June / July 2020
Although sadly this year we can’t offer our usual walking programme as part of the Summer Festival we hope we to resume some walking activities as restrictions are eased. Six of the Walkers are Welcome committee recently met for an outside meeting. We looked at ways we might restart both our working parties and guided walks whilst safely keeping within whatever restrictions are still in place. Our insurers who provide public liability cover have given the go ahead to resuming Walkers are Welcome activities on the understanding that we keep to any requirements for social distancing and carry out a risk assessment on each occasion.
Guided walks
For the time being outdoor activities are limited to 6 people so any walks we arrange will need to be booked in advance and restricted in numbers. Before setting specific dates we would first like to hear who would be interested in joining one of our walks. This will then give us an idea how many walks we should plan for in the coming weeks. With a limit of only 6 people per group we may need to plan for more than one walk, either at the same time or on different occasions. We hope to be able to offer both 5 and 3 mile walks which initially could be on different days of the week to usual.
Let us know at [email protected] if you like to join one of our 3 or 5 mile walks.
We can then decide on dates and let you know when there would be space for you to be included.
Longer walks
Simon would also like to restart longer walks of 8 miles or more. Let him know via [email protected] if you would like to join him. Dates to be decided.
Mini-walks
After so many weeks in lockdown people may be feeling unsure about walking in a group again or worried about how long a walk to try. So, to get started over the summer, we would like to offer some mini-walks of around an hour to explore in and around the village. It will be a chance to have a short walk at a gentle pace - to enjoy some company in a group of maybe 3 or 4 people. ( whilst keeping to social distancing restrictions). The walks will open to all and led by one or two of the regular Walkers are Welcome walkers. It doesn't matter if you haven't been on one of our walks before.
If you would like to join a mini-walk or know someone who would, please contact Ann via [email protected] or on 07789 771240. Once we have some idea of who is interested, we will make contact to suggest a time and place to meet.
Update about Carr Bottom Footpath diversion
You may have noticed that closure notices reappeared on the Carr Bottom Farm footpath. They are now removed again after further discussion between the landowners and Bradford Council. Instead of a diversion via Green Lane there are now temporary diversion notices at either side of Carr Bottom Farm. The suggested route starts a short distance from the usual field gate onto the moor then follows the property boundary before picking up the original path down to the Carr Beck footbridge and waterfall.
Working parties
In early June we had our first working party since early March when volunteers cut back the vegetation encroaching onto the new Moor Road footpath. A second working party later in June removed vegetation engulfing parts of the riverside footpath between Greenholme Mill and the water meadow towards Otley. A further working party is planned to clear nettles and brambles from the old railway line between Heather Rise and Bradford Road. We took advice from Countryside Services before restarting the working parties and followed the most recent guidance on safety during footpath maintenance. This included warning notices advising walkers to keep at a distance when passing or to use an alternative footpath where possible. The work done so far has been in small groups keeping to social distancing rules. More working parties are planned when we hope others wanting to help can be included. Although there is landowner agreement and funding available to replace four more stiles with gates, we cannot proceed with these for the time being as it would involve volunteers working too closely together.
Guided walks
For the time being outdoor activities are limited to 6 people so any walks we arrange will need to be booked in advance and restricted in numbers. Before setting specific dates we would first like to hear who would be interested in joining one of our walks. This will then give us an idea how many walks we should plan for in the coming weeks. With a limit of only 6 people per group we may need to plan for more than one walk, either at the same time or on different occasions. We hope to be able to offer both 5 and 3 mile walks which initially could be on different days of the week to usual.
Let us know at [email protected] if you like to join one of our 3 or 5 mile walks.
We can then decide on dates and let you know when there would be space for you to be included.
Longer walks
Simon would also like to restart longer walks of 8 miles or more. Let him know via [email protected] if you would like to join him. Dates to be decided.
Mini-walks
After so many weeks in lockdown people may be feeling unsure about walking in a group again or worried about how long a walk to try. So, to get started over the summer, we would like to offer some mini-walks of around an hour to explore in and around the village. It will be a chance to have a short walk at a gentle pace - to enjoy some company in a group of maybe 3 or 4 people. ( whilst keeping to social distancing restrictions). The walks will open to all and led by one or two of the regular Walkers are Welcome walkers. It doesn't matter if you haven't been on one of our walks before.
If you would like to join a mini-walk or know someone who would, please contact Ann via [email protected] or on 07789 771240. Once we have some idea of who is interested, we will make contact to suggest a time and place to meet.
Update about Carr Bottom Footpath diversion
You may have noticed that closure notices reappeared on the Carr Bottom Farm footpath. They are now removed again after further discussion between the landowners and Bradford Council. Instead of a diversion via Green Lane there are now temporary diversion notices at either side of Carr Bottom Farm. The suggested route starts a short distance from the usual field gate onto the moor then follows the property boundary before picking up the original path down to the Carr Beck footbridge and waterfall.
Working parties
In early June we had our first working party since early March when volunteers cut back the vegetation encroaching onto the new Moor Road footpath. A second working party later in June removed vegetation engulfing parts of the riverside footpath between Greenholme Mill and the water meadow towards Otley. A further working party is planned to clear nettles and brambles from the old railway line between Heather Rise and Bradford Road. We took advice from Countryside Services before restarting the working parties and followed the most recent guidance on safety during footpath maintenance. This included warning notices advising walkers to keep at a distance when passing or to use an alternative footpath where possible. The work done so far has been in small groups keeping to social distancing rules. More working parties are planned when we hope others wanting to help can be included. Although there is landowner agreement and funding available to replace four more stiles with gates, we cannot proceed with these for the time being as it would involve volunteers working too closely together.