RSPB hopes for corn bunting

RSPB hopes for corn bunting

For me, bird song is an integral pleasure of any walk, not only out in the countryside but in towns too when away it can be a welcome distraction from the traffic noise. So I am always pleased to hear when hopes are rising that another songbird's numbers could be on the recovery in an area.

Now there is excitement at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) over the sighting of a small group of corn buntings in the Scottish Borders. It is significant because the bird had been thought to have died out in the area after the last sighting a few years ago had been of a single calling male.

If you think you see any corn buntings in the Borders, the RSPB would like to hear from you. You can find out more at RSPB hopes for corn bunting.

Today's pub walk: The Red Lion in Cherry Hinton, Cambridgeshire.

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Essex Community Pub Saved

Essex Community Pub Saved

Ye Olde Cherry Tree in Little Oakley, near Harwich, Essex has a story to tell. Despite having a history of excellence, it has recently had to really fight for its survival against a backdrop of forced periods of closure over the past couple of years - changing hands and landlords several times.

Now however it is under new management and is proud of its chequered history and the valiant efforts and campaigning that has kept this community pub alive. It is an inspiring story and you can read more about how this Essex community pub was saved.

I am very pleased to see them join in the Quest for the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk and I have selected them as "Today's participating pub" below.

Today's participating pub: Ye Olde Cherry Tree in Little Oakley, Essex.
Prizes offered: A 3-course Sunday Lunch for two.

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Free Pub Walks

Free Pub Walks

I asked someone if they would like to add their own walks to MyFavouritePubWalks.com to get free access to all the other pub walks on the site and share in the site profits. His very public response was that his pub walks would remain free "rather than be prostituted to inane gimmicks and money grabbing." Ouch!

OK, time to set the record straight.

Firstly, I will let every pub walker in the country download as many of the pub walks as they like, completely free of charge! All I ask in return is that they add at least one of their own favourite pub walks to the site... one pub walk = one year's free access; two pub walks = two years' free access; and so on. As soon as their first walk is published, all the other walks become free.

Secondly, those who just want to download other people's favourite pub walks but not add their own are welcome to do so, but then they do have to pay. This is their choice - they could buy a book instead (not free) or they can search for other free pub walks online (not quickly in my experience). I aim to bring hundreds if not thousands of pub walks into one place for instant download and enjoyment, and create a community that shares a common interest in all that pub walking offers.

Having said all that, the response I received from this person stood out because the general reaction from walkers has been incredibly positive and supportive across the country. This offers great promise for the growth of what I hope will become the biggest and most up to date collection of pub walks anywhere!

Today's pub walk: The Filly Inn in the New Forest, Hampshire.

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Bank Holiday Pub Walks - Local Competitions

Bank Holiday Pub Walks - Local Competitions

The great thing about bank holidays is they give us chance to both get out in the fresh air and to indulge ourselves a little. Sounds to me like a pub walk is calling!

With a growing number of pubs participating in the Quest for the Nation's Favourite Pub Walk by organising local contests of their own, this is a great chance to maybe win a meal for two as well as one of the national prizes simply by submiting your favourite pub walk.

Even those who just vote can win prizes too. To find whether there is a participating pub near you, click on local competitions.

Today's participating pub: The Good Companions in Surrey.
Prizes offered: A bottle of champagne or top quality wine (3 winners).

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Rural Pubs to offer Postal Services

Rural Pubs to offer Postal Services

We've all seen it. Alistair Darling, Trade and Industry Secretary, trying to convince us all that the planned closure of 2,500 post offices is actually a good thing and that we'll all reap the benefits. Well, I'm not so sure of that. Readers of my blog will know what I feel about the loss of services in rural communities.

But this time, there could be a few winners. The organisation Pub is the Hub champions the rural pub and is looking to open up post offices in rural pubs across the country. It has already done this successfully in 100 pubs over the past 5 years as it helps pubs expand their businesses into wider community services.

Today's pub walk: The Boringdon Arms near Plymouth, Devon.

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