Welcome to our latest news update.

The Calderdale Crawl - Saturday 1st August

We were blessed with good walking weather for the Crawl on Saturday and the feed back from participants has been fantastic. We are so pleased that things went well and that you all emjoyed it. A special thanks to our friends from neighbouring groups who supported us with tasks such as administartion, catering, checkpointing and sweeping. Without you it would have been impossible.

One poignant aspect of the day was the participation of six members of Matthew Walker's family. Matthew had entered the Crawl with the intention of raising money for the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice in Huddersfield. Tragically, in March, whilst out on a run he was killed when he was hit by a car which had mounted the pavement.  The family group, which included his partner Donna, mum Judith, brother Ian and step-daughter Kirsti, decided to fulfill his wishes by entering the event and raising money for the hospice. Matthew was a runner/walker but the family are not and for them this was a significant challenge for which they are to be congratulated. A special thanks from Donna to sweepers Di and Adrian (not forgetting Toffee) who got her to the finish.

We have decided to donate an amount equivalent to the families entry fees to their fund raising effort which has already passed £1,200. Individuals who also wish to support them and the hospice can do so by visiting their Just Giving page and searching for Matthew Walker. 

Now our thoughts turn to next year and the inauguration of The Kirklees Krawl. Our hope is that our annual challenge will then alternate between this new event and the Calderdale Crawl. More details in due course but for now a date for your diary - Saturday 7th August 2027.

Congratulations

1) To Ian Pilkington who completed the North Yorks Utra Challenge on June 20th. Ian posted a time of 10 hours 29 mins for the 50Km route from Scarborough to Whitby whilst raising funds for Dementia UK.

2) To Sandy Gee and Tom Airlie who completed the Irregulars, A Foot in Two Dales ("The Yorkshire 50") over the weekend of 18th - 19th July. The two Dales in question are Wensleydale and Wharfedale with the 50 mile route involving ascent of over 5,500ft. Tom, I think, still regards himself as a relatively new member of the LDWA, having only joined in February 2025. In that time he has participated in quite a number of social and challenge events (including our Crawl on Saturday). However, this was his first 50 miler and he already has his eyes on longer distances. Paula Pickersgill reports that it was perfect walking weather, "not too hot and no rain".

Paula says, "I was helping at checkpoint one with Gill Myers and Yvonne Smith, wearing my new Calderdale & Kirklees logoed LDWA top. It is good to support other group's challenge walks. With lots of snacks ready for the 142 participants, myself and Ruby (our Springer Spaniel) sat outside Redmire Village Hall checking the numbers taken from the 'big toe' of the tally card which was shaped like a foot.

It is always nice to see familiar faces and to give lots of encouragement. The morning was great fun."

There may well have been other C&K members involved on the day but I'm afraid that the results sheet does not say which group participants were from - so you need to let me know!

Navigation Course

The latest Navigation Course was held on Sunday 2nd August but was so oversubscribed that a second, overspill, one has been arranged for Sunday 20th September, again at Neiley Pavillion, Brockholes and at a cost of £10. This second course is also now almost full with only a couple of places remaining. If interested contact me directly for full details - neil.midgley49@btinternet.com 

New Member

A warm welcome to Michael Walker who has joined the group since the last newsletter. We look forward to meeting you on one of the walks.

Clothing Offer

Thanks Paula for giving a mention to your new C&K top. Remember the offer that, free of charge, the group will add "Calderdale & KIrklees"  lettering to any LDWA logoed garment purchased from the national site. Just get in touch with me so that we can make arrangements. Bottle green is preferred for the sake of uniformity (but would not be a deal breaker!).

Next Meetings

Our next confirmed meeting date is at 7.00pm on Wednesday 4th November, at The Drop Inn, Elland.

However, Yorkshire Air Ambulance wish to attend a meeting to acknowledge the £750 donation made from the 2025 Calderdale Crawl profits. This has to be arranged to fit in with their commitments but could well be before that of November 4th. I will circulate more details when we have them and it would be great to see you there.

That's all for now but please get in touch with anything you have for the next Group Newsletter, and with details of your walking achievements.

All the best, Neil, 07773450860