THE annual Stockton Heath Walking Day is in danger of being cancelled without more support from the local community due to increasing costs and the need for more volunteers.
For the past 20 years, the event has been organised by Father Michael Ridley from St Thomas’s Church in the village, who has called a meeting this Monday (April 13) in a bid to save the event.
“While the parish council has kindly agreed to pay for road closures, we also have additional costs, including the amplifiers on the field and the cost of hiring bands. This is their bread and butter, but some of the churches taking part can not afford £400 to £500,” said Father Michael.
“Without more support from the local community, we are in danger of having to cancel the event. We have also lost the support from the PCSOs, so we will need even more volunteers for the road closures.
“The risk assessment form is also a mammoth task to fill in. We need to have a bit of a reset really. I’m trying to widen the reach of the community involvement. The local pubs and bars and restaurants all benefit from the event, so it would be good to have them on board and maybe open the event to the wider community, not just the churches,” he added.
Around 1,000 walkers from seven churches take part in the annual Walk of Witness, with around 2,000 people lining the streets to watch the event.
“I deally we don’t want to cancel the event, but without more help from volunteers and the community it is under threat,” added Father Michael.
A public meeting is taking place at St Mary’s Magdalene Church at 8pm on Monday for anyone interested in helping out.
Anyon who can’t make the meeting but would like to help out should contact Father Michael via office@stthomas-stocktonheath.org.uk
If enough peeople come forward with offers of support, the event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 11th, 2026.
