A KEIGHLEY walking festival is being dedicated to the memory of a co-organiser who died suddenly.
The event is going ahead as a salute to Michael Pascal, more popularly known by his nickname Muppett.
He collapsed and died whilst taking part in an open mic session at Shipley pub The Fox on August 7.
Muppett was due to lead nine guided walks during the festival, which begins on Monday (September 9), including the Keighley Borough Three Peaks Challenge which he had planned specifically for the event.
Keighley Town Council – which is spearheading the festival, in conjunction with Keighley Social Enterprise Town and CNet Bradford & District – says that whilst there are some changes to the programme, people had rallied round to ensure the event could proceed.
"Muppett was a much-loved and respected community development worker – most recently with CNet," says a town council spokesperson.
"A great ambassador for the outdoors, folk music and walking, he led the way – guiding others to appreciate the world and the people around us.
"He was a key organiser of this year's Keighley Walking Festival, as he had been of Keighley walks weekends previously.
"Although he has left big boots to fill, friends and co-workers have kindly offered to lead the walks Muppett was so looking forward to sharing with people.
"Muppett will be missed dearly by all who knew him, and we are dedicating Keighley Walking Festival to him."
Guided walks include an East Morton circular on Monday (September 9), noon start, contact Chris Johnson on neactivitiesandtraining@hotmail.co.uk; the Keighley Borough Three Peaks Challenge Walk 1, a Stanbury circular via Little Wolf Stones, on Tuesday (September 10), 10.25am, contact Stew Towers on stew.towers@gmail.com or 07778 787591; Hainworth Bridge to Haworth on Wednesday (September 11), 10am, contact Stew Towers; Keighley Borough Three Peaks Challenge Walk 2, Morton Lane swing bridge to Riddlesden Bar Lane swing bridge via Ashlar Chair, September 14, 10.30am, contact Chris Johnson; Rivers, Brooks, Reservoirs and Witches, A Walk Through The Washburn Valley, September 15, 9.25am, contact Chris Johnson; and Keighley Railway Station circular via St Ives and Harden Moor, September 18, 1.30pm, contact Chris Johnson.
Scheduled guided walks not now taking place include the Keighley-Bingley railway stations walk planned for next Thursday (September 12), the Keighley Borough Three Peaks Challenge Walk 3 due to be held on September 16, and the Morton Circular planned for September 17.
Festival goody bags will be handed out at Keighley Show this Saturday (September 7).
Schedules for the event, which runs until September 22, can be found at keighley.gov.uk
Anyone unsure if a walk is being held should call 01535 872126.
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