MEMBERS of a Keighley Walking for Health group celebrated its first anniversary by retracing their first walk.

The Aire and Worth Valley Wanderers trekked through the countryside around Riddlesden then ate a cream tea provided by the village’s Marquis of Granby pub.

Among the group’s walk leaders is Muppett, a community development worker with Keighley support organisation Community Action.

Recalling the Wanderers’ first walk last year, he said: “I walked up Bar Lane in the pouring rain thinking that no one would turn up in this terrible weather.

“But when I got to the start of the walk on the canal towpath by the swing bridge there were six wet and soggy individuals waiting to go on the walk.

“Thankfully 12 months on the weather was kinder to us when we set out on our anniversary walk, and the original six soggy souls still come walking each week, and we now get as many as 15 folk walking with us as well as the dogs Misty and Judy.”

The Wanderers meet every Thursday to explore the hidden gems of the Aire and Worth valley in walks that are usually three to four miles in length.

The walks are aimed at people with reasonable mobility, with some walks including hill climbing over uneven ground.

Muppett said: “Well behaved dogs are also welcome. Please come in good footwear and bring a waterproof coat, even if there is no sign of rain.”

Email muppett@cabad.org.uk or call Muppet on 01535 612500 for further information.

Coming walks:

• Silsden circular with canal towpath, farm tracks, minor country lanes, fields, woods and golf course, November 1, 3¾ miles, meet at Keighley bus station for 12.55pm 62 Otley bus or by the canal bridge on Silsden’s main street at 1.15pm

• Denholme to Oxenhope with open moorland and uneven walled track, November 8, 3¾ miles, meet at Keighley bus station for 12.50pm 68 Bradford (via Denholme) bus

• Oakworth circular via Newsholme with gentle climb, bridleways and country lanes, November 15, 3½ miles, meet at Keighley bus station for 1:15pm K7 Oakworth bus or meet at bus shelter at bottom of Windsor Road at 1:30pm

• Oxenhope (Waggon & Horses) to Haworth with uneven moorland, roadside pavements and farm tracks, November 22, four miles, meet at Keighley bus station and catch the 1.05pm B3 Hebden Bridge bus

• Park Wood circular via Thwaites Brow and Twines with steep cobbled climb and roads, 2½ miles, meet outside Keighley railway station at 1.30pm.

All walks start at 1.30pm unless otherwise stated.