The second Ross Walking Festival, organised by the Ross Walkers are Welcome Group was a resounding success. Building on the good start in 2009, when Ross became the 30th town in the UK to be accredited, the numbers of walkers increased by 60%, from 90 last year, to 150 this year. 88% of walkers said they would definitely, or probably, come back to Ross. All visitors said they had thoroughly enjoyed their time in Ross and walked a total of 880 miles!

Walkers came to Ross from all corners of the country, from North Yorkshire, Cornwall, Kent, Northampton, Surrey, South Wales, Liverpool, London. Everyone mixed in with local walkers and all enjoyed the welcome and the super walking that Ross and district has to offer.

The walks programme was interesting and varied with a short, 4-mile, exploration of Ross through six and eight mile walks up to a ten-mile hike.

The Festival began on Saturday 9th October with a bus walk, entitled "Take the bus then walk to 'Italy on Wye'", led by Heather Webster and Sally Northcott that took the number 38 Stagecoach bus to Harewood End. The walkers disembarked and walked on paths across Duchy of Cornwall land to enjoy Hoarwithy's glorious Italianate church then returned to the Harewood End Inn for lunch before returning to Ross on the bus.

A rather more strenuous walk that started from Whitchurch was led by Neville Littleford and explored the many sunken lanes on the Doward as well as visiting King Arthur's Cave and Seven Sisters' Rocks. A short stop for refreshments at the Saracen's Head preceded the trip across the Wye on the old rope ferry at Symonds Yat for the return leg. This walk, entitled "Where falcons dare" fully lived up to its title as the peregrine falcons put on a superb flying demonstration.

Dick Whittington put in an appearance with a walk from Woolhope, led by Derek Williams. This walk was nine miles long and climbed up onto Marcle Ridge before visiting the family home of Dick Whittington, Sollars Hope. The return leg passed through Paget's Wood and Siege Wood.

Herefordshire is well known as a very rural county and this feature was emphasised on Di Long's walk, entitled "Back of beyond to the top of the world". This lovely walk started at Garway and climbed to the top of Garway Hill before descending to the Knights Templar church at Garway. Sadly, the mist obscured the magnificent views from the top of Garway Hill.

Also, on Saturday was a lovely four and a half mile walk around the Leys Hill area. Led by Marion Phillips, this took the walkers up Leys Hill where they passed through the Teddy Sainsbury memorial wood and tried out the memorial seat. They then followed part of the Wye Valley Walk before returning, past Walford Church, and along a section of the old Ross to Monmouth railway line.

On Saturday evening Andy Rossiter, of Rossiter Books organised a talk and book signing by Wye Valley walking enthusiast, Ben Giles, at the Pots and Pieces Tea Rooms. The venue was full and everyone enjoyed Ben's reminiscences and readings from his own and other authors' works.

The weather on Sunday was much better with visibility vastly better than the day before.

In 2009 the most popular walk was "The last cream tea of summer". 2010 was exactly the same. This walk was oversubscribed with a waiting list. David and Jenny Collin with Ben the black Labrador, the Group's "Director of Canine Affairs" led a full group along the river to Brampton Cottage B & B where Caroline Keen had laid on a truly scrumptious cream tea for everyone.

As well as super scenery around Lords Grove, Common Grove and English Bicknor, Neville Littleford's walk on Sunday looked at some of the local industrial heritage. Starting from Lydbrook he informed the walkers of the metalworking history of the village and provided a short account of the fascinating history of the cable works at Stowfield.

Without doubt one of the best walks in the area involves the ascent of Coppett Hill at Goodrich. Entitled "A castle, a bridge and Coppett Hill" Eileen Lyon led a party on a 5-mile exploration of Goodrich, Kerne Bridge and Coppett Hill itself, where the views were wonderful. This walk also included Coldwell Rocks and a good view of Symonds Yat Rock.

The shortest walk of the Festival was the four-mile "Exploring Ross", led by Lesley Ward. This was a very pleasant stroll from the Market House along some of the older streets of the town, passing PGL's headquarters at Alton Court, climbing up Tank Meadow and returning across fields and into Merrivale.

The longest walk of the weekend, the "Ross half-round, with chips" hit a technical hitch and baked potatoes were substituted for chips. Sam Phillips led this walk and took the walkers up onto Chase and Penyard Hills before tacking the oddly named "Knackers Hole Grove" climb. There was a short descent, aided at one point, by a short length of rope, before climbing Deep Dean onto the top of Howle Hill. At the lunch stop the visitors were delighted to be greeted by Clare O'Reilly, who had set up a grand picnic stop, complete with a table, chairs, filled baked potatoes and, a surprise present from the leader, a bottle of bubbly. Suitably refreshed the group walked down into Walford where they were very impressed by Old Hill Court and Hill Court. They then walked along the riverbank, along a short section of the John Kyrle Walk and the Ross Buggy Route to the finish.

Walkers are Welcome is about helping the local economy and making visitors welcome. This festival looks like it has certainly done so with a 99% satisfaction rating for the walks leaders. Nearly 40 visitors stayed in local accommodation and more ate in the town. 62% of visitors said that the Festival was the main reason for visiting Ross. 56% visited local shops, pubs or restaurants, of which 20% visited 5 or more establishments. The book signing and talk on Saturday evening filled the Pots and Pieces Tea room, 26 people bought cream teas and another 18 bought lunch at Harewood End.

One couple, from North Wales, brought their dogs, Charlie, Harry and Rufus, all named after Kings of England. They were delighted with the hospitality and the dog-friendly reception they received and plan to return. They are among the 88% of walkers said they would definitely, or probably, come back to Ross. All visitors said they had thoroughly enjoyed their time in Ross. The furthest travelled visitor, coming from Chicago USA specifically for the Festival, intends to promote Ross as a "Desired destination" on his company's web site.

The organising Committee wish to thank everyone who contributed to such a successful weekend in particular the walks leaders and their helpers, the Ross TiC who took all the bookings, the Ross Walkers are Welcome sponsors, Visit Herefordshire and Ross Town Council.

Planning for next year's Festival will start immediately and it will run over the weekend of 1st and 2nd October 2011.