Ribble Coast & Wetlands Walking Festival 2009 - and Launch of Ribbleside Friends Group!

The new "Ribbleside" Country Park, Penwortham to Walton le Dale, on a misty Autumn morning.

The Ribble Coast & Wetlands Regional Park is hosting its Annual Walking Festival from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November - and there are some fantastic walks being organised so make sure you don't miss out!



You can find out more details by going to The Ribble Coast & Wetlands website, but the highlights include:

- Sand Dunes Discovery Walk at Lytham St Annes on Saturday 24th October;

- Save The Ribble's Ribble Ramble on Sunday 25th October, walking from the Old Tram Bridge upriver to Brockholes Wetland & Woodland and back, starting at 10am from the Tram Bridge.
The Ribble Ramble is approximately 6 miles in total and we expect to be back at the Tram Bridge by mid-afternoon at the latest. The going is fairly easy though there are some stiles. Bring a picnic, your camera - and waterproofs if it looks like rain!

- or alternatively an RSPB Guided Birdwatching Walk at Marshside, also on Sunday 25th at 10am;

- There is a Reedbed Walk at Martin Mere on Monday 26th at 10am;

- On Tuesday 27th October, there is a River Walk from Avenham Park to Preston Docks leaving Avenham Park Pavilion at 10am, 2-3 hours in total; or alternatively, a Guided Tour of Brockholes at 10am the same day; or perhaps you fancy the Fylde Sand Dunes at Lytham St Annes, or does a Walk from Burscough to Martin Mere take your fancy...?

- on Wednesday 28th there is a Walk along the River Ribble from the Capitol Centre to Penwortham at 1pm; or a Woodland Mini-Beast Safari at Mere Sands Wood at 2pm;

- Thursday 29th has events at Burscough, Mere Sands Wood, the River Douglas, and Martin Mere;

- On Friday 30th there are events at Banks Marshes and Avenham & Miller Parks;

- and on Sunday 1st November, as well as a tour of the newly-opened Hesketh Out Marsh at 9am...

... there is a Ribblesider's Ramble on the newly-established "Ribbleside" Country Park opposite Avenham & Millers Parks on the South Ribble side at 1pm - and this is the first event being organised by the NEW Ribbleside Friends Group!

They will be leaving the Old Tram Bridge at 1pm and walking onto Preston Junction Nature Reserve then into Carr Wood before walking on to the River Darwin where it meets the Ribble, then walking downriver alongside the Ribble back to the Tram Bridge. The walk will be 2 hours or so, and does involve a few steps and stiles.
There is no need to book, but if you'd like further details about the Ribblesiders' Ramble - or the new Friends Group - then please email Jane at ribblesidefriends@tiscali.co.uk .

You'll be hearing alot more about the Ribbleside Friends Group over the coming months, but in the meantime, get out Walking The Ribble Coast & Wetlands this Autumn!

HAPPY RIBBLING!

If you'd like further details about the Ribble Coast & Wetlands Walking Festival, then go to The Ribble Coast & Wetlands website.

You can contact us at savetheribble@tiscali.co.uk .