With perfect weather, an outstanding turnout, and a fabulous atmosphere, this year’s 50th Bridgnorth Walk was a day to remember. Organiser Peter Davison explains, “The use of electronic tagging at the start and finish lines was a big success, proving popular with the walkers and making life much easier for us!”
The numbers for the junior walk were up as more hardy youngsters successfully completed the seven-mile course, while some of the adults tackling 22-mile trek up Brown Clee had done the first walk in 1967. The total raised for a range of charities has topped £100,000, and the highest sponsored walker was Karen Sawbridge, who raised £2,500 for her chosen charity. The men’s winner was Andrew Rawlings, with Annie Owen the fastest woman, while the oldest walker, 81-year Mike Swales, raised funds for Bridgnorth Lions. Familiar faces included Ed Andrews, WW! wildlife expert, who came in seventh, Louis Briggs and Tom Barras of Guitar Cubed, and Puff the Magic Dragon Dana Power, who donned wellies as he raised money for Cameron’s Fund , though, as he explains, “From the 12-mile point I could feel three huge blisters forming… but with gritted teeth I carried on to the end in agony!”
As ever, a team of dedicated volunteers covered marshalling and administration and ran the water stations, including ladies from Bridgnorth WI and, as president Gill Aked tells WW!, “I was so proud of our girls for their community spirit, their energy and for all the laughter and fun they enjoyed that day!”
All walkers received a commemorative T-shirt, sponsored by Bridgnorth Aluminium Ltd and Stitches of Bridgnorth. Senior walkers also received a free bottle of cider from sponsors Oldfields Orchard, and junior walkers each received a medal.
