Warm spring sunshine and wide-ranging outdoor activities from climbing to skateboarding brought hundreds of visitors flocking to Buxton for an action-packed Super Saturday launching the Peak District and Derbyshire Walking Festivals 2010.
Top UK mountaineer Andy Cave and rising Olympic athlete Ellie Koyander got the spectacular event – featuring everything from charity walks to mountain rescue displays - off to a flying start in the Pavilion Gardens on April 24. Barnsley-born Andy, who climbed the notoriously difficult Himalayan mountain Changabang in 1997, and Tideswell-based Ellie (18), the UK’s number one women’s Mogul freestyle skier, joined in the all-day fun – much of it free.
And both took the opportunity to encourage people of all ages to get active during five festivals brought together under one banner by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire – the area’s official tourist board - to create what is believed to be one of the largest and longest programmes of its kind on the UK mainland.
“What a brilliant way to launch this year’s Peak District & Derbyshire Walking Festivals,” said David Thornton, the tourist board’s Head of Marketing and Deputy Chief Executive. “It was wonderful to see to many people and families there, trying all the various activities on offer and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
“Hopefully it’s whetted their appetite to take part in the fantastic range of more than 300 walks and other outdoor activities in our 2010 programme, which runs throughout the spring, early summer and autumn to help both visitors and local people make the most of getting active in our fabulous area.
“It’s certainly generated a lot of interest – we’ve received a record-breaking 450 enquiries at our tourist information centres over the weekend, and places are filling up fast.
“There’s a huge variety of themed events available, from a guided walk and supper taking in the secrets of Tissington Hall to canoeing and kayaking days in the Staffordshire Moorlands – so I’d urge anyone interested in booking to do so as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”
Andy and Ellie officially started a charity walk on the Promenade in aid of the Macular Disease Society and launched the Peak District National Park Authority’s Outdoor Recreation Strategy. They then scaled a climbing wall supplied by Peak Pursuits of Staffordshire, before Ellie learned the basics of skateboarding with Derby-based Hooked and limbered up with some Nordic Walking.
|
