SWCPA 50th Anniversary Trailblazer Walk
May 22, 2023
Turnstyle design are proud to support the south west coast path association
In celebration of the 50th anniversary, two of our team from Turnstyle Designs put on their walking shoes and joined the South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA) on one of the many Trailblazing events being held this year throughout May and June.
Starting at Woolacombe and finishing at Croyde, a group of 11 eager ramblers congregated ready for the mornings 8-mile walk around the stunning headland. With the morning sunshine beating down over a quiet, picturesque beach, the team set off.
Walking along the sandy dunes, then cutting up through the trees and paths lined with wildflowers, the group soon arrived at Putsborough. Passing by Putsborough, they then followed the coastal path around to Baggy Point and along the cliff path towards Croyde bay.
Many attendees had travelled from places such as Cheltenham, Essex and even Cumbria to join in the Trailblazing event that helps bring together groups of like-minded people, all supporting the SWCPA.
Full of energy and friendly conversation, the group mingled and chatted along the way, stopping briefly at points to take in the outstanding views that North Devon has to offer.
What a fantastic way to spend a Tuesday morning!
WHY IS THE COAST PATH IMPORTANT?
For every mile, from Minehead in Somerset to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset, it costs £1,500 to keep the Path open, clearly signed and in good shape. That’s £945,000 every year! 9 million visitors spend time on the National Trail each year and it is a fantastic attraction for people from far and wide.
- The Coast Path saves the NHS £75million every year
- 79% of people feel more positive after walking the Coast Path
- 62% of people feel inspired to be more active after walking on the Coast Path
- Over 70% of the Path is within a designated National Park or Area of Natural Beauty
"It can sometimes be quite daunting doing events like this on your own, but having a group like this to walk with not only helps build your confidence and gets you out in the fresh air, it means you meet like-minded people and make lots friends as well"
Click the video to watch Claire from our leathering department and Kat from marketing representing Turnstyle Designs on the Woolacombe to Croyde walk:
At the time of this event, Turnstyle Designs also supported and celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week and what a better way to help support mental health than taking in the breath-taking views from around the Southwest, along the designated Coastal Paths? As proud advocates for mental health and sustainability, Turnstyle Designs donates 0.5% of our annual turnover to mental health charities and 1.5% to environmental causes and organisations such as the South West Coast Path Association.
What is the Trailblazer event? How do I get involved?
Calling all Trailblazers and lovers of the South West Coast Path. LET’S CELEBRATE!
Join the South West Coast Path Association as they commemorate their 50th anniversary through an epic relay walk of 630 miles! Celebrate the people and places along the route of Britain’s longest National Trail. There are 55 days to choose from, starting in Minehead, and South Haven Point on 27 May, with a finish point of Royal William Yard, Plymouth on 15 June.
- Free to take part
- Limited spaces per walk
- Booking essential
ABOUT THE SOUTH WEST COAST PATH ASSOCIATION
For almost half a century the association have been championing the South West Coast Path to make it one of the world’s greatest trails. Since its designation as a National Trail in 1973, they have been working to establish, improve and protect the 630 mile route to make your experience on the Path the best it can be.
Today, the South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA) is a registered charity, providing information for the National Trail and raising funds to improve access for all. They coordinate hundreds of projects with the help of the Trails Partnership.
"We are really delighted when local businesses like Turnstyle Designs kindly support the Path as Business Mile Makers, contributing the amount it costs to look after a mile of the South West Coast Path for a whole year, and in this case, Turnstyle Design’s generous gift will look after two miles of stunning Coast Path! We know how important the South West Coast Path is to the local economy, supporting over 11,000 jobs, and how important time spent in blue and green spaces is for the mental and physical health of the 9 million people who visit it every year so we are so appreciative that Turnstyle Designs are helping us achieve our vision in our 50th year as a charity; connecting people to nature through inspirational Coast Path journeys."
