Walking Festival plans announced

Reporter: Ask Rossendale
Date online: 26/04/2008

DETAILS of the second annual Rossendale Walking Festival have been released - and some tasty treats are on offer.

Walkers of all abilities will be putting on their hiking boots and joining in the festival which takes place on the first weekend of October.

In celebration of the Taste Lancashire 08 year of food and drink, this year's festival will feature some foodie' walks.

The programme of walks range from seven to 12 miles and will include The Soup Loop, Sarsaparilla Stroll, The Fudge Trudge, Black Pudding Plod and Wind Turbines and Whisky Trail.

Taste Lancashire 08 is a year of food and drink to celebrate Lancashire's great local produce, in partnership with Liverpool's 2008 European Capital of Culture celebrations.

It's a year of events and promotions championing accredited eateries, local producers, farmers' markets, young chefs and fine local food and drink including Lancashire cheese, Rossendale's famous Black puddings, and sarsaparilla.

October has been assigned as producer's month' in Lancashire with many local farmers' markets taking place throughout Lancashire.

The weekend of the Walking Festival will coincide with the Rossendale Farmers Market in Helmshore.

Wendy Davison, chair of the Rural Rossendale Group, said: "The Rossendale Walking Festival was a great success last year and we feel that we can build on this success to make this year's festival even better.

"Following the Taste Lancashire 08 Year of Food and Drink theme we are able to give the festival a quirky twist and is a great way to celebrate the world famous produce Rossendale has to offer.

"The festival will provide marvellous opportunities for walkers of all types to see something of the area's natural, cultural and buildings heritage and will also help to promote walking and health."

If you want to sample some local produce and take part in the best of the Rossendale countryside, book your place by contacting Wendy Davison on 07746 556337