Lack of support forces South Lincolnshire Walking Festival eastwards

The South Lincolnshire Walking Festival has now ended.

Following five fantastic years of walks organised across the south of the county, the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival has come to an end.

After a total of 8 years coordinating two walking festivals in the county, at the beginning of last year, Heritage Lincolnshire made the decision to step down from this role. Since 2018, Heritage Lincolnshire have been in active discussions with both steering groups (which include representatives from local authorities and independent walking groups and charities) concerning the future coordination of the festivals, offering the option to propose a new outlook and refresh both of these wonderful events.

The Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival has recently been adopted by a new coordinator, East Lindsey District Council, who have just recruited for a coordinator to take the festival forward.

Sadly however, the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival has been unsuccessful in appointing a new coordinator and, as such, Heritage Lincolnshire have not been able to find an organisation to continue to run the event.

At the December steering group meeting therefore, the committee made the decision to formerly end the Festival.

Greg Pickup, CEO of Heritage Lincolnshire said, “It is a great shame to have to announce the end of the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival.  Continued financial pressure on local authorities coupled with an increasingly competitive funding and sponsorship environment have taken their toll. 

“It was always important that the majority of walks offered were free to participants during the festival but, as a charity, we did ask for a voluntary contribution towards festival costs to keep the event running. 

“Unfortunately, these donations failed to cover the shortfall in funding the festival and with no prospect of any other lead body to continue to champion a South Lincolnshire focused walking festival, this popular event cannot continue.”  

Heritage Lincolnshire and members of the organising committee would like to thank everyone who took part in the South Lincolnshire Walking Festival from 2015 – 2019. In particular, the charity would like to specifically mention the hard work and dedication of all the walk leaders who have organised some truly wonderful, memorable and welcoming walks over this period. 

The charity remains heavily involved in a wealth of community projects across the county and in 2020, Heritage Lincolnshire will be delivering a fantastic variety of events and activities.

More information will be available on their website or through their social media channels. Greg added, “It is so important that local charities are supported at a time when many have had core funding reduced significantly or removed altogether. 

“We are a charity operating exclusively for the benefit of those who live and work in the county by sharing its rich heritage through a varied programme of opportunities for everyone. 

” Local support means a great deal to us and we hope that we continue to inspire and engage people to join us at some of our forthcoming events this year.”