THERE was plenty of enthusiasm at a recent meeting called to save Stockton Heath walking Day, which is under threat due to mounting financial pressures.
The Meeting had been called by Father Michael Ridley, who has been helping organise the event for around 20 years and is now calling for more support from the local community, with a second meeting scheduled to take place this Tuesday, April 21st, at 8 pm at St Thomas’ Church in Stockton Heath.
At the last meeting, it was agreed that organisers want the event to continue with churches and groups walking through Stockton Heath, with bands. Ideally, they would have bands walking with churches.
The event needs to celebrate community and involve the wider Stockton Heath community and more local community groups. More people involved will mean more people invested in continuing the tradition, and hopefully more marshals and folk keen on getting involved in the organisation of the event.
Altering the route to a more simplified version, which could be walked around twice, was discussed – still starting at Alexandra Park, details to be discussed further. This would mean fewer marshals would be needed and less admin.
Tasks of arranging Ambulance presence, traffic management company, submitting the Risk Assessment and dealing with various departments of Warrington Borough Council should be divided up so it is not just one person doing all of this.
Organisers are grateful to Stockton Heath Parish Council for their financial contribution to the event, and they will continue to ask for their help on an annual basis.
