Ramblers President Kate Ashbrook witnessed an historic friendship agreement between Winchcombe and Japan last week.
Walkers are Welcome UK and the Footpath Association of Japan got together and signed a Friendship Agreement in Winchcombe, (sometimes called the “walking capital of the Cotswolds). Japan will now start its own Walkers are Welcome Towns’ Network, the first overseas country to adopt the idea that started in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, in 2007.
Also present Sheila Talbot, Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome, Mike Dawson, CEO of Tewkesbury Borough Council, Jim Mason, chair of Winchcombe Town Council
Winchcombe has benefitted hugely since becoming a member of the Walkers are Welcome Network in 2009. More and more walkers are visiting the town every May to attend its annual walking festival. Others come all year round to walk the Winchcombe Way and Isbourne Way or try the self-guided walks that are available from the winchcombewelcomeswalkers website.
Mr Kosei Hamada and Mrs Ruriko Izawa brought the Friendship Agreement from Japan, which had already been signed by Joichi Ishizaka, President of the Footpath Association of Japan. Sheila Talbot signed on behalf of Walkers are Welcome UK, in her capacity as Overseas Ambassador for Walkers are Welcome. Also present at the signing was Kate Ashbrook, Patron of Walkers are Welcome, General Secretary of the Open Spaces Society and Ramblers President.
http://www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk/2015/02/waw-concept-travels-to-japan/
https://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/2015/02/07/walkers-are-welcome-goes-international/