Rural Communities Regeneration Group

Affiliated to Crewkerne & Ilminster Deanery, Bath & Wells Diocese.

Developing the Church Walks Project – 2002 – 2004

There are three main and three lesser elements in developing a pack of Deanery walks.

1. Getting support and walkers from the parishes.
Many walkers are not church goers but are keen walkers. They will need to research their walk, write it up within a standard format and grammar, proof walk someone else’s walk, and finally to way mark their own walk.
Our 22 walks took approx 800 hours of volunteer time.

2. Design and production of the Walks and packaging.
We engaged a local ‘project manager’ Matt. He was recommended by the local District Council Tourist Dept and their Walks Officer Carmel. Carmel knew our walks inside out, was highly conscious of writing walks up to a standard format (removing walkers’ idiosyncratic perspectives), and knew her way round the local Council committees.
Matt gave us general advice but his main role was to find a design and printer team. Once this was agreed he became a ‘one stop shop’ for us volunteer managers to deal with.

3. Funding.
This took us 18 months to get into place. A number of local tourist focussed organisations were most helpful – they know where the money is. They often sit on each other’s Boards, they know where the EU funds are etc etc. Go and talk with them (http://www.ukleader.org.uk)
Shell Better Britain were very supportive. The local District Council came up with £2000, and about 10 parish councils each gave £50 or £100. Not that much, but very welcome.

4. Schools.
Carmel was most keen that we involve local schools if possible. A local Arts Agency Quango helped us locate an artist (Gordon Field) to work within the local schools. 21 schools each paid £50 for a day’s work in their school by Gordon. His time setting up these days and following through cost us nearly £8000.00. However the profile within the school and their wider community (parents, governors, teachers, local councillors) was invaluably enhanced.

5. Passport Advertisers.
Our advertisers are struggling local businesses, so we asked them for £1 per month for 48 months.


6. Budget

7. The Future.
We expect our walks pack to have a life of 4 years, so we have printed 4 years at 750 pa = 3000 packs. Wholesale income at £3.75 per pack will be saved to cover the cost of updating and reprinting in 4 years time. Sales are through churches, local tourist outlets, and passport stamping points/local traders.

Chairman: Catherine Cavender,
Secretary: Ross Coad, Treasurer: Rod Page
Office - 26 St James’ Street, South Petherton, Som TA13 5BS
Patron – Rt Rev Peter Price, Bishop of Bath & Wells