Walking Post podcast 23: T-Reks in Leicestershire and 80-mile walking challenge

This week, we’re talking about a series of trails with dinosaur markers in Leicestershire, and the 8-Day Walking Challenge in Somerset.

Interview times:

03:51 Dino T-Reks

16:48 80-mile walking challenge

Dino T-Reks in Leicestershire

A series of free ‘Dino T-Reks’ walking trails for the summer is taking place in 14 Leicestershire parks.

Schoolchildren were tasked with creating the designs for the trail markers by Leicestershire County Council’s Sustainable Travel team.

A total of 95 dinosaur trail markers inspired by sustainable travel methods are positioned along trails the parks.

As families walk, scoot, or cycle along the trails, they can spot up to eight dino markers, scan QR codes with their phones to collect letters, spell a mystery word and enter a draw to win a prize donated by a local business.

The free Dino T-Reks walking trails will be found in: Watermead Country Park, Market Bosworth Country Park, Snibston Country Park in Coalville, Forest East Park in LFE, Welland Park in Market Harborough, Melton Country Park, Spital Playing Field in Castle Donington, Blaby Road Park, Jubilee Park in Enderby, Queen’s Park in Loughborough, Hollycroft Park in Hinckley, Bottesford Park and Everards Meadows near Fosse Park.

Our conversation is with Kit Prime, communications officer at Leicestershire County Council, and Jessica Herbert, a Safe & Sustainable Travel manager.

Somerset 80-mile walking challenge

National Trails has announced an 80-mile walking challenge in September that will take place along the Somerset and Exmoor coast on part of England’s newest national trail, the King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIIIECP).

This year, the eight-day walk begins at County Gate on Exmoor and ends on Brean Down at the end of the Mendip Hills.

Participants can do the entire walk, or pick certain days to walk. The event starts on 28 September, and participation costs vary from £6 to £9 for one day, or £46 to £68 for the entire event.

The difficulty level is listed as challenging, with the first two days the most strenuous.

The challenge will raise funds for The Outdoor Guide Foundation’s Waterproofs and Wellies campaign to support Somerset’s coastal primary schools – last year’s efforts raised £350 and bought 10 sets of waterproofs and wellies for West Huntspill Primary School. The target this year is £700 to support two schools.

We had a conversation with Isobel Pring, of the Somerset Trail Partnership for the King Charles III England Coast Path.

To get in touch with the podcast with comments, guest ideas, or for advertising/sponsorship opportunities, email us at [email protected]