News Archive
On this page you can access selected items of news from previous years. Just click on the required year below to go to the start of news stories for that year.
2011 News 2010 News 2009 News 2008 News
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2011 Christmas Luncheon Party Pictures
2011 National Conference Walks Pictures
2011 National Conference & AGM Pictures
Christmas Luncheon Party Pictures
The pictures below were taken at the Christmas luncheon held at the Bay Horse on 21st December 2011.
National Conference 2011 Feedback
New friendships were formed and delegates went home buzzing with ideas after the Annual WAW Conference in Market Weighton. Our hosts proved that they do indeed make walkers welcome and we experienced Yorkshire hospitality at its best.
The weekend started with a choice of walks, a short health walk and the more strenuous Londesborough Loop, a 7 mile section of the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail. They even arranged for a rare visitor to the UK, a white stork, to be feeding by the path, which excited the twitchers amongst us!
A hearty dinner followed at Langlands Garden Centre (they know how to eat well in Yorkshire!) where we all got to know each other before heading back to our B&Bs.
Sunday’s activities included talks, workshops and the AGM.
Members were asked to name their top 3 successes in 2011 and although the number of towns present was disappointing, the range of ideas and achievements was truly amazing. We all left with new ideas and someone quoted that hearing about what others had achieved had given him the confidence to aim higher in his own home town.
The committee congratulated Unst in the Shetland Isles for becoming the 71st member of the network. Walkers are Welcome towns and villages are now spread across the land, from Hayle and Liskeard in Cornwall to the very north of Scotland, and from Deal in Kent to New Quay in the west coast of Wales.
At the request of conference delegates, the committee agreed to work on the following ideas:
• To update the website with a search facility to make it easier for walkers to find somewhere to go, add a Facebook page and a forum / blog, add more examples of good practice and generally tidy the site up;
• To update some administration processes, to speed up the application process and give clearer guidance.
New National Committee for 2011/12
A new committee was voted in at the AGM as follows:
Kate Ashbrook - Chair
Nigel Botting - Secretary (Market Weighton)
Geoff Kitt - Treasurer (Moffat)
Sam Phillips (Ross-on-Wye)
Ann Sandell (Kirkby Stephen)
Sheila Talbot (Winchcombe)
Naomi Wrighton (Wellington)
Randal Metzger (Otley)
More committee members are needed, so if you would like to find out more before committing yourself, please email nigelbotting@btinternet.com or call him on 01430 879 820.
The committee meets face to face twice a year (at the annual conference and again in April), with four other meetings held by telephone conference, so it shouldn’t take up too much time.
The committee was delighted to announce that four Walkers are Welcome vice-presidents have been elected in recognition of their vision and hard work, they are: Andrew Bibby, John Woolmer, Peter Corkill and Malcolm Wilkinson.
WAW Annual Conference Broadcast Live on Vixen101 Radio.
For the first time at a Walkers Are Welcome Annual Conference there was a live broadcast of events as they happened. This was broadcast by Market Weighton's own Community Radio Station Vixen101 on 23 October between 9.30 and 12.00 noon during The Sunday Brunch Show. The show's presenter Tony Barker interviewed the organisers, national officials and delegates from around the UK and played requests, including Walk of Life, These Boots are Made for Walking, Walk Right In, Walking Back to Happiness and the like, too! Those unable to attend Conference were able to tune in on the internet and hear the show live. The show attracts a large international audience on the web, particularly in Australia, Canada and other English speaking countries.
Delegates told us that they thoroughly enjoyed their visit to East Yorkshire and most confirmed that they will return to this Walker's Paradise. Now they know that you are sure to receive a friendly Yorkshire welcome when they do visit us again here in Market Weighton.
This year it’s Ross-on-Wye!
Put the weekend of 20-21 October 2012 in your diaries now. The next annual WAW gathering will be in the beautiful riverside town of Ross in the Wye Valley.
Conference Press Report
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Market Weighton Host Walkers Are Welcome Conference 2011 At the 2010 Walkers Are Welcome National Conference held in Kilsyth, Central Scotland it was confirmed that Market Weighton would host the next Conference in October 2011. The East Yorkshire town duly held the National Event over the weekend 22nd & 23rd October 2011 and a full programme was organised. Click here for More Information
Catch-up On Walkers are Welcome News Broadcasts on VIXEN101 Radio Now you can listen to the latest news from Walkers are Welcome Market Weighton broadcast directly by VIXEN101, the town's own Radio Station, on the Sunday Morning Show.
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News.
BBQ Raises £500 Contribution for Walkers Are Welcome Conference 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 Hold a Wolds Walking Weekend in October 2011 VHEY (Visit Hull and East Yorkshire) held a Wolds Walking Weekend that complemented the national Walkers Are Welcome conference in Market Weighton. A range of options over the 3 days were organised. To complement the conference VHEY organised a number walking events, guided cycle rides and a guided horse ride. These walks complemented the 2 local walks organised as part of the Walkers Are Welcome National Conference 2011 activities on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd October, 2011.
Market Weighton's Annual Report for Walkers are Welcome Towns Network 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 23rd 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
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Walkers Are Welcome Christmas Lunch 2010
Weighton Walkers celebrated the continuing success of our Walking 4 Health programme on 15th December. After a walk of about an hour 16 hardy regulars braved the snow and walked through the countryside to Goodmanham, and back through the village.
We were met at Bradleys tea room by members who had elected to stay dry and all 35 enjoyed a fine festive lunch. Our walkers now know each other well enough to enjoy a get-together with a good meal and the chance to chat without having to concentrate on their feet. So we all chilled out for the holiday period before starting afresh with the programme for 2011.
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Seasons Greetings
If you think you might enjoy walking and the many benefits it can provide, look out for our calendar of health walks and monthly Friday walks. If you're not sure, just speak to David Battams or Rob Lundie any Wednesday morning at 09.45 in St John's Church.
A Interesting Press Cutting
News item courtesy The Daily Mail
Kilsyth Conference 2010 Pictures
Several representatives from Walkers Are Welcome Market Weighton attended the Scheme's Annual Conference in Kilsyth, Central Scotland in October 2010. Shown below are a number of photographs taken by Robin Gray, our Webmaster.
Walkers on the Campsie Fells
Walkers pause at Barr Hill Fort on the Antonine Wall
The 2010 Walkers are Welcome Conference is declared open
Market Weighton Delegates confer during a break
Committee members take a break
Malcolm Wilkinson and Nigel Botting in discussion
Walkers are Welcome 2010 AGM in session
Nigel Botting and Rob Lundie invite delegates to Market Weighton,
venue for the 2011 Conference
Vote of Thanks after Autumn 2010 Walking Festival
Walkers Are Welcome Market Weighton committee members wish to express their thanks to everyone involved in our celebration of walking. All of you who came along to our events made it clear to us that there is no doubt our efforts are appreciated.
As you will know, the weather was kind for the first three days and events were a huge success. Then the weather let us down on Sunday 19th September. The Tracker Pack Adventure for children had to be cancelled, and an intrepid group of nine walkers rushed round a 5
1/2 mile route, soaked to the skin.The one event that the weather couldn't spoil was the evening of 60ʼs music held in the Social Club. Everyone enjoyed the excellent band, Ale House Rock, and we're all looking forward to next year. Keep your eyes and ears open for who knows what we'll have for everyone.
Market Weighton Autumn Walking Festival 16-19th September 2010
Walkers Are Welcome, Market Weighton held a third annual Walks Festival this autumn. This year's event was a 4 day extravaganza of walks to suit everyone.
We started on Thursday 16th September with a 7 mile circular walk around the southern Yorkshire Wolds, taking in Brough, North Ferriby and Welton. Those wishing to take a more leisurely walk took the 3 mile long Market Weighton to Goodmanham Stroll along part of the Hudson Way.
Friday 17th saw a Buggy Walk around Market Weighton especially for mums and dads with small children. In the evening several walkers joined in a one hour easy walk with the young people of the Fledglings.
Then on Saturday 18th walkers had a choice of a one hour walk along The Giant Bradley Heritage Trail or a 5 mile walk along a circular route around Holme on Spalding Moor taking in part of the Bubwith Rail Trail.
That evening we thoroughly enjoyed a night of live 60's music performed live by the Ale House Rock Band in The Social Club.
On Sunday 19th, to round the festival off there was a walk of about 6 miles via Houghton Hall going along course of the Roman Road (Humber Street) to Sancton and returning to Market Weighton.
The festival compliments our regular Wednesday walks and the monthly programme of longer walks that are run by the Walking For Health scheme. These are suitable for families and local residents. Laura Telfer, the East Riding Council's healthy lifestyles development officer said of the festival, “These walks take you through the glorious East Riding countryside and offers the opportunity for everybody to become involved in increasing their own health and well being. Walking is natural and easy exercise that will benefit all who take part.”
(Press cutting courtesy Pocklington Post)
Market Weighton Walkers are Welcome Hold 2nd AGM
Committee members, walk leaders and walkers met on Wednesday 16th June 2010 at St John's Methodist Church to report on the years activities and to elect the coming year's committee and officers.
Laura Telfer, East Riding Council's Healthy Lifestyles Officer, gave an illustrated presentation on her function of encouraging and enabling people to take up walking and other forms of exercise to improve their health, fitness and general well-being. She emphasised that such exercise can also help prevent certain illnesses, improve confidence and reduce stress. People who take part in healthy walking find improve their social contacts they and make new friends too. Laura congratulated the Market Weighton team on their enthusiasm which has lead to them leading the largest group of regular health walkers in the East Riding which average over 30 people walking each week. As well as walkers there are ten trained walk leaders and four newly certificated emergency first-aiders.
Malcolm Hodgson, the Yorkshire Wold Way Project Officer, described his Tracker Pack initiative. This is a project to encourage young families to venture out into the countryside to explore the plants and wildlife around them. The idea is being pioneered in the Market Weighton area. Route Packs can be collected from "The Paper Shop" on the High Street, offer participants a two hour walk within Londesborough Park, looking at all sorts of things from tree rings, to how bees pollinate flowers, and discovering mini-beasts. Bruce Miles of the former Market Weighton Canal Amenity Society spoke about his new leaflet his Canal Walk which links the town with Weighton Lock on the River Humber.
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Weighton Walkers Step Out in the Snow After the Christmas break 13 regular walkers set out from the Methodists Church at 10.00 am on Wednesday 6 January for the first Walking for Health walk of 2010 despite the icy weather and at times near blizzard conditions. The blanket of snow on the East Yorkshire Wolds glistened in the winter sun and the low temperatures were soon forgotten as the walkers got into their stride.
Walkers pause for a picture on Goodmanham Road
Slippery conditions are encountered along the old railway track
Walking is easier along the old railway trackbed
Walkers encounter blizzard conditions near Market Weighton
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Christmas Walk and Luncheon 2009
Regular Wednesday walkers enjoyed Christmas luncheon together at Langland's Nursery restaurant Shiptonthorpe on 16 December for Christmas lunch following the morning walk. A group of nine walkers set out from the Methodist Church at 10 am to walk the three miles to Shiptonthorpe via Londesborough and joined the others at Langland's Nursery for lunch.
The walkers en route to Shiptonthorpe
Walkers in festive mood enjoy their Christmas fare at Langland's Nursery
Market Weighton Walking Festival & Dance 2009
East Riding of Yorkshire Council ‘Walking the way to Health’ scheme held its first annual Walkers Are Welcome Walks Festival during October. The festival benefited those wanting to improve their fitness and well being whilst making new friends. The walks were well supported by walkers from Yorkshire, Belgium and Holland.
The scheme was originally established to help people who are recovering from illness, surgery, heart conditions or other health issues.
A social evening was held on the Saturday evening, featuring 60's music played by The Jet Blacks band and a local disco, in the Market Weighton Social Club.
The Jet Blacks Rockin' Robin
The festival complimented the Wednesday walks and monthly programme of longer walks that are run by the Walking For Health scheme. These are suitable for families and local residents. Laura Telfer, healthy lifestyles development officer said of the festival, “These walks take you through the glorious East Riding countryside and offers the opportunity for everybody to become involved in increasing their own health and well being. Walking is natural and easy exercise that will benefit all who take part.”
Regular walkers ready to set out on 7 October 2009
(picture courtesy Pocklington Post)
Walkers are Welcome Become Independent
Since being accredited as the first Walkers are Welcome town in East Yorkshire on 20th March 2008, Walkers are Welcome - Market Weighton have existed as a sub-committee of the Town Council. At the organisation's recent AGM members decided unanimously to become independent of the Town Council with effect from 1st July 2009. The current management committee will continue and Market Weighton Town Council have pledged to continue their financial support into the future.
Walkers Even More Welcome in the Wolds
A new walking pack launched by Visit Hull & East Yorkshire will offer a handy guide to a host of walks - from leisurely strolls to serious treks across the rolling landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds. Packed with routes to suit all ages and paces, walkers can enjoy gentle hills and tranquil dales, stroll through traditional market towns – and even join in ‘Giant Bradley Day’ in the home town of ‘the tallest Englishman who ever lived’
Fifteen of the best East Yorkshire Wolds walks have been brought together in one easy-to-use pack offering inspiration to walkers of all abilities.
Britain’s most northerly exposure of chalk, the Yorkshire Wolds is ideal walking country with rolling countryside and picturesque villages offering everything from East Yorkshire’s first ‘Walkers are Welcome’ designated town, to one of the region’s most successful arts centres.
Visit Hull & East Yorkshire’s (VHEY) new packs consist of 20 A5-size laminated full colour cards in a plastic wallet - perfect for all-weather walking.
Costing just £6 per pack, they have general information about the Yorkshire Wolds as well as detailed routes, maps and handy hints for the 15 selected walks. Each walk is graded for distance and duration to help visitors choose the right route, whether they are seasoned hikers or just looking for a leisurely amble.
Among highlights are treks through some of the Yorkshire Wolds’ most appealing towns and villages where walkers can take a break, enjoy some Yorkshire hospitality or discover a hidden gem.
In Market Weighton, an attractive market town nestling at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, for example, how about following in the footsteps of the town’s most famous son, William Bradley (1787 – 1820) ’the tallest Englishman who ever lived’?
To coincide with the launch Walkers are Welcome - Market Weighton held a Walking Festival on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th May 2008.
(l to r) John Brown, Coun. Martha Hanson,
Coun. Steven King and Patrick Wareham
Market Weighton to Host National Conference in 2011
Market Weighton Walkers are Welcome team's original bid to host the organisation's annual conference in 2010 was unsuccessful; the choice being Kilsyth in Scotland. However, the National Committee were so impressed with the quality and substance of Market Weighton's bid that they broke with tradition and, rather than leaving their decision until next year, named the town as hosts for 2011
Such is the rate of growth in the Walkers are Welcome scheme that it is expected that over 200 participants from all corners of Britain are likely to visit Market Weighton in October 2011.
This event will undoubtedly benefit the town's business community to the tune of many thousands of pounds. It was estimated that last years conference in Prestatyn contributed more that £30,000 to the local economy and a much larger amount is anticipated in 2011.
A Conference Organising Committee is being formed and local businesses will be invited to participate and provide sponsorship for the event. Watch this space for more information.
Market Weighton Participates in the UK's "Walking for Health" Initiative
The group is holding regular events throughout the year with particular emphasis on “Walking for Health” the aim of which is to encourage those in the community who would like to do some form of activity but are nervous of doing so on their own.
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Every week an organised short walk in and around Market Weighton takes place lead by trained walkers. It is hoped that people joining these short undemanding walks will be encouraged to venture further afield by joining the longer weekend walks some of which will be no around 5 miles & some longer distances requiring a packed lunch, again with an experienced walk leader and a colleague to encourage any stragglers! |
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These regular weekly walks started on 14th January 2009 and the take up has been amazing with an average of 35 walkers enjoying a brisk and walk. These walks are the most successful taking place under the scheme in the East Riding with regular walkers enjoying much improved levels of fitness plus the social benefits of making new friends. Walking the Way to Health scheme walks take place each Wednesday morning, setting out from the Methodist chapel at 10.00 am. Refreshments are served both before and afterwards at the Methodist chapel for a small contribution.
Press cutting courtesy Pocklington Post (8 January 2009)
Click here to view pictures of the first walk
Committee Members Attend Annual Conference 2008
Four members of the Walkers are Welcome steering group attended the 2nd annual conference held in Prestatyn, North Wales joining over 60 delegates from all parts of the country. A series of discussions, workshops were organised as well as speakers from The Ramblers Association, and Welsh Countryside Council.
Robin Gray from Market Weighton gave a presentation including pictures from the recent Walking Festival to conference detailing our experiences in gaining accreditation.
The conference was also addressed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Rambler’s Association, Tom Franklin and John Lloyd Jones the Chairman of The Countryside Council of Wales.
(l to r) Robin Gray, Chris Wright, Martha Hanson and Nigel Botting
The final part of the day was the AGM of the Walkers are Welcome Town’s Network and election of officers for the following 12 months. Nigel Botting of the Market Weighton group was elected as a member of the National Committee.
Stay Updated on What's Happening
To find out what is happening you can either call into the Market Weighton Town Council offices or go to the website www.weightonwalkers.org.uk