March’s peaceful protest walks

In 2022 CPRE Bedfordshire invited community action groups to organise peaceful protest walks. These all took place on a single day in February and were so popular that for 2023 we expanded the idea to the whole of March.

Under the ‘March for the countryside’ banner, groups from across the county developed walks, with events happening through the month. CPRE Bedfordshire provided a handy checklist of things to consider in the planning process and helped them promote their walks via our website and social media.

First up was a walk organised by the Silsoe Road Residents Association (SRRA). Around 50 residents, including children and dogs, joined in. The SRRA was formed planned to try and stop development on Silsoe Road, Maulden. The site is a Groundwater Source Protected Zone and has a sensitive aquifer.

Flitwick Local Action Group (Save Steppingley Road Field) held their walk on Mother’s Day and invited everyone to bring their mums along! About 60 people came along to show their appreciation for the countryside and support for the campaign. The walk took them round the field and woodland.

The final weekend in March saw a bumper crop of walks. In the north of the county BFARe (Bedford for a Reconsultation) met in Clapham, walking through Clapham Wood, and ending in a field providing views of the possible alignments for East West Rail Route E.

Like BFARe, the Friends of Windsor Drive (Houghton Regis), took part last year. They enjoyed it so much that they repeated the experience. They welcomed dogs, children, and families, with a fully accessible footpath route. Tea, coffee, and soft drinks were available for a small donation back at the start from the Friends of Windsor Drive gazebos.

The Save our Village walk in Lower Stondon was also family and dog friendly, drawing 60 people. The 30-minute walk took them to the Mount Pleasant Golf Course. Their walk was designed as a peaceful protest against any future development in Stondon.

CAUSE (Campaign Against UnSustainable Expansion) in Clophill was also a village walk which saw 30 people brave the rain to climb up the Old Church Path to enjoy the views over the countryside.

CPRE Bedfordshire has been delighted to see local action groups use these walks to not only highlight threats to the countryside or green spaces, but as a way of engaging with their local communities and building relationships.