THE first Walden Walk around the edges of the town has been described as a great success and could now become an annual event.

Saffron Walden and District Footpaths Association joined forces with Walden in Transition to organise the unique event - on Bank Holiday Sunday - which used private land especially opened for the occasion, as well as public footpaths.

Some 80 enthusiastic participants joined in the first part of the two-part walk, a four-and-a-half mile loop from Lord Butler Fitness and Leisure Centre to the Eight Bells.

And, in the afternoon, 53 walkers covered a three-and-a-half mile walk from the Eight Bells back to the leisure centre.

Organiser John Ready said: “The whole event took place in ideal conditions and offered some outstanding views of the town and church as well as wide panoramas of the north-west Essex countryside. It provided an opportunity for many to discover sections of public footpath of which they had not previously been aware and to experience for themselves the relationship between Saffron Walden and its rural surroundings.

“Notes provided by Walden in Transition put some of the town’s current development pressures and environmental improvement opportunities into context.”

He added: “I would like to thank Martin Duke, Paul Engelman and Anthony Wiseman for their kind co-operation in making the event possible.”

Those interested in finding out more about the activities of the Saffron Walden Footpaths Association or Walden in Transition should contact George Turner on 01799 524206 or Steve Willoughby on 01799 501456.