In July, Stockport Council’s Walkaday initiative marked its 30th anniversary with – you guessed it – a walk followed by a celebration event in Stockport.
What is it?
Walkaday was established in 1996 by Stockport Council’s Public Rights of Way team, developing over the years into a well-loved, volunteer-led initiative that provides free, guided walks for people of all abilities.
The simple premise has succeeded in supporting healthy lifestyles while promoting sustainable travel, with walks designed to be accessible by public transport. It has also created a community of walkers, helping people to feel more confident and make new friends while enjoying the borough’s green spaces.
How did they celebrate?
Walkaday marked the 30-year point with a guided walk from Marple into Stockport, where the Mayor and Mayoress (Mark and Rachel Hunter) officiated a celebratory event. They were joined by Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services, who said:
“Walkaday is a fantastic example of how a simple idea can make a lasting difference. For 30 years it has helped people across Stockport stay active, make connections and enjoy our brilliant local environment. We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and to support opportunities that help residents lead healthier, more active lives.”
The councillors were also joined by Walkaday leaders, past and present. One of the leaders, Kath Edwards said:
“Walkaday has always been about bringing people together through walking, whether you’re joining for the first time or have been coming for years. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how much it means to people, and we’re excited to celebrate 30 years with our walkers and welcome new faces to join us.”
How are we involved?
Our Community Rail Partnership started sponsoring the Walkaday leaflets in early 2023, recognising an initiative that had multiple benefits to the community and met many of the core pillars of the CRP’s mission. John Kenny, Community Rail Partnership Officer, explained:
“We thought it would be an opportunity to support a worthwhile, well-established local group and help encourage people to take care of their health and well-being. We were also pleased that the Walkaday events are planned so that walkers can use public transport to access them. We make sure there are Walkaday leaflets at as many of our stations as possible to try to spread the word, and hopefully persuade them to use the train to access the walk.”
Thirty years and still going strong! Read more about Walkaday on this webpage, where there is a link to the events listings to find out when the next walk is and how you can get involved!