JOIN Kirklees Countryside Volunteers for a series of walks or to help in carrying out essential tasks. Remember to check details in advance.

Saturday January 1: High Hopes – a 4½-5-mile medium/hard walk. Meet Margaret at 1pm in the car park at Holmfirth Swimming Baths, off Huddersfield Road (A6024), three-quarters of a mile north of Holmfirth town centre. A varied route with hills (taken slowly) to get you fit!

Saturday January 8: Waterside Walk to Huddersfield – a six-mile easy linear walk. Meet Dave at 10.45am outside the railway station, Mirfield for an easy, level walk along the canal towpath with a little local history. Finish at Huddersfield, return by train or bus back to Mirfield.

Sunday January 9: Vegetation Clearance. Meet volunteers at 10am at New Brighton, between Birdsedge Lane and Windmill Lane, Birdsedge, on A629 Penistone Road. Park on Windmill Lane. Much needed work on this path. Telephone Nigel on 07746 973281 (evenings) if further details are required.

Sunday January 16: More of Meltham – a four-mile easy walk. Meet Alison at 1.30pm in the car park behind the Carlile Institute, off Huddersfield Road (B6108), Meltham for a slow-paced walk.

Saturday January 22: Winter Fields And Woods – an eight-mile medium walk. Meet Liz at 10.30am in the car park opposite the top gate of the parish church, Huddersfield Road (B6116), Kirkburton for a circular walk through a rolling winter landscape.

Saturday January 29: Polar Expedition? – a nine-mile hard walk. Meet Oliver at 10am at the Olive Branch Restaurant, A62 Manchester Road, between Slaithwaite and Marsden. Please do not use the restaurant car park. Many climbs and some little-used paths in the upper Colne Valley.

Saturday February 5: By Birdsedge, Butterley and Berry Banks – a joint walk (nine-mile medium, linear train walk) with Penistone Line Partnership. Meet Liz at 9.40am on the platform at Denby Dale Station, off Wakefield Road (A636), Denby Dale. Head west to reach 1000ft, then drop down to potter through the Holme Valley scenery. Finish at Brockholes station for return trains.

Saturday February 12: Both Sides of Smithy Brook – a 7¼-mile medium walk. Meet Margaret at 10.30am at Overthorpe School, Edge Top Road, Overthorpe, Dewsbury.

Sunday February 13: Drystone Walling. Meet Kirklees Countryside Volunteers at 9.45am at Kirklees Light Railway Station, Park Mill Way, Clayton West. A ride on the train to where the walling started in the summer will be finished. No need to book, just turn up. Expect to finish around 3pm when the train will return participants to the station. Steel-capped boots advisable. Ring Nigel on 07746973281 (evenings) if more details are required.

Saturday February 19: Put Roses In Your Cheeks – an eight-nine-mile medium/hard walk. Meet Susan at 10am opposite the Swan public house on New Hey Road (A640), Outlane. Wonderful countryside views, and a suitably slow pace up the hills.

Sunday February 27: Roberttown Ramble – a five-mile medium, walk. Meet Nigel at 1pm at the junction of Commonside and Church Road, Roberttown for a pleasant stroll round halls, churches and farms.