Monkton Nature Reserve has been appointed as a WALKER’S CENTRE.

This was originated by the local “Walker‟s Friend” publications. We are pleased to support this idea as we felt that walkers and nature conservationists share a love of the natural environment. Some of their walks will be starting or finishing at the Nature Reserve. We hope to offer joint membership of both organisations at a discount price with planned events throughout the year. As you know we already have regular naturalist led walks by Steve Blaskett so we would welcome any walkers to join us on our
nature rambles.

Walkers Friend is a green tourism business which is wholly committed to care for the environment, educating people about environmental and heritage issues, the health benefits of walking, and is run on ethical and equal opportunity principles. Wherever possible we conduct ourselves in an environmentally responsible way. We have no premises, all those involved being home based.

Several years ago we began to develop a strategy to cater for the growing market for leisure walking in Thanet. These began with publishing our popular range of walking guides, closely followed by creating a network of businesses supporting green tourism and the leisure walking market. We work very close with other organisations which operate in a sustainable manner, such as Crabble Corn Mill in Dover.

We were aware that what was needed was a focal point for leisure walkers and green tourism. This led to my investigating Thanets infrastructure to support leisure walkers and green tourism. From this there was an apparent need for centres to cater for this need, which led to my discussing this opportunity with Ann at Monkton Nature Reserve and Ian at Quex Barn in Birchington.

Both centres are run and managed by people who already have an awareness of environmental issues and the opportunities that green tourism and catering for leisure walkers offers. They are also ideally situated to complement each other as centres, and to help facilitate the growth of leisure walking within Thanet all year round.

Walkers Friend is also developing a range of short video films to promote leisure walking in Thanet and the surrounding area. Graham believes that the increasing awareness of what Thanet has to offer will lead to increasing demand for facilities to cater for out of season short breaks in the area, and will help create a greater awareness of the value of our countryside and related visitor attractions. Walkers Friend is continuing to develop links with appropriate businesses throughout Thanet, with many more products under development, such as short break walking holidays, and a new range of innovative themed walks. There are also plans with a local business for a range of branded walking equipment products.

Walkers Friend is taking a long term view and has been organised and structured for that to happen, and for us to operate in as environmentally efficient as possible. We will continue to actively promote green tourism, care for the environment and our heritage, and to explore ways to put this message across.

For further information please contact Walkers Friend by: email to evqmail@btinternet.com

Tel: 01843 579146 or 07547 456860

Post to: Walkers Friend, PO Box 271, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1WX