There was good attendance at the second Somer Valley Walking Festival, despite a wet week preceding it. However, the clouds lifted on Saturday, and walkers left from Midsomer Norton, Westfield and Paulton to visit local viewpoints and beauty spots.

In addition, there were short walks from Radstock Museum looking at the industrial heritage of Radstock and Haydon. These were inspired by a talk on Friday night by Denis Chedgy at the Museum, to a capacity audience.

On the morning of Sunday, 17th, there were good numbers for the two long walks. A twelve-mile circuit of the Somer Valley visited Woodborough, Peasedown, Clandown, Paulton and Timsbury. An eight-mile route incorporated a visit to the Somerset Coal Canal at Paulton, where Adrian Tuddenham from the Canal Society explained the restoration work that had been done and was planned for the future. There were also two shorter walks, to Ammerdown and around Radstock.

Amateur artists also participated in an Art Walk around Radstock, and an innovation this year was an Introduction to Geocaching, based on Peasedown St John.

John Bull, Chair of the Stering Committee, said: “It was good to see a healthy turnout for our second Festival. One of our purposes is to make the attractiveness and heritage of the Somer Valley better known, and it was gratifying that some walkers came from outside the immediate area.

“Our thanks go to the volunteers who led the walks, all who helped with registration and teas, and to our sponsors, Radstock and Westfield Big Local, Peasedown Parish Council, Paulton Parish Council, Radco, and our partner B&NES Council.”