The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is now in its eleventh year and as we reflect on our previous successes we look forward to more celebrations and welcoming back many of our dedicated walkers from all over Britain and indeed from around the globe. In 2008 24,500 walkers took part in the festival, making it the biggest one yet and this years looking even better!
The festival promises 16 full days of walks and activities and over 300 walks to choose from. The Island has an acclaimed reputation as one of the best destinations in the UK for walking pursuits and there is something for all ages and abilities. Be it your first or tenth year of participation, we promise you won’t be disappointed and we extend a warm welcome to regular and new walkers.
Over half of the Island is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its 60 miles of dramatic and breathtaking Heritage Coastline, unspoilt countryside and over 500 miles of well-maintained and signposted footpaths; the Island has long been a source of inspiration to visitors.
For a taste of this, follow in the footsteps of the Poet Laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson along the 12 mile Tennyson Trail in the West Wight, or take a stroll in the stunning gardens of Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s much-loved and enchanting residence at East Cowes.
FIRE WALK - the hottest and shortest walk in the programme
It’s “Hot Stuff” on the launch day of the eleventh Isle of Wight Walking Festival. Control the elemental force of fire! Walk over hot coals with bare feet! Brave the very hot embers through sheer will power and courage. Get dirty feet and smoky clothes!
Join us on Saturday evening on Newport Quay and watch those brave souls as they step onto 20 feet of hot coals.
The celebrations begin at 6.00pm. There will be music and entertainment on the Quay with Joules and Dave, whilst the Fire Walkers take part in the “Learn or Burn” fear buster seminar, which lasts for two hours (this is behind closed doors). At approximately 8.30 pm the fire will be lite by Blaze. The fire is a combination of pine, ash and oak, broken down into a smooth red hot path which is about 20 foot long and 3 foot wide.
There will be a lantern procession to the Quay with pupils from various Island schools taking part in creating their own lantern for the walk. All walkers will end up at the Quay creating a firery atmosphere for the fire walkers. Stilt walkers and fire eaters will also adorn the Quay. Refreshments will be available on the Quay and a sizzling BBQ provided at the Riverside Centre.
If you are interested in taking part in this exhilarating walk and a chance to obtain sponsorship for The Barely Born Appeal and the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, please call Tel: (01983) 823070 for walking pack and sponsorship forms.
The Great Escape
Supporting the Fire Walk we have International Magician/Illusionist Aaron Isted performing one of his great Illusions. He will walk up to a platform made from scaffolding poles, sitting on it will be a solid steel and wooden trunk. He will be placed into a straight jacket by an assistant before climbing into the trunk which will be locked and bolted by assistants. The trunk will then be hoisted high into the air by a crane with the supporting rope set on fire.
The platform will be moved to reveal a set of solid steel spikes that will be directly below the suspended trunk. At the same time international artist Tony Trowbridge will be attempting to complete a full size urban art painting of Aaron before he can escape or the trunk falls onto the awaiting spikes. This will take place at 8.00 pm, prior to the lighting 8.30 when Blaze will light the Fire which is a combination of pine, ash and oak, broken down into a smooth red hot path about 20 foot long and 3 foot wide.
An Evening with Janet Street Porter and Support
Janet Street Porter is a celebrity, journalist, television presenter and producer. Her distinctive south London accent has been a subject for comedians for many years.
Janet studied architecture and switched to journalism, becoming a Fleet Street columnist and fashion writer by the age of 21. For two years Janet was editor of The Independent on Sunday
Janet is now not only a Journalist but an experienced Broadcaster. She has appeared on numerous TV shows and has also presented a wide range of television series such as “Design Awards”, “Coast to Coast” and has been a travel writer for the Observer and the Mail on Sunday. She also made an appearance in “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here”!
Janet Street-Porter made her name as one of the most powerful and outspoken women in television, yet finds time to be Vice President of the Ramblers Association, making her evening a highlight of the Walking Festival.
Supporting Janet will be Jill Green (a local walking personality), an International Ultra Distance Race Walker, one of only 2 people in the world to have completed a centurion in all six countries where this race takes place. Amongst Jill’s many accomplishments, she has three times completed the famous Paris to Colmar walking race across France (210 miles non stop)!
For bookings contact: Medina theatre on Tel: (10983) 527020 Or book online at www.medinatheatre.co.uk
ROUND THE ISLAND WALKS – Week One
New for 2009 will be a series of walks around the Island led by Jill Green one of the Islands walking personalities. A chance to capture the entire coastal path at a brisk pace over a period of four days during the first week of the Walking Festival, all with varying lengths:-
Shanklin to Brook 20 miles Brook to Yarmouth 13 miles Yarmouth to Wootton 23 miles Wootton – Shanklin 18 miles
Certificates and I.V.V. Stamps will be available for these walks. If you’d like to take up the challenge in 2008 - contact Jill on 01983 863763.
In the last 20 years Jill Green has clocked up an incredible 55,163 miles walking!!!! She has participated in 135 Non Stop Walking events - 55 of these Non Stop walks were 100 miles or more, 4 were an amazing 200 miles plus!!
ROUND THE ISLAND WALKS – Week Two with Step-by-Step Walking Holidays Alternatively walk around the Island’s Coastal path with Step by Step Walking Holidays, 16 – 23 May seven nights half-board en-suite accommodation, with six days of guided walking, transport to and from all walks. For more details contact Bill Grindley on (01983) 862403.
Although our Speed Dating walks create many matches - we can now boast three perfect matches resulting in three weddings! We give you the chance to meet the perfect person or just have a lot of fun with like-minded people.
Registration forms are available on www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk (men only as ladies will have to join a waiting list). Age groups will be mixed, but it provides a great chance at the beginning and end of the walk to socialise and meet all walkers. The start and finish of the walk will be at the romantic location of the Fisherman’s Cottage Shanklin Esplanade.
Walk through the darkened streets and passageways of old Newport – an exciting mystery tour with a difference.
Encounter the ghosts of Freshwater Bay and those as you walk through the site of the Royal National Hospital at Ventnor’s Botanic Gardens. Listen to the Yarmouth Yarns and hear the strange history of Old Yarmouth.
Take a short walk down to the haunted lighthouse to encounter ghostly stories. Your chance to gather with other curious souls to hear haunting tales of terror and torment relayed to you by a ghostly guide.
These are a series of ten walks designed to give a good all round overview of the Isle of Wight. They include some of the Island’s history, folklore and points of interest. Each walks is narrated by the guide. Two of the walks take the Ferry of the Island and are sponsored by Wightlink Ferries who kindly agreed to pay the walkers return fares.
It is 150 years since the publication of an astonishing lifetime’s research that had a profound effect on our understanding of life, and which caused a controversy on the meaning of life that continues today. We also celebrate 200 years since the author was born and of the place the research was committed to paper.
That publication was the Origin of Species, the author was Charles Darwin, and the place was the Isle of Wight.
Darwin had been compiling his research for some time, but family problems detracted from issuing the work.
Celebratory Walks Wednesday 13th May Insectiverous Plants at Bohemia Walk No. 77 Saturday 16th May Darwin - Origin in Sandown Bay 1 Walk No. 125 Sunday 17th May Darwin - Origin in Sandown Bay 2 Walk No. 147
Alfred Lord Tennyson rented Farringford in 1853 and decided to purchase it with the profits of his poem ‘Maud’. All Saints Church at Freshwater has a number of family connections including the tomb of Lady Tennyson. The thatched church of St Agnes was built on land donated by the Tennyson family.
It is well known that the Tennyson Heritage Coast is named after Alfred, Lord Tennyson, the poet laureate, who lived at Farringford House, overlooking Freshwater Bay. Celebratory Walks Tuesday 12th May Tennyson Down Walk No. 53 Thursday 14th May Tennyson Down Walk No. 94 Monday 18th May Wildlife on Tennyson Down Walk. No 165
With children in mind, every year we expand our series of children’s walks with the hope of encouraging parents to get their children walking at a young age. Not only is it a pastime which is entirely free – it’s a physical activity which is essential to a child’s development and growth. The earlier exercise is introduced into your child’s life, the greater the chance they will carry this pattern into adulthood. In 2008, in excess of 3,000 children took part in the Isle of Wight Walking Festival, which is extremely encouraging. Refer to the Walking Festival website or programme for full details.
In 2008 we organised a Celebratory Walking Weekend to celebrate 10 years of the walking festival. As it was so successful and over 2,000 walkers took part over a four period, we have decided to organise a Walking Weekend for 2009 which will also extend the tourism season. Date for diary 23 – 26 October 2009.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Walking Weekend 23 – 26 October 2009 Isle of Wight Walking Festival 8 – 23rd May 2010