August 2020
We hope this finds you well and coping with the current covid 19 restrictions. We resumed our walking programme during August with four guided walks. From September we will return to two monthly walks each month - a three mile walk usually on the first Friday of the month and a 5 mile walk on the third Sunday of the month. There will also be occasional longer walks.
Recently the national Walkers are Welcome body has advised that restrictions have been eased to allow for larger walking groups. However for the time being we have decided to continue to limit our groups to 12, We will of course maintain social distancing and take any other precautions that are required.
If you would like to join the walks on 4th September, 20th September and 9th October (details to follow in early October) please book by email to [email protected]. Bookings for later walks will be taken in October.
Friday walk on 4 September
This will be a three circular mile walk crossing the stepping stones to visit Askwith. Meet at Burley Station at 10.00, aiming to return to the village by 12.00. Dogs on fixed leads are allowed as long as owners have the required insurance.
After walking to the river via Iron Row there is a gentle climb along field paths to Askwith Main Street . The return follows a farm track to Quaker Cottage then across fields to Burley Weir. There is one stile, although there is a gate nearby.
If it is not safe to cross the stepping stones there will be an alternative route to Menston via Menston Old Lane and Bleach Mill. This would be a level route using field paths, quiet roads and lanes with one stone step stile.
Sunday walk on 20 September
David Steel will lead this five mile circular walk to West Chevin. Meet at Burley Station at 10.00, aiming to return to the village by about 1.00. Dogs on fixed leads are allowed as long as owners have the required insurance.
The route follows the old railway line towards Otley, climbs up the short but steep steps to Acrecliffe Farm before crossing Ellar Ghyll. We then climb steadily up Gill Brow to West Chevin, with views towards Upper Wharfedale. The return path drops gradually down to Menston through fields and lanes along Westbourne Grove back to Burley. There will be a short break enroute so you are welcome to bring a drink with you.
Future walks – details to follow
Friday 9 October - 3 miles (note this is a week later than usual)
Sunday 18 October – 5 miles
Friday 6 November - 3 miles
Sunday 15 November - 5 miles
Longer walks
These are planned for Sunday 27 September and Sunday 25 October. Details of arrangements will be sent to everyone already signed up for longer walks. If you would also like further information contact Simon via [email protected].Both walks will start at 10.00 from Burley Station, be between 8 and 10 miles in nearby upland areas, and include a stop for a picnic lunch.
Mini-walks
As publicised previously in August, we had hoped to offer some short accompanied walks around the village in small groups. We thought it best to postpone these once new restrictions were put in place . It is now hoped we can start them from October and continue through the autumn. We will be contacting those who have already expressed an interest. If you would also like to be included contact Ann via [email protected].
Working parties
We have now had five working parties since we were able to resume them in June. The first four involved clearing vegetation from the riverside path going east from Greenholme Mill, along the old railway line from Heather Rise to Bradford Road, and around Stead. The most recent on 26 August replaced the damaged stile at the end of Clarence Drive with a kissing gate. We are grateful to the residents of Clarence Drive for funding this project. This week a Walkers are Welcome volunteer also worked with the Bradford Countryside Services team to build steps and a bridge to complete the new path running next to the railway line between the two cattle arches. We are grateful to the Peak and Northern Footpath Society for funding the bridge. See the attached photos.
A big thank-you is due to all the volunteers who have contributed to working parties over the summer. Their hard work in maintaining the rights of way network around Burley and Menston has been widely appreciated by both walkers and runners.
There are three more gates and one stile to install this autumn. New volunteers are always welcome. Please get in touch if you are interested.
iWharfe project
Burley Walkers are Welcome recently joined the newly created iWharfe network of community groups who are campaigning to improve the water quality along the length of the River Wharfe. Water testing was undertaken at 60 sites on 24 August including at Burley Weir, BBC Look North covered it that evening. Filming also took place for the BBC Countryfile programme. Earlier water testing carried out at Burley Weir as part of the Ilkley Clean River campaign found the E.Coli level to be 40 times the recommended Environment Agency Level during a dry period, and up to 50 times following heavy rainfall. Fortnightly testing will continue at the Weir to the end of September to build a full picture of the state of the river.