GARSTANG WALKING festival 2019 4-12 may Nine days of walks for everyone to explore Garstang and its beautiful countryside wyre.gov.uk/garstangwalkingfestival 01995 602125 · [email protected] Welcome to the 2019 Garstang Walking Festival, coordinated by the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival and supported by Wyre GARSTANG WALKING Council. festival 2019 We have put together nine days of walks for all ages and abilities so that you can experience the best of springtime in the countryside 4-12 may around Garstang, the Forest of Bowland and the Fylde Plain. There are over 40 walks to choose from including a three day challenge, Nordic walking, one hour health walks, children’s activities, easy rambles, evening walks, dog friendly trails and everything in between. Booking is essential on all walks unless otherwise stated. Please note full details of meeting points and what to bring will be given at the time of booking. How to book and find out more You can book your place on the activities at: Visit Garstang Centre, Cherestanc Square, Park Hill Road, Garstang, Lancashire, PR3 1EF. Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30am – 4:30pm 01995 602125 · [email protected] You can also book online by completing the booking request form at wyre.gov.uk/GarstangWalkingFestival Making a payment Please pay by: Phone using a debit card by calling the Visit Garstang Centre on 01995 602125 Cash in the Visit Garstang Centre Cheque made payable to Wyre Council Please send cheques to Countryside Walks Bookings, Visit Garstang Centre, Cherestanc Square, Garstang, PR3 1EF. Any activity that requires booking should be paid for in advance and no refunds will be given. Poor Weather Please note a ranger/leader will be at the start of an activity whatever the weather. In extreme conditions a decision will be taken on the day by the leader and the group whether or not to cancel. 2 IMPORTANT INFORMATION and on a lead on request by the leader, and you must clean up after them. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before Please check the suitability of the route the start of all walks to allow for for your dog before you aend. registration, puing boots on, etc. On some walks transport will be The finish times of the walks are provided which is why the cost of these approximate as the duration may walks is higher. depend on the number of walkers, crossing stiles, etc. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear to cater for all weather If you cannot aend a walk please let conditions, including conditions the leader or Visit Garstang staff know underfoot and bring a drink in good time so if there are reserves on (particularly on the longer walks). the list they can be given the chance to aend the walk. Please bring any medication you may need during the walk. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed on guided walks unless stated in the walk For some walks there may be items description. This is because many of the such as binoculars, a camera, a drink, walks cross farmland containing and a packed lunch etc. to bring with livestock or ground nesting birds. Dogs you. You will be given this information are allowed only on some of the health when you book, or if the walk is not walks and legstretchers, but dogs must bookable, details will be given in this be kept under close control at all times brochure. 3 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Health Safety If you have any medical conditions When aending an activity please take that the activity leader should know the advice of the leader. We reserve the about, mention this at the start of the right to refuse to take people on activity, and check with your GP or activities if we feel they are unsuitably health practitioner before you take equipped for the activity. If you intend part. Our health walks are a good to leave the event early please inform starting point for people recovering your leader. For your own safety, come from ill health. dressed to match the type of activity and weather with appropriate footwear and waterproof clothing. Walking Grades To help you decide which is the walk for you, wherever possible on the walk listing an approximate time and terrain guide has been given: Terrain Guide All Relatively flat, surfaced paths, no stiles, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, may include road crossings. Easy Relatively level ground, fields, lanes and tracks, possibly with some gentle slopes, stiles, livestock. Moderate Uneven ground, fields, lanes and tracks with some moderate slopes, expect stiles/livestock. Hard Uneven ground, fields, lanes and tracks with some steeper climbs, expect stiles/livestock. Very Hard Limited paths, rough walking, steep climbs, expect stiles/livestock. Tramper suitable Walk suitable for people using trampers. 4 HEALTH WALKS These walks are suitable for all and are ideal for those looking to start walking to improve their health. There is no need to book unless you want a tramper which must be booked a minimum of 7 days in advance. Well behaved dogs are welcome on these walks but they must be under control at all times. Trampers People of all abilities are welcome to explore Wyre’s Coast, countryside, parks and activities. The tramper is an all-terrain electric vehicle designed for people with differing abilities to access the countryside. Its capacity to deal with stones, mud, grass and rough ground is astonishing. You can hire one free of charge (donations welcome) for use on certain guided walks, health walks and tramper treks shown in the brochure as tramper suitable. A tramper must be booked one week in advance. First time users need to aend a short induction and should take along a passport photo and proof of identity to register. Please contact the Visit Garstang Centre on 01995 602125 if you wish to book a tramper. Friends of the festival THE FRIENDS OF Garstang Would you like to be a part of Garstang Walking Festival and its future success? Walking The festival was launched over a decade Festival ago by Wyre Council to encourage people to visit Garstang, enjoy the lovely countryside and also use and support local businesses and organisations. The friends group was formed to support Wyre’s Countryside Ranger team, and now plays a co-ordinating role in delivering the festival. The friends group is looking for people to help with various aspects of the festival such as becoming walk co-leaders or helping with booking administration. If you wish to help out and get involved please contact Les on 01995 672230 or email [email protected] and he will happily explain what the Friends are about. There is an initial £5 joining fee to support the Friends. 5 Festival Programme 2019 Booking is essential on all walks unless otherwise stated. Long distance Wyre Way three day challenge Saturday 4 to Monday 6 May A series of three walks following the River Wyre from the sea to the Bowland Fells. These are strenuous walks for the seasoned walker and each walk is between 10 to 14 miles long*. A minibus/taxi will be provided to get you to the start for days 1 and 2. For all these walks you will need to bring all weather clothing, walking boots, packed lunch and a drink. * Day 1 is 13.5 miles, Day 2 is 10 miles, Day 3 is 10.5 miles 6 Saturday 4 May Garstang ‘Old and New’ (G4) 10:30am – 12:30pm Springtime Wildlife around Garstang Area: Garstang Grade: Easy Length: 4 miles Cost: £3.50 / £2.50 (G1) A legstretcher exploring the environs around 8am – 10am Garstang that have made it great. Area: Garstang Grade: Moderate Length: 3-4 miles Cost: £3.50 / £2.50 A walk around Garstang and Barnacre in SUNDAY 5 May search of springtime wildlife. Late Spring Bird Watch (G5) Welcome to the Walking Festival 9am – 10am 9:15am – 12pm Where: Rossall Point Tower Grade: Easy Where: Visit Garstang Centre, Cherestanc Length: N/A Cost: Free Square, Park Hill Road, PR3 1EF. Map ref Visit Rossall Point Tower to watch the SD494455. Cost: Free spectacle of birds on the bay. No need to Join the Friends of Garstang Walking Festival book. for the first day of the 2019 festival. Enjoy a Bring: binoculars drink and piece of celebration cake. No need to book. Wyre Way Challenge Day 2 (G6) 9am – 3pm Garstang Health Walk Area: Wyre Grade: Hard 10:30am - 11:30am Length: 10 miles Cost: £10 Where: Visit Garstang Centre, Cherestanc From Dolphinholme we take transport to St. Square, Park Hill Road, PR3 1EF. Map ref Michael’s. We follow the river and cross fields SD494455. through to Churchtown, Garstang and Grade: Easy Cost: Free Scorton to reach Dolphinholme. Our health walks are suitable for all and are ideal for those looking to start walking to Springtime wildlife around Nicky Nook improve their health. No need to book. – Dog Friendly Walk (G7) 10am – 12:30pm Wyre Way Challenge Day 1 (G2) Area: Scorton Grade: Moderate 9am – 5pm Length: Approx. 5 miles Area: Wyre Grade: Hard Cost: £3.50 / £2.50 Length: 13.5 miles Cost: £10 A walk in search of springtime wildlife, bring From St. Michael’s we take transport to Kno your dog with you too. End. We follow the riverbank towards Out Rawcliffe then depart from the river and Crossed Wyre (G8) cross through farmland to St. Michael’s. 10:30am – 12:30pm Area: Garstang Grade: Easy* Nordic Walking Taster Session (G3) * Steps up from river to canal 2pm – 3pm Length: Approx. 3 miles Area: Garstang Grade: Easy Cost: £3.50 / £2.50 Length: 1.5 miles Cost: £3.50 / £2.50 A circular walk using footpaths, towpath and A chance to try Nordic walking.