HARDY souls braved the elements for a new group’s first village-to-village walk.
The embryonic Golcar and Slaithwaite Walkers are Welcome group set out on a snowy January Sunday.
Ten brave walkers, including a nine-year-old girl and a dog called Fred, headed off from Colne Valley Museum at Town End, Golcar, to Slaithwaite, using local footpaths.
“Considering the weather we were very pleased with the turn out,” said Pat Ashton, who has been helping to co-ordinate the group.
“Before setting off we had a look at the special exhibition in Colne Valley Museum about footpaths in the valley which highlighted the amazing footpath heritage we have.”
The walk included much of the historic Golcar Ginnel Trail before heading down to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
After a lunch break at The Swan, Crimble, the group returned ‘over the tops’ to Golcar.
The next step for the group is to collect the 500 signatures needed to secure official accreditation from the Walkers are Welcome network.
Marsden already has an accredited group and the new group hopes to work closely with its valley neighbour.
Golcar councillor Paul Salveson took part in the walk and praised the initiative.
“Our footpaths are precious and I am optimistic that this group can make a positive difference to the quality of our paths network, working positively with Kirklees Council,” he said.
“A big part of Walkers are Welcome is encouraging people to come into the area to enjoy the local scenery and support local shops, pubs and cafes.”
Pat said the group wants to get a large-size map of the footpath network of both Slaithwaite and Golcar displayed at Slaithwaite Station and in Golcar so that residents and visitors can enjoy the fantastic public footpath network.
“Slaithwaite Station is an ideal place to start a walk and we want to work with Friends of Slaithwaite Station, Metro and Northern Rail to promote the station as a starting point to the middle and lower Colne Valley footpath network,” she said.
“We also want people to make use of the local bus network which takes you out into more remote areas.”
Offers of help in getting signatures for the group’s accreditation petition will be most welcome.
Contact Pat on email: patanneashton@hotmail.com
