September 14th,15th and 16th are the weekend dates to save so that you can join in the third Somer Valley Walking Festival, which features new walks, as well as trusted favourites from previous years.

The aim of the Festival is to introduce local people and those from further afield to our attractive countryside, and also the fascinating industrial heritage of the Somer Valley. All the walks are free, and led by experienced walk leaders, and are of varied lengths, so that both experienced walkers and those new to exploring the countryside will find something to enjoy.

The Festival opens on the evening of Friday, 14th September at Radstock Museum, with a talk on The Romans in the Somer Valley delivered by a member of the B&NES Heritage Team.

New walks this year are a walk from Peasedown St John on the afternoon of Saturday, 15th September to enjoy some of the folk music events at the Priston Festival, and a Nature Walk through the Wellow Valley, led by the Cam Valley Wildlife Trust on the morning of Sunday, 16th.

The programme will also include the usual short walks exploring Radstock, Paulton and Westfield on Saturday, 15th, plus a new, more challenging long walk setting out on Sunday morning. There will also be three other walks on Sunday morning, including a visit to the Somersetshire Coal Canal, plus an art walk led by a local artist.

All events are free, except for a small charge for the Museum talk. To find out more, look out for the brochure (from July), or visit: www.bathscapewalkingfestival.co.uk To book a place in advance, please contact: [email protected] or phone Lucy Bartlett on: 01225 477265.

John Bull