12th March 2023
Today’s walk from Hay Wood has been cancelled due to snow. A replacement walk will start from Staunton Harold reservoir car park at 10am.
11th February 2023
Jim’s Gallery has been expanded with the addition of photographs taken by him on the Footloose walk from Melbourne on 5th February.
23rd December – Walk Postponed
Due to illness, the walk planned for Christmas Eve has been postponed until New Year’s Day, together with the post walk event.
26th November – Shorter Walk for Christmas Meal & New Start Time
Vaughan has arranged a shorter walk option for those coming to the Christmas Meal who are unable to do the main walk. Details are on the December walks page. Also, please note that the start time for the main walk has been put back to 11am.
15th November – Roadworks Affecting Longshaw Walk
Anyone driving to the walk from the Longshaw Estate on Sunday 20th, who would normally travel via Calver, should note that the A625 is closed between Main Road at Calver and Moorlands Lane at Froggatt. It is possible to divert through Froggatt village, although this is not the official diversion route! The closure is in place until 13th February 2023. Thanks to Ashley for alerting us to this.
3rd November – Roadworks Affecting ‘Extra’ Walk
On the date of November’s ‘Extra’ walk from Crich, the road into the village from the south, ‘The Common’, is due to be closed between Bennetts Lane and Dimple Lane for replacement of a telegraph pole by Openreach. This means that you will not be able to access the village centre from the A610 at Bullbridge and will need to use an alternative route.
9th October – ‘Extra’ Walk Cancelled
Due to illness, October’s Footloose Extra walk has been cancelled. An alternative walk will be announced if a new leader comes forward. As a result of this, Ashley’s walk on 30th October has reverted back to the original one from Cromford.
8th September – 2023 Weekend Away
Footloose’s first weekend away since 2019 is scheduled for May 2023. Click here for an outline.
22nd August – Julia’s Photo Archive
Those of you on yesterday’s walk will have seen Julia’s photo album containing Footloose pictures from the last 35 years. Some of the photographs have been scanned and can be viewed here.
22nd August – AGM, Birthdays and Christmas
The annual general meeting of Footloose Walking Club is provisionally scheduled to take place on the evening of Wednesday 26th October at the Victoria Hotel, Beeston. The meeting will be followed by a meal. Any items for the agenda should be sent to the club chairperson in advance of the meeting.
On Saturday 12th November there will be a walk followed by a meal at the Crispin Inn, Great Longstone to celebrate the 60th birthday of Footloose members Helen, Nick and Paul W. Contact Jo to book a place.
The annual Footloose Christmas meal is scheduled to be held on Saturday 17th December at 4pm. The venue is the same as in recent years – the Derwentwater Arms in Calver. The meal will be preceded by a walk from the village. Contact Sue R. to reserve a place.
11th August – Walk Cancelled
Due to the forecast for very high temperatures, the walk due to take place on Sunday 14th August has been cancelled. The walk may be rescheduled for the Autumn.
24th July – Another Additional Walk
Some of you may have heard of, or even visited, the Methodist church in Holloway for their regular Friday Soup & Pudding offering. Proceeds go to charity and, on 9th September, that charity is one chosen by our very own Jackie. John will be leading a 4 to 6 mile walk, with lunch (costing £5) at the church. Jackie will be serving at the church.
24th July – Additional Walk
Ashley is kindly putting on an additional evening walk on Thursday 28th July alongside the River Trent in Nottinghamshire. Details here.
13th July – Walk Postponed
Due to the forecast for extremely high temperatures, the walk due to take place on Sunday 17th July has been postponed until 14th August.
8th July – Footloose Extra
Sue and Ken have kindly invited all participants in July’s Footloose Extra walk back to their house in Lowdham for tea and cakes afterwards. Please let Sue know in advance if you plan to attend.
3rd May – Footloose Extra
Pauline has very kindly invited all participants in May’s Footloose Extra walk back to her house for tea and cakes afterwards. Pauline’s house is only 2 miles from the walk’s starting point and directions will be given to anyone who doesn’t know where it is.
2nd April – Burning Man
Ashley has advised that his walk through Chatsworth Park on April 17th will take participants past some of the sculptures in the “Burning Man event” – Radical Horizons: The Art of Burning Man at Chatsworth.
1st March – Jerry’s 60th
All members attending the post walk meal on 12th March to celebrate Jerry’s 60th birthday need to choose from The Gate Inn’s 2022 menu and send their choices to Jerry via email by this Saturday, 5th March.
19th February – Walk Cancelled
Tomorrow’s walk from Winster has been cancelled due to the poor weather conditions.
16th February – March Walks
Details for all walks in March are now available here.
10th February – Walk the Iron Giant
You may have heard recently that Bennerley Viaduct near Ilkeston has been opened up to walkers and cyclists after restoration. You now have the opportunity to cross it by joining the Footloose Extra walk on 19th April – Details here.
7th February – Meal for Jerry’s 60th Birthday
To celebrate his upcoming 60th birthday, Jerry is organising a walk followed by a meal at the Gate Inn, Tansley on Saturday 12th March to which all Footloose members are invited. The meal needs to be pre-ordered and a £5 deposit is required – Jerry will send an email out as soon as the new menu is available.
24th January – Tea and Cakes
Paul and Maggie are inviting all members on Paul’s walk on Sunday 13th February back to their house in Gedling afterwards for tea and cakes. The walk starts in Lowdham. Please let Maggie know if you are coming to the house.
27th December – Where we walked in 2021
Jerry has supplied a map showing the Footloose walks that he participated in and recorded during 2021. It makes interesting viewing:
28th November – First snow of Winter
With no snow at lower levels, it was a surprise to most to see the Derbyshire hills covered in the white stuff. Ten members enjoyed a walk over Cromford and Middleton moors, with the latter in particular having a deep coat of snow. Ice made the going a little treacherous in parts and, just to add to the fun, the walk ended in another snow storm.
Boxing Day Walk
Jerry has very kindly offered to lead an 8 mile walk on Boxing Day from Thorpe, near Dovedale. A great chance to shake off the effects of too much food and drink from the day before.
2nd November – New walk added
A walk has been added for this Sunday, 7th November, in the Manifold and Hamps Valleys area. Apologies for the late notification.
31st October – AGM
Yesterday saw Footloose hold their first Annual General Meeting for two years – last year’s being cancelled due to the pandemic. Sixteen members enjoyed a meal after the meeting, which was held at the Cock and Pullet pub in Sheldon. Jean and Vaughan were re-elected as Chair and Treasurer respectively. Peter, who stepped down from the post of secretary after 30 years on the committee, was thanked by the members. John was appointed to replace him in the role. Members voted to increase the annual subscription to £7, in order to meet the club’s outgoings and retain a small surplus at the bank.
Footloose Walking Club 