A group of Japanese visitors took tea at a café in Ross on Tuesday afternoon. However this was no ordinary group of tourists who had strayed from the traditional places to visit, such as London or Stratford upon Avon. Instead they had arranged to visit Ross due to it being a member of Walkers are Welcome.

The Japanese contingent all have an academic interest in the footpath network in England. They include Keigi Maegawa, Professor of Anthropolgy, University of Tsukuba and Yuko Shioji, Professor of International Tourism at Hannah University Osaka. Sam Phillips, Chairman of Ross Walkers are Welcome Group welcomed them to Ross with the Mayor and Mayoress Colin and Anne Gray.