THE Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Summer Festival programme of walks was the busiest on record this year, with over 360 walkers attending the 17 guided and themed walks on offer.
Some walks booked up almost immediately, with the most popular being a tour of Denton Reserve with owner Nick Bailey, a walk to celebrate the launch of the Burley Tree Trail with Bruce Brown from Wharfedale Naturalists, and a trip back into history exploring the varied mills that used to exist along watercourses in Burley Woodhead and Burley with Chris Smyth.
Other walks in demand included the Burley’s Brilliant Benches walk, celebrating the lives of local people, and a walk above Askwith culminating in afternoon tea at the recently opened Penny Bun pub. Also popular was a visit to explore the work being undertaken by the Yorkshire Peat Partnership, part of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, to restore the ecology and water retaining functions of the peatland moor above Denton. Another over-subscribed walk was due to go from St Ives in Bingley through the Harden Valley to the Hewenden Viaduct near Cullingworth, but had to be cancelled due to a broken down minibus.
David Asher, Chair of Burley Walkers are Welcome said: "We had an exceptionally busy week, and it was good to see so many new people as well as old friends during the festival enjoying our mix of new and favourite walks. I’d like to thank all the speakers and guides who helped make it such an interesting and successful week, our walk leaders for providing a safe and memorable experience for the walkers, and all the volunteers organising behind the scenes who worked so hard to make our contributions to the Burley Summer Festival ones to remember.
"Planning for next year’s Festival, including the contributions we will make to the Bradford City of Culture programme for 2025, will be starting shortly. Any ideas for inclusion will be warmly welcomed. In the meantime, we will be resuming our monthly programme of three mile, five mile and longer walks from September as well as continuing our work to improve the footpath network in and around Burley."
For more information about the work of the group contact burleywalkersarewelcome@gmail.com, or phone David on 07551 959494.
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