Launch of Wales Coast Path 5th May 2012

Wales Coast Path On Saturday 5 May 2012 the Wales Coast path was formally opened. The path, which is 870 miles long, stretches from Chepstow in the south to the Wales/England border near Chester in the north.

As walkers and spectators gathered at the Riverside in Chepstow, they were enthusiastically entertained by the Chepstow Castle Singing Club under the direction of Karl Daymond. The opening ceremony in Chepstow was attended by the Mayor of Chepstow, Cllr Hodges, who cut the ribbon and set the walkers on their way.

The Lower Wye Ramblers, in association with Monmouthshire County Council, organised the day to allow as many people as possible to walk from along the coast path. It was estimated that over 200 people of all ages started walking and of these 90 were in the Lower Wye party led by Maurice Turner. Of the 90, 40 were members of the Lower Wye Ramblers; the remainder were made up of representatives of the National Exercise Scheme, Blytheswood, Hereford Ramblers, and Monmouthshire County Council.

The 7 mile walk took us through Chepstow and Bulwark and under the motorway to Newhouse. The walk then continued through Mathern and down to St Pierre Pill where lunch was taken. It was then a short walk to Sudbrook via Black Rock along the sea wall.

On arrival at Sudbrook light refreshments were available before the buses took the walkers back to Chepstow. Tea and biscuits were provided by the Sudbrook Non-political Club where walkers had an opportunity to visit the Local History Centre which tells the story of Sudbrook and its relationship with the Severn Tunnel.

To coincide with the inaugural WCP walk, and to celebrate Chepstow's accreditation to Walkers are Welcome status, the Steering Group mounted a display in the Chepstow Tourist Information Centre with Chepstow Walkers are Welcome, Wales Coast Path, Monmouthshire Walking Festival, Lower Wye Ramblers and the Wye Valley AONB. Over 400 people visited the displays during the day where refreshments, supplied by Chepstow Farmers Market, were provided by Chepstow Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council.

The whole event was a fitting launch for both the Wales Coast Path and Chepstow Walkers are Welcome.

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Chepstow TIC

For advice on where to eat, maps, bus timetables and any other information, visit Chepstow Tourist Information Office where friendly faces greet you to offer their wealth of knowledge.

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