A new group has been created to ensure the long-term sustainability of Warrington Walking Day, with the cash-strapped borough council no longer able to fund and organise the event, which dates back to 1873.
In light of the significant financial pressures it is facing, Warrington Borough Council is no longer able to fund and organise the event. However, recognising its importance as a valued faith event with a long-standing significance for many within the community, the council has facilitated the creation of a new group tasked with protecting and evolving the event for future generations.
Comprising church leaders, community members and council officers, the Walking Day Representative Group will focus on long-term planning to ensure Walking Day, which started in 1873 as a distraction to the Newton Races, remains a staple of the local calendar.
Key priorities include:
• Celebrating and preserving the heritage of Walking Day while highlighting its significance to Warrington’s heritage and identity.
• Connecting more effectively with the wider community to create an accessible and welcoming event which is reflective of today’s context.
• Making the event more meaningful for young people and those who have not previously participated.
The group has agreed that, given the short timeframe, it will not be possible for churches to raise sufficient funds for a full-scale event this year, with the event due to take place at the beginning of July.
Instead, the town will host a special Walking Day Heritage Event on Saturday, 4 July, from 10 am to 3 pm at Bank Park – a move away from the traditional Friday.
Supported by the council and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), this one-off gathering will serve as a bridge to the future. It will be a multi-denominational celebration, with readings, prayers and hymns, church and school bands performing and traditional banners carried and displayed.
A social media campaign will promote the heritage of Walking Day, encouraging people to share stories, photographs and videos of their memories.
The event aims to re-engage past participants while introducing the tradition to new residents. By highlighting the significance of Walking Day to Warrington’s identity, the group intends to use this year as an opportunity to honour the legacy of Warrington Walking Day while considering its future direction in a changing community context.
Cllr. Jean Flaherty pictured at Walking Day in 2022
Deputy Council Leader and cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, Cllr Jean Flaherty, said: “We recognise the importance of Warrington Walking Day to our town, as a powerful symbol of faith, community spirit, and local pride which has been enjoyed by local people for many years.
“While the council can no longer provide direct funding due to the immense financial challenges we face, we remain fully committed to working with partners to help protect the future of the event.
“Our churches and schools will be absolutely crucial in this new chapter. By working together, we can find innovative ways of engaging with our communities and building a sustainable future for Walking Day.
“The one-off Walking Day Heritage event in July provides an opportunity to honour the legacy of the event and celebrate its past while looking ahead to its future direction.”
It was back in January that Warrington Worldwide revealed there was a question mark over the future of the event, due to the council’s huge debt problems.
