THE WEST RIDING No 162 | August 2020

Journal of the West Riding Area of the Ramblers’ Association COVER PHOTO: Blackstone Edge - West Calderdale – (Caroline Spalding) Restarting Ramblers Activities – a phased approach

Beginning July 1st, 2020, Ramblers have suggested “pop-up walks” i.e. a walk A Facebook profi le can be deleted at any Central Offi ce allowed the resumption of organised at short notice should a leader time as soon as it no longer has any use. some Ramblers activities within England. come forward to volunteer. However, of This included the resumption of small course, all walks must still be advertised. At the time of writing, no fi rm decisions group walks – up to a maximum of six have been made in the West Riding area people only, including the walks leader. Perhaps for the West Riding, we could – some local groups have decided not to divert some of the money that would restart walks from July, but it is an ever- This is not a blanket policy meaning that have been used in the winter walks changing situation. all group lead walks that remain on the printed programme production on a summer programme MUST take place: paper campaign of leafl ets directing The process of restarting group walks has walk leaders can and should make their people to our online and social media many complicating factors and our walks own decision; the same for local groups. outlets, where information can be found. coordinators, secretaries and area council members will be doing what they can It has been suggested that those who I think too that our online activity to answer any questions you may have. wish to participate in group walks do and presence will need to increase Communication is the key – if in doubt, so by a booking system – Ramblers signifi cantly. Some groups have an do just ask. have issued guidance on a number of active online presence already – perhaps methods to instigate this: from phone volunteers from those groups could The Ramblers main website has issued calls to walks leaders, to creating online, help other local groups in the set up and a great deal of guidance which is being bookable events: Facebook events, using management of Facebook pages and regularly updated. There are information Eventbrite, meetup.com are just a few activity – i.e. sharing posts in community and advice packs specifi c to planning suggestions, each with their own pros groups, starting discussions, creation of group walks, a guide to online booking and cons. blogs. systems we could use, leading group walks whilst adhering to safety measures, It is important to note that in order It is very easy to set up a Facebook and the risk assessments walks leaders for group walks to be covered by the profi le, and you need have no association must conduct before a lead walk. Ramblers insurance, the walks must with anything other than your local be advertised in advance via Ramblers walking group page. Once you have a These information packs are available to website and App, GWEM, group/area profi le, you can join your local group download from: website, in printed programme or on a page or Facebook group, and you can public social media page. allow Facebook to send you notifi cations https://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer- directly to your email inbox. zone/coronavirus/volunteering.aspx We are encouraged to take a fl exible approach to the organisation of future A lot of us still actively choose to remain Finally, please do remember, that as a walks. We are advised not to plan a full in the analogue world – however I do printed publication, by the time this winter programme; instead adopting believe this situation should encourage edition reaches your doorstep, guidance a “rolling walk programme” so that more of us to “get digital.” At least so we and policy may well have changed again! changes can be made at short notice. We can keep in touch and keep abreast of the are advised against producing a printed situation. And please do remember – your If in doubt, please do ask. walks programme. Additionally, they digital presence needn’t be permanent. Caroline Spalding  www.facebook.com/RamblersYorkshire  www.ramblersyorkshire.org  [email protected]

Rambler 162.indd 1 22/07/2020 09:36 Walking out of lockdown – Ramblers next steps

Way Stone Edge, overlooking the M62 in Kirklees - Caroline Spalding

A YouGov poll, conducted in June 2020 showed that 74% to be that Ramblers Central Office are not resting on their of Britons took up exercise during lockdown, with walking laurels, and in fact are doing what they can to curb the decline proving to be the most popular activity. Subsequent polls have in membership, and to draw attention to the work of the reaffirmed peoples’ commitments to positive lifestyle changes, organisation. and it is hoped that those who have discovered the joy of Later this summer, Ramblers intend to trial membership walking might consider joining the Ramblers in future months. information stands at selected locations across England. Like all charities, the lockdown had a negative impact on Staffed by membership recruiters, they hope to speak directly Ramblers membership numbers, but Central Office are doing to members of the public, and sign them up on the spot should what they can to bounce back from this fall. In early July they they be interested in joining. If there are to be any sites chosen launched a new campaign to celebrate the joy of walking; this in the West Riding, our Area volunteers and leaders will be focused on recruitment primarily though digital channels informed, so that we too can play an active role. (Facebook/Instagram/Google adverts) which has previously If circumstances allow, they intend to run the Festival of Winter worked well and is quite effective in the recruitment of people Walks this year as usual, albeit with all necessary modifications. aged over 50. This campaign is focused more on independent Again, if this does take place, we can access support and assets walking and material has been provided to groups to use on the from Central Office to publicise our activity as part of the social media channels. festival. Ramblers also intend to make a concerted effort to contact Reflecting our own intentions to run many more shorter walks lapsed members, either through email, phone or post, to throughout the winter season, Central Office have shown encourage them to reconsider joining. that these ‘taster walks’ – up to five miles – are a great way to There is talk of providing “taster walks” for groups of small introduce newcomers to our lead walks and encourage new sizes to run alongside the main group lead walks. Clearly, members to join. as with all activity, it will need to take place ensuring full They are still working to decide on their brand and how adherence to government guidelines, which as we know appear Ramblers can become more relevant to a wider walking almost constantly to change! Certainly all steps to reintroduce audience. We should receive updates on progress in due course. group activities will be limited by external factors and an ever-changing climate, however, the main message appears Caroline Spalding

The West Riding Rambler No 162 | August 2020

Rambler 162.indd 2 22/07/2020 09:36 Best of all, some of these paths seem to be candidates for Don’t Walking in Lockdown Lose your Way. There they are, winking at me from older OS Maps. There’s work to do to get the evidence together to show We moved to a village outside Ripon these really are paths to be saved, but without lockdown, I about six years ago. Perfect. Half might never have found them. a dozen or so walks straight from Margaret Lawrenson the house, and the whole of the Yorkshire Dales a bus or car ride Walks during the lockdown period, being restricted to the away, explored with or without our immediate locality, encouraged walkers to concentrate on local Ramblers group in tow. things that would normally have been missed, whether distinctive natural features and wildlife or minor path Then came Covid-19 and lockdown. Exercise once daily. From problems. the house. Gosh, I was going to get to know those six walks rather too well, wasn’t I? So, I set myself a challenge. I’d see I benefitted from re-visiting two attractive local woods from my how many days I could go, devising a fresh walk every day. I doorstep in the Moortown area of north Leeds, when the trees studied the local OS map. I followed my nose, exploring every were bursting into leaf. Scotland Wood (285395) is surprisingly path I spotted, however unpromising. dense and extensive and includes the historically important Seven Arches Aqueduct, while Gledhow Valley Woods (315368) A week went by - a fresh walk every day. Ten days. Two weeks. boasts a lake and a restored 17th century bath house. Group Three weeks. The paths simply kept on showing themselves. walks were proscribed at this time so the few other walkers were I walked near farmland, by the riverside, through woodlands usually on their own, although often with an accompanying revealing first primroses, then wood anemones, then ransoms, dog. then the bluebells which have been so particularly wonderful this year An 1847 letter from the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard to Henrietta Lund echoes our strange times and includes a I don’t want you to think every inch of every walk was different memorable reflection on solo walking: “Every day I walk myself every day - of course it wasn’t - there are only so many ways into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I you can leave the house. But by mixing the old and the new, I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no had a dossier of over twenty new walks - and I’m still keeping thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.” going. Even after ten weeks of lockdown walks, I walked a new riverside path. Jim Vickery

Many of us were lucky to encounter carpets of bluebells during our lockdown walks – Caroline Spalding

The West Riding Rambler No 162 | August 2020

Rambler 162.indd 3 22/07/2020 09:36 My guess is they will think of hairy think, commune with nature, destress What’s in a name? men wearing shorts and a rucksack and relax from the pressures of everyday boldly striding across Pen-y-Ghent in life. Last summer when there was much all weathers. These weren’t the people discussion within the West Riding I encountered on my ‘Lockdown‘ walks Mental health and stress are major issues group about how to arrest declining but they are the same people who the in the UK and set to get worse as the full membership, a number of suggestions Ramblers need to recruit. impact of Lockdown hits home after the were made to change the name of the virus has gone. Maybe the Ramblers need Ramblers, largely on the basis that it Clearly there must be room in the to promote the mental health benefits sounded old fashioned and did not appeal Ramblers for the traditional walker of walking much harder and with less to younger people. Personally, I was but equally if it is to prosper, it must emphasis on the physical. As Charles not in favour of a name change. In my also appeal to a wider audience. The Dickens said: experience you can call an organisation Canal and River Trust do a good job of anything that you like but if its services appealing to a wide audience and I think “The sum of the whole is this: walk and or products are not good enough, no the Ramblers could learn much from be happy, walk and be healthy” similar organisations about attracting a amount of name changes will make any During Lockdown, the Chief Rabbi for the diversified membership. difference. Just ask Network Rail (British UK said, on TV, that since 1945 we have Railways) or Centrica (British Gas). Think local talked of living in the ‘Post-war world’. Over the course of Lockdown, I have done He thinks the future will be defined a lot of walking. The big difference was I wondered why Esholt Woods was so as the ‘Post-Covid World’. Nobody is that I had nobody to talk with so that packed that afternoon when normally all sure what that new world will look like forced me to observe and think, not my you meet are a few dog walkers. Then it but if, as many believe, there will be greatest strengths. I much prefer to walk struck me. an increased emphasis on a cleaner and talk. environment, less overseas travel and The woods are on the edge of some large a healthier lifestyle, the Ramblers have My first observation concerned my fellow housing estates in Guiseley. They are much to offer a new generation in a way walkers who could be broadly classified easy to reach on foot. that resonates with the reality of their lives, post Lockdown. into four groups: Most Ramblers walks involve a car 1. Middle aged women journey, often of some miles, to a Keep the Name but change the Brand. (often walking alone) remote location. It is a big commitment, especially if you are worried that you may Christopher Tye 2. Middle aged men not enjoy the experience when you arrive. (less numbers than women and normally alone) How about ‘taster’ walks starting in residential areas? The aim would be to On Roman Roads 3. Dog walkers (often in couples) reel people in and then broaden their walking horizons once they have joined 4. Young families (few teenagers) and gained experience.

Walking through Esholt Woods one Walking lessons sunny Saturday afternoon, there were so many of these four groups that social Don’t laugh! The press has been full of distancing became impossible. articles about people who have taken up running during Lockdown. Many have This got me thinking. followed free programmes including ‘From couch potato to 5K‘ in 9 weeks. Excluding dog walkers (who do not have a choice), I assumed all the other three Could the Ramblers launch (say) – ‘From groups were out walking because other couch potato to 5-mile walker’, with forms of exercise were not available or support from a ‘buddy’ in a local group maybe because they were simply bored providing encouragement, advice on being stuck at home. Either way there equipment, footpaths, food, drink etc? were many probably discovering the joys of walking for the first time. The question French philosophy in my mind was whether these people Cam End - Colin Speakman would continue walking once Lockdown Without being able to walk during was over and, if so, how could we capture Lockdown, I would have gone stir crazy. I suspect many others would admit the them into the Ramblers? Our UK landscape is criss-crossed same so when, by chance, I stumbled with the remains of Roman roads and I certainly don’t have all the answers but across Frederic Gros, he really got me highways, and we have a fair few here in based on my Lockdown experience, I do thinking. Yorkshire. have a few suggestions: Frederic is a Professor of Philosophy Some of the few remaining stretches of Don’t change the name but do change at Paris University who has written Roman road within the Dales can offer the Brand. a bestselling book in France – ‘A contrasting walks, as detailed below. philosophy of walking’. A ‘brand’ is what a person thinks of But first, let’s pay a quick visit back to when he or she hears a brand name. It’s His philosophy is that sport is a our long-forgotten history classes of everything the public thinks it knows discipline, a labour. Walking on the other schooldays gone by… about a brand name. I wonder what the hand – “is the best way to go more slowly public think about when they hear the than any other method ever found”. In Roman Roads: A brief history of their use word ‘Ramblers’? other words, walking is the best way to and their construction.

The West Riding Rambler No 162 | August 2020

Rambler 162.indd 4 22/07/2020 09:36 History farm road. The Pennine Way veers off left at Kidhow Gate (830834) heading In pre-Roman times Britons relied towards Hawes. on broad tracks for the movement of goods, animals and people. From 43AD The tarred road alongside the slopes of a network of substantial roads formed Dodd Fell now becomes the old Cam High a key part of an enduring legacy in our Road. A motor road going north to Gayle corner of the Roman Empire; direct is joined for a half-mile, offering sublime routes connected towns, facilitating the views of Sleddale. At 863854 the Roman movement of military forces. Medium- road, with a wall to the right, continues sized Yorkshire camps including straight on, featuring limestone slabs as a Bainbridge and Ilkley were vital links change from the small stones underfoot. between such major settlements as York Wether Fell soon arrives on the left and Lancaster. as the 2000-foot level is approached; the prospect from the summit cairn After the Romans left Britain in 410 AD makes a short detour on soft grass well large sections of their roads fell into worthwhile. disrepair, although many continued in use; this patchy process continued Passing through a second gate it is until the establishment of turnpikes now four straight miles down a double- in the 18th century. Some abandoned walled wide track with a pronounced sections became lanes and local paths, or agger; there are more grass verges to overgrown tracks through woods. soften the impact of the stones. Views of Semer Water and a culvert at New Bridge Construction (899880) are the only distractions. After crossing over Crag Side Road, the way Long straight roads were constructed continues until it joins, for a last mile, Roman Road, Romblads Way whenever possible, and favoured the the road to Bainbridge with its earthwork above Draughton - Colin Speakman safer high ground, avoiding forests and remains of the Roman fort Virosidum. bogs in the dales bottoms. ‘Metalled’ or There are extensive unobstructed views paved Roman roads comprised a base of Coming back up in 1792 John Byng over the moors throughout the main large stones with a compacted topping complained “the ascent of mountain walk. The track itself shows no clear of smaller stones and gravel. [Metallum Cams is one of the longest, steepest evidence of its Roman origins apart from is Latin for quarry.] The cambered shape and most stoney in Great Britain.” (It its straightness, until the camber of the (or ‘agger’) and side ditches helped with still feels long and stony today, but the road becomes discernible once Sun Bank drainage, making the roads resistant to gradient is not too taxing.) A few years Gill is crossed. foul weather. These roads were made later a less strenuous turnpike route via to last, and the results of the Roman Hawes and Widdale was implemented. Go straight on until reaching a wall at engineers can still be appreciated by 128533, a short distance north of Gawk walkers (and motorists using main roads Hall Gate. Although the Roman road now such as the A1 and A66) two thousand Walk 2: Blubberhouses becomes lost on the ground, an adjacent years later. path leads from Gawk Hall Ridge across to Ilkley Middleton Moor and fields west of March Walk 1: Gearstones to This can be either a 6-mile circular walk Ghyll reservoir, eventually reaching over Blubberhouses Moor and back, or an historically important pillar on the Bainbridge a 6-mile linear walk to Ilkley. In either crossroads at 115506. Alternatively, take case you are likely to have the moorland the Dales Way Harrogate Link to Fairy This walk of 12 miles, which continues to yourself. This section of the Roman Dell and West Moor House, and then on the direct way from Ingleton through road continues the A59 from Kettlesing, to the pillar. Chapel-le-Dale and Ribblehead, is one having disappeared under Fewston On the last stretch into Ilkley the straight of the most impressive examples of a reservoir and across fields. line of Parks Lane and Hardings Lane Roman road in the Dales. The journey serves as further confirmation of the offers wide-open spaces with walled Begin the walk at the Blubberhouses car enduring Roman legacy. To imagine sections and passes two 2,000-foot hills. park at north end of the reservoir. Set walking alongside Roman soldiers brings There should be no navigation problems, off uphill past the church and take the unmarked path around Manor House to life a key element in the formation of even in mist, but return transport may be the Dales landscape. needed for linear walks. through three gates to a ‘Welcome’ sign at 165549. Follow the track to 164545 Jim Vickery Start at a finger post (785803) on a bend where Blubberhouses Moor begins; from in the main road just beyond Gearstones there make your way to the start of the and cross the solid wooden bridge over ‘road’ on the path junction (158543) Gayle Beck. Continuing uphill on the beside Cote Hill. Dales Way to Cam End the wide path Ramblers and Railways The straight Roman road is marked on above adjacent moorland is joined by the the OS map by ‘green blobs’ [“other – a historic partnership Pennine Way at 802804. routes with public access”] over Open One of the main reasons for the The stony road carries straight on north- Access land, and on the ground by formation of the Ramblers Association east for three miles, with increasingly a dozen yellow-painted stone guide as it became known as in 1935, was extensive views in all directions. Do not posts along its length, some of them the bringing together of the various fascinating 18th century boundary stones. cross the forestry road cattle grid but regional “Federations” of independent The way ahead leaves a tarmacked keep gaining height. After the Dales Way walking clubs and groups around the track at 153542, with the yellow posts leaves for Oughtershaw the ditches fade UK into a single, united body known as continuing onwards. away, and the track becomes a tarred the Ramblers Association, which would

The West Riding Rambler No 162 | August 2020

Rambler 162.indd 5 22/07/2020 09:36 Ramblers Excursion at Kirkbymoorside Station May 1964 – thanks to Colin Speakman courtesy Yorkshire Post

continue to operate at a regional or Area level – just as it does the tracks were removed as part of Beeching. But our picture today - to deal with local access and countryside issues. Actual survives of walkers at the long-vanished Kirkbymoorside group walking however was done by individual walking clubs. Station on that that last trip. It was only in the 1960s that West Riding RA started to arrange Every Easter up until 1969 there were also special trains on the walks for its own members. Grassington branch from Leeds and also from Manchester via It might seem surprising in our highly motorised age to Skipton, calling at the tiny halt at Rylstone and at Grassington learn that one of the key activities of the newly formed West Station which was actually in Threshfield – now a housing Riding Area of the Association was to organise annual special estate. I recall leading an RA walk between Rylstone and Ramblers Excursion trains with public guided walks provided Grassington. by RA guides. In the days when few ramblers had cars (in the By end of the 1960s and after Beeching closure many beautiful 1950s about the same proportion as those of us nowadays who lines through some of the best walking country had closed and don’t have cars) the annual Ramblers Excursion train was the tracks, even for excursion trains, removed. Prices increased and only way many people had of getting out into the remoter the trains got less and less reliable (poor Eric had to struggle parts of the Dales, Moors, Lakes, Peak and beyond for a day to deal with grumbles whenever trains were late or cancelled). trip. Dates were carefully picked not to clash with other major The final BR sponsored ramblers excursion train was actually activities of the walking clubs. Up to 500 ramblers would pack I think in 1981 on the Wensleydale branch when after three onto the trains to join up to a dozen public guided walks to very successful Wensleydale Dales Rail trains which I organised such otherwise inaccessible areas as Dovedale, The Howgills, when I worked for the National Park, British Rail put one last Wensleydale or the Lakes. special on from Leeds. It was in late April but a freak snowstorm So popular was this Annual Ramblers Excursion, that by the overnight led to nobody being able to get onto the train from mid-1950s, several such per year were being arranged by West Bradford, Leeds, York and Harrogate, which ran at a dreadful Riding Area. We were fortunate at that time in that the British loss and that was the end of Ramblers Excursions in Yorkshire Railways Leeds Region had a young Special Excursion Officer to by British Rail. As the train excursions were curtailed, this arrange all the trips who was also a keen walker – Eric Barker. led to the setting up of the West Riding Area Coach Rambles Eric was soon elected onto the West Riding RA Committee. programme which still flourishes. Many older members will remember Eric as a keen footpath campaigner – our picture shows him with the newly created The most popular of all the Ramblers’ Rail Excursions were Leeds RA Group in the early 70s reclaiming a path in East Leeds of course the regular annual ones on the now celebrated through a crop of potatoes. Eric is striding out just behind the the Settle-Carlisle line because of the great fell walking it walk leader, Jack Madden MBE another of our leading activists. accessed. I well remember in 1965 going on my first walk over Mallerstang Edge between Garsdale and Kirkby Stephen led by Like many people, the RA Excursion trains were my first the late Harry Saynor, another great RA stalwart. After local introduction to the Ramblers, and I soon signed up as a stations on the line were closed in the 1970s this directly led member. I managed to go on several of the Excursions in the West Riding Area in 1974 actually chartering a special train on mid and late 1960s and was soon leading walks myself, for the line – a historic event which led to the setting up by the example through Millersdale to Bakewell on an RA special. Yorkshire Dales National Park of Dales Rail, a series of weekend I also recall one year we actually had one to Middleton in trains for ramblers and local people only made possible because Teesdale also to Windermere and Grange over Sands. The of the success of the sold-out special train by the RA which trains were wonderful social occasions, where you could meet undoubtedly saved the Settle-Carlisle Line. To this day, the old friends to compare experiences at the start and end of the guided walks programmes by the Friends of the Settle Carlisle walks, a joy denied modern car ramblers. Line and the Friends of Dales Rail are closely based on the Sadly, I missed the very last excursion on the Helmsley/ West Riding Ramblers model, so the tradition of ramblers and Kirkbymoorside branch in 1964 as the date was changed on the railways is very much alive and well in our region to this day. last minute and we had friends staying that particular weekend. Colin Speakman I should have cancelled the friend’s visit as the following year

The West Riding Rambler No 162 | August 2020

Rambler 162.indd 6 22/07/2020 09:36 three hours – so, it does not occupy the full day, and it does not The Jerry Pearlman Way clash with the longer group walks that tend to take place on a There is excellent news to report on the proposal raised at Sunday. That said, it is up to each group to accommodate these our AGM, to commemorate and celebrate the life and work of shorter walks into the schedule as they see fit. our former President Jerry Pearlman, by dedicating a five mile footpath route, starting close to his former home in Alwoodley, During the summer months next year we could offer evening Leeds leading through Harewood Park to Harewood village – walks (as some groups already do, which are popular and often one of Jerry’s favourite walks. end with a rewarding pint!) but even through the winter these short walks are very straightforward. We will need more walks We have now heard from Leeds City Council Countryside leaders to keep up a regular offering, however, shorter routes Service, who have offered to work with West Riding Area and take less time to plot, less time to recce, and less time to lead. Leeds Group to help waymark the route. As well as a printed We would not want two or three people per group to take the leaflet it is hoped to have a web-based version that IT-savvy “burden” – instead we make an appeal to all members: would walkers can download either from our website or from a QR you volunteer your time for one morning or afternoon every six code on small introductory plaques we hope to have near the months? start and end of the walk – something Jerry who was always to the minute with the latest IT gadgetry would have been These short “taster” walks – (as has become the commonly delighted about. accepted term!) – provide opportunity for our less-active Local walking guide publishers and cartographers Skyware members who no longer wish to walk a great distance, as well as Press are currently working on the leaflet which is being attracting potential newcomers. And with a social event; they generously funded by Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust. really provide an opportunity for socialising and for potential new members to get a sense of who we are and what we can Sadly, the coronavirus crisis has delayed progress on this offer to them. exciting project, but as lockdown eases, work is going ahead on both the leaflet and the plaques. As and when restrictions are If we widely publicise on Facebook and perhaps produce a eased further it is hoped to have an official launch of the leaflet leaflet per group dedicated only to the shorter routes, we stand with a public guided walk, with members of Jerry’s immediate a chance of drawing new members at a time when existing family joining us. We can’t at time of writing give a date or any membership is in sharp decline, accelerated by the impact of details – but hopefully, if it not possible in the autumn, then a lockdown; the fear of the epidemic and the inevitable financial suitable date in Spring 2021 can be found. An announcement consequences many people will have had to face. will be made in the West Riding Rambler and also on our website. Caroline Spalding Colin Speakman Lower Wharfedale group takes the Looking ahead in the West Riding lead During the lockdown months we have been discussing how we The Lower Wharfedale group resumed their walks programme could develop initiatives to attract those new to walking in the from July 7th – once again leading the way within the West post-Covid era towards consideration of joining the Ramblers. Riding. The Chair, Keith Wilman, has been kind enough to As mentioned, I believe we need to increase our presence and share some details of how they planned and implemented this activity on social media – our problem has always been a poor resumption; hopefully providing some guidance to other local profile among the public. groups.

They offered an almost full walks programme for July, with booking systems and waiting lists in place. Their website was updated to contain information about the walks and how members can book their place.

Walks coordinators for each of their sub-groups prepared the programme in the usual manner and submitted to the Lower Wharfedale group Walks Coordinator for distribution. Individuals wishing to take part applied to the individual group coordinators who managed the booking system. The bookings were managed over the four-week period on a first-come-first- served basis. When a walk was oversubscribed, a waiting list West Nab, above Meltham, Kirklees – Caroline Spalding was created so that spaces could be equally shared among all members. If a walk was undersubscribed, the vacancies were advertised to all members by the group Walks Coordinator of However, as we know, things are not straightforward, but that Lower Wharfedale, Len Jones. does not mean we cannot look further into the future and plan for when the world as we once knew it resumes. Other groups, for example, Calderdale, have decided to restart walks for groups of up to six from August, with participants I personally want to strongly encourage all groups to add a being asked to phone and book their place directly with the variety of short routes to their programmes. These walks, taking Walks Leader. place at a weekend, coinciding with a pub lunch before or after, or a visit to a local tearoom or café, could become a regular For the most up-to-date information pertaining to your own social event for groups. Taking place on a Saturday morning local group, please do visit the Group’s website, Facebook page or afternoon means it might attract those working full time, or please call your Group Secretary or Walks Coordinator. or with a family, who might not want to spend an entire day walking. Routes between 3-6 miles can take as little as two- Caroline Spalding

The West Riding Rambler No 162 | August 2020

Rambler 162.indd 7 22/07/2020 09:36 planning and leading many walks, both for Huddersfield Group and West Riding until infirmity prevented him from doing so. Though his participation in walks was eventually to become impossible, John’s administrative efforts continued unabated - if anything redoubled as, with his walking days behind him, it was a way to stay involved - and despite standing down as Huddersfield’s Secretary 6 years ago, he still attended committee meetings until recently. His ailing frame did not prevent him from indulging his lifelong love of travel, and on foreign holidays with Huddersfield Group he delighted in demonstrating his fluent command of several European languages, most memorably on a visit to Sicily in 2017 where he captivated our two Italian coach drivers with a wealth of anecdotes from his extraordinary life.

John was a kind, dedicated and wonderful and above all courageous man. We shall miss him greatly, and cherish the example he set.” (Tim Riley)

John’s contribution to West Riding Area was massive. Not only On the edge of the Peak District – Caroline Spalding was he a long serving Membership Secretary from 2003 to 2019, he was also a member of the Area’s committees for many years. We were deeply saddened to hear These committees included the Footpaths Committee, Publicity th & Publications Committee, and Social & Rambles Committee of the death of John Lieberg on 28 where he was “Trustee and Coach Rambles Secretary” in the February. He was 81. 1990s. He was an enthusiastic campaigner and he took part in many of the access campaign events. As a member of We are pleased to print this tribute to John from Tim Riley, Publicity & Publications Committee he helped on the Ramblers’ Chair of Huddersfield Group: Association stand at local shows which was interesting but also time-consuming and tiring work, and for many years “Those of you who knew John will understand how hard it is to he parcelled up and delivered to the Groups the West Riding measure the scale of the contribution he made to the Ramblers Rambler and Area Walks Programme. As Publications Officer cause over half his lifetime and how tirelessly he worked for from 1999 to 2019 he looked after the Area’s book stock (his the Huddersfield Group and for the West Riding Area. These upstairs floorboards must have creaked under the weight) efforts were all too seldom recognised, which did not bother and attended to postal purchases of the Area’s books. He was John in the slightest – he did it not for the plaudits but because deservedly made an Area Vice-President in 2010. of his deep-rooted love for walking and the countryside, his steadfast desire to be of service and his eagerness to improve But above all, behind this record of service and achievement, the lot of the rambling community. Many walkers who knew we remember John as a person, kind and considerate, a good John have cause to be grateful to him. friend and companion, and a charming conversationalist We don’t know in full the details of John’s early life. He came from As Secretary of Huddersfield Group since its earliest days a German Jewish family, and his birthplace was near Cologne. until the end of 2013, he was at the centre of everything the His family were able to leave Germany before the onset of Group did – and, all too often, was alone in taking duties on, the 1939-45 war and settled in the south of England near whether it was tackling footpath issues, dealing with the local Godalming in Surrey which is where John spent his childhood. press, hosting publicity stalls at local events, liaising with He eventually became a northerner and he lived here for many Central Office, co-ordinating committee meetings, sending years becoming very fond of this part of the world, its people out the walks programme, representing the group’s interests and his home on the hillside at Honley. He has enriched the at national RA rallies or non-Ramblers meetings, or fielding life of all those who knew him. enquiries from the general public. Keith Wadd, Mike Church For West Riding Area, he was a long-serving Membership Secretary, Publications Secretary and Co-Editor with Douglas We are sad to hear of the death of Edna Dransfield and of John Cossar of the West Riding Rambler, and authored with Douglas Reeman. Edna was for many years the Chair of the Social & Cossar an excellent book “Country Walks in Mirfield, Emley, Rambles Committee, and John Reeman was until recently the Thornhill and Denby Dale”. He was made a Vice-President of Chair of Wetherby Group. They are much missed and we thank West Riding Area in recognition of his years of service. them for all the valuable work over many years that they did for Alongside all this, of course, was John’s commitment to the Ramblers.

We want to hear from you! For the most up to date information about Ramblers Walks and events, please visit the Ramblers main website:

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer-zone/coronavirus.aspx

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer-zone/coronavirus/volunteering.aspx

If in doubt, please contact your own local group Chair, Secretary or Walks Coordinator.

From the editors... the From We still welcome your comments and contributions: please contact us via [email protected]

The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, Company Registration No 4458492 Registered Charity in England and Wales No 1093577 Registered Office 2nd Floor Camelford House 87-90 Albert Embankment London SE1 7TW

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