THE STEERING group held their annual general meeting on May 23 at Dursley Community Centre.

Reports were presented by the chairman, treasurer and festival programme co-ordinator.

Chris Cherry, Dursley Welcomes Walkers chairman, gave an overview of the successful 2017 Walking Festival. In addition to the planning for the 2018 Walking Festival, Chris spoke of other projects including a new 16-mile walk being planned in association with the Cotswold Gateway project which is overseen by Cotswolds AONB.

The walk can be done as two separate eight-mile walks or combined as 16 miles following a figure of eight within the Dursley, Cam, Stinchcombe and Uley parishes.

Chris added that railway walks are being re-checked and will be available for download from the website soon also more copies of the popular Lantern Way route map are required so the group are looking at tweaking the information and map details before going to reprint.

Thank yous were expressed to all traders, Dursley Town Council, Cam Parish Council, local walking groups, walk leaders and organisations who have supported Dursley Welcomes Walkers in the past year, in particular Chris thanked the members of the steering group whose time and efforts make it all possible.

There were no new nominations for officers or steering group members and the existing officers and steering group members were re-elected. Chris Cherry advised those present that persons interested in the organisation were welcome to attend meetings and share information and ideas for the future.

Refreshments were served whilst the guest speaker, Andy Barton of Dursley Heritage Centre, prepared for the showing of several films including celebration events at RA Listers, the Dursley Donkey and American soldiers and nurses billeted in Dursley during World War II.

Andy answered questions from the audience regarding the films before the meeting closed and Linda Cherry thanked Andy for a very interesting presentation. It was noted that the steering group will be pleased to see Andy return with more Dursley Heritage films at a future event.

For further information on the work of Dursley Welcomes Walkers see the website dursleywelcomeswalkers.org.uk or email durlseywaw@gmail.com.