Foot and Mouth - Third (Temporary Control) Zone  Declared - Footpaths in Dorking Temporary Control Zone remain open

This morning DEFRA  declared a third Protection Zone, defined as a Temporary Control Zone, relating to a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth (FMD).  This is around a farm in the Dorking and Westcott area of Surrey and is outside of the existing survielance zone already declared. The North Downs Way National Trail / Pilgrims Way runs through the latest Control Zone.  Speaking to the DEFRA helpline at lunchtime they advised me that footpaths through this thrid zone remain open at present.  However the footpaths in the first declared zone remain closed - see DEFRA web-site. (link below)

I am getting emails from walkers seeking information about the situation as many are actually or about to be in transit to the UK and plan to walk in Surrey and Kent along the Pilgrims Way ' North Downs Way National Trail.  At present this does not impact upon Walk Awhile's walking holidays, which are in the Kent stretch of the North Downs Way but we are continually monitoring with the  agencies responsible for the situation and are in contact with the Mangager with Responsibility for the North Downs Way National Trail. 

The DEFRA map showing the surveilance, proptection and temporary contral zones can be found at
http://http://www.gisdiseasemap.defra.gov.uk/intmaps/FMD/map.jsp?bbox=446826.34546863,131321.311895689,506357.714531369,171008.891270848&action=panEast&label=&xylabel=&mapsize=&zoomOrID=zoom&advancedSearch=

For up to date information and advice visit the DEFRA web site at http://http://www.defra.gov.uk/

For walking holidays visit: http://www.walkawhile.co

Latest Foot and Mouth Outbreak - Access to the Countryside

This week we've been getting phone calls from customers concerned about the latest outbreak of foot and mouth (FMD) that has occurred on a beef farm near Guildford in Surrey.  The North Downs Way runs quite close to the affected area.  However I spoke to the Manager with responsiblity for the North Downs Way (NDW) yesterday and he informed me that the NDW National Trail remains open throughout its full length.  If there are any changes to this we will post the advice on this web-site.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has posted the following statement on its web-site:

Despite the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on a farm in Surrey, the countryside remains open. There is no need for people to stop visiting the countryside and, at the present time, the only impacts on visitor attractions are those which result from the restrictions on animal movements and animal gatherings.

However, footpaths and bridleways on infected premises are closed and the Chief Veterinary Officer has taken a decision to close the footpaths and bridleways in the first Protection Zone. This decision is based on the latest veterinary risk analysis and is in light of the number of cases in PZ 1 and the proximity to the main area under investigation. Also, a number of footpaths directly around infected holdings have also been closed to ensure that operations at the sites can continue. The situation will be kept under review.

More information about the current situation can be found at the DEFRA website, which can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/latest-situation/index.htm

Stour Valley Walk

This week-end we had a couple of walkers from London who had booked a week-end break walking tour along the Stour Valley Trail.  They were really great fun and are in training for a charity walk next year.  Without a doubt they had chosen the hottest week-end of the year to undertake the long walk to Wye along the east bank of the Stour Valley and then back along its west bank via the picturesque village of Chilham and then on to Canterbury.  More details about Walk Awhile's walking holidays can be found at http://www.walkawhile.co.uk  We wish them well with their preparation and hope that they choose a slightly cooler week-end for their next walk.

Two friends from the past came down to visit this week-end.  Roger and Vee Darlington also braved the hottest week-end of the year so far and came to down to Oversland and spend Sunday in the Kent countryside.   Roger has a well established web site that can be found at http://www.rogerdarlington.co.uk/ . The site has over 5000 indivual visits a day and features news and views form Roger's long career in the field of politics, trade unionism, communications and the information society.  Roger's site also is well known for its film reviews as well commentary on current affairs and travel.  He has recently introduced a new series of pages on political systems.  A memorable evening to the end of a lovely day was had sitting on the balcony with Mandy, Roger and Vee watching the sun set over the Kent countryside mulling over 'if God can be proved does science depend on faith? - discuss'