Opening up the countryside: CPRE Staffordshire’s accessible walks

CPRE Staffordshire’s first accessible walk of the year brought together visually impaired walkers, wheelchair users and volunteers for an unforgettable Staffordshire Day celebration.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is considering taking part in one of these events in the future,” says Tony, a visually impaired walker from Leek who joined the walk in May.

The group was collected by minibus from Leek Bus Station and taken to a car park at Dimmingsdale, where volunteers from the charity were waiting. Three participants were visually impaired, two had guide dogs and one was a wheelchair user.

After a group photograph, they set off along a disused railway track, chosen for its accessibility and scenic appeal. Steve, the walk’s main organiser, brought the group together at various points along the route to share local history and ensure everyone felt included.

It was a sunny and peaceful May morning: “over the crunch of our feet on the surface of the track, there was the constant musical accompaniment of birdsong,” Tony recalls.

Volunteers guided walkers along the route, pointing out uneven ground and describing the landscape as they went.

Walking and sharing

Mohammed, a volunteer, guided Tony, describing the countryside around them and sharing the history of the old station platform they passed through. Their conversation ranged from Tony’s writing life to faith and the natural world.

The walk concluded with a short stroll along a road to a local pub, where a free lunch and a drink had been laid on for all participants. Over the meal, the group discussed ideas for future routes and locations, and what reasonable travel distances might work for attendees.

Tony admits he knew very little about CPRE before the day. The walk, he says, changed that. “One advantage of going on this walk was to hear about the charity and its work,” he reflects.

“They have a strong desire to protect and regenerate the countryside. One way of doing that is to encourage others to appreciate the beauty and benefits of the natural world around them. It was a great success,” concludes Tony.

CPRE Staffordshire plans to run further accessible walks throughout the year. All ages and abilities are welcome, transport to the start of the walk can be arranged, and both the walk and lunch are provided free of charge. To join, email protect@cprestaffordshire.org.uk