No festival for 2019
There will be no Ride2Stride Walking Festival for 2019.
The decision was "regretfully" announced this week by the Festival Co-ordinating Committee in a letter to festival sponsors and partner organisations.
Among the reasons cited were logistical problems with the current train service and the growing complexity of organising the festival with a small volunteer co-ordinating committee, which has been further reduced following recent retirements. Chairman Stephen Way said "The co-ordinating group consequently feel that the organisational challenges of ensuring a trouble free week are too high."
The Festival has run for seven years, starting in 2012, and has been a major success.
"Ride 2 Stride has not been a ‘stand-alone’ event. The ethos behind each of the festivals has been that participating organisations have planned and organised their own activities – be it guided walks, talks or music events in local pubs and that the role of the co-ordinating group has been to pull all these events together into one coherent programme and organise publicity."
The letter finally appeals to supporting organisations to consider becoming more actively involved in any possible future festivals. "We are sorry to have made this decision as we know that the festival has brought much needed income to a variety of local businesses and enjoyment to many people."