Friday, 9 September 2011
Come and Walk The Treesponsibility Trail
Hebden Bridge is a walkers' paradise, well known for its beautiful surroundings and intricate network of footpaths. A new walk has been established by Treesponsibility, the local group whose work combines reforestation and ecological restoration with awareness-raising about climate change. As well as the work they carry out in their own right, Treesponsibility is also part of an informal Transition Town working group called "Transition Trees". Other members of the group include Calder Local Orchard Group (CLOG), Blackshawhead Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Blackbark, a woodland management workers co-operative.
The new walk tours around the many sites Treesponsibility have planted in the Upper Calder Valley over the last thirteen years. At 10am on Sunday 25th September, Treesponsibility members and supporters will be doing a sponsored walk along the route as part of the South Pennine Walk and Ride Festival, raising money to help fund their valuable work in this time of financial uncertainty. Anyone wanting to come and join in will be most welcome to do so.
The first tree ever planted by Treesponsibility is in the playground of Riverside Junior School in Holme Street, and this is where the walk begins. It then proceeds up the canal towpath for a short way, before taking in planting sites around Knott Wood, Height Gate, Mankinholes and Todmorden Edge. After this come their two largest and most impressive sites at White Slack and Steanor Bottom, by which time the Summit pub, which signifies the end of the walk should be a welcome sight.
It's a walk with one beginning and three ends, so participants don't have to walk the whole sixteen or so miles. The first stage is approximately two miles, ending in the beautiful Knott Wood, and is suitable for occasional walkers and those with children. The second stage is about seven miles in total and ends in Todmorden. Whatever your level of walking experience you will be most welcome to join in.
You can download a guide for the walk from the Treesponsibility website, and there's a copy of the official sponsor form available to download there too.
Do join in, and help raise money for Climate Action In Calderdale, whilst having a great walk in the beautiful Pennine landscape.