A WIDE variety of themed walks and trails feature in the walking programme contribution to Burley-in-Wharfedale’s Summer Festival this year.

The Festival, taking place from Saturday, August 18 to Monday, August 26 has 14 walks provided by the village’s Walkers are Welcome group.

They include a walk to Burley Weir with Pat O’Brien, Fisheries Technical Expert with the Environment Agency. Mr O’Brien will talk about on-going plans to repopulate the River Wharfe with fish such as salmon and sea trout by installing fish passes including in Burley.

A self-guided bee trail around Burley-in-Wharfedale for children aged four to 11 with their parents run jointly with Burley Community Library will include a story and craft activities.

Colin Speakman, village resident and acclaimed author and poet, will be reading water themed poems during a walk visiting selected sites around the village.

He will also be joined at stages in the walk by members of the Wharfedale Poets collective who will be reading their own verse.

David Asher, chairman of the Walkers are Welcome group, said: “Although a few of the walks have now been booked up, there are still many places available.

“We had a fantastic turn out last year with lots of positive feedback, so we hope to do even better this year.

“We have not only increased the number but also the type of walk, from longer walks from Beamsley Beacon, to shorter walks around Burley Woodhead.

“There is also a night walk, a walk to a brewery, and the children and family bee themed trail, so a wide variety of interests are being catered for.

“We will also have a stall in Grange Park on Sunday, August 19, so if anyone would like to find out more about the walks or the group, please come and see us.”

Bookings can be made on line through the Burley Summer Festival website, www.burleysummerfestival.org, or in person from Saturday, August 18 August in the Roundhouse, Grange Park, from 10am to 4pm.

For more information about the group’s activities visit their website www.waw-burleyinwharfedale.org/.