EXPLORE THE BEAUTIFUL STOUR VALLEY….
… take a walk in the unique Kent countryside or, why
not volunteer and help maintain and enhance the countryside of the Stour
Valley? Surely one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to keep fit and
healthy?
The Kentish Stour Countryside Project has produced a
series of colourful booklets entitled "Train Rides to Ramble"
each containing at least three circular walks ranging from 3 to 11 miles.
The walks cover the Stour Valley in the Ashford and
Canterbury areas. Walks in Ashford start from Chilham, Wye, Charing and
Pluckley and the walks around Canterbury start in Sturry, Chartham,
Bekesbourne and Grove Ferry Picnic site (Bus Ride to Ramble). They follow
public footpaths, bridleways and byways, use Ordnance Survey maps and
there is plenty of information, written by local experts, about wildlife
and local heritage. Walks start at local railway stations so why not leave
the car at home and hop on the train.
The booklets were produced as part of a joint project
with the Parc Naturel Régional des Caps et Marais d’Opale in France
called ‘Access and Interpretation for All’. They were produced with
the help of local walkers, writers, artists, designers and printers and
were sponsored by Robert Brett and Sons Ltd, Countryside Agency and the
European Regional Development Fund.
The Train Ride to Ramble routes are maintained by groups
of volunteers from the Kentish Stour Countryside Project. They will be at
the Grove Ferry picnic site near Canterbury on Thursday 3rd
August carrying out footpath maintenance work. If you would like to go
along and help please contact Jason Mitchell on the number below for more
information. The volunteer groups carry out a variety of tasks on a weekly
basis (Wednesday in Ashford and Thursday in Canterbury) so why not come
along, give it a try and make your lasting contribution to enhancing our
countryside.
The Train Ride to Ramble booklets retail at £1.50 each
or four at £4.99 and are available at some local Tourist Information
Centres and other local outlets (e.g. bookshops, newsagents).
Alternatively, contact us.
