Pennine Way ramblers honour 'visionary' on 60th anniversary
Walkers have completed a 40-mile (64km) trek in honour of the man widely regarded as the father of the Pennine Way.Tom Stephenson, from Whalley in Lancashire, dreamt in 1935 of creating a 268-mile (431km) trail from the Peak District, across the Yorkshire Dales, and into the Scottish Borders.It was 30 years before his vision turned into a reality on 24 April 1965.For the 60th anniversary, volunteers from Pendle Radicals and the Friends of Clarion House at Roughlee set off on Monday from Mr Stephenson's former home in Whalley before joining the Pennine Way at Earby and making their way to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales on Thursday.
Another "Pennine Way at 60" event will take place from 11:30 BST on Sunday at Clarion House.It will highlight the new Two Toms Trail and Pendle Hill's significance as the source of inspiration for Mr Stephenson.The event will include a short walk as well as a special Pennine Way display, readings and a short film.
Ramblers' Association
Nick Burton, who led the three-day trek to Yorkshire, told BBC Radio Lancashire how Mr Stephenson got the idea of creating a Pennine Way as a 13-year-old mill worker near Whalley.He said: "After his first week he walked up Pendle Hill and got that view northwards of the Pennines and it sort of inspired him and started his love of rambling."As early as 1935 he wrote an article suggesting the idea of a Pennine Way."
Mr Stephenson went on to become secretary of the Ramblers' Association.When he was in his 70s, he attended the official opening of the Pennine Way at Malham Moor on 24 April 1965.He died in 1987.
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