Health and Fitness / walking
Walking to be celebrated as ‘creative and cultural act’
Thousands of people are expected to hit the streets and trails of Bristol in May as 400 walks take place around the city.
Bristol Walk Fest launches on Friday with a special city centre walking tour led by the Show of Strength theatre company.
Now in its 13th year, the festival’s goal is to encourage people of all ages, interests and abilities to step outside and improve their wellbeing with a range of mostly free events – from nature walks to walking sports.
A Show of Strength walking tour will open the urban celebration of walking – photo: Zukeika Henry
Karen Lloyd, director at Bristol Walk Fest, said the Show of Strength tour is the perfect fit for the festival because they are like “walking by stealth”.
“You’re walking and being active and you’ll have an enjoyable time whilst you’re doing it,” Lloyd told Bristol24/7.
Show of Strength’s theatrical tour will blend its tales of pirates, royals and celebrities, drawn from three of its walks featured in this year’s Bristol Walk Fest programme.
Guests will also encounter new material, including a stop at the prison where ten Bristol women were held before being transported to Australia as convicts in 1817.
Sheila Hannon, Show of Strength co-founder, said: “It’s a dark story and a total one-off special for Walk Fest, linking different bits of our brilliant walkable city.
“Roll up for the magical mystery, magical history tour and expect the unexpected!”
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The tour concludes at the festival’s launch event in Stokes Croft on Friday, where guest speakers will convene to discuss “walking as a creative and cultural act”.
Joining Hannon on stage is Dr Subitha Baghirathan, who has spent more than a decade promoting health equity in Bristol.
Baghirathan is known for her work supporting nature-based programmes for people of colour and leading Poetry in Nature walks.
Karen Lloyd is events director at Bristol Walk Fest – photo: Sam McEvans
Karen added: “I’m staggered at the breadth and variety of walks this year.
“I hope it gives everyone, irrespective of age or ability, the chance to get out and explore the city because Bristol has some amazing hidden gems.”
To find out more and access the full programme, visit www.bristolwalkfest.com
Main photo: Zukeika Henry
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