Growing a Walking Festival by Neil Cartman, Former Chair of IGWF

Neil at the top of his favourite hill (not!) at Wyke and forever called Neil's Favourite Hill

If somebody had told me in 2011 that a very successful Walking Festival had scope I would not have believed it. Then, to be cajoled into taking over as Chair, the task came my way. From 20 walks and 270 participants in 2010 with only 2 long distance ones, I took a look and started to see how it could be tweaked. As a longer distance walker myself, I was interested in particular, with how this could be improved. Move on to 2011, and we offered 33 walks, including at least 15 miles every day and discovered there was enthusiasm - 340 walkers turned up!

2012 was a turning point when I met a certain Graham Burgess who seemed to be on the same wavelength and so we started walking and discussing what to do. This led to the 2013 programme including more long walks pushing to 17 miles.

The following year after more walking and talking, we decided that as we were both covering over 100 miles in the week, there were probably others that would be interested. So we put together two groups heading in different directions but using the same routes on different days to cover 100 miles. We had 12 people join us that year, so we thought it could work. 

In 2015, as part of our 10th anniversary challenge, we introduced a 50 mile medal and Graham led 10 x 10 mile walks by adding an extra day. This meant that walkers could achieve 100 miles over a shorter distance. This went down well, and also found others who would also lead these type walks so managed to increase the number of walks to 60!

We also managed to get the jewel in the crown (in my opinion) when Lord Hamilton gave us special permission to walk around and through the Apley Estate including a view of the house. We designed a circular 6.5 mile walk starting from the Apley Farm Shop and a long walk of 20 miles starting from Ironbridge. These walks are still as popular today.

Since 2014 the Festival has continued to offer over 60 walks each year, including a selection of dog walks. In 2019, Daisy my beloved dog had to participate in a few more miles than planned as unfortunately, my wife was hospitalised after she broke her hip.

Daisy was used to doing 20 miles as she was a much loved member of my recce group. So, she joined me for the remainder of the walks I was leading and clocked up 75 miles, receiving her own medal from the Mayor.

It was also in 2019 that the Festival received the Mayor's Certificate of Recognition for bringing people together from all over the country to discover our wonderful countryside and heritage.

The Festival remains one of the largest in the country and as it is still free to participants is definitely in the top ones. The walks cover distances from 2 to 21 miles and in my last year as Chair, we reached a milestone of over 1,000 bookings.

It was an honour to run the Festival for 13 years, I took a lot of pleasure from it, made some excellent long term friends and hope my hard work was appreciated. I think I may have done alright, as I was delighted to be asked in 2024, whether a medal for completing 150 miles or over could be named after me, and so the first Cartman Challenge medals were introduced, and given to 4 walkers. I am very proud of the Festival and how it continues to grow.

Best wishes

Neil

Neil's story told in pictures - including being in his very first Festival selfie! Click below.