23/04/2012 - Permalink

Oswestry awarded national walking scheme status

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage

Oswestry has been awarded the national ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status, putting it firmly on the map to become an activity hub of for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.  

‘Walkers are Welcome’ is a high status national ‘badge’ scheme for towns and their surrounding area that go that extra mile to attract and make life especially good for visiting and local walkers.  Oswestry now joins a growing number of towns across the country accredited with the prestigious accolade. 

Benefits of the scheme include:

  • Strengthening the area’s reputation for visitors enjoying the outdoors
  • Free national publicity and exposure
  • Boosting the local visitor economy
  • Major walking festivals  
  • Ensuring that footpaths and facilities for walkers are well maintained
  • Contributing to local tourism plans and attracting regeneration funding. 

Plans to put Oswestry forward as an activity destination have been supported by Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and Activity Oswestry. 

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

“This is great news for Oswestry and the surrounding area; it is so vitally important that we keep the Oswestry area at the forefront as an ‘activity’ destination, which will greatly benefit local people and businesses as well as our visitors.  I would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication and hard work in helping our town achieve this national accolade.” 

Councillor Steve Charmley, chair of the Active Oswestry group as well as Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for active and healthy lifestyles, said:

“Oswestry now joins over 75 famous walking area towns that already enjoy ‘Walkers are Welcome’ status.  The ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ accreditation has many benefits for Oswestry and the surrounding villages, bringing more visitors to spend money in the town and giving local businesses a boost.” 

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

“I am pleased that the strong partnership between Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and Active Oswestry has resulted in this award.  I am sure that it will help improve the tourism offer locally, and encourage residents to ‘step out’ and walk to their heart’s content!” 

Mayor of Oswestry, Councillor Cynthia Hawksley, also commented, saying:

“I would like to congratulate the team for all their hard work in putting this together.  From a town council point of view, it has been a wonderful opportunity to bring the ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ scheme to Oswestry.”  

For further information contact Peter Dunhill, Shropshire Way project officer on 01743 255608 or email peter.dunhill@shropshire.gov.uk. 

Information about ‘Walkers are Welcome’ can be found on www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk