06/09/2012 - Permalink

Circular walks in Pontesbury and Minsterley

Related topics: Community / Leisure, culture and heritage

Director of Public Health, Professor Rod Thomson, visited Pontesbury recently to see the progress that has been made as a result of the tremendous work by the local Pontesbury Parish Paths Partnership (PP3) group, Shropshire Council’s outdoor recreation team and funding from the Market Town Revitalisation Programme (MTRP).

Pontesbury Walking for Health Group, local Shropshire Councillor Tudor Bebb and representatives from Pontesbury Parish Council and Minsterley Parish Council met with Rod at Pontesbury Play Area before setting off to enjoy one of the six newly upgraded circular walks that now surround both villages.  The walkers all enjoyed some beautiful countryside taking in Happy Valley, a beautiful waterfall and crossing a small wooden bridge.  Along the route there were volunteers from the PP3 group, who are keeping the footpaths around the area in good order with support and help from Shropshire Council, Shropshire Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission.

The MTRP funding will also be providing new cycle racks for the area, and match funding will allow the new walks to be promoted through a new guide book. 

Tudor Bebb, local Shropshire Councillor for Minsterley, commented:

“It was a real pleasure to have Rod Thomson come and see how our MTRP Footpath and Cycling Infrastructure projects have developed.  Pontesbury has a really active PP3 and Walking for Health Group, both of whom work and walk all over the parishes.  The MTRP funding was aimed at boosting the local economy, which we have hopefully achieved by encouraging tourists to visit our beautiful villages and countryside, but it’s great to see local people and families enjoying all the facilities too.  There really is nowhere better.” 

Professor Rod Thomson added:

“This is a fantastic example of partnership working in the community that offers health benefits to all ages and abilities.  I plan on spending more time in the area enjoying these walks, it was a really refreshing afternoon, and I hope that other communities look to Pontesbury and Minsterley’s example of what can be achieved; the PP3 group is really exemplary.  My thanks to Barbara, Brian, Tudor, Geoff, Deb and their group for their hospitality and company.”