Get fit, get walking!

The January to June programme of South Glos Walking to Health walks has been published (click here for the walks programme)

Where possible the walks start at places offering toilets, parking and somewhere to go afterwards for refreshments and a chat. All walks are free and are led by trained volunteers.

You are welcome to bring dogs as long as they are kept on the lead. Occasionally in the programme they may ask people not to bring their dogs, for example, a nature trail, or if the walk takes in fields of cattle.

Simply turn up – there is no need to book. All walks are free of charge, although they do ask for a small fee for refreshments.

Please see the January to June 2019 Stepping Forward programme for longer, more demanding walks.

If you prefer to do things independently, or you are unable to join one of the organised groupsgroups, you can click here for a range of promoted walking routes on the South Glos website

If you're into local history you can also check out heritage walks and trails in South Gloucestershire 

Beating the Bounds on 6th May

Yate Town Council's annual Beating the Bounds walk takes place on Sunday 6 May - an ancient tradition revived as a family walk to explore Yate Common. Meet at the kissing gate opposite St Briavel's Drive at 3 pm.

Beating the Bounds is a traditional local activity for Rogation Sunday, walking round the boundaries of the Common so that people know what they hold as a community asset. In some places they beat the bounds of an entire parish, or ride round the boundaries of larger parishes.

The Common was nearly sold off for housing some years ago, but a determined campaign by local people (many now in the Focus Team) kept it in public ownership. This gives beating the bounds of the Common a special meaning. Please bring your children to show them what a lovely area we have just on the edge of the town.

Please come and join the walk. Dogs are welcome, and if you can bring a small child even better.  As long as they are don’t mind (too much) they get turned upside down at each kissing gate/corner and then given sweets, which is the local take on the original practice of beating them with sticks and then giving them a coin.

Go wild at Wapley this weekend - dog walk and owl prowl

There's a dog walk with a difference at Wapley this Saturday - you don't have to have a dog! If you fancy a morning stroll in the countryside, with or without a dog, please join the Discover Dodington Dog Walk at 10.00 am from the Shire Way entrance to the Wapley Bushes Local Nature Reserve, opposite the road entrance to Cherington.

And as we've previously told you, there's an Owl Prowl at Wapley Bushes Reserve this Friday,  20 October 2017. You'll be able to join local expert Ian McGuire for a twilight owl prowl through the Wapley Bushes nature reserve. Please wear warm clothes and sturdy footwear and please bring a torch too. Meet at the Shire Way entrance at 7.00pm.

Beating the Bounds of Yate Common

After all the problems on Yate Common lately, here's some good news - an event for all the family.

Come and join the Friends of the Common and the Yate Town Mayor. On Rogation Sunday each May, an ancient custom, Beating the Bounds is practised on The Common in Yate.

The Reverend, Town Mayor, Friends of the Common and local residents will walk the boundaries of The Common this coming Sunday, 21st May 2017.

Traditionally, children are turned upside down at the corners to teach them the boundaries of their Common, which they must protect.

Beating the Bounds of Yate Common starts at 3pm from the St Briavels Drive entrance of Yate Common. The walk is suitable for pushchairs and takes about 60 to 90 minutes.

National Walking Festival: Frampton Cotterell Ram Hill and the Dramway Walk - Wed 7 September

Miners Village Hall, Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, BS36 2QB
Wednesday 7 September, 10:30 to 11:30

Join South Gloucestershire Walking For Health and Stepping Forward to celebrate the rich network of recreational paths. Free, led by trained volunteers. This is one of a series of walks - you can find the leaflets which have been produced about each of the paths here.

Long and short walk available - interesting local history walk and talk. Will last approximately one hour.

No booking required.

Click here for a listing of all the Discover Festival events

Beating the Bounds of Yate Common - Sunday 1 May

Beating the Bounds is a traditional local activity for Rogation Sunday, walking round the boundaries of the Common so that people know what they hold as a community asset. In some places they beat the bounds of an entire parish, or ride round the boundaries of larger parishes.

The Common was nearly sold off for housing some years ago, but a determined campaign by local people (many now in the Focus Team) kept it in public ownership. This gives beating the bounds of the Common a special meaning. Please bring your children to show them what a lovely area we have just on the edge of the town.

Please come and join the walk, which starts from the kissing gate opposite St Briavel's Drive at 3pm on Sunday 1 May. Dogs are welcome, and if you can bring a small child even better.  As long as they are don’t mind (too much) they get turned upside down at each kissing gate/corner and then given sweets, which is our take on the original practice of beating them with sticks and then giving them a coin.

Beating the Bounds of Yate Common - Sunday 10 May 2015

Beating the Bounds is a traditional local activity for Rogation Sunday, walking round the boundaries of the Common so that people know what they hold as a community asset. In some places they beat the bounds of an entire parish, or ride round the boundaries of larger parishes.

The Common was nearly sold off for housing some years ago, but a determined campaign by local people (many now in the Focus Team) kept it in public ownership. This gives beating the bounds of the Common a special meaning. Please bring your children to show them what a lovely area we have just on the edge of the town.

Please come and join the walk, which starts from the kissing gate opposite St Briavel's Drive at 3pm on Sunday 10 May. Dogs are welcome, and if you can bring a small child even better.  As long as they are don’t mind (too much) they get turned upside down at each kissing gate/corner and then given sweets, which is our take on the original practice of beating them with sticks and then giving them a coin.

Local Area Forum grants for events and culture

The March Frome Vale Area Forum has given Community Grants to four well known events and organisations:

Chipping Sodbury Festival £1500

This grant will support activities that encourage participation by children and young people - the display boards for the Schools Art Exhibition, insurance for schools and other groups in teh Carniva, and a contribution towards the running costs of the Battle of the Schools bands and Music in the Street.

Yate and District Heritage Centre Trust - Yate International Festival £2080

Last year this very successful event attracted over 2000 visitors, bringing together many different groups and cultures through music and dance, food and activities.

Yate and District Archeological Group - Medieval Archaeology Day £1496

This event will allow visitors to learn about archeology and history through hands on activities, try out modern techniques such as geo-phys and learn new skills. Hopefully some will be tempted to take part in future archeological work with the Group.

Three Parishes Tourism Group £1400

The Tourist Infomation Office and its enthusiastic volunteers provide a wealth of information and help, not just for visitors, but for local people too. This grant will fund a reprint of the popular Chipping Sodbury Circular Walk and Treasure Hunt leaflet and provide heating so that the TIC can remain open throughout the winter months.

Discover nature and find out about the sun this week

The Discover Festival continues with lots of local events. This Friday 26 September at 2 pm there is a Wild Walk in Yate to discover autumn wildlife, fungi and wild edibles with local naturalist Ed Drewitt on ramble around Goose Green. No dogs allowed except guide dogs.

Meet at Goose Green on the Frome Valley Walkway, at the entrance on Oak Close, BS37 5TW. Booking required - press the Book Now button on http://www.southglos.gov.uk/events/wild-walk-discover-autumn-wildlife-fungi-and-wild-edibles-2/

And this Saturday 27 September you can "Discover the sun!" starting 11 am at St. Nicholas’ Family Centre, Chargrove, Yate, BS37 4LG.  Discover more about the sun at this astronomy talk with the Cotswold Astronomy Society plus outdoor observation session using solar telescopes (weather permitting).

No dogs allowed except guide dogs. Age: 12 plus. Booking required - press the Book Now button on http://www.southglos.gov.uk/events/discover-the-sun-astronomy-talk-and-use-of-solar-telescopes/

Many more Discover Festival events are listed here: http://www.southglos.gov.uk/discover-festival/#!/

Walk the River Frome in a day - Sunday 4 July 2010

Take the Challenge!
Follow the River Frome for 20miles from its source at the edge of the Cotswolds to the River Avon in Bristol. A lovely walk along the river valley that winds its way through a variety of attractive landscapes, filled with wildlife and local heritage.

A coach to the start point leaves Bristol at 8am. Additional pick ups at Frenchay, Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell, Yate and Chipping Sodbury. Finish at your coach pick up point for a shorter walk

Walk starts at 9am. Approximate finish time (Bristol): 7pm

For more information and to book your place, contact:
Paula Spiers, Avon Frome Partnership Officer
Tel: 0117 922 4325
paula.spiers@bristol.gov.uk

Maximum 60 places
Cost £3 per person, payable on booking

You are welcome to join at the start point but parking is limited and you must make your own return transport arrangements.

Find out more on local walks

There are free leaflets to download from the South Glos Council website on The Dramway, The Frome Valley Walkway and other walks throughout the area.

FREE launch event for new walks leaflets!

For some time a dedicated band of local walkers and councillors have been working on a series of leaflets based on walks between local churches.

The leaflets will be launched at an open event in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Saturday 2nd May from 10 am to 12 noon. There will then be an organised walk from St John's to St Mary's Church in Yate.

Please come drop in, collect your FREE walks leaflets and maybe join us on the inaugural walk!

Walking in the Frome Valley - 11 September

There will be a six-mile organised walk on Thursday 11 September, starting at Wickwar Rd Car Park, Chipping Sodbury at 10.30 am.

The walk - organised by the Avon Frome Partnership, the Friends of the River Frome and South Glos Council - will explore wildlife and heritage along the river.

Call 0117 922 4325 to book a place, and don't forget to wear sturdy footwear.

More from the Gazette here.

Guided nature walk, 21 July - St John's Park area and Ridge Wood

You are invited to take part in a guided nature walk on Monday 21 July starting at 7pm.

The walk will follow the wildflower meadows and riverside grasslands in St John's Park Estate in Chipping Sodbury, as well as visiting nearby Ridge Wood.

The walk will be led by Pauline and Richard Wilson from the Southwold branch of Avon Wildlife Trust.

The walk starts from the bridge over the River Frome, Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, at 7pm.

The St John's Park Conservation Group is made of local residents, wildlife trust members and councillors. The group is supported by South Gloucestershire Council and its aim is to help care for wildflower meadows, woodlands and the riverside environment at St John's Park Estate.

For more information on the event contact Chris Giles of South Glos on 01454 863725.

(Thanks to S Glos for this information)