Click here to read the history behind ....... Redcar's 'Grand Finale' Walk

Redcar's "Grand Finale" Walk

Dozens of walkers will converge on Egton Bridge, near Whitby, on Sunday 7 September 2014 for the last of 26 years of annual sponsored charity treks, which hold many good memories for regulars.

Members of the Wyatt family, of Saltburn, will take part to remember moors' walk founder Charles Wyatt, a bank manager and a member of the Rotary Club of Redcar, who died in 2004.

"It will bring back many happy memories, particularly Dad striding out with his trusty walking-stick and his usual smile," said John Wyatt, a town planning consultant, who will walk with wife Sue and two daughters Harriet, nine months, and nine-year-old Martha.

"Martha has participated from being carried in a baby carrier to walking herself and has usually done the longer of the two treks in memory of her grandpa Charles, often of 10 miles or more. However, this year, with the arrival of Harriet, we'll be sticking to the shorter seven-miler.

"The choice of walk is good to encourage more families to come along. Despite getting slightly lost a couple of times, we've thoroughly enjoyed the outings, particularly with the stunning scenery that the North York Moors offers.

"We particularly enjoyed the bacon sandwiches at Rosedale Abbey village shop and the post-walk lunch and beer at Blakey Ridge when walks took in that area."

Sue Wyatt said: "It's great family day out and friends and their families have enjoyed the walks over the years too. We enjoy the fresh air and usually take the dog, which is OK as long as they are on a lead or very well behaved!"

The family will be cheered off by Charles Wyatt's wife Pat, also of Saltburn, who has done both the two alternative treks several times. "I can recommend the day for being well-organised, raising money through sponsorship and fun. I'm sure it will be a fitting 'grand finale' to 26 years of dedicated work by Rotarians and friends," she said.

"I particularly remember our older son Andrew carrying his son Archie, then aged under one, on a back-pack for the longer trek."

Rotary spokesman Peter Gleghorn said: "In May 1988, a small group of members, led by Charles Wyatt, organised a sponsored walk of the Upper Rosedale Circuit in aid of Polio Plus and other charities. A good crowd of walkers did the route round Rosedale on the old railway track. Since then a walk has been held on the moors every year except 2001 when foot-and-mouth intervened.

"The walk has raised some £70,000 for charities. We've reluctantly decided this year would be our last because of declining numbers and falling donations. It's better to end it on a positive note with a record number of walkers and many good memories of the walks and the causes supported."

The Wyatt walk will be held on Sunday September 7, starting at the Egton Bridge car park between 9-11 am. There are two alternative routes, the family walk of seven miles and the Long Walk of nine and a half miles. Both follow the same route from Egton Bridge over Lease Rigg to Beck Hole and return via Grosmont. The Long Walk is an add-on circuit from Beck Hole to Mallyan Spout and Goathland.

 "These walks on the old railbed are full of history and with the villages of Grosmont and Beck Hole to visit. There's the added bonus of the steam trains at Grosmont," said Mr Gleghorn, of Marske, a keen walker himself.