About the South Petherton Walking Group
South Petherton Walking Group was first established in November 2007 as a consequence of the local village 'Walk for Health' group closing down. Bang went the idea of losing some weight! Something was needed to replace it and the discipline of having to lead walks soon shifted nearly two stone. Originally set up as a Walk for Health Group, SPWG quickly developed into a friendly social group, walking throughout the year. |
Objectives have changed and SPWG now focuses on using walking to promote the local area, its pubs, businesses and it's greatest asset of all, our fantastic countryside. SPWG walk twice each week in all weathers concentrating walks in the South Petherton area and the surrounding villages. Many of the thirty to forty visitors we encourage into the area each week have come to love and enjoy walking the Somerset Levels or climbing the footpaths of Ham Hill Country Park. No walk is complete with out a visit to a Coffee Shop, Farm Shop, Tea Rooms or Pub. What more can you ask for? |
Rural Transport is a big issue. SPWG support rural transport by encouraging the use of our local 'Demand Responsive Nippy Bus Service. Our weekly Nippy Bus Walks are now well known in the South Somerset District, the group contributing well over 1000 bus rides in just over a year. If we don't use it, we may lose it. |
| SPWG have deliberately stayed away from Committees, Meetings, Rules and Fees. We have one rule, there are no rules! Most of our walkers are over 50 and if they haven't learned to behave by now, they never will. Believe it or not most do! |
South Petherton Walking Group are priviledged to walk over 140 farms in the area. Many Farmers and Landowners are our friends and some are our neighbours. Footpaths are often an emotional issue and we take the attitude that we will be supportive of our friends. When there are problems on a footpath we ask our friends to deal with these matters. We don't consider footpath altercations to be a sport and have little respect for those who do. |
At the time we all thought that walking though driving snow was madness. Snowballs, snowmen, thick ice and the occasional undignified sitting in the snow all add up to lots of fun and many brilliant memories. Occasionally we arrange a meal, light lunch but more often are satisfied with a hot drink and a warm inviting fire. |
| Often over 1200 emails are posted to the many 'Arm Chair Walkers' who follow us each week. Let us have your email address and we will keep you up to date and maybe tempt you out to join us. |
| The easiest way to find out more is join us on our next walk. CLICK HERE |