The Ross-on-Wye Walkers are Welcome Steering Group received a huge boost recently. Ross Town Council has awarded the Group a grant of £750 towards the cost of the project.

The new Mayor of Ross, Councillor John Edwards, presented the cheque to a delighted Steering Group Chairman, Sam Phillips.

Mayor Edwards said: "The Walkers are Welcome initiative is a very helpful project that would help to boost the town's economy by bringing visitors to the town and everyone could help by trying to make sure they come back again."

Mr Phillips thanked the Mayor and the Town Council for their generosity and for backing the project. He went on to say: "Everyone I have spoken to about Walkers are Welcome has been in favour of the project. The exciting thing about it is that you don't need to be an official or a Councillor to get involved. Literally, any member of the public can help and the best form of help for any community is self-help."

To gain accreditation Ross must satisfy six criteria. One of them is to ensure local footpaths are clear and accessible. The recent announcement that the EnviroAbility 'Can do Crew' will be working on footpath problems fits in very well with this and the Steering Group and local walking groups will be liaising with Dennis Humble, of the 'Can do Crew' and the Town Council to make sure the paths in Ross are clear of obstructions.

This is another excellent example of Ross community groups working together for the common good.

In the current economic climate many small businesses have neither the time nor resources to work on attracting more people to Ross. This is where the Walkers are Welcome Steering Group can contribute. Advertising for local businesses will be placed on publicity material that will be distributed nationwide.

In addition a web site for Ross Walkers are Welcome is being designed. This will be linked to the national Walkers are Welcome website. Every local business that supports the Ross-on-Wye Walkers are Welcome project will have a link from the Ross site to their website

A recent survey of 27 market towns in the West Midlands and the Welsh Borders revealed that visitors to Ross who stayed overnight spent an average of £87 pounds. Day visitors spent an average of £28. By increasing the number of visitors to Ross by just 1000 (or just 3 per day) could bring £100,000 into the local economy.

The Steering Group has estimated that it will cost £1,500 to £1,800 to put everything in place for a launch in early October. For the project to succeed it is vital that the local business community follows the Town Council's lead and supports it fully. Members of the Steering Group have started canvassing local businesses and the support is growing. Most businesses have joined in by becoming Business Supporters or Key Business Supporters. Two companies have joined as Business Patrons. From this excellent start the Steering Group is confident of meeting the financial target.

On Friday, May 22nd the number of towns accredited as Walkers are Welcome towns reached 22 when Great Malvern's application was approved. By working together, Ross will soon be an accredited town and start to reap the benefits.

For more information, or to get involved, please contact the Chairman, Mr Sam Phillips, on 01989 563874 or the Secretary, Mrs Judy Baugh, on 01989-763572.