Golden walk sees crowds flock to hills
HUNDREDS of hardy walkers braved wet weather ato celebrate the 50th anniversary of an annual walk.
A total of 767 walkers and runners participated in this year’s Rossendale ‘Round The Hills’ walk, last Sunday, well exceeding the previous record of 600 walkers.
This year’s event celebrated the Jubilee Walk, which was pioneered in 1966 by the former Rawtenstall Sports Federation and later taken over by Rossendale Sports Council, and for more than a decade the walk has been organised by Rossendale Rotary Club with the help of friends and supporters.
The aim of the walk is to introduce the Valley’s scenery to as many people as possible, while at the same time ensuring public footpaths remain open.
Tim Nuttall was one of the schoolboys drafted in to help plan the route when it was first founded in 1966, at the age of 14.
And he was one of the walkers who took part to mark five decades of the 18-mile walk, which this year included a new 15-mile route added to avoid Cowpe Lowe.
Tim said it was ‘amazing’ how many turned out to take part despite the gloomy weather forecast.
He said: “I actually took part in the first one and helped write the route, and my brother Bruce drew the first map and he drew it again this time.
“I was amazed when I got there to find out how many had already registered and set off.
“Certainly I would say 767 was a record. I was speaking to a lot of people who were taking it on for the first time, and the response was really positive.
“People said they hadn’t realised how spectacular the scenery and the views from the tops really were.”