A SERIES of walks across the countryside of Croft have been proving popular during lockdown.

Ranging from 4km to 16km (two-and-a-half to 10 miles), the local walk guides have encouraged residents to enjoy the countryside.

The open space around the village allowed people to exercise while observing social distancing rules. And walkers showed great respect on narrow sections by waiting at wider passing points while sharing their lockdown experiences.

Most of the walks can be started and finished at any of three village pubs.

They were prepared by Roger Lamming, who is Croft Parish footpath warden as well as Warrington Ramblers Footpath Secretary.

As an experienced walker, he has walked extensively throughout Britain and covered many of its long distance trails, but as a local resident, he equally values the countryside where he lives and can be frequently spotted patrolling the public rights of way accompanied by his faithful companion Meg, his pet Border Collie.

“It has been pleasing to see so many people out enjoying the beautiful countryside that Croft has to offer and I hope that word will spread further and encourage others to don their boots and derive the same pleasure I do.

“We have three great pubs in the Horseshoe, the General Elliot and the Plough, all offering good quality food and drink . They will have suffered in the past few months and they deserve our support so what better way to finish a walk than by quenching our thirsts at one of them.”

Croft Parish Council chairman, Norman Partington, who also is a keen walker, added: “Our public rights of way are not always well marked and walkers are often unclear of the routes they should follow.

“These guides have given people the confidence to tread our paths and enjoy Croft’s countryside knowing that they are following official routes so avoiding accidentally straying on to farmland risking damage to crops.

"We have come through a very difficult period and we are not out of the woods yet, but I have noticed that as people have engaged in conversation in the great outdoors, a true community spirit has been generated. I hope that this will continue”.

  • The walk guides and accompanying maps can be found on the Croft Parish Council website at croftparishcheshire.org.uk/walks.