Dursley Welcomes Walkers held the third Dursley Walking Festival over the weekend.

Dursley Welcomes Walkers chairman Chris Cherry called the festival - which ran from Friday, October 10 to Sunday, October 12, a "great success".

The event attracted more than 200 walkers to the town, some of whom travelled distances of over 50 miles.

This year’s programme included 16 walks, all free of charge, aimed at walkers across a variety of different abilities.

The range included 45 minute walks to 15 mile walks, special interests such as bird watching and photography .

The festival was opened by Dursley Town Mayor Jane Ball at 10am on Friday, October 10.

The first walk of the festival made use of local transport links, involving taking a bus to Stonehouse and walking back to Dursley via the Cotswold Way.

Mr Cherry said: “Not all walk leaders and walkers' feedback forms have been handed in yet but apparently the popular heritage walk on Sunday afternoon attracted more than 35 walkers.”

The heritage walk was led by Andy Barton who has led several such walks in the past and is able to vary the walk routes to talk about different aspects of the local history.

As well as individuals, walk leaders represented various local groups such as Dursley Ramblers, Vale Vision Health Walkers, Dursley Lions, South Cotswold Ramblers, Dursley Bird Watching and Preservation Society, St. Bart’s Ramblers, Tyndale Photography Club and Cotswold Wardens.

In addition to walking, the festival also offered social events which were open to non-walkers as well as walkers: a Quiz on Friday evening and a Historical Talk on Dursley given by local historian David Evans, on Saturday evening.

The weekend events concluded with a busy tea and cakes afternoon on Sunday in the Dursley Methodist Church Hall.

Chris said: “Dursley Welcomes Walkers Steering Group would like to thank all volunteers and sponsors who supported this year’s event.

“Plans are already in hand for next year’s Festival which will be held the weekend of October 2 to 4.”

More information will be posted to the website as plans develop next year. Visit www.dursleywelcomeswalkers.org.uk. Direct all inquiries to dursleywaw@gmail.com or telephone 07743307686.