Offa's Dyke Association

PRESS RELEASE, dated: 18th August 2009

VIPs gather on Offa's Dyke

The Offa’s Dyke Path brought more important and influential people to Knighton this week. Dame Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust, has been walking the whole of the 177-mile route, from Prestatyn to Chepstow, for her summer holiday. On Tuesday 18th August she set off from Knighton’s Offa’s Dyke Centre, with her walking companion Dr Anne Gardner, to walk to Kington. Joining them for the day was author, journalist and broadcaster Sir Simon Jenkins, who has recently taken over as the National Trust’s Chairman.

Dame Fiona pronounced herself delighted with the trip so far and made particular mention of the excellent Bed and Breakfast accommodation which she had found along the way, thanks to the Offa’s Dyke Association’s long-established and popular “Where to Stay” Guide.

At Hawthorn Hill the walking party became even more convivial as it was joined by composer and local resident Michael Berkeley, Sophie Andreae, who is Chairman of the Offa’s Dyke Association and a member of the Council of the National Trust, and anthropologist Dr. Stephen Hugh-Jones, who also lives locally.

Fiona Reynolds and friends on Offa's Dyke
The above photograph, by Jim Saunders, shows Dame Fiona Reynolds and her walking party on Offa’s Dyke. Left to right: Dr Anne Gardner, Dr Stephen Hugh-Jones, Sophie Andreae, Dame Fiona, Sir Simon Jenkins, Twiglet the dog, and Michael Berkeley.

Press release by Jim Saunders, who is ODA’s committee member responsible for press and PR.

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