March for the Countryside 2024

Following on from the success of last year’s peaceful protest walks, we are inviting local groups to “March for the Countryside” in the month of March.

These are peaceful walks to show our appreciation of the wonderful countryside in Bedfordshire and raise awareness of threats to our precious greenspaces. That may be from development, infrastructure projects, loss of biodiversity or the impact of climate change.

It is up to you to organise your walk and ensure you follow all the rules. CPRE Bedfordshire will coordinate the publicity and link all the walks together under one umbrella for more impact. We will help raise awareness and one of our team may join your walk. Scroll down this page for guidance on setting up a walk.

Confirmed walks

Walks will be added here as groups share the details with us.

Friends of Windsor Drive, Houghton Regis

Sunday 17th March at 2:30 pm. The meeting point, and start of the march will be on the field at the accessible entrance, opposite Halley’s Way,  Just head for the Friends of Windsor Drive gazebos and you won’t go wrong, see the red X on the map below. Depending on how fast you want to go, it will take about an hour to walk the route marked on the map below, so come and walk off your Sunday Dinner! Bring the dog, kids, all your family and friends, everyone is welcome and the route is fully accessible. There will be tea, coffee and soft drinks available for a small donation back at the start from the Friends of Windsor Drive gazebos.

Save our Village, Lower Stondon

Sunday 24th March at 11.00 am. Meet at 10:50 in the Bird in the Hand pub carpark. Please come along with your family, friends, neighbours, kids, prams, and dogs for a walk of about 30 mins from the roundabout to Mt Pleasant Golf Course. The walk will be a peaceful protest against any future development in Stondon.

Save Steppingley Road Field

Sunday 24th March. Midday. Meet on the top path by Steppingley Road, opposite Windmill Road, and the walk will last approximately 1 hour, perhaps less if it’s very wet. Feel free to bring a banner.

Some guidance on planning a March for the Countryside walk

1. Choose a date in March (bear in mind that Mother’s Day is Sunday 10th March and Easter Sunday is 31st March)

2. Decide a time to start your walk and the duration. This will depend on your route but keep it short. An hour works well.

3. Plan your route. Stick to public footpaths and bridal ways that are open to the public and ensure the route is accessible and safe. You may want a walk leader or marshals along the way if you are expecting a lot of people. Walk the route before the day to ensure it is accessible and safe and so you can warn walkers of any hazards.

4. Agree a meeting point and end point. You may want to finish near a café or pub so you can enjoy a snack or lunch!

5. Notify the police of your event at least 6 days before the walk. This is so they are aware and can decide if there needs to be a police presence.

6. Tell people about it!! CPRE Bedfordshire can help promote your walk. Let us have all your details and we will add these to our March for The Countryside page and share on our social media and with CPRE members. Please send all the details to shelly.dennison@cprebeds.org.uk

7. We will inform the press but would encourage you do to this too. You may also like to invite local councillors, dignitaries or celebrities.

8. Encourage walkers to make their own banners.

9. Designate a photographer for the day so you get some good photos to share. Let people know they may be photographed in case they want to opt out.

10. Hope for good weather and enjoy the walk! This is a great way to connect with nature so make sure everyone has time to stop, enjoy the views and listen to the birds.

If you have any queries, please contact lois.wright@cprebeds.org.uk