Bolton Walking and Outdoors Appreciation Society

📢 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 - 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬, 𝐓𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬.

⛰️ 6.5km, or 4 miles - 200m of ascent - 2 hours.

🟠🟠 This is a MODERATELY STRENUOUS route with some VERY STEEP HILLSIDE PATHS on both ascent and descent gradients, and lots of UNEVEN TERRAIN.

🥾 STURDY FOOTWEAR is essential, dress appropriately for the weather and consider using poles.

🔦 DO NOT FORGET A TORCH!!!

📍 The Royal Arms - Tockholes, Tockholes Rd, Ryal Fold, BB3 0PA - thrillers.symphony.paint - SD664215.

🕖 Meet from 18:30 to leave at 19:00. Social drinks afterwards from 21:00.

🚗 There is plenty of free parking adjacent to the venue. Car pooling is encouraged where possible. Wherever you do park, please take care not to block access for local residents and businesses, ALWAYS check signage before leaving your vehicle.

🚌 There is NO PUBLIC TRANSPORT to or from this location on Wednesday evenings.

🔔 Book from 18:00 on Sunday 14th June via https://www.tickettailor.com/events/boltonwalkingandoutdoorsappreciationsociety/2227648

ℹ️ Anybody with good mobility and a moderate or better level of fitness is welcome to attend.

Thank you for reading and see you there, Colin.
BWOAS Committee Chairperson.

We had a really enjoyable Sunday walk over the small summits of 𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠 and 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐠 around Keswick, as well as 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞 this weekend. It turned out to be fairly blustery but decent weather overall and nice to enjoy the views and company.

There are lots of other professionally guided activities suitable for 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 currently advertised on www.moorstomountains.co.uk all lead by a 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫.

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐊 𝐘𝐎𝐔 to all who were able to attend the BWOAS 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 last night. This was the first meeting of this type since the committee was formed last year and I am personally very grateful to all who managed to come along and have a say in the internal workings of our wonderful walking community, and particular shout out my good friend and Club Secretary Graham for leading the meeting.

There were lots of very interesting topics thrown around and it's great to know that people have a genuine interest in the longevity of the group.

𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐀
• 1. Welcome by the Club Secretary.
• 2. Chairman’s Report.
• 3. Treasurer’s Report.
• 4. Future Events.
• 5. Thanks to retiring Committee Members.
• 6 Approval of Club Documents.
• 7. Election of existing Committee Members and recruiting for vacancies.
• 8. Any Other Business.
• 9. Date and venue of the next AGM - Wed 9th June 19:00, venue TBC.

As always, I would like to pass on my utmost personal gratitude to all our participants, the amazing volunteers and of course fellow committee members for all the hard work that goes into running the walks and everything else behind the scenes including organising social events, filling in risk assessments and spreading the word out there.

Also big shout out to Astley Bridge Legion Social Club for hosting the meeting and The Bank Top Brewery Tap for welcoming us en masse afterwards.

CHEERS!
COLIN - BWOAS Committee Chairperson.

Hello everybody. I'd just like to address a matter that arose yesterday regarding a video showing participants on one of our walks seemingly ignoring a right of way.

Firstly, I just want want to reiterate my utmost thanks to all our volunteers for helping to organise and manage these walks. Without these wonderful people keeping us all moving along safely, there would be no walking group.

After a lengthy discussion with the volunteers and many participants from the walk, it seems that I and others online were jumping to conclusions without realising the correct gravity of the situation, as we weren't actually on the walk.

This walk has been planned by a very experienced member of the group who has the relevant knowledge. All our walks are operated with protecting nature and wildlife in mind, promoting respect for the countryside and minimising environmental impact by keeping to sensible group sizes and avoiding delicate habitats or seasonal conservation areas.

The video showed the group moving along a field boundary with at least three participants seemingly walking through crops. This was taken very, very seriously by myself and other committee members - to the point where I almost resigned from my post as Committee Chairperson. The negative publicity this video created was horrendous and on a scale that I hope never to see again.

As it turns out, the path that the group was using is more of a "desire line" that is well used by local hikers and dog walkers. The correct right of way is actually impassable while the field has tall grass covering it and so the group used the alternative "regular" path along the field boundary to minimise damaging the crop. Group members who live local to the field have assured me that this is common practice by the general public and is not causing any damage to the field.

The field was full of long grass, which is likely used for hay silage. It is important not to flatten this crop of course as then it can't be harvested.

I also wanted to address why some group members were not in single file and seemingly walking though the crop. As it transpires, the two people shown in the picture here were actually walking along tracks made by a tractor, and so not damaging any crop. This has however been discussed and volunteers reminded to ensure that all walkers stick to either a right of way or a well used path in future, and move in single file where possible.

I am satisfied with the outcome of the discussion last night. Moving forward, we are going to hold a number of sessions where regular volunteers are able to attend to organise group management practices, discuss how we may minimise environmental impact further along with brushing up on map reading skills, looking over outdoor first aid by a qualified trainer and standardised radio vocabulary.

This was not a very welcome incident at all and while it did cause me a lot of stress and anxiety, I would like to apologise for hitting the roof. The selfless, invaluable hard work that the volunteers do is wholly appreciated by myself and everybody else who is a part of BWOAS. I guess, in all honesty, the group has been a big part of the last fifteen years of my life and I just want to protect the reputation of something so special.

This was clearly an over reaction by interpreting something out of context and maybe I should ask questions first before reacting next time - lesson humbly learned.

Best wishes to all and thanks for reading.
COLIN - BWOAS COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON.

Hello everybody. It has been brought to my attention that, during Monday's walk, 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 walk participants did stray from a public right of way when walking through a farmer's field.

This should never have happened and a thorough investigation is currently under way to address how exactly participants were able to walk off the path without being advised otherwise, with volunteers spaced throughout the group at a 1:8 ratio.

Bolton Walking and Outdoors Appreciation Society has been operating community walks now for over fifteen years. We always conduct activities with a view to minimising environmental impact and totally respecting the countryside 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, which includes observing rights of way very closely.

On behalf of those present on Monday's walk and BWOAS as an entity, I would like to personally apologise for any upset caused by those who recently saw a video clearly depicting our participants walking beside the footpath. I have taken this very seriously and was in fact considering standing down from my role on the committee following negative feedback this afternoon, but I have decided that would not be a productive way of dealing with the situation. Quite coincidentally, tonight is the AGM and so what a perfect opportunity to address this issue and ensure that through 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬, this will never, ever happen again.

Our volunteers are experienced walkers with local knowledge and appropriate mapping on their person at all times. This route had been organised and reccied by a participant who lives in the local area and has used the footpath in question on many occasions with no issues arising.

BWOAS has always and will always have the environment, wildlife and protecting the countryside at the heart of our ethos. For reference, please see the Countryside Code attached.

Thank you for reading.
COLIN - BWOAS COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON.

On Saturday, this lot braved a rain and mist to climb up to the summit of 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐲𝐧 from Swirls car par with a descent to Wythburn. Sure, there was some of the wet stuff and limited visibility above 750m, but a great time ws had by all with plenty of laughs. Thank you to those in attendance for braving the elements and also well done for completing the route in a good time.

More professionally led outdoor activities are now being advertised via www.moorstomountains.co.uk including 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬, 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 and 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 sessions, all operated by an 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝, 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫.

For those who have been asking about this one, it is now possible to book spaces on a professionally guided walk around 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 on Saturday 18th July. Please head to https://www.moorstomountains.co.uk/coniston-fells to read more.

Join me as your 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 for a very informative day out learning about ancient glaciation and more recent industrial history as we make our way around the rugged landscape and tackle at least three summits.

There are several other 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬 and more 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 now available to book via www.moorstomountains.co.uk/ -activities and you can also easily add yourself to the mailing list for future updates.

Thank you to anybody from this group who has booked with Moors to Mountains so far this season. I am based in Westhoughton, between Bolton and Wigan and get a lot of interest from local groups like this I appreciate being allowed to share my posts here.

Nice one for reading and hope to see some of you out on a walk over the the coming months. 😎

📢 MONDAY 15th June 2026 – Witton Park and Wainwright Memorial from the Butlers Arms, Pleasington.

⛰️ 7.0km or 4.3miles - 175m ascent - 2 hours.

🟠🟠 A moderate route, we will venture from Pleasington along flat countryside trails to the heart of Witton Park, before ascending to the summit of Billinge Hill, expect uneven terrain, some muddy areas & stiles. Suitable for anybody with good mobility and reasonable level of fitness.

🥾 STURDY FOOTWEAR is essential, dress appropriately for the weather and consider using poles.

📍 Meet from 18:30 to leave at 19:00 from The Butlers Arms, Victoria Rd, Pleasington, Blackburn BB2 5JH (W3W: ///weeknight.highlighted.probe), Please Park responsibly, check signage & take care not to block access for residents / businesses. We’ll return afterwards for social drinks soon after 9pm.

🚗 Car-pooling is encouraged to limit any impact on the neighbourhood.

🚌 Why not get the train? The village is served by a service between Preston & Blackburn.

🔔 Book from 18:00 on Thursday 11th June via https://buytickets.at/boltonwalkingandoutdoorsappreciationsociety/2233172

Cheers, David.
BWOAS Committee Planning & Admin.

Monday 8th June 2026

39 moochers and 5 pooches set off from the Printers Arms in Coppull on a glorious fresh sunny evening to explore Birkacre, Lower Burgh Meadows and Plock Wood, before descending into the wooded vale of Yarrow Valley for a meander alongside the river. Along the way there were plenty of good conversations, laughter and friendly banter, and it was great to welcome some new faces to the group.

We then made our way back to the pub for some well-earned rehydration in the beer garden, where 30 stayed on to round off another excellent evening in great company.

A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who generously give their time to plan and lead these walks, helping to make every outing safe, enjoyable and welcoming for everyone. Your efforts are very much appreciated and are a big part of what makes this group so special.