Mercian Nordic Walking support stepped up amidst Bromsgrove Council price hike - The Bromsgrove Standard

Mercian Nordic Walking support stepped up amidst Bromsgrove Council price hike

Bromsgrove Editorial 12th May, 2017   0

A GROUP of Bromsgrove walkers have joined forces to show their support of Mercian Nordic Walking after the council more than doubled the fees for using Sanders Park.

The Friends of Mercian Nordic Walking (FMNW) group met in the park on Wednesday (May 10) for a walk to show the town that despite the price hike, ‘the group still exists and enjoys walks in the surrounding countryside’.

The walkers, members of Mercian Nordic Walking, formed for the ‘one-off’ event as a result of Bromsgrove District Council’s decision to increase the annual charge for using the park for an average of two to three sessions per week from £440 to £1,000.

Run by Ian Northcott, Mercian Nordic Walking has 500 members and has had to find new venues at the Ryland Centre and Avoncroft Museum due to the change in cost.




Malcolm Church, of FMNW, said: “This wasn’t a protest, it was purely to show our support for the Mercian Nordic Walking and to appreciate how beautiful Bromsgrove is.

“We wanted to highlight the unprofessional way Bromsgrove District Council has acted in this matter and to show people there is already an established Nordic walking group available in the town.


“It was a good turn-out and 22 people came to say goodbye to Sanders Park.”

Mr Northcott said: “I made the financial decision to move on.

“Some of my clients were disgusted with the decision and were incensed at the price hike, they see it as a way of the council blocking people getting fit.

“I am not associated to the Friends of Nordic Walking group but I understand why they have held this event.

“We are a legitimate business and offer lots of activities for people of different ages and abilities.

“At this point I am happy to meet with the council for a chat but I am happy to move forward and put this behind us.”

Elaine Griffiths, a second Nordic Walking UK Instructor with Redditch Nordic Walking, was also asked to pay the increased charge for the use of Arrow Valley and Morton Stanley Parks in Redditch.

Bromsgrove District Council has revealed it would be running a number of courses including Nordic Walking and Tai Chi, for a short period of time and at ‘a low cost’.

John Godwin, Head of Leisure Services said: “We have run a number of these taster sessions previously with local partners, including Mercian Nordic Walking, with great success.

“These sessions are run several times a year and were planned before Mercian Nordic Walking made its decision to leave Sanders Park and as such are in no way new.

“Should Mercian Nordic Walking wish to resume its use of Sanders Park they are welcome to do so.

“We are happy to recommence conversations with the group but as yet our offer has not been taken up.”

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