W18: Addlebrough and Semerwater
Leave Station car park at 9.15am. Start at Bainbridge Village Green (GR: SD 934 902, What3Words: ///asterisk.composed.graphic) at 10.00am. 12 Miles. Hard. £7
This walk, last in the programme in 2021, visits both the summit of Addlebrough with its remains of an Iron Age settlement, and also the beautiful Semer Water - one of only two natural lakes in North Yorkshire. On leaving Bainbridge our route climbs onto an escarpment with fine views over the Ure Valley and the site of the Roman fort, before making a steep climb up to the summit of Addlebrough (480m). The descent takes us through the remains of the Iron Age settlement and then along ancient tracks running across attractive heathland where curlew and oystercatchers can usually be seen. We will join the route of Wainwright's “Pennine Journey” as we walk through the limestone scenery to the attractive hamlet of Stalling Busk and on, past the evocative remains of the old church, to the shores of Semer Water. From here the route follows the River Bain back to the starting point.
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W19: The Waterfalls of Keld and the Upper Swale - revised route since 2023
Leave Station car park at 9.15am. Rendezvous at National Park CP in Muker, entrance before the bridge. (GR: SD 911 978, What3Words: ///towel.dished.ringers) at 10.00am. 9 Miles. Moderate. £7
It is claimed that Keld has the highest concentration of waterfalls within a mile of the village of anywhere in England. This walk takes in the half-dozen that are publicly accessible, as well as views of a number of others. Along the way, traditional hay meadows, with their characteristic small barns, give an insight into the agricultural history of Upper Swaledale, while glimpses of lead mining activity speak of its industrial heritage. Leaving the charming village of Muker, we head up over the shoulder of Kisdon Hill, with stunning views of the surrounding fells. Dropping down, we loop around Keld – the highest settlement in Swaledale – to visit each of its waterfalls, culminating in impressive Kisdon Force. A gentle stroll through fields alongside the river brings us back to Muker and the end of our journey through this beautiful and remote corner of the Dales.
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W20: A Nature Discovery Walk at Nosterfield
Leave Station car park at 9.45am. Rendezvous at Nosterfield Nature Reserve car park (GR: SE 279 795, What3Words: ///divides.commenced.voltage) at 10.30am. An easy nature walk of around 5 Miles. £7
Following an early sell out in 2023, we are repeating this Discovery Walk at the National Nature Reserve at Nosterfield and the nearby reserve at Nosterfield Quarry, still a working quarry. During a short walk over level ground we will learn about the restoration of former quarries into nature reserves well known locally for their bird life and flowers, learning something of the conservation methods used to create and improve habitats, including the propagation nursery set up at the site to supply plants for this work. Your knowledgeable team for the day will help you identify the flora and fauna present. A member of the Nosterfield team will explain their work. Please bring binoculars if you have them. We aim to spend the morning at Nosterfield Reserve before transferring to Nosterfield Quarry for the afternoon, with a planned finish at around 4pm.
Supported by: The Lower Ure Conservation Trust
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E18: Peter Barron and ‘Cloudy Rain Later – a Lifetime on Newspapers’
The Station, Richmond DL10 4LD | 11:00am – midday | £8 | Café/restaurant, bookstall, disabled access.
Peter Barron will talk about his lifetime working on newspapers. He is a very amusing raconteur.
Peter is an award-winning journalist and was the Editor of the Northern Echo for 40 years. He is widely regarded as one of the UK's foremost regional journalists. He is also the author of children’s books and is Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham.
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E19: Matt Tiller and ‘The Lion Who Never Roared’
Richmond Town Hall, DL10 4QL | 7:30pm | £10 | Refreshments, bookstall, disabled access.
‘The Lion Who Never Roared’ is the incredible story of Jack Leslie who was the only black player in the Football League when he was selected for his country in 1925. But Jack was dropped due to the colour of his skin. A statue of Jack was unveiled in 2022 and the FA awarded Jack’s family a posthumous honorary cap, 97 years after his selection.
Matt Tiller tells Jack's story: his childhood in East London during the First World War; the riots that targeted black people soon after; his illustrious career at Plymouth Argyle (137 goals in 400 games); becoming the league’s first black captain before an eye injury forced his retirement; joining West Ham United in his sixties to shine the boots of World Cup winners like Bobby Moore; and his selection for England and how that accolade was snatched away.
Matt is a radio and TV writer/producer. His first job as a radio reporter covered Leslie’s club, Plymouth Argyle. Matt studied history at Oxford and through research, campaigning and working with Jack’s family his book has come to fruition.
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E20: Mark Bridgeman ‘Trial by Jury’
The Station, Richmond DL10 4LD | 7:30pm | £35 including 2 course meal plus nibbles| bookstall, disabled access.
Guilty or innocent? You decide. Best-selling author Mark Bridgeman will be taking the part of judge, prosecution and defence when he presents a real-life murder trial at this year’s festival - in which you the audience will become the jury!
With a prize for the winner, evidence and exhibits from the case, and a Q&A with the author, this promises to be an event to remember. Silence in Court!
The entry fee includes a two-course meal and nibbles.
Mark has appeared on TV & Radio. His stories have been dramatised and featured in newspaper serial form. Mark’s titles ‘Perthshire’s Pound of Flesh’ and ‘Blood across the Water’ have been among Waterstones Scotland’s non-fiction best sellers for 2022 and 2023.