The church walk happens on a Sunday afternoon, roughly every 6-8 weeks.
Anyone can join in, just come to the start place at the time specified. They are advertised in the notice sheet.
Different people lead the walk each time, choosing the route and risk assessing it. This means that the walks are varied – some lasting an hour or two, some lasting 3-4 hours. They are often longer in the summer months, and shorter in the winter ones.
Children and dogs welcome – though must be supervised at all times by the person bringing them.
Sturdy shoes are a must and a stick is often useful.
Our regular walkers range from 1 -80 in age, and there’s usually a couple of small and medium sized dogs along.
2025
A gentle walk in March taking the path from Luddenden Foot to Mytholmroyd, stopping for a drink at the local pub and then taking the canal path back to Luddenden. The weather was glorious and there were 11 people and 4 dogs.
Our June walk was in Greetland, starting at the Community Centre at 1.30pm. The plan was to walk along fields and bridalway to Norland Moor and circle round coming back with a stop at The Sportsman pub at the end.
However, as soon as the 11 people and 1 dog started across the fields the heavens opened and we were soaked within minutes! Luckily the trees nearby offered some shelter and we waited for it to turn from a downpour to a steady drizzle. Starting out again we walked along the bridalway and decided to continue on this and round to the pub. We stopped and refreshed at The Sportsman and then decided to walk back the way we had come (which had taken us about 50 minutes) so we got back to the cars at 4pm. The weather wasn’t too bad on the way back, and it was interesting to see calves in one field and a goat and highland cow in another. It was an enjoyable walk, despite the weather, and one we wouldn’t forget in a hurry!
In July we were in the Scholes/Cleckheaton area. There were 12 adults. It was a hot day so dogs were left at home! We parked at Tesco in Cleckheaton and took The Greenway to Whitechapel Road, then walked down that and over the bridge which crosses the motorway and into the fields beyond. We walked down the fields, saying hello to some horses we met on the way, and then through Scholes village to The Walkers Arms, where we had a half hour drink and toilet stop.
We then circled round using Scholes Lane, the bridleways and then Westgate back along to Tesco. We were back just in time to collect cars before the 3 hour parking limit was reached. It was a very pleasant, easy walk, which we took our time over due to the heat.
Our September Walk took us from church, down Salterhebble Hill and along the canal path to Sowerby Bridge. We stopped at The Moorings Pub, sitting outside in the sunshine to have a drink, then returned via the canal path to Copley. There we split into smaller groups depending on where people wanted to return to.
There were eleven adults, three children and two dogs and all enjoyed this gentle stroll along the busy canal path. The weather was ideal and we chatted with various people we passed along the way, including a couple who were navigating the Salterhebble Lock.
Our November walk was on a cold but bright day. There had been heavy rain for a few days before, so there were some muddy patches, especially when we went through a farmyard! This proved to be quite entertaining. The walk was led by Sue up at Wainstalls, starting at The Crossroads Inn. It was about 4 miles long and the terrain was mainly fields. It was a lovely amble, with good views, especially since everything had been made green by the rain! There were 7 adults and a dog. Refreshment was had at the Inn afterward.
2026
Our first walk was a lovely sunny day near the end of April. We started with a very easy amble along the canal from Copley to Sowerby Bridge. We stopped at The Moorings public house for a comfort break and a drink. We then retraced our steps and headed back to Copley. There were 13 adults, with one in a wheeelchair (slight issues with the cobbles nearing Sowerby Bridge, but we went up and round the main pavements, coming down by The Navigation, on the return). There were two dogs and one child.
Our second was on Sunday 19th July and we met at the Millennium Car Park at Luddenden. There were 10 adults and one dog. We walked on quiet roads, via Jerusalem Farm and then up the hill to Bob’s Tearooms where refreshments were enjoyed. The weather was perfect for walking as it was warm, without being too hot. Though we were glad of the rest after the hill!