Monday, April 05, 2010

Walkers retrace Syd Barrett's steps for charity

Walkers retrace Syd Barrett's steps for charity

John Downing


FANS of Syd Barrett walked 60 miles to follow in his footsteps on a trek from London to Cambridge.

The original Pink Floyd frontman walked home to Cambridge 30 years ago after deciding to leave London.

Fans set out on Friday on a three-day walk in support of the Syd Barrett Fund, the charity set up by his sister Rosemary Breen.

They started at Camden Roundhouse, the venue which hosted the UFO Club, where Pink Floyd played in the 1960s.

Walkers entered Cambridge along the River Cam yesterday.

The fund supports the work of Escape Artists, based in Cambridge and London, which provides opportunities for disadvantaged groups to access the arts as a way of improving mental wellbeing, skills and employability.

Simon Webb, walk organiser, said: "It’s been pretty gruelling at times but Syd wouldn’t have had a support vehicle and my guess is that he slept in hedges, while we’ve been in youth hostels."

Syd was in Pink Floyd from their formation in 1965 until 1968. He died in Cambridge in July 2006, aged 60.

To support the walkers, visit www.justgiving.com/sydbarrettwalk. For more on Escape Artists, visit www.escapeartists.co.uk

(That was a very long walk to do! Does anyone know why Syd walked all that way?)

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