centre at 10am
  • Llynclys Station at 11.15am 

Sunday 13 May 

  • Selattyn’s Cross Keys Inn at 10am
  • Canal Centre at Maesbury Marsh at 5.30pm 

There will also be self-guided route maps for those who just wish to take a stroll or an exhilarating walk. 

Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council and local Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry South, said:

“This is a very exciting moment as we take our highly successful flagship Shropshire Way walk into the north of the county.  The extension and upgrading of this walking route will bring many health, cultural and economic benefits to our local residents, businesses and visitors. 

“This launch ties in really well with the fantastic announcement that Oswestry has just been accredited a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town, and now joins over 70 other designated towns across the country to be accredited with the national ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status. I would like to thank all those involved in making this happen.”

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for active and healthy lifestyles, said:

“We are committed to ensuring that outdoor recreation plays an integral part in improving and promoting the health and well-being of our local communities.  The Shropshire Way is fantastically well used in the south, and we are keen to see its recreational and economic benefits replicated in the north.” 

Martin Bennett, local Shropshire Councillor for Oswestry East, said:

“I am very pleased that this new route is being opened, which I am sure will benefit our local tourism economy by attracting more people to come the area, while giving local residents the chance to explore their own areas and improve their health at the same time.” 

The project has been funded by the European LEADER scheme and Shropshire Council with contributions from Pughs, the undertakers, and Oswestry Ramblers who, with Shropshre MIND, have also given a significant amount of volunteer time. 

For more information about the launch click here

To book on a guided walk on the weekend of the launch contact Peter Dunhill, Shropshire Way project officer – peter.dunhill@shropshire.gov.uk. Tel 01743 255068.

The project has been part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for European Development 2007-2013: Europe investing in rural areas, and DEFRA – through the Northern Marches LEADER Programme, with local match funding from Shropshire Council, Pughs, the undertakers, and Oswestry Ramblers who, with Shropshire MIND, have given a significant amount of volunteer time.