A BBQ held on 3rd July at Field House Farm, Harswell raised the magnificent sum of £500 towards the costs of running the National Walkers Are Welcome National Conference being herd in Market Weighton in October Weighton Walkers. Thanks to the sterling efforts of Sue and Norman Williamson who farm at Field House regular walkers from Market Weighton and district were able to enjoy a choice between two walks. Both walks started from the car park of the former Harswell railway station and took in the delightful countryside mostly on the land of Field House Farm.

Once completed the walkers enjoyed a very tasty BBQ cooked by Norman Williamson. His wife Sue had organised the BBQ which was enjoyed by everyone who took part. During the event walkers were able to purchase Tombola  tickets  and buy things from a "Bring & Buy" sale of donated items at knock down prices. Our grateful thanks go to Sue and Norman for running such a brilliant event and raising such a great contribution to the costs of hosting the Walkers are Welcome National Conference in October; probably the biggest event in Market Weighton since Giant Bradley!

VHEY to Hold a Wolds Walking Weekend in October 2011

In 2010 we continued with the very successful Walking the Way to Health scheme every Wednesday morning with an average attendance of 25 people. In addition monthly longer walks have been organised for those of a more adventurous nature with an average attendance of 10 walkers.

Our autumn walking festival was a moderate success because one day was cancelled due to extremely poor weather conditions. The other days were well supported.

Nigel Botting, Robin Gray, Robin Lundie and their wives attended the National Conference at Kilsyth. They gave a presentation to conference regarding the 2011 National Conference which is to be held on the 23^rd October in Market Weighton.

Arrangements are well in hand for the Annual conference which is to be held in the secondary school, our thanks go to the East Riding Council for making these facilities available free of cost. Several speakers have been lined up to hold either workshops or to address conference as a whole which we believe will be of interest to all delegates. One of the speakers will be Zoe Wilde of Welcome to Yorkshire who has just created a new trail taking visitors to the sites where J M W Turner set up his easel.

As the number of accredited towns increases so the residents of Market Weighton are becoming more aware of the significance of accreditation and what it means to the town by way of more visitors and the prestige of holding the annual conference.

We were pleased to welcome our neighbouring town, Pocklington, into the Walkers are Welcome family and we are mentoring another local town, Beverley who are busily preparing their application for membership later this year

Funding continues to be a problem; however we are grateful to the Market Weighton Town Council for their financial support and free use of a meeting room monthly. We have had success with a 60’s night and a barn dance both of which were well supported by local residents and boosted funds.

We continue to liaise with those responsible in the EYRCC for rights of way and care and maintenance of the footpaths in the area some of which are National Trails such as the Wolds Way. Also with the healthy living initiative promoted by the council with our participation in the as previously mentioned Walking the Way to Health Scheme. We would also like to thank The Paper Shop, The Goodmanham Arms and The EYRCC all of whom have pledged funds to help with the expense involved in organising the Annual Conference.

The committee of Market Weighton Walkers are Welcome are very much looking forward to welcoming delegates from accredited and associate towns to the annual conference in October.

This has been endorsed by the ERYCC as in their words; “Nothing ever happens in Market Weighton”!!!

Well it will this year - with over 100 delegates expected to attend the conference!

Rob Lundie - Chair of Walkers Are Welcome, Market Weighton