sport
GET WALKING
Alistair Corless finds out that walking
festivals are going the extra mile this
month.
If the Proclaimers were true to their word then they would be in South Wales
this month, marching their way through the Monmouth and Hay Walking
Festivals.
Entering its fourth year, the Hay Festival (no relation) comprises of five jampacked days where the rambling needs of all age groups and abilities are catered
for – there are a whopping 45 different routes in total.
Whilst stronger walkers can traverse a strenuous 12 miles along the ‘Dragon’s
Back’, for those there to wallow in the tranquillity of the Welsh hills there is the
‘Hill Chill Pill’; a cathartic journey through monasteries, wildlife and babbling
streams.
Also heading into its fourth year is the Monmouth Walking Festival: a week-long
event spread out over the county’s three ‘Walkers Are Welcome’-accredited
towns, Abergavenny, Chepstow and Monmouth. After beginning the week with
a gargantuan 18-mile trek through Symonds Yat, for the weary walkers there is
then a programme commemorating the centenary of World War One. In addition
to visiting Commonwealth War graves in Abergavenny, there will be routes
passing the sites of World War Auxiliary unit shelters near Usk Castle and St
Thomas' Church – one of the few churches to suffer bomb damage during World
War I. The general manager of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, Stewart
Wardrop, will also be giving a talk regarding the use of pigeons in the war.
Whilst the Hay Festival will also explore points of historical interest – a local
specialist will be taking a group around the site of the Norman castle which
hosted the 1198 Battle of Painscastle – it will also feature outdoor experts
sharing their expertise in a series of classes: an introduction in the Alexander
Technique, The Walker’s Guide To Outdoor Clues and a guide to foraging.
Festival goers’ mental ability will then be tested during a pub quiz at the Blue
Boar pub, in the closing event of the Hay Festival. As Robert Frost once put
it: “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less travelled by, and
that has made all the difference.” Words to ponder as you saunter through the
Monmouthshire countryside, perhaps?
Hay Walking Festival, Wed 8-Sun 12 Oct. Tickets: £5-£14.
Info: 01497 822423 / www.haywalking.org; Monmouth
Walking Festival, Sat 25 Oct-Sun 2 Nov. Tickets: individual
events £5-£10/some events free. Info: 01291 641856 / www.
walkinginmonmouthshire.org
CARDIFF DRAGONS DODGEBALL
Alistair Corless takes a look at the
latest edition to Wales’ Dodgeball
scene.
‘DODGE, Duck, Dip, Dive and... Dodge.’ Yes
these are the words of wrench-hurling master
coach Patches O’Houlihan, but they also form the
tongue-in-cheek mantra of the Cardiff Dragons –
South Wales’ newest dodgeball side.
The Dragons, who first came together in April this
year, can b