A Happy New Year to all and a warm welcome to the new millennium. This month's walks, on Sunday, 23 January 2000 take us to a beautiful area around Arnside and Silverdale. Here we have a choice of four walks, all of which will finish in Arnside. Toilets, cafes and a public house are available here. The views across the bay to the Lake District are truly magnificent on clear days. The day also provides good opportunities for bird watchers (remember to bring your binoculars) as some of the walks cross Leighton Moss R.S.P.B. nature reserve and other walks will follow coastal paths. The coaches will leave school at 0800 hrs prompt and should be back in Formby by 1900 hrs. The cost of travel is £7.00 for adults and £4.00 for children and for students in full time education who were formerly pupils at Range High School. Please return slips with cheques (NOT CASH) to the school office by Thursday, 13 January in an envelope marked "Range Walking Club".

Waterproof walking boots are essential and especially on the low level walks normally undertaken at this time of year. Mud and puddles can abound.

'A' Walk
Starting at Warton (G.R. 510723) we ascend Warton Crag (359') and walk along the road for a short distance then cross some low-lying sand until we pick up the coastal path that takes us, via Jenny Brown's Point to Silverdale. Here we stop for refreshments at the local hostelry. The walk then continues to Arnside and includes the steep climb over Arnside Knott (500').

Distance: 12 miles

Ascent: 1000'

Leaders: Arthur Jones and John Hughes

'B'+ Walk
This walk starts at Arnside and ascends the 'Knott' with excellent views unfolding as we climb. We then travel eastwards via field paths to Hazelslack before turning south again following mainly field tracks to Yealand Storrs. Continuing south we pass through Cringlebarrow Woods before one again changing tack and turning north west to traverse Leighton Moss. We continue in this direction until we reach Eaves Wood and cross the main woodland to arrive at Arnside Tower. Taking mercy on the walkers, we then pass round Arnside Knott to arrive back at Arnside itself.

Distance: 10½ miles

Ascent: 700'

Leaders: John Rothwell and Dave Luty

'B' Walk
Starting at the promenade at Arnside we follow the coastal path around Blackstone Point heading towards Far Arnside and then on to Silverdale where we will take a lunch break. The walk in the afternoon will involve a couple of climbs which will be taken at a very leisurely pace. The first is across Eaves Wood to Arnside Tower and then the ascent of Arnside Knott which is well worth the effort involved as it is a wonderful view point to the Lake District. The descent takes us back into Arnside.

Distance: 8 miles

Ascent: 600'

Leaders: Ann and Ian Mitchell

C' Walk
We start our walk by passing the Albion Pub and continuing up through town and park to Arnside Knott. This is the only climb of the day which will be taken with frequent breathers and a good halt at the top to enjoy the view. A stroll through the woods to takes us to Arnside Tower. The walk back involves a slight scramble down the Knott which ends the strenuous part of the day. We make our way through fields and woodland to the beach at New Barn. It's a lovely walk along the beach to Far Arnside or along the low cliff above if the tide is in. We then head across the plain to Silverdale where, luck and time permitting, you might find the pub previously by-passed. Returning through the woods to visit Arnside Tower we then turn east to the railway line which we follow back to Arnside.

Distance: 7½ miles

Ascent: 500'

Leaders: Nikki Harrison and Eileen Morgan