Next Open Committee Meeting

Our next open meeting is on Wednesday 6th May, 7pm at the Drop Inn, 12 Elland Lane, Elland, HX5 9DU.

Please come along and support your group.

Social Walks

Our next social walk is on Saturday 2nd May (NB NOT 30th May). In recognition of our new name this is the walk to visit the highest points of both Calderdale and Kirklees (Moss Moor Way Stone Edge and Black Hill respectively). Starting at 9.00am from Station Road Marsden, alongside the station at the entrance road to the Old Goods Yard car park (SE 047118). This is very much a mixed terrain 23 mile route, ranging from easy footpaths and tracks to some sections of untracked moorland. Charges now apply in the car park but there is plenty of free on street parking in the area.

Other nearby social walks hosted by neighbouring groups include ......

2-3 May, Calderdale Way, West Yorks.

9 May, Around the Mast from Denby Dale, West Yorks., 22 miles

16 May, Bronte Circular, West Yorks., 19 miles 

19 May, Round Rosendale, West Lancs., 12 1/2 miles

3 June, Irregulars 25th Anniversary event from the Huntsman Inn above Holmfirth, offering a couple of different walks and a meal

6 June, A day out from Dunford, South Manchester, 20 miles

6 June, Two Shires Walk, from Hebden Bridge Station, West Yorks., 24 miles.

Check the website for full details of these and others further afield

Challenge Events

Members have been active in various challenge events over the last few weeks

A very good turn out on the Calderdale Hike on Saturday 11th April saw Noel O'Connor, Russell Sill, Shaun Mabey and Tom Airlie tackling the long 36 mile option. Sandy Gee, Amy Oatway and me on the medium 25 miles. Karen Thorne and Roy and Sarah Lunt on the short option.

On the same day Kath Finn and Sue Hodgson completed the Wensleydale Wander.

The following Saturday, 18th April, Sandy then completed the tough 50 mile Cymoedd Sir Fynwy in south Wales. A good account of this event, by West Yorks' Julia Warman, can be read in the December 2025 Strider.

I am sure that there are others out there but I can't make note of them unless you let me know - Don't be shy! 

Plans are progressing well for our own challenge event, The Calderdale Crawl, on Saturday 1st August. Entries are filling up so get yours in if you wish to walk/run or get in touch if you would like to help.

John Cottam

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of John Cottam after a short illness. John was only fairly recently a member of the LDWA Calderdale & Kirklees group, but he'd quickly become involved, coming on both group and challenge walks. He was very active in the Huddersfield area including with the Stadium Running Club, hospital volunteering and litter picking. He will be sadly missed.

New Members

A welcome to Chris Leah and John Bassinder who have joined the group in the last month. We look forward to meeting you on one of the upcoming social or challenge walks.

Branded Clothing

I have now taken delivery of the first batch of branded clothing. As reported in the last news, these have been purchased in bottle green from the LDWA national website. They come with the national logo on, and we have then had our Calderdale and Kirklees lettering added. It would be great if others of you felt able to 'show the flag' by doing so. Any garments bought can be passed to me, at meetings or otherwise, and I will arrange the lettering.

That's all for now,

Neil Midgley, Calderdale & Kirklees Secretary, 07773 450860