A Successful Festival
Our 12th Corsham Walking Festival got off on the ‘right foot’ with Cllr Tina Ellis, Deputy Chair of Corsham Town Council, opening the festival by ‘launching’ the walk to Box along the By Brook and our visit to Jamie’s Farm. After which we were able to thank our supporters and sponsors in the Community Campus, Festival’s Information Hub that exhibited all things walking in our area.
The Walking Festival was a huge success with walkers coming from far afield. Our guided walk programme included many themed walks enabling walkers to experience locations not normally available to them such as the visit to Jamie’s Farm and ‘Lights, Camera Walk’ walk to Neston Park.
For the third time we had a KS2 Year 5 ‘My Walk to School’ competition that involved pupils from three schools entering excellent interpretation maps and a model of the daily walks to school.
The ‘Walk of Discovery’ was very well supported and allowed families to explore Corsham High Street and the immediate surrounding area to uncover the clues and gain prizes.
Feedback from those walkers who completed the post-Festival survey was overwhelmingly positive and valued the breadth and variety of walks offered throughout the festival. Respondents consistently praised the knowledge, enthusiasm and friendliness of the walk leaders, highlighting their ability to bring local history, heritage and the surrounding countryside to life.
Comments also emphasised the welcoming atmosphere created by volunteers and fellow walkers, reinforcing the festival’s reputation as an inclusive community event.
The festival is self-supporting but relies upon the excellent sponsorship and support we receive from the Corsham Town Council and local businesses; for which we are most grateful.
Many thanks also to the Committee and the many volunteers and supporters who without their help such events like these would not take place. Their experience and hard work behind the scenes are fundamental to the success of this event.
However, going forward, if there is to be a 13th Walking Festival, we do need to see some new ‘faces’ and helping hands to deliver a three-day walking event. Could this be you?
Now – Looking Forward to the 2027 Walking Festival
The Corsham Walking Festival AGM will take place at 7:30pm on Thursday the 15th October in the Corsham Club, on Newlands Road, Corsham, SN13 0BH. Car parking is available across the road in the Coop car park.
The meeting will reflect on this year’s Walking Festival and other walking activities we have been involved with.
But primarily the meeting will be looking for additional support for the Committee and to form sub-groups to start planning the walking programme, undertake publicity and to help with coordinating the smooth running of the 3-day Event.
Without the additional support there is a high probability that CWF2027 will not take place.
So, can you help?
Experience from previous festivals suggests that we need about 10 – 12 people to be involved in the delivery of the festival.
Not all CWF2027 supporters need to be part of the Committee, instead many would work within sub-groups to ensure the Festival Programme is delivered successfully.
The Core Committee posts would work with sub-Groups to ensure the Festival Programme is delivered successfully.
Daunted about taking on a role without support?
A handover or ‘shadowing support’ would be given from existing Committee Members to enable new Members/Supporters to feel welcome, part of the group and at ease with their roles.
To make CWF2027 happen we would require the following Committee members and sub groups starting after the AGM:
Chair
Treasurer – includes liaison with Sponsors
Secretary
Publicity – a subgroup of 2/3 people to include creating content and responsibility for the communication channels (website, Facebook, Instagram)
Walking Routes – with subgroup of 2/3 people to cover development of all the walks including Walk to School, Walk of Discovery and themed walks
Sales – someone to liaise with The Pound our Booking Agent
Walkers Are Welcome – for as long as Corsham remains a member of the WAW network a person to liaise with the National body
Closer to the Festival (11th, 12th, 13th June 2027) we will require:
HQ Manning Coordinator and HQ Support for the event
Opening Ceremony Support
Survey – someone to coordinate the sending out/getting back and analysing our Post Festival Survey
It also goes without saying we will need a ‘Team’ of walk leaders and backmarkers to deliver the walking programme, and we would like individuals who could suggest and develop new walks to be included in the programme – Is That You!
Dates for your diary
15th October 2026: The Corsham Walking Festival Annual General Meeting, 7:30pm, at the Corsham Club, on Newlands Road, Corsham, SN13 0BH.
11th, 12th and 13th June 2027: The 13th Corsham Walking Festival.
If you intend to join us at the AGM or are interested in getting involved in any way with next year’s Walking Festival, please contact me at:
chair@corshamwalkingfestival.org.uk
