THE Met Office was forecasting grey, overcast skies but only a 10 per cent likelihood of rain at Warrington today as thousands of people set out on the town’s 183rd Walking Day.
People were keeping their fingers crossed – and also keeping umbrellas and raincoats close to hand. But, as usual, there was a quiet determination among the walkers that the Walk would go ahead as usual – come rain or shine.
Road closures started to come into force from 7.30am as churches in outlying parts of the town prepared to walk into the town centre for the official start of the Walk from the Town Hall lawn at 10.30am.
Children and adults from most of the town’s churches, Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies were taking part in the Walk, together with a number of marching bands.
As usual the parade was led by the contingent from Warrington Parish Church.
The Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Les Morgan and his wife, Gwyn, took the the salute from a raised dais outside the Town Hall’s famous Golden Gates.
Then the procession set off on its traditional tour of the town centre.
Many town centre roads were closeed to vehicles. But Network Warrington are running a full bus service using diverted routes – but all reaching the main bus interchange.
*MORE PICTURES WILL BE ADDED LATER.
