Worcestershire Cricket Foundation launched their partnership with Walkers and Talkers – with former Club Captain and current Club President Phil Neale the first guest speaker – and it proved to be a resounding success.
More than 50 people participated in the event which combined a walk alongside both sides of the River Severn adjacent to Visit Worcestershire New Road with coffee and biscuits at the Beard Terrace and a Q and A with Phil Neale.
Amongst those taking part was 91-year-old John Weston, the father of former Worcestershire all-rounder Martin Weston – and he spoke along the route about his time living in the Diglis area of the City, including a spell on the river island.
The Walkers and Talkers scheme was initially set up by former Gloucestershire wicket-keeper, Andy Brassington, to combat loneliness in Bristol after realising the mental health benefits of bringing his former players together for walks during the pandemic.
Gloucestershire CCC and Somerset CCC are also taking part in the scheme and supporters from those two counties were amongst the 52 taking part in Worcestershire Cricket Foundation’s inaugural event.
Worcestershire Supporters’ Association Chair, Andrew Jenkins, who also joined in, said: “It was a tremendous success and well done to the Worcestershire Cricket Foundation and Walkers and Talkers for this innovative scheme.
“It was fantastic to see people from Worcestershire, Somerset and Gloucestershire embracing this initiative.
“To see John Weston taking part at the age of 91 and being so enthusiastic about his time in the Diglis Area was brilliant.
“Everyone walked alongside the cricket ground side of the river past the weir and up to the footbridge and then over the other side and back past the Cathedral.
“Phil Neale told about how he got into professional football and cricket and then took part in a Q and A session.”
Andy Brassington, who also was part of the walk, said: “Worcestershire are very much part of getting Walkers And Talkers up and running through Elsa-Marie Evans at the Cricket Foundation.
“It is the most simple idea in the world, anyone is welcome, and every session is fun.
“It is very effective, bringing people together for a walk is a brilliant way to combat loneliness.
