ROAMING WALKERS are celebrating 30 years of wandering beautiful countryside in Saddleworth and beyond.
The Wednesday Walkers were founded in 1986 by Ida Ashworth, from Royton, and over the last three decades she has watched flourish into a 200-strong group.
The Oldham-based club runs four walks of varying difficulty every Wednesday across the borough.
In April to celebrate the anniversary, all four groups met at Ashway Gap at Dovestone Reservoir – mirroring the group’s first walk which was held there 30 years ago.
Ida, President of the Club, recalled: “One lovely summer’s day I was contemplating the roof tops of Derker from an office in Ferranti’s when I thought: ‘There must be more to life than this. When I retire I’m going to go walking.'”
After discovering two clubs for retired people on Tuesdays and Thursdays were full, Ida set up her own Wednesday group and placed an advert to find members.
Ida, now 87, added: “I still lead walks occasionally and plan to keep going as long as I can. I am sure the Club will keep going even when I can’t.
“I’m proud it has taken off and I love seeing everyone getting along so well.”
The Club walks in the Oldham countryside, the South Pennines, the West Pennine Moors, and in the northern Peak District.
It runs coach outings for walks further afield in the summer, and an annual residential walking holiday, which this year will be in Pembrokeshire.
For more information please contact Chairman Maureen Lindsay: 01706 376066 or visit their website: www.wednesdaywalkers.org
