A GROUP for blind people with a love of the countryside and a good wander is turning 25.

Reading Association for the Blind Rambling Group is celebrating its anniversary on June 6, 25 years after Pat Davis and her sight impaired friend Wendy Clayton christened the club.

Ms Clayton decided to set up the group because her eyesight stops her from driving, which in turn restricts her ability to get out to typical walking groups in the countryside.

“You have to meet out in the country which is no good because you have to have a car,” said Ms Clayton.

“So we set up our own group and now we meet once a fortnight and walk five or six miles.

“It is so nice to go out in the countryside and to meet with everyone. We have got some really wonderful volunteers.”

Over the course of its quarter of a century the group have wandered further afield than their usual paths in West Berkshire and North Hampshire to the Seven Sisters, Devon and Wells.

Marion Haynes, Community Fundraiser at Reading Association for the Blind, said: “The visually impaired ramblers really enjoy being in the open air, getting exercise, making new friends, and recently ramblers were delighted at the fragrance of bluebells in the woods of the Chiltern Hills.

“The exercise from the walks helps to keep our members fit. One carried on walking until he was 94 and another to 90.

“Guide dogs also enjoy the walks as for them it is playtime as volunteers escort ramblers and the dogs can run on ahead.”

A walk starting at 10.30am on Peppard Common will kick off the celebrations on June 6, with a lunch for current and former members following in the Red Lion pub.

For more information contact Marion Haynes on 0118 957 2960 or email rab@readingassociationfortheblind.org