This October, the 3rd annual Walkers Are Welcome conference in Shropshire will celebrate a near trebling of towns who have attained the walk-friendly accreditation status over the past year.

The conference, to be held in the model walkers’ town , Church Stretton, on October 18th, will bring together delegates from towns all over England, Scotland and Wales who have gained or are interested in achieving the pioneering ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ (WAW) status.

Walkers Are Welcome is a 3 yr old grass roots scheme that encourages local communities to promote walking within their towns by working with their councils to meet six criteria. These include demonstration of widespread local support, and the effective promotion and maintenance of a good footpath, public transport and walkers’ facilities network (1).

The popularity of the scheme has ‘exceeded all expectations’, as the number of towns achieving WAW status has near-trebled from 12 to 31 in just 1 year. The latest town to join is Kingsbridge in South Devon.

The Conference will feature a Programme of talks and a variety of different workshops. WAW Patron, Kate Ashbrook will say: “Walkers Are Welcome has never been more relevant. In times of recession, the extra income which walkers bring is a boost to communities. It pays them to give a warm welcome. No wonder the idea is proving so popular, and it has far exceeded the founders’ expectations.

“This scheme enables towns to weave walking into their daily lives.’

For more information on the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ initiative including conference details and a full list of accredited towns visit www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk.