Gryffe Valley Rotary on pathway to glory

NATIONAL AWARD FOR HEALTH PROJECT

A local rotary group has created an award-winning 19-mile-long path to encourage walking in the area.

Gryffe Valley Rotary initiated a Walk for Health project in March 2021, seeking to encourage walking in the local environment, to promote people’s health and well-being.

And exactly three years later, the club’s efforts have been recognised with a Scotland South Rotary District Award.

The Gryffe Valley Way is a 19-mile-long walking path that connects five of the seven villages around the Rotary Club and links to the Clyde Coast path network.

It runs from the source of the River Gryffe, the full length of the river valley to where the river joins the Black Cart Water, finishing in Linwood.

The path follows existing tracks, lanes, cycle tracks and footpaths across moorland, alongside lochs and the river, and through woodlands and farmland.

As part of making the route, the club carried out works to the path including cutting back overgrown vegetation and laying 20 tonnes of gravel on muddy sections.

The phenomenal project was recently recognised at the Scotland South Rotary District Conference.

The two-day event, staged in Aviemore, saw more than 200 Rotarians name the Gryffe Valley Way the winner of the best

Improved Health and Wellbeing community-based project in the district.

Les King, Gryffe Valley president, said the club was delighted to receive such a prestigious accolade.

“This year they had a competition for the best community project to do with mental health and well-being,” he said. “We entered, we put the entry in then we were one of the final four selected. So, we were invited to make a presentation at the Rotary conference.

“There were over 220 members present at the conference, who then voted for the project they thought benefited the most from the award. And we actually won.”

Les accepted a cheque for £1,000 as the club’s prize, presented by District Governor Narek Bido, pictured above.

The award will be used to promote the Walk for Health project in the local community and encourage local groups, individuals and families to use the Gryffe Valley Way.

The route is classed as easy walking with some moderate gradients and is suitable for all sections of the community.

Along the route, there is access to bus stops and car parks to facilitate shorter walks and allow the Way to be completed in sections. The club members have installed more than 100 signposts, each with a Rotary logo and a QR code which links to the club website, where there are maps and route directions, and designated refreshment stops.

Several information boards have also been designed and installed at interesting locations and brochures will be available at refreshment stops and in local shops.