Evesham Rambling Club are celebrating the success of their first ever Walking Festival.

Nearly 250 people came along over the week and walked one or more of the 15 themed walks.

Many locals joined in but walkers also came from further afield, including Devon, London, Hampshire, the West Midlands and Poland. The excellent weather encouraged many of those who signed up to join multiple walks, based on such varied topics as Butterflies, the poet A.E. Housman, Market Gardening in the Vale and National Meadows Day.

Barry Hopper, who together with his wife Sandra travelled up from Devon and walked the whole week, said: “For anyone wishing to explore Evesham and the surrounding countryside whilst in the company of friendly and passionate walk leaders, then this walking festival delivers.”

Mayor of Evesham Mark Goodge, who launched the Festival outside the Almonry Heritage Centre, said:"Evesham and the surrounding area is an ideal walking location and I'm grateful to the Rambling Club for organising the Walking Festival. I was delighted to be asked to launch the event and take part in the first walk, and I hope that this will now become an annual fixture in the town's calendar."

Throughout the week members of Evesham Rambling Club were there to guide and assist fellow walkers. From Bredon to Broadway and from Pebworth to Pershore the 15 walks introduced walkers to the heights of Broadway Tower and the wonderful Tiddesley Wood where Harry Green MBE gave a talk on this Worcestershire Wildlife Trust site.

In the Lenches the group were introduced to British butterflies and a large group climbed up Bredon Hill and were introduced to the history, geology and local folklore surrounding the hill, before watching the sun set from the base of the tower or Parson’s Folly.