Disley walkers are welcome

A packed meeting of nearly 60 people at The Ram’s Head Inn, on Saturday 16^th May, celebrated Disley’s successful bid for national accreditation as a walking-friendly destination.

Presentations were given by David Rutley MP, Lyme Park Manager Cei Paynton, Chris Prescott (Walkers are Welcome), Tony Jackson (Disley Footpaths Society) and David Kidd (Disley Parish Council) on the positive benefits of walking, the attractions of Disley as a walking centre with excellent public transport links, and the ways in which accreditation can raise the profile of the village and increase tourism to the area.

Following the launch, Chris Makepeace, Tony Jackson, Ivan Walton and Jean Windsor led four guided walks, each offering a ‘taster’ of the rich history and varied terrain that Disley has to offer. The day ended with an informal networking meeting with representatives from the two neighbouring Walkers are Welcome towns, New Mills and Bollington, sharing their experiences and exploring plans for joint walking festivals in future years.

Promotional leaflets were sponsored by Northern Rail, and the pubs and the café in the centre of the village all offered special Walkers are Welcome discounts on lunches throughout the afternoon. With active support from the Parish Council and its officers, Disley Footpaths Society had steered the application process through from spring last year with wider support from local businesses and organisations – and from the village as a whole with nearly 400 signatures garnered for the required petition. Feedback suggests the day was a huge success, while the weather was also kind enough to offer its support to the day.

After the launch, David said “It is great to see Disley become part of the Walkers Are Welcome initiative. I would like to thank all those who have worked so hard to make this possible – they have my full support. At a time of growing physical inactivity across the country, it is vital that we see more schemes like this get started. It is good for health and wellbeing, and it is also good for Disley’s local businesses, so everyone involved benefits.”