THREE years ago, trying to answer people’s ideas from the Parish Plan, a walking group began at Cheriton Bishop.

Almost 40 walks later, it is still flourishing, so much so that about 30 people were at its third birthday get-together in the Spalding Hall at Cheriton. The group has outings planned for the next six months.

The first walks were in January, 2014, settling on the third Sunday of each month, meeting in the car park of the former Mulberry pub, now Devon YFC Centre and Rural Hub.

Usually it is a circular walk, always ending at a refreshment spot. Walks have been beside the River Teign, around Meldon, Belstone, Sticklepath, Postbridge, Okehampton, Exeter University Sculpture Park, Warren House, Fernworthy, the Tolmen Stone and Scorhill among a number of other places.

They give a chance to be out with the safety of being with other people, no pressure to go every time and a chance to find out more about the area.

Walks are usually three or four miles long, around an hour and a half, dogs and children are welcome and, if possible, an alternative route for those who might wish to go further or not so far.

“We don’t do ‘yomps’,” said one walker. “It is good exercise and social.” People are welcome to add their own ideas to the itinerary.

One of the originators, Jane Hancock, said that people had good ideas at the birthday get-together.

Three years ago the afternoon of the third Sunday had been chosen to fit in with those who wished to go to church and other activities in the morning.

Things have changed and some people wanted to try a morning walk. So it will now be on the first Sunday of the month.

The next walk is on February 19, meeting at the YFC Centre at 1.15pm for a 1.30pm departure. The March walk is the first at the new time of 10am for 10.15am departure.

Sue Read