Ramblers canal relay celebrates birthday bonanza

08/02/2010

Date: 8-15th May 2010

www.ramblers75.org.uk

www.katrust.org

www.waterscape.com/k&a200

This May the Ramblers are joining forces with British Waterways to invite you to carry their special 75th anniversary baton on an historic relay from Reading to Bristol along the entire length of the 200-year-old Kennet & Avon Canal.

This joint birthday bonanza will see VIPs, politicians and members of the public join local Ramblers and canal enthusiasts to pass the baton on its historic journey and celebrate the 200 year history of the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Ramblers 75 years as Britain’s walking charity.

The 87 mile relay has been divided into 26 short scenic waterside strolls and we invite you to join us, for as little or as far as you can manage, to celebrate this historic occasion. The whole route is well supplied for public transport and, with plenty of venues to stop for a spot of lunch en-route, why not make a day of it? Relay participants can join in at any point and walk in beautiful surroundings, learning about the history of the canal and the reasons to get out and enjoy walking.

Tom Franklin, CEO of the Ramblers, who will be attending the final stretch of the relay, commented:

“For 75 years, the Ramblers has existed as Britain’s walking charity, to help everyone – no matter who they are or where they’re from – experience the joy of walking.

Now we’re asking everyone, of all ages and walking levels, to join me on this historic canal walk and help us pass on the baton for future generations.”

Mark Stephens, British Waterways’ Waterway Manager, Kennet & Avon Canal commented:

“This is a fantastic event, highlighting one of the many leisure uses of this wonderful piece of working industrial heritage. The Kennet & Avon Canal is pleased to welcome the Ramblers to the towpath in this their 75th birthday year, as the canal celebrates its 200th anniversary.

“I’ll be joining the relay and hopefully meeting many of the volunteer organisers and walking enthusiasts along the canal.”

The canal is managed and maintained by British Waterways in partnership with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, local authorities and the hard work and dedication of numerous volunteers.

For the Ramblers 75th Anniversary website and baton walk information visit www.ramblers75.org.uk

For more information on the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust visit: www.katrust.org

For more information contact the Ramblers press office 0207 339 8532/ 07801 749 385 press@ramblers.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

• The anniversary baton has been specially decorated with canal art by local artist Nikki Softley and will contain historic documents from both the Ramblers and the Kennet and Avon canal.

• The relay forms part of a nationwide Baton walks programme, where a special Ramblers birthday baton will travel around Britain throughout 2010. It is also one of a series of events celebrating the 200 year history of the Kennet and Avon Canal.

• The relay is organised by the Ramblers in conjunction with the K&A 200 steering group including; British Waterways, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust, Visit Wiltshire and Wadworth & Co. Ltd. For more information about the Kennet & Avon Canal 200 celebrations visit www.waterscape.com/k&a200