50 years on for the Waltham Walk
Wednesday 21st August 2019This year the Waltham Walk celebrated its 50th anniversary, it all started back in December 1969 when a group of Officers of the Waltham Forest Battalion met and Michael Wilding, 22nd Waltham Forest Company set out his vision for what was to become the Waltham Walk, one of the largest expedition events affiliated to The Boys’ Brigade.
To date the Waltham Walk has attracted entries from 294 diverse organisational groups including 73 BB/GA, 21 Scout, 9 Girls’ Brigade, 4 Guides, 33 Cadets, 29 Schools, 37 Youth Clubs and 58 Independent groups. Although entrants are generally from a 200-mile radius of Essex there have been teams from Scotland and Ireland over the years with more than 7000 entrants having taken part. To commemorate this milestone, the history has been collated into “WALTHAM WALK …the first 50 years”. Copies can be purchased at £5 + postage and packing (contact mike.wilding44@googlemail.com).
So, the 50th event was held over the weekend of the 11th & 12th May 2019 with 49 teams taking part. The event started at High Easter Village Hall, camped overnight at Skreens Park and finished at Blackmore Village Hall an overall distance of 23 miles. Apart from a few light showers on the Saturday, which did not dampen the teams’ spirits, the weather was good for trekking across the Essex countryside. Well done to all those that took part in the walk, next years walk will take place from 16th to 17th May 2020, for more information go to walthamwalk.org.uk.
