New sponsorship from three local companies and ongoing support from Ross Town Council has enabled Ross-on-Wye Walkers are Welcome Group to move forward with plans for the 2021 Ross Walking Festival for the last weekend of September.

Upton Bishop-based Muddy Boots and Blue Sky Botanics as well as Ross’s Calendar Lady Promotions have all generously offered help to ensure the festival is able to go ahead after financial losses from the Covid-cancellation of the 2020 event.

The programme for the festival will be launched on the website www.walkinginross.co.uk at the beginning of April and on the group’s Facebook page, with a varied range of guided walks.

A group spokesperson said: “The group would like to express their thanks to all the walk leaders and supporters who have continued to develop interesting routes to show visitors to the area some of delights and interesting features of our wonderful south Herefordshire.

“Thanks also to the myriad of small businesses which have also sponsored the Walking Festival over the past 12 years – but this year are picking up the pieces from the pandemic. We hope that all walkers from near and far will “shop locally” and support our independent stores and F&B outlets – and keep Ross thriving

“Over the summer, the group will closely monitor Covid regulations and ensure that we and our guests remain safe; with a range of contingencies to help anticipate any issues, such as potentially reducing the number of walkers on some walks, or splitting groups into smaller units.”

During the past winter months the group’s website has been considerably improved and their Facebook page regularly updated. Both have seen much increased activity in recent months which hopefully will lead to greater visitor numbers when lockdown ends.

The full programme is available on by visiting www.walkinginross.co.uk, and bookings can be made now.