Local Walkers are Welcome towns host Japanese researchers

Professor Yuko Shioji and Professor Suzuki were given a guided tour of Baildon, Otley and Burley-in-Wharfedale by members of the respective towns’ Walkers are Welcome groups. Their visit included Moffat, Kilsyth, Melrose and Newton Stewart in Scotland, Baildon, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Otley in Yorkshire and the Cotswolds.

They received information on how the towns has developed and published self-guided walks; how close relationships have been established with local authorities to improve and maintain public footpaths; how funds have been raised to support the publications and to pay for new gates and stiles along the routes.

The visitors were also keen to learn how the WaW communities of Otley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Baildon and Bingley worked together to create the 28-mile ‘Welcome Way’ and its 49-page guidebook. They were treated to walking a section of the route from Burley to Baildon, which Yuko Shioji said “I thought I was in heaven crossing Burley and Baildon moors on the Welcome Way. Walking through the heather and seeing the views was amazing.”