Pipsticks Walks with Philippa Sanders
These are not just any walks, but Philippa’s walks really refresh the parts that others don’t reach.
This is the second in my new series of interviews with business owners who are innovating and making a real difference to the local visitor economy and their customers. They inspire me and I hope they will you.
Meet Philippa Sanders, owner of Pipsticks Walks.
A natural observer and entrepreneur, it’s no surprise that Philippa started her company Pipsticks Walks. Her background is coaching, recreational sport and environmental planning, topped off with an MBA. But through it all, runs a deep knowledge and love of our countryside. She knows what is local and special.
Tools of the Trade
In business for 10 years, Pipsticks specialise in providing expertly led guided walking and Nordic Walking activities across our region, into the Thames Valley and North Wessex Downs.
An experience that intrigued me is the navigation skills for women. “I get frustrated when I hear or see women who are not confident to spend time in the countryside” she says. Turning it around, Pipsticks offers her popular classes giving women the tools to take a turn into the great outdoors without feeling restricted to main bridleways or country lanes. It does involve a compass, but it’s cleverly blended into understanding and then enjoying the countryside experience. It’s not the type of experience where you need to get the skills before attending - rather like cleaning the house before the cleaner turns up! Leave the tuition and fun to Philippa.
We all need space; unless we have it we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us. Octavia Hill.
Octavia Hill is one of the three founders of the National Trust, a pioneering thinker, social reformer a remarkable woman who is one of Philippa’s heroines. “Her final resting place is Crockham Hill in Kent where I spent my childhood and went to school” she says, “here I learnt about her work and to understand and appreciate the wonders of our open space and countryside”.
My mantra is ‘go with a guide’. But not on those hideous tours with the leader barking quickly into an earpiece as you race around an historic sight. Choose a smaller group, led by someone who is curious and will share what is local and special. They will cost more, but you go away feeling satisfied, like a local with value-added. Get to know your local tour guides and recommend them to your customers.
Maps and Apps
Philippa like’s a trusty OS Map for navigation, blended with Plantnet citizen science and Merlin Bird ID apps and the genius that is Visorando with a walks library, route planner and outdoor GPS which is coincidentally, where our friend Delphine works.
But not content with finding the rare and elusive pasque flower last month, restricted to just a few chalk and limestone grasslands, Philippa will include information about the red-tailed mason bee that is unusual in that it nests in old snail shells. I love this, and how easily Philippa made the connection and encounter so much more intriguing.
Sustainability is like an elephant
I know Philippa through the Chilterns Tourism Network, and she has always offered to help host on a netwalk and has given insightful presentations on the battle with sustainability, something that is close to her heart. Like an elephant, it’s best tackled in bite-sized pieces. She has lots of experience and practical advice to offer business owners and managers on just where to start, without it becoming onerous or meaningless. Sadly in our sector, it has become meaningless, yet it’s integral.
Think about your barriers
What do your customers want (to hear)?
Business are not communicating what they are doing. You may find that you are doing more than you realise!
Spend a bit of time discovering where your materials come from and lastly, make a public commitment to sustainability. Note to self: add to website.
Where is your favourite place to go and recharge?
Philippa loves to spend her down time on Lowbury Hill, the highest point on the Berkshire Downs with a wonderful 360 degree view encompassing seven counties. A special place for centuries, with plenty of mystery and intrigue and seems like the perfect spot to escape to.
Thank you Philippa, I really enjoyed hearing your story over tea and cake. Next time, let’s have a walk in nature!
Next week, I am off to the woods to have a brew with a man who knows a thing-or-two about bushcraft.
All content and images are copyright of Mary Tebje and can only be reproduced with permission. The pasque flower image is copyright Philippa Sanders.
Links you will need
Discover the magic of the Chiltern Hills, Thames Valley and North Wessex Downs with Pipsticks Walks.
Plot your own route using free world class detailed maps with Visorando
Do you know a business owner who you think should be profiled here? Someone who is quietly getting on and making positive changes to our industry? Get in touch.
Last month, I spent time with James Mackellar, an entrepreneur who wants his customers to visit Buckinghamshire because there’s lots to do there, not just because it’s convenient.
My popular Power-Hours are available to iron out any marketing comms wrinkles, that can be resolved when another pair of eyes is on your website and socials. Get in touch in the usual way.
Be in the know and surprise and delight your customers with what’s local and special across the region. Subscribe to my weekly Micro Travels with Mary.
Something I found inspiring last week is the second Octavia Hill lecture given by the brilliant Professor Mary Beard: ‘Who owns the past?’ Have a listen here.