WARRINGTON’S treasured Walking Day tradition can only survive with the continued backing of churches, volunteers and the wider community, says Deputy Council Leader Jean Flaherty.
Speaking to Warrington Worldwide at the Walking Day Reborn heritage celebration on Saturday, Cllr Flaherty thanked everyone involved in staging the event before highlighting the launch of a major heritage project made possible through funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
She said that while the grant would help celebrate and preserve the history of Walking Day, it was not enough on its own to guarantee the tradition’s long-term future.
“Today’s event is much more than a celebration,” she said. “It is an important milestone in protecting one of our town’s most treasured traditions – Walking Day.”
The funding will support a heritage project celebrating the history and significance of Walking Day, with organisers inviting residents to share memories, photographs and stories to help create a special exhibition due to be unveiled as part of next year’s celebrations.
Cllr Flaherty said: “Over the coming months, we want this project to be shaped by the people who know Walking Day best – you. Every story helps us preserve this tradition for future generations.”
She explained that delivering this year’s event had been a key requirement in unlocking the Heritage Fund grant and said part of the funding would also support the Walk of Witness in the town centre next year.
However, she stressed that grants alone could not safeguard the event.
“While this funding gives us a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our heritage, it is important to recognise what it does not do. It cannot secure the future of Walking Day on its own,” she said.
“The long-term future of Walking Day depends on something much more important than any grant. It depends on all of us.”
Calling for continued commitment from the community, Cllr Flaherty urged churches, volunteers and supporters not to let their involvement end with this year’s event.
“If we want Walking Day to continue for our children, our grandchildren and future generations, then today’s support cannot be a one-off,” she said.
“We need communities to continue turning out. We need churches to remain committed. We need volunteers to step forward. We need people to support future events, to give their time, their energy and, where they can, their financial support.”
She added: “If Walking Day matters to you, please don’t let your support end when today’s event finishes. Come to future events. Encourage others to get involved. Support fundraising efforts. Help your church or community group wherever you can.”
The heritage project will now begin gathering memories and historical material from local people, with the aim of ensuring Warrington Walking Day’s unique history is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
Cllr Flaherty concluded: “The future of Warrington Walking Day is not someone else’s responsibility. It belongs to us all. We have the opportunity to ensure that this remarkable tradition continues to bring our town together for many years to come.”
The format of this year’s event changed after Warrington Borough Council cancelled the traditional event to save the £70,000 road closure and security costs due to ongoing austerity measures.
Click on the image for a gallery of photos by John Hopkins
