Charity walk to Banbury by County Council chair

Route will follow the canal towpath between Oxford and Banbury

The Chair of Oxfordshire County Council is set to lace up his walking boots and set off on a hike Oxford to Banbury – all in aid of charity.

Councillor John Howson plans to walk the 26 miles from the city to our town in a couple of weeks time and will be using the Oxford canal towpath, which passes through the new Castle Quay Waterside development.

He said: “This seemed like something I could do regardless of present COVID restrictions provided I did it myself. Getting out for a walk became people’s big event of the day during the lockdown periods we had and there is little doubt that walking and being outdoors helps people’s physical and mental health.

“I am looking forward to doing the walk between Oxfordshire’s largest and second-largest settlements. I hope to be enjoying the scenery of the rolling north Oxfordshire countryside and the tranquillity of the villages alongside the canal.

“I have had a special Ordnance Survey map printed for the walk that will be unique and this will certainly be a memorable part of my time as Chair of Oxfordshire County Council.”

Councillor Howson became Chair in May having been Vice-Chair in the two previous years. The Chair is the ceremonial head of the county council and the politically impartial civic leader of Oxfordshire.

The walk is scheduled to take place on the 15th and 16th of July. The charities Councillor Howson is supporting this year are Abingdon Riding for Disabled, Children Heard and Seen, Maggie’s (a cancer support charity), Oxfordshire County Music Service and Yellow Submarine (a learning disability charity).

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Published: 01/07/2021 09:51am by Banbury FM Newsteam

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