Access Cornwall Areas

A group of disabled Ramblers from all over the UK explored some of Cornwall’s most scenic trails. Each of the ramblers, and there were about a dozen on this visit, uses a wheelchair to get around. In the past, the group have explored some challenging areas of the country, including Snowdon and The Ridgeway. Now it’s Cornwall’s turn. They will be exploring the trails by wheelchair and motorised buggy.

The two days of hiking were organised by The Sensory Trust, a national organisation devoted to promoting access to outdoor space. Staff from the Sensory Trust surveyed each of the routes to ensure that there were no narrow gates, stiles or steep paths that might stop the ramblers’ buggies in their tracks and bring the day to an unexpected and frustrating end.

The first day saw the group hiking from the Borough Arms near Bodmin to Padstow via Wadebridge at Regano’s Cafe. The second day’s hike went from the car park at Bissoe cycle hire to Portreath via Scorrier. The Sensory Trust provided backup in case anything went wrong with any of the buggies, and to help out if anyone got stuck.

Anyone interested in learning more about disabled rambling should contact:

Dr. Mike Bruton,Disabled Ramblers
14 Belmont Park Road, Maidenhead SL6 6HT. Tel/Fax: 01628 621414. E-mail: mike@thebrute.freeserve.co.uk

Source: As featured in the 'Cornish Guardian', and the 'West Briton' newspapers, wk bg June 9th 2003.

Cornish Guardian, Thursday June 12, 2003

West Briton, Thursday June 12, 2003