How did we do in 2017?
As we approach the end of 2017 it is timely to reflect on what we achieved during the year and to look forward to 2018.
Organisationally the Festival continues to be in good shape. After four years of operation we have reviewed our objectives and membership arrangements and incorporated these into a formal constitution adopted at the last AGM. Membership of the Festival (the Friends) currently stands at 86.
Corsham continues to be a member of the Walkers are Welcome network which supports towns in becoming attractive destinations for walkers. Look out for the WAW logos in the windows of a number of local businesses.
The walking festival has become an established part of the Corsham calendar. Festival 2017 was well supported by walkers from near and far; the majority of walks were sold out before the start of the weekend - as was the evening Quiz and Buffet. We were delighted to welcome a group of visitors from Grantham Ramblers who came for the weekend and wrote a very positive report on the weekend on their website.
Although the annual walking festival is the core of our activities, we continue to promote year round walking opportunities with local walking groups and other walking related information via our expanded website, a new Facebook Group and this newsletter. Recent changes to the website include new pages on the health benefits of walking and suggestions on maps and books. If you have ideas on how we can improve the range of walking information we publish - or the way that we provide it - please let us know. For example is there any interest in developing a Twitter presence?
Development of the Corsham Cloverleaf continues with four 20 mile "loops" identified. Two of the "loops" were included in Festival 2017 and we hope to include more sections in future festivals. Waymarking of the entire route and production of maps remains an aspiration if/when there is sufficient interest to undertake the necessary work!
Looking ahead to next year, planning is well underway for Festival 2018 which will be held over the weekend of 8 - 10 June 2018. The format of the Festival will be similar to previous years with a series of paid and free walks taking place each day with our popular Quiz and Buffet on the Saturday evening. Look out for more details of the walking programme from about mid March; tickets will be on sale from 2 April 2018.
There won't be a newsletter in January 2018 - which is why there is an extended list of walking opportunities - however in the meantime you can keep up to date with all the latest walking news on our website or by joining our Facebook group.
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