Pictured above: Julia Bradbury
Popular television presenter and lifelong Peak District fan
Julia Bradbury plans to return to her roots to fulfil a very
special engagement this Easter.
For Julia - presenter of BBC 1 prime time outdoors programme
Countryfile - will be guest of honour at the launch of Visit Peak
District & Derbyshire's Walking & Outdoors Festivals 2011
at the Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, on Saturday April 23.
Julia - who is expecting her first baby in August - is taking
time out from her busy filming schedule to join the crowds set to
flock to the town for a day of free displays, entertainment and
family fun to mark the start of five festivals for people of all
ages and abilities during the spring and autumn.
She will see at first hand activities like Nordic Walking,
children's pony rides by the Ladybooth Equestrian Centre from Edale
and birds of prey from the Kingsley Bird & Falconry Centre in
the Staffordshire Moorlands, plus an exciting new mobile high ropes
course from Staffordshire-based activity providers Peak
Pursuits.
Julia will also be supporting some of the GoYomp team exhibiting
at the launch. GoYomp is a new on-line based business with its own
social network YompShare - designed to make the outdoors fun,
fashionable and accessible (www.goyomp.com).
"We're delighted that Julia is able to take a brief pause
from her television filming commitments to join us for the launch
of our Walking & Outdoors Festivals 2011, and we look forward
to giving her a warm Peak District & Derbyshire welcome," said
David James, Chief Executive of the area's official tourist
board.
"This year's Festivals are once again getting off to a great
start with a free day out for all the family, and I'm sure everyone
who comes along will appreciate the chance to meet one of the
area's most passionate supporters, as well as enjoying a great time
amid fresh air and beautiful surroundings."
Added Julia, President of the charity Friends of the Peak
District: "It's a great pleasure for me to be able to take a short
break to revisit one of my favourite areas of the UK.
"I have very fond memories of the Peak District. My Dad was born
in Tideswell, and from the time I was six he would take me out
walking to places like Monsal Dale, Stanage Edge and Win and Lose
Hill.
"I'm really looking forward to being back on 'home ground' as
the Peak District National Park celebrates its 60th birthday and
the tourist board's Walking & Outdoors Festivals are launched
to help people of all ages make the most of the great
outdoors."
Other attractions on the launch day, which will be open to all
from 10am to 4pm, will include Punch and Judy, magic shows and
percussion workshops for children, music by a local brass band and
a walk with a Blue Badge Guide.
More than 230 themed walks and outdoor activities - ranging from
challenging hikes across open countryside to relaxed city, town and
village strolls - are on offer during this year's Festivals.
Lovers of the outdoor life can get into their stride for:
• The Peak District Walking & Outdoors Festival, April
23 - May 8
• The Peak District's Historic Border Country Walking
Festival, May 14 - 22
• The National Forest Walking Festival, Footsteps in the
Forest, May 21 - June 1
• Amber Valley & Erewash Walking Festival, Autumn
Footprints, September 10 - 25
• Derby Walking Festival, September 17 - October 15
An electronic copy of the Walking & Outdoors Festivals 2011
brochure can be browsed and downloaded from the tourist board's
website, while hard copies can either be ordered on-line or picked
up from Tourist Information Centres in and around the area.
Tickets for The Peak District Walking Festival can be booked
online at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/pdwf,
or by telephoning 01538 483741. Tickets for The Peak District's
Historic Border Country Walking Festival can be booked online at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/hbwf
or by telephoning 01246 345777/8.
Tickets for The National Forest Walking Festival can be booked
by telephoning 01283 222848 or at
www.thenationalforestwalkingfestival.org.uk. Tickets for Amber
Valley & Erewash Walking Festival, Autumn Footprints can be
booked by telephoning Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058. Tickets for
Derby Walking Festival can be booked online at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/dwf
or by telephoning 01332 255802
The Walking & Outdoors Festivals 2011 are sponsored by
Buxton Water, The Camping and Caravanning Club, Lafarge Cement UK's
Hope Works, Peak Pursuits, The Pavilion Gardens, and Yeomans.