As in previous years, it has become traditional to go out for a walk between Christmas and New Year, called the Pudding Hike; designed to help walk off the Christmas Pudding and other eating excesses over this period.

We have walked in all weathers – deep snow, sunshine and rain – this year we had strong winds, with sun and showers.

The hike is never well attended and this year was no exception; we had 2 Cubs, 1 Scout and 4 Leaders! However we had a great day out – after travelling to Mytholmroyd by train we climbed up to Sowerby moor top via Stake Lane, a steep climb. Lunch was taken at the top of Steep Lane and then we walked to the top of Crow Hill, the highest point around and a great view over Sowerby Bridge & Halifax.

From here it was all downhill to Kebroyd via Cottonstones and Millbank and then back via the normally dry trackbed of the old railway line to Ripponden. With all the recent rain however it was a bog and a river at times as some of the culverts had become blocked and it made a relatively easy walk hard and tiring.

We were all tired by the time we got back to St Paul’s and in all we had walked 7½ miles.