WALK THE PROVINCE NORTHERN AREA No.1

What is the Walk the Province Event? CLICK HERE FOR THE ANSWER

Northern Area No1 (Accrington & Blackburn Districts) 'Walk the Province' event took place over the weekend 14th - 15th May in two legs.

Saturday 14th May

Clitheroe to Oswaldtwistle via Whalley, Clayton-le-Moors and Accrington

On Saturday May 14th, WBro Derek Thornhill, PSGD, APGM for Northern area No.1, started the Accrington District section for the joint weekend Walk the Province walk in for the EL2015 Festival in aid of the RMBI,  between Accrington and Blackburn Districts.
Starting at Clitheroe Masonic Rooms, WBro Thornhill formally handed the baton to WBro Roger Flitcroft PProvJGW, Chairman of the Accrington District, to begin the days fund raising efforts.
The Walk, in which approximately 40 (mostly) willing walkers participated, was a point to point walk across each Masonic Hall in the District, firstly stopping at Whalley, then Clayton Le Moors, Accrington and finally finishing the Accrington District leg at Oswaldtwistle in the mid afternoon.
Each Masonic Hall welcomed the walkers  with refreshments and fantastic support as the Brethren, wives, partners, friends and pets, made their way across the District.
WBro Chris Riding, Worshipful Master of Albert Edward Lodge No.1519, did the full journey on his mobility scooter, charging the batteries and making pit stops along the way!
The Baton was passed to WBro Paul Aspinall PAGDC, Chairman of Blackburn District on Sunday morning in Oswaldtwistle by WBro Roger Flitcroft, to start the Oswaldtwistle to Blackburn, then Darwen leg of the event.

Sunday 15th May

Oswaldtwistle to Darwen via Blackburn

On a wet and windy Sunday over 20 walkers, masons and friends set off from Oswaldtwistle Masonic Hall to walk the 8.8 miles to Darwen Masonic Hall, stopping off for lunch at Blackburn Masonic Hall. Pictured below are the walkers at the start of the leg at Oswadltwistle Masonic Hall, with WBro Duncan Holmes of Accrington District (centre), holding the baton which was carried by the walkers from the start at Clitheroe on Saturday to the finish on Sunday at Darwen.

And they're off! on the way to Blackburn on day two off the walk

Having arrived at Blackburn Masonic Hall it is time for a well earned rest and a spot of lunch.

Wet Walkers: WBro Dougie Aspden and WBro Jim Fallow lead the way to Darwen

The Baton finally arrives at Darwen Masonic Hall

The Baton being handed over by WBro Duncan Holmes to WBro Paul Aspinall Blackburn District Chairman at Darwen Masonic Hall having travelled over 20 miles

The festival team: LtoR WBro John Rimmer, WBro Derek Thornhill, WBro Bill Livesey, WBro Dave McGurty

With thanks to WBro Jim Abbott for taking the photographs