Walkers really are welcome in town

Tourism in Sandy will benefit from the mark, which encourages walkers to pass through the town.

On Tuesday (September 11) the mayor of Sandy, Susan Sutton was joined by representatives of Sandy Town Council, chairman of Central Beds Council Angela Barker, Central Beds councillors, the RSPB and Sandy Town Team – as well, of course, as walkers.

Together they celebrated the new status.

A statement from Sandy Town Council said: “Sandy joins 92 towns and villages across Britain that have gained membership of this innovative community-led scheme designed to strengthen a town’s reputation as a place for visitors to come to enjoy the outdoors, bringing useful benefits to the local economy.

“It helps to ensure that footpaths and facilities for walkers are maintained in good condition, benefiting local people as well 
as visitors.

“What makes the scheme unique is that it is a bottom up programme with the drive for membership coming from local businesses and residents who want to make their town walk friendly and encourage the visitor economy.”

The people and businesses of Sandy had joined together and campaigned to get Sandy recognised as a great place to walk.

The town council added: “The local landscape may not be well known but it is filled with historical and natural interest; it is criss-crossed by a series of delightful and well-marked walks alongside woods, heathlands, rivers and brooks providing a variety of wildlife and scenery 
to walkers.”

The fairly flat landscape is suited to walkers with limited mobility or energy. Sandy is ideally positioned at the end of the Greensand Ridge so it also attracts more determined walkers.

The accreditation was celebrated with a cake from Gunns Bakery.

Walkers then set off on the town’s rivers and lakes walk.