Ralph Allen School is thrilled to be running the Bath Beat walking event this Saturday 27th April, marking the event’s 25th anniversary. The event is open to all and comprises four available routes – 12.5 miles, 17 miles, 21 miles and 26.5 miles.
Along the course, volunteers will operate stands offering homemade baked goods and refreshments to everyone passing by. Those who finish will receive a T-shirt to commemorate the occasion. The event has received over 400 applications, with many of our students, staff and their families taking part in the event.
Entry fees vary for different routes with the 12.5 miles distance costing £20 per person, and the other three routes costing £29 per person.
The event is significant on the national walking calendar, drawing people in from across the country. Local businesses, including Morrisons, Parson’s Bakery and Arthur David, have generously contributed food for the event, and John Moore in Bath has sponsored the T-shirts for all participants.
The Bath Beat traces its origins back to 1999 when members of the Bath Police Station formed a walking group. Over the years, the event has grown from its humble beginnings of 40 members to an average participation of 400 people annually. Ralph Allen School’s increased involvement has been instrumental in shaping this memorable event and solidifying the school’s role as a community hub.
This year, the event will incorporate a minute’s silence to honour and remember Phil West for his invaluable contributions to this wonderful event. Phil took over the running of the event and worked with Ralph Allen for 10 years before he sadly passed away this February.
Ralph Allen School is part of the Palladian Academy Trust and shares its values and commitment to ensuring children and young people are equipped for the future. The funds raised from the Bath Beat are reinvested into enhancing educational opportunities for Ralph Allen’s students. Previous contributions have funded counselling services, welfare initiatives, and new computers for the art and photography block.
Nathan Jenkins, Headteacher at Ralph Allen School, expressed his excitement about the event and the way this year’s funds will be used, stating, “As part of our new initiative to drive up both standards of, and the love of reading at Ralph Allen, we are thrilled that the Bath Beat are raising money to support us.
“This year, the funds will directly benefit our students by providing whole class sets of books to develop their skills as confident readers. Our goal is to cultivate a daily reading habit, enrich vocabulary, and foster a deeper appreciation for literature, culture, and comprehension.”
Although applications for this year’s event have closed, Ralph Allen invites anyone interested in the event or fundraising to follow #RASBathBeat to stay connected with the community throughout the event and see how the school’s reading scheme develops in the coming months.