NB: Next Open Committee Meeting

The next meeting will be held on THURSDAY 11th June, 7.00pm, The Drop Inn, Elland HX5 9DU.

Please note that this is a day later than stated in the last minutes because another event created a clash for several committee members.

Please come along and support your group. I'll be leaving from Holmfirth and passing through Huddersfield so get in touch if you would like a lift.

John Cottam Memorial Huddersfield parkrun - Saturday 30th May

Group member John was a long standing and active member of Stadium Runners (Huddersfield) and a supporter of the Greenhead Park parkrun. His family have asked that those who knew him attend tomorrows event in his memory and that members of the various local running clubs wear their club colours.

Social Walks (Details on the website)

Sat 27 June, Calling Colne Valley and Calderdale, Abi MacDonald (Joint with West Yorkshire)

Sat 1th July, From Lepton, Jane Guest

And others in out Area .....

3 June, Irregulars, 25th Anniversary Walks (2 alternatives) from 'The Huntsman' above Holmfirth

Sat 6 June, South Manchester, A Day Out from Dunford.

Sat 6 June, West Yorks, Two Shires Walk

Calderdale Crawl - Saturday 1st August 2026

Entries continue to come in at a healthy rate.

Navigation Course - Sunday 2nd August

I have had just a couple of enquiries asking whether there would be another Navigation Course. Whilst these are not enough to warrant putting on an event exclusive to LDWA, I am holding one at the same venue for members of my running club (Holmfirth Harriers). Space permitting, they are quite happy for LDWA members to join if they wish to do so. If you are interested and would like details please email me neil.midgley49@btinternet.com 

The Hunnypot 100 - Saturday & Sunday 23rd & 24th May

The group were well represented on the recent Hunnypot 100 with Paul Coates, Charles Colbourn, Sandy Gee, Claire Shaw, Stephen Smith making the start line. Held over the Bank Holiday weekend, in an  unseasonal heat wave, 478 set out but only 207 finished. Massive congratulations to Sandy Claire and Stephen who were amongst those who triumphed.

Coast to Coast

Congratulations to Kathryn Finn who completed the 195 mile C2C over 13 days from 25th April to the 7th May. Averaging about 15 miles a day but location of accommodation meant that there were a few of 22 miles. Kathryn describes it as "an absolutely fantastic walk" which she would highly recommend.  Highlights were the wonderful weather and magnificent views through the Lake District, and the fellow walkers met on route. These came from as near as Mirfield but as far as other parts of England, America, The Netherlands and Australia. The Australian was a lady in her 80s from Canberra who was doing the walk on her own, albeit at a more leisurely pace.

Walkers Are Welcome

Perhaps because of where I live, the 'Walkers Are Welcome', circular black logo with yellow footprints is quite familiar to me but, until recently I knew little about the scheme. I thought any shop, cafe or other business could display the logo in the same way that many would choose to put up a sign saying 'Dogs Welcome' in order to attract custom. In fact, that is far from the case.

'Walkers Are Welcome' is a nationwide initiative launched in 2007. It "enables accredited towns and villages in England, Wales/Cymru and Scotland to support their communities' economic growth through the promotion of walking". Applicant communities have to demonstrate that they meet and maintain six criteria in order to be granted accreditation. Whilst it is nationwide scheme, a glance at the map of participating locations (see walkersarewelcome.org.uk) shows various clusters including one in Calderdale and Kirklees with five - Heart of the Pennines (covering Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Mytholmroyd) accredited from the start in 2007, Marsden 2010, Denby Dale 2012, Meltham 2013 and, most recently, Holmfirth in 2019.

The Holmfirth group offer a free guided walk on the first Sunday of each month and then stage the Holmfirth Annual Walking Festival being held this year from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th October 2026. Over the period of the festival a range of walks are offered but I saw that in previous years most have been around 4 to 8 miles in length. This year we will be adding a longer 16 mile route to their programme. We will leave from Holmfirth Library, 47 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3JH (G Ref: SE141081) on the Sunday, 4th October. It is hoped that this collaboration will be of benefit to both organisations. 

That's all for now,

All the best, Neil Midgley, Secretary, 07773450860