2020 AGM [12th January] - 21 members kindly used Microsoft TEAMS in order to attend the on-line 2020 Annual General Meeting with 5 members sending their apologies for absence. Please check out the minutes.

Penshaw Monument & Cox Green from Herrington Country Park, DH4 7EL [Thursday 22nd April] - Lynne Boyle, Evelyn Brown, Theresa Costello, Lynn Ford (celebrating her 70th Birthday), Anne Marie Forster, Ian Hammond, Josie McGinley, Malcolm McVey, Andy Nixon, Claire O'Sullivan, Graeme Page & Ronnie Willison participated in the Club's first Covid-safe eveining walk (5 miles with 477ft ascent).

Barnard Castle : [Sunday 16th May] - Liz Beech, Theresa Costello, Carol Lonsdale, Ellen Morrison, Mike Morrison, Andy Nixon, Ian Storey, Claire O'Sullivan, Kishor Raichura, Denise Searle & Jean Walker participated in the Club's first Covid-safe Sunday walk. Barnard Castle occupies a fine position above the River Tees, its main street, lined by dignified stone buildings, sloping down to the old bridge over the river. In the town stands the 18th-century Market Cross, once used for the selling of dairy produce, hence its alternative name of Butter Cross. The town gets its name from the castle built by Bernard de Balliol in the 12th-century. Starting at Market Cross, Barnard Castle, DL12 8ND almost the whole of this 8½ mile (with 575ft of ascent) BLACK walk is along the well-waymarked Teesdale Way. The outward route keeps above the south bank of the river to the attractive village of Cotherstone and crosses the Tees a little father on. The return leg is above the north side and, after descending the steep wooded banks, the final 1½ miles is beside the river itself, a delightful and relaxing finale. With magnificent views up and down Teesdale, beautiful woodland and grand riverside walking, it is worth savouring this outstanding and highly memorable walk.

Low and High Force from Bowlees Information Centre,  DL12 0XE : [Saturday 5th June] - Liz Beech, Theresa Costello, Alf Cowell, David Ellerington, Lynn Ford, Anne Marie Forster, Lestryne Keenan, Sophie Keenan, Ellen Morrison, Mike Morrison, Andy Nixon, Isabel Nixon, Lewie Nixon, Claire O'Sullivan, Kishor Raichura, Denise Searle, Jean Walker, Steve Walker & Ronnie Willison participated in this this Covid-safe event. The path by the River Tees upstream from Low to High Force is one of the best-known footpaths in the north. This is understandable for it not only provides the best viewpoint for one of the most spectacular British waterfalls but is a superb riverside walk in itself. The return is on little-used paths and byways along the north side of the valley and is equally enjoyable. The 9 miles with 900ft of ascent BLACK clockwise route, crosses Wynch suspension bridge in order to visit both Low and High Force. There are several options to shorten this walk should this prove necessary.

Causey Arch and Beamish Woods : [Sunday 20th June] - Theresa Costello, David Ellerington, Lestryne Keenan, Jan Massey, Graeme Page, Denise Searle, Ian Storey & Jean Walker participated in the 5-mile (with 655ft of ascent) YELLOW walk through a series of attractive woodlands, including the wooded gorge of Causey Burn, and there are many fine views over the surrounding countryside. The chief focal point and major historic site is the Causey Arch, one of the earliest engineering triumphs of the Industrial Revolution, which at almost 200 years is said to be the oldest-surviving railway bridge in the world. The route also passes by the North of England Open Air Museum at Beamish.

Captain Cook's Monument & Roseberry Topping from Gribdale Gate, TS9 6HN [Saturday 3rd July] - Theresa Costello, David Ellerington, Lestryne Keenan, Jan Massey, Ania Retkowska & Ian Thomson participated in the suggested 10 mile [BLACK] anti-clockwise route (with 1300ft of ascent) includes parts of the Cleveland Way and combines woodland and moorland walking along the escarpment of the Cleveland Hills. From the summit of Roseberry Topping (1,050ft), there are spectacular views of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park and across the Tees Valley as far as the Pennines. Roseberry Topping is an unusual landmark on the otherwise fairly level skyline of the North York Moors. A hard sandstone cap has protected the underlying soft shales and clays, so while the surrounding area was worn away by ice, wind and rain, the Topping survived. Its dramatically shaped summit (seemingly cut away on one side) has another explanation, at least in part. Alum, jet and ironstone have all been quarried and mined out of the hill over the centuries, and ironstone mine workings led to the collapse of the western face in 1912.

Durham Riverside and Woods : [Sunday 18th July] - Theresa Costello, David Ellerington, Carol Lonsdale, Ania Retkowska & Ian Thomson participated in the 4½-mile (with 215ft of ascent) YELLOW walk starting from the Market Place heart of Durham’s medieval centre. The walk drops to a riverside promenade beside the River Wear before joining a path through glorious broadleaf woodlands barely one mile from the city centre. Encountering tantalising evidence of a long-lost industry and a hill-fort, the walk passes the city’s Botanic Garden before a final riverside flourish unveils unparalleled views of Durham’s magnificent Cathedral and Castle which crown the top of the town within a tight loop of the Wear.

Sutton Bank, Whitestone Cliff, Gormire Lake and the White Horse of Kilburn [Saturday 7th August] - David Ellerington, Lestryne Keenan, Jan Massey, Ania Retkowska & Ian Thomson participated in the suggested 11 mile (with 2000 ft of ascent) walk from Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, Thirsk, YO7 2EH which is probably the finest walk in the Hambleton Hills region of the North York Moors. There are many outstanding sights to see and experiences to be had at regular intervals during this spectacular circular walk. First there are the outstanding whitestone cliffs which lend their name to a village below them and from them you get a great sight of elusive Gormire Lake which is a survivor of the last ice age. Then after a stretch on the escarpment the walk descends to lush North Yorkshire countryside and visits the village of Boltby. From the village more lovely countryside is walked through to the edge of Gormire Lake which begs a short exploration. Afterwards the walk continues south with a careful crossing of the A170 to be negotiated before heading to the finale via Hood Hill Plantation which leads to a short steep climb back on to the top moor, the last bit up steps beside the White Horse. Then amble back along the top of the escarpment and, if they are flying, watch the Gliders soar as your spirits do likewise after this exhilarating walk.

Waskerley Way [Sunday 22nd August] - Theresa Costello, David Ellerington, Lestryne Keenan, Carol Lonsdale, Ania Retkowska, Ian Storey, Ian Thomson, Jean Walker & Steve Walker participated in the 8-miles (with 705ft of ascent) YELLOW walk from Waskerley Picnic Site, DH8 9DZ makes use of one of the oldest sections of County Durham’s disused railways. Originally built in 1834 to transport limestone ore from Weardale to Consett, it was later owned by that most famous of railway companies, the Stockton & Darlington. The return from Castleside passes through a variety of terrain. Much of it is on field paths, but quiet lanes, moorland and woodland tracks are also used.

WallTown & Thirlwell Castle [Saturday 4th September] - Theresa Costello, David Ellerington, Emma Farr, Lynn Ford, Lestryne Keenan, Jan Massey, Ellen Morrison, Mike Morrison, Ryan Moses (guest), Kishor Raichura, Ania Retkowska, Ian Storey, Ian Thomson, Jean Walker, Steve Walker & Ronnie Willison participated in the 8-mile (with 1,020ft of ascent) BLACK route exploring not only one of the most rugged sections of the walk, but taking in some of the countryside on both sides of the wall as well as visiting a medieval castle. Those following Hadrian’s Wall from the west get their first appreciation of its awesome scale at Walltown. Perversely, a century of quarrying the whin sill dolerite has added drama to the scene by creating an abrupt high cliff at the end on the crag.

St Cuthbert's Cave [Sunday 19th September] - David Ellerington, Lestryne Keenan, Jan Massey, Ryan Moses (guest), Ania Retkowska & Heather Scott participated in the uperb 7-mile YELLOW walk (with 785ft of ascent) from Holburn Grange. St Cuthbert's Cave, known locally as Cuddy's Cave or Cove, can refer to one of two natural sandstone caves in Northumberland that have been traditionally associated with Saint Cuthbert, the seventh century Anglo-Saxon monk, bishop and hermit. Set back from the Northumberland coast is a low range of sandstone hills, culminating in heughs and craggy outcrops that offer fabulous views to Holy Island and the Farne Islands, while to the south west are the distant Cheviots. One of the most dramatic viewpoints is Greensheen Hill, which also passes as a striking rock shelter, one of the traditional places where the monks, carrying the sacred remains of St Cuthbert, rested during their long, wandering journey.

Durham 'Riverside and Woods' : [Saturday 2nd October] - Theresa Costello, David Ellerington, Carol Lonsdale, Ania Retkowska, Kishor Raichura & Ian Thomson participated in the 4½-mile (with 215ft of ascent) YELLOW walk starting from the Market Place heart of Durham’s medieval centre. The walk drops to a riverside promenade beside the River Wear before joining a path through glorious broadleaf woodlands barely one mile from the city centre. Encountering tantalising evidence of a long-lost industry and a hill-fort, the walk passes the city’s Botanic Garden before a final riverside flourish unveils unparalleled views of Durham’s magnificent Cathedral and Castle which crown the top of the town within a tight loop of the Wear.

Wolsingham [Sunday 17th October] - Liz Beech, Theresa Costello, David Ellerington, Jan Massey, Ania Retkowska & Ian Storey participated in this event. A short climb at the start of this 7½-mile BLACK walk (with 785ft of ascent) is rewarded with far-reaching views across the heather-burnished hills and an airy walk beside an archetypical Pennine grouse moor, whilst the river's tussles with the limestone, offers a relaxing finale of riverside walking on the Weardale Way.

Edmundbyers Common [Saturday 6th November] - Margaret Andison, Lyn Boyle, Theresa Costello, Alf Cowell, David Ellerington, Poppy Holden, Lestryne Keenan, Ailie Langston, Carol Lonsdale, Colin Roberts, Julie Rushton, Heather Scott, Bill Sudder & Emma Thor participated in this 9-mile (with 790ft of ascent) BLACK walk which starts close to the parish church of St Edmund, DH8 9NR and follows tracks and paths up through pleasant meadows and pastures, passing derelict farmsteads to reach heather moorland above the Ramshaw valley. The return takes a parallel course, but is almost entirely across moorland, and so presents quite a different aspect. Lead mining becomes more apparent on the upper part of this walk, where the chimneys of the old mines come into view in the Ranshaw valley.

Chester le Street [Sunday 21st November] - Theresa Costello, David Ellerington, Graeme Page, Kishor Raichura, Ania Retkowska & Ian Storey participated the 6-mile (with 402ft of ascent) BLACK walk visiting both Lumley Castle and Great Lumley. Lumley Castle rises across the River Wear from Chester le Street. A solid looking edifice, the castle was founded in the 14th Century. It stands on the brow of a low hill and is almost entirely encircled by rivers forming a natural moat. The Weardale Way follows these rivers, looping round the castle. To gain a little extra distance and explore the country around Lumley Castle in more detail, the loop of the Weardale Way is extended through the village of Great Lumley and down to the river to Chester New Bridge, to form a longer circuit. The town of Chester le Street may be explored on completion of the walk.

Craster, Howick & Longhoughton [Saturday 4th December @ 10am] - David Ellerington, Emma Farr,  Ken Johnson, Lestryne Keenan, Jan Massey, Ania Retkowska, Kishor Raichura, & Heather Scott participated in the superb 7½-mile BLACK coastline walk (with only 453ft of ascent) following low cliffs past several inviting bays before turning inland to return across fields. The final leg passes through a small nature reserve in the former quarries behind the village.

Marsden Rock & Whitburn [Sunday 12th December @ 10am] - David Ellerington, Lestryne Keenan, Carol Lonsdale, Heather Scott & Ian Thomson participated in the 7-mile BLACK circular walk (with only 548ft of ascent) from Marsden Bay to the attractive coastal village of Whitburn over the modest Cleadon Hills (272ft).

2021 AGM [15th December] - 18 members kindly attended the Annual General Meeting at the Church of St Marys with 16 members sending their apologies for absence. Please check out the minutes.