PURFLEET-based arts organisation Kinetika has unveiled the 21 walks that make up this year’s THURROCK 100 walking festival which takes place next month. This year the walks are between 1 and 12 miles, and range from leisurely urban strolls to more strenuous rural hikes. The aim is to explore Thurrock’s rich heritage by walking routes that will explore many of the 100 stories that have been gathered over the past three months.
The Festival kicks off on Friday 8 July with a family-friendly walk around Bulphan, and there are 7 more walks over the weekend, including a heritage walk around Grays led by Mike Ostler and Phil Edgar, and a walk from Purfleet to the RSPB Sanctuary at Rainham Marshes led by Kinetika’s artistic director Ali Pretty. During the week there are walks every day, some during the daytime and some in the evenings, including heritage walks around Stanford-le-Hope and East Tilbury, and a buggy-friendly morning walk around Tilbury led by Lesa Philip of the Tilbury Children’s Centre. The second weekend begins with a short evening walk around Horndon-on-the-Hill, and on Saturday 16th July there are two walks which end at the Village Beach festival in Grays. On Sunday 17 July the final walk is the Two Forts Walk, beginning at Tilbury Fort and ending at Coalhouse Fort where a spectacular finale will take place.
Peter Woodard of Horndon-on-the-Hill, who is leading no fewer than 8 walks, is pleased to be taking part for the second year. “People who are active live longer, and are healthier and happier too. You don’t have to be very sporty or spend hours in the gym: just building a bit more activity into your week can make all the difference! This year we’ve organised 21 walks all over Thurrock, and we’ll be visiting many of the places that feature in the 100 stories we’ve collected. You don’t have to walk far – some of the walks are only a mile or two in length, while others will appeal to more ambitious hikers. There really is something for everyone!”
Details of all the walks are listed in the leaflet that can be found in all libraries, civic buildings and health centres throughout the borough, or on the Thurrock 100 website at www.thurrock100.com/walks.
Thurrock Council Chief Executive, Lyn Carpenter, says: “I’m delighted that this initiative is taking place for a second year, and we are very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England for providing the funding that has enabled it to happen.
"We’re very keen to support projects that encourage our residents to be physically active, and to explore and celebrate our heritage too. I look forward to putting my walking shoes on in July and getting to know the borough a bit better, and I hope everyone will join me by taking part in a walk or two.”
Full details and information about how to take part can be found at:
www.thurrock100.com
facebook.com/thurrock100
twitter.com/@thurrock100
