Presentation from Steve Jack, Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Manager - on behalf of the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival Steering Group.

Welcome to the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB

Lincolnshire Wolds AONB and wider Wolds National Character Area

Facts and figures…

AONB = 558 square kms

Four constituent local authorities

74 parishes; 97 villages

10,000+ residents in the AONB

33,400+ residents in the surrounding market towns.

A major archaeological resourceA valued cultural landscape

Special qualities of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB

- Important contributors to the walking offer…

A scenic working landscape A unique physiography with expansive views

A perfect place for walking

In the rain…

And more rain!

…and shine…

…fun…

…and even in the dark!

Started in 2005

16 days of walking a year; with

Launch & Finale events

Attracts up to 5,000

97% approval

rating

Everyone is made welcomeHuge contribution from volunteers;No volunteer leaders – no walking festival!

We’re making walking accessible…

We’re making walking accessible…Family friendly…

…and sustainable

37,000 walkers!

Since 2005 we’ve attracted

Current public health challenges:• Physical inactivity contributes to 1 in 6 deaths in

the UK, with estimated £7.4 billion costs per annum to business & wider society

• Physical inactivity is the 4th largest cause of disease & disability in the UK

• Obesity is a major problem in England – 1/3rd of children aged 2 to 15 years old are deemed to be overweight or obese; one of highest in Europe.

• Government pledge of £300 million to support cycling and walking over the next 5 years – Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy for England, 2016

• Strategy seeking a step change in public attitudes to walking and cycling – creating a win-win for health, wider economy and the environment.

Walking is one of the best forms of exercise

60% of participants are over 60!

particularly as we get

older

A perfect ‘pop up’ event

Promoting walking &

encouraging healthier life style choices

Social and mental health

benefits

It hardly leaves a trace

on the landscape &

produces very little waste

“Excellent guide - very interesting and knowledgeable”

“Once again well organised. Wonderful views & leaders”

“Fantastic. Please keep the good work up. Look forward to next year”

“Best walking festival I have attended”

Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival – successful ingredients… • A strong local identity and brand• Collective ownership – wide public support, volunteer engagement • Active partnership – lets make it happen attitude…

A partnership between:

With investment by:

Plus sponsorship & support from:

The Festival’s wider legacy and sphere of influence:• Walking for Health networks (the

future?) + cycling programmes

• South Lincolnshire Walking Festival

• Walkers are Welcome – Market Towns of Caistor, Horncastle and Market Rasen.

• Viking Way (long distance route) 40th Anniversary

• Links with other local festivals > The Chalk Streams Festival > West Lindsey Churches Festival > Heritage Open Days > Tennyson Festival > Wolds Words Festival…

Nicki Jarvis 01522 555788 lwwf@heritagelincolnshire.org

www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk