Information on Loughborough

Walking on air for Leicestershire Festival

Posted on 22/09/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

22 September 2009

Walking on air for Leicestershire Festival

Walking takes to the airwaves this Saturday when a radio programme about the county’s premier footpath is broadcast to coincide with Leicestershire Walking Week.

Radio Leicester presenter and keen walker Chris Baxter will present an hour long documentary about the Leicestershire Round, a 100 mile route that circuits the county which he walked earlier this year. It broadcasts on Saturday, 26 September from 11am until noon.

The programme includes highlights from the walk, previously aired on his afternoon show, and also features an interview about how the ’Round’ route came to be created.

Mr Baxter said: "As a long distance path, it compares favourably to any I've done! We're very lucky in Leicestershire, it's Britain's best-kept secret!"

The ‘Round’ runs between some of Leicestershire’s most scenic and historic places like Bradgate Park, Burrough Hill, Foxton Locks and Bosworth Battlefield. It was devised by the Leicestershire Footpath Association to celebrate its centenary in 1987 and is maintained by the County Council.

Ernie White, the council’s Cabinet Member for Countryside Services who is planning to walk the Round for charity next year, presented Mr Baxter with the official badge for anyone who completes the whole 100 miles.

He said: "Leicestershire is an excellent county for walking – there’s no better way to explore the gorgeous countryside, beautiful wildlife and historic features in our landscape. I'd really recommend the Leicestershire Round, to savour a wide range of attractive landscapes."

Leicestershire Walking Week runs from 19th-27th September and features 78 guided and country walks around the city and county. For more information see www.leics.gov.uk/walkingweek