Mendip Ramblers' Walking Festivals have more in common with the Glastonbury Festival than you might expect.

We might not have the numbers, or the same diversity or the worldwide coverage, but we do have international appeal and "headline acts".

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend 90 people a day put on their boots in Shepton Mallet and set off to explore the quietly beautiful Somerset countryside.  

The rain stopped, the sun returned and the walkers came. While many were from Mendip and neighbouring Ramblers groups, others were local walkers, some of them new to walking.

We had visitors from Dorset, Wiltshire, Leicestershire and London. And visitors from overseas - Malaysia (via London) and South Africa.

There were children with their families, and a few dogs. A good turnout helped, of course, by the excellent weather. 

The "headline acts" were not celebrities but the large number of Mendip Ramblers who organised the event, planned the walks, checked the routes for accessibility, fixed some stiles, made the cakes, worked in the kitchen and helped with signing and parking.

A good team effort. We were also well supported by the local council.

So, Mendip Ramblers' 18th Walking Festival went well. It's too late for this year but there's always next year for a Bank Holiday activity that's free and fun. 

Before then there is the Somer Valley Walking Festival in mid-September, and Frome celebrates its Walkers are Welcome status with a weekend programme of walks in November.

Mendip's usual programme of weekly walks continues throughout the autumn months, with the addition of other walking trips to Sherborne, Sidmouth and Brittany. The opportunities are there and all walkers are welcome.