Circular walks scheme devised in Long Melford to help residents stay active during coronavirus lockdown

A set of five circular walks around Long Melford have been produced by a team of volunteers, with copies available from the Walkers Hub – a telephone box in Hall Street.

The idea is part of the Long Melford Neighbourhood Plan, which is still being finalised and will be put to a village referendum.

One suggestion to come from the overall plan was to produce maps of walks around Long Melford that both residents and villagers could enjoy to explore not only the heart of the village but the surrounding areas, using the established network of public footpaths.

Julie Thomson, who is a member of the neighbourhood plan’s footpath group, said: “The walks range from half a mile to seven miles. It is timely, as residents will be keen to take the opportunity to get out and about for their daily exercise while the autumnal weather keeps fine.”

Five businesses sponsored the first print run of the leaflets. The design was by Indigo Ross and the costs were covered by Long Melford Parish Council and Suffolk County Council’s locality budget.

Plans to launch the footpaths with an event were scuppered by the lockdown.

“The footpath committee has decided on a media-based launch instead, with plans to reschedule the day of walks for Easter Monday next year, circumstances allowing,” added Mrs Thomson.

As well as the Walkers Hub telephone box in Hall Street, printed versions of the maps are in two other telephone boxes in the High Street and Bridge Street.

Mrs Thomson said there are plans to put noticeboards at the start of four of the walk locations.

The walk leaflets are available online at www.longmelford-pc-gov.uk or at www.visitlongmelford.co.uk.