The future of Rhuddlan Walking Festival
Rhuddlan hosted 2 successful walking festivals in 2009 and 2010. We took a break in 2011 to investigate other possible forms of community involvement and are hoping to relaunch in 2012 as part of a community festival. So, please watch this space!!
========= Details of the 2010 festival follow =========
2nd Rhuddlan Walking Festival
Friday July 9th to Sunday July 11th 2010
After the success of the first walking festival in 2009, we decided to do it again in 2010, this time spread over 3 days. Here is the programme for 2010. Please note that you will need to book on a numbered walk or event to ensure that you are able to take part. This can be done by phoning 01745 591365 or 01745 590866 or contacting us via this email address rhuddlanwalkingfestival@live.co.uk
Liability
The organisers endeavour to ensure the safety of all participants in the festival. They cannot be held liable, for any injury to, loss of, or damage to, personal property, however caused except to the extent to which it is unlawful to exclude such liability under the applicable law. You are advised to take out insurance against accident and personal injury.
It is the responsibility of those taking part in the walks to satisfy themselves that they are sufficiently fit and adequately attired for the walk. The walk leaders reserve the right to refuse all ill-equipped walkers.
Friday July 9th 2010
Events for the local village school only. These events will involve local children and will be run by Denbighshire's Countryside Services and by the county archaeologist.
Saturday July 10th 2010
> Walk 1 - Denbigh to Rhuddlan linear walk
This walk starts with a bus ride to Denbigh and returns via the varied countryside of the region. This is a strenuous linear walk of 15 miles back to Rhuddlan. Bring sufficient food, drink, suitable clothes, good footwear and, of course, your bus fare (or bus pass!). Booking essential.
Start - 08:30. Duration and length - 9 hours, 15 miles. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre. Walk leader - Chris Grier.
> Walk 2 - Historical Rhuddlan
Visit historical sites of interest in the Rhuddlan area with local historian Paul Parry. Bring an enquiring mind! Look out for historical talks in the programme too. Booking essential.
Start - 10:15. Duration and length - 2 hours, 2.5 miles. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre. Walk leaders - Paul and Heather Parry.
> Talk - 'Local nature reserves'
An illustrated talk on local nature reserves including Rhuddlan's very own nature reserve by Garry Davies of Denbighshire Countryside Services.
Start - 11:00. Duration - About 1 hour.
> Walk 3 - Walking for health
A gentle stroll for beginners all on the flat. Suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. A chance to see the Glan Morfa Site in Rhyl. Booking essential.
Start - 11:00. Duration and length - 1 hour, 2 miles. Meeting place - Brickfields Pond car park, Rhyl. Walk leader - Katrina Day.
> Walk 4 - Nature walk beside the River Clwyd
An opportunity to walk within the grounds of the Bodrhyddan Estate to enjoy its scenery and to search for resident wildlife. Suitable for accompanied children. Bring a snack and a drink. Booking essential.
Start - 13:30. Duration and length - 3 hours, 5 miles. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre. Walk leader - Ogwen Williams.
> Walk 5 - Pond dipping and nature reserve walk
A chance for both the young and the young at heart to try their hand at pond dipping in Rhuddlan’s newly opened nature reserve and to explore its network of footpaths. This event is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. Pond dipping equipment supplied. Suitable for accompanied children. Booking essential.
Start - 14:00. Duration and length - 1 hour, approx 1 mile. Meeting place - Rhuddlan nature reserve. Walk leader - Denbighshire Countryside Services.
> Walk 6 - Nordic Walking for Beginners
An opportunity to have a go at the latest fitness craze to hit the country which provides a full body workout. Help and advice will be provided together with the loan of some poles. Booking essential.
Start: 14:00. Duration and length - 1 hour, approx 2 miles. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre. Walk leader - Katrina Day.
> Talk - ‘Pages from the past’
Photos and documents of Rhuddlan’s history from the archives of the Rhuddlan Local History Society.
Do you have local photos or cuttings that you would like to share with others? Bring them with you to the talk. Scanning facilities available on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Start - 14:30. Duration - 1-2 hours. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre.
Sunday July 11th 2010
> Walk 7 - An alternative 3 peaks challenge
A strenuous circular walk exploring the countryside and villages to the east of Rhuddlan. Bring sufficient food, drink, suitable clothes and good footwear. Booking essential.
Start - 10:00. Duration and length - 7.5 hours, 13 miles. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre. Walk leaders - Val and Derek Jones.
>Walk 8 - Rhuddlan and St Asaph circular
A moderate circular walk along the vale that links these two ancient settlements. Bring sufficient food, drink, suitable clothes and good footwear. Booking essential.
Start - 10:15. Duration and length - 5 hours, 8miles. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre. Walk leader - Chris Grier.
> Walk 9 - Welsh language walk
Suitable for Welsh learners. Bring sufficient food, drink, suitable clothes and good footwear. Booking essential.
Start - 10:30. Duration and length - 3 hours, 5 miles. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre. Walk leader - Iona Evans.
> Walk 10 - Geocaching
Try your hand at this fascinating and fast growing pastime. Rhuddlan has many hidden caches for you to locate. Help available for beginners. Equipment provided for which a returnable deposit is required. Booking essential.
Start - 11:00. Duration and length - 2 hours. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre. Walk leaders - Peter Hewett and friends.
> Walk 11 - Birdwatching
An opportunity to see the birdlife in and around the Brickfield Pond. Bring your own binoculars. There will be an opportunity for a short walk afterwards. Booking essential.
Start: - 14:00. Duration and length - 2 hours, 3 miles. Meeting place - Brickfields Pond car park, Rhyl. Walk leaders - Yve and Terry Hands.
> Talk - ‘Archaeology in the Rhuddlan area’
An illustrated talk by Sarah Pevely, Community Archaeologist for North East Wales. What is archaeology and what can it teach us about our ancestors and how they lived?
Start - 14:30. Duration - 1-2 hours. Meeting place - Rhuddlan Community Centre.
How to find us
By train - Rhyl or Prestatyn stations. Then by bus.
By bus - see www.traveline-cymru.org.uk
By car - Parking at Rhuddlan Library, Vicarage Lane, Rhuddlan LL18 2UE.
Meeting places for the walks and events
Rhuddlan Community Centre, Parliament Street, Rhuddlan LL18 5AW.
Rhuddlan nature reserve is near the roundabout on the western end of Rhuddlan opposite the retail park. There is limited parking on the site with further parking in the retail park.
Brickfield Pond is on Ffordd Derwen in Rhyl.
Rhuddlan Walking Festival wishes to thank the following organisations for their assistance in making this festival possible: -
Rhuddlan Town Council, Denbighshire Countryside Services, Welsh Speciality Foods, Table Table restaurant in Rhuddlan, The Co-operative stores in Rhuddlan, Gronant Amblers, Vale of Clwyd Ramblers and all of the organisations who have spared the time to provide stalls and information for the public.