Support for Monmouthshire’s countryside volunteers and walking groups has been stepped up with the launch of an online toolkit which is also intended as a hub for the walking community.
Around 55 volunteers involved with walking in Monmouthshire attended the launch of the online toolkit at The Centenary Hall in Usk to hear how the joint venture between adventa and Monmouthshire County Council’s Countryside Department aims to make strides in supporting walking and walk-related tourism in the county.
Guests at the launch were shown how they could get their information uploaded and how to use the mapping system, which will allow them to print off maps of specific areas or report problems or check the status of issues on walking routes.
Zara Bligh, research and marketing coordinator for adventa said: “The new on-line resource was well received at the launch and should become a valuable reference tool.”
She added that adventa has supported the toolkit as part of its sustainable tourism project, which adventa has been leading as part of the county’s Rural Development Programme. “Walking has been a major focus for this project and we have helped to establish Abergavenny, Chepstow, Monmouth and Tintern as Walkers Are Welcome towns, where volunteers are very involved in coordinating walking activities which help to support their local economy. We have created the online toolkit to support them and all rights of way and walking volunteers in the county.
“These volunteers are providing an important service for the benefit of local residents and visitors and the new online resource is designed to help them by consolidating walk-related information and providing support and guidance. It will also be a central hub for volunteers with a similar interest and will be useful for anyone who wants to find out more about volunteering or supporting their local walking group or for any community group with any sort of walking interest.
“The information in the toolkit includes everything you need to know about footpaths and walking, from path assessment, to clearing, to creating a new leafleted walk, to potential legal issues, marketing, tourism ambassadors, walking festivals and potential funding. There’s also a calendar of relevant local events – all presented in a straightforward and engaging format.”
The toolkit is available to view online at www.monmouthshirewalking.com.
