Channel Four Television - The Footpaths of Britain

Imago Productions are currently developing a new TV series for Channel Four about the footpaths of Britain. The series will focus on paths all over the UK looking at their history, environment and problems. For this series Imago are looking to hear from walkers who are passionate about the countryside and who know of a problem path that is either badly maintained, closed, blocked by a landowner, in the process of being claimed or not recognised as an official Right Of Way. The series will aim to highlight these problems and reach a satisfactory result. If you have a story about a problem footpath please contact David Terry on 01603 727 617.
Alternatively email david@imagoproductions.tv to talk more about the programme.
This promises to be a facinating and not to be missed series for walkers and deserves all our support. So please, please contact David with any information you may have on problem paths.

Access at Last!
November 2005 saw the completion of the planned roll-out of Ordnance Survey Explorer maps showing access land, eastern England being the last remaining area. It has seemed a long time since September 19th 2004, which was a great day for the walking history books, as it saw the start of implementation of the new 'Right to Roam' legislation in two designated areas. It will be very interesting to see what problems arise during the early days of this new walker's right, as there is bound to be a 'settling in' period where intransigent landowners in denial create obstructions and walkers who have failed to brief themselves on what they can and cannot do inadvertantly break the law. We would love to hear of your experiences walking in the new access areas. If you would like to share your comments with other walkers please email us we will include them on this page.
To check the new definitive OS mapping of access land visit www.ca-mapping.co.uk To brief yourself on your rights and responsibilities on new access land visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk
New Walking Guides

2006 looks like being a great year for new walking guides. Several of the top publishers are planning new titles. We will give you advance details here early next year to keep you posted on what will be available.
The Lleyn Peninsular Coastal Path - New guide by John Cantrell will be available in June
New titles in the popular Drive and Stroll series will be available during the spring. These include Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Cambridgeshire, Devon. Hertfordshire, Linconshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and West Yorkshire.
There is also a great new 'Pocket Pub Walks' series to look forward to and additions to the Walks into History Range.
Keep checking you favourite walking areas for new titles.
For details of new titles that are now available please go to our new books page.

 

Walking the Way to Health - The Walking Health Initiative

Here at Walking Pages we have always extolled the pleasures of recreational walking, the joy and peace of walking through beautiful countryside, the exhilaration upon reaching the top of a hill or mountain and taking in the stunning views and fresh air. We have always said you can't do better for mind and body. Sometimes we can hardly believe that something so completely enjoyable can be so good for you!
We are therefore delighted with the initiative of The Countryside Agency and the British Heart Foundation in promoting the health benefits of walking as widely as possible. Started in October 2000 the impact of this initiative nationwide is encouraging. The fact that you are reading this probably means you already enjoy walking, but there are many people who, for whatever reason, have never considered walking for pleasure. This is what the WHI has to say:
Why walking for health? Fitter people have a greater chance of living longer. today's lifestyles discourage many from being active, at least seven in ten people do not take enough exercise to benefit their health. Some doctors call this the 'silent epidemic'.
Walking is almost perfect exercise; requiring no equipment and little expense, it is the best way for people from all walks of life to become more active. Regular walking can improve confidence, stamina, energy, weight control and life expectancy. People are more likely to start and then continue walking when they have fun, enjoy their surroundings, feel a sense of achievement and value the company they walk with.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your boots on, grab you map and guide and off you go. Good health!
If you would like further information, or think you would like to get involved then visit the website www.whi.org.uk or telephone the Countryside Agency on (01242) 533258