August 26, 2023 9:30 AM – September 2, 2023 5:00 PM

Contact: Bob Davidson | Email: info@baildonwalkersarewelcome.org |

***BAILDON WALKERS ARE WELCOME 10TH ANNIVERSARY WALKING FESTIVAL NEWS.
SATURDAY 26 AUGUST TO SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2023:

This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Baildon achieving designation as a Walkers are Welcome town.  Since then, our very enthusiastic committee members and team of volunteer leaders have offered many hundreds of guided walks; established an attractive website  giving easy access to information and downloadable walking routes; published several books walks for self-guiding; worked with our neighbouring Walkers are Welcome towns of Otley, Burley, and Bingley to devise the 38 mile “Welcome Way” which links these towns; helped to keep footpaths open; offered training in map reading, navigation, and walks leading….. and much more. 

From SATURDAY 26 AUGUST to SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER, we are marking the 10th Anniversary by arranging a week-long WALKING FESTIVAL. We are grateful to both Baildon Town Council and Bradford Council Cultural Grants for financial support.

The Festival will offer:
* 17 guided walks, across all the days of the week, some with a special focus including sketching, creating a Nature’s Treasure Map, or “walking with a camera”;
* a historical presentation about human activity on Baildon Moor;
* some special walks and activities for families and children;
* a dementia-friendly walk;
* an introduction to map reading and navigation for walkers;
* drama performances (outdoor if fine) on the final Saturday at Bracken Hall / Shipley Glen.

You are also invited by Baildon Community Link Film Club to a showing of the film “Edie” which will allow you to climb the Scottish mountain “Suilven” in the company of actor Sheila Hancock, if you prefer your walking done from an armchair.

Please show your support for Baildon Walkers are Welcome by coming along to the FESTIVAL LAUNCH ON SATURDAY 26 AUGUST at 9.30am at Wesleys, Baildon Methodist Church (BD17 5NH). THERE WILL BE CAKE!  This short event (finishing by 10.30am) will be launched by Gill Dixon, Chair of Baildon Town Council. There will be music by the Baildon Ukelele Strummers; free refreshments; some walking publications for you to peruse (including some that will be free of charge); and the chance to catch-up with people that you have enjoyed walking with. Please put this date into your diaries. The two guided walks on offer on  Saturday 26th August: one a challenging 15 miles on the Baildon Boundary Way, and the other a 2 mile saunter around “Ginnels and Gardens” in the centre of Baildon, will both set off from the Launch. Those not joining either of these guided walks may like to stroll down to the Baildon Farmers Market on the Ian Clough Hall car park, and there may also be some Harley Davidson Motorbikes to admire in the centre of Baildon (as it is the annual Harley Davidson weekend).

Full details and information about the Walking Festival are on our website and can be downloaded. Please share details of the Festival to any family or friends that enjoy walking and the outdoors. The downloadable programme can also be accessed from the Home page of our website
http://www.baildonwalkersarewelcome.org/

 All the individual walks and events can be found in the Whats On section of the website. Booking is now open for the small number of walks and events that require pre-booking: to book send an email with your name and a contact telephone number to info@baildonwalkersarewelcome.org.

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