Darlington rambling club marks 90 years with 90-mile challenge

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 08:32 · Archive

Darlington CHA & HF Rambling Club is celebrating its 90th anniversary with a 90-mile walking challenge completed in stages.

Darlington CHA & HF Rambling Club was founded at a meeting organised by Frank Bowman on 29 October 1936. Its first walk took place just days later, on 8 November 1936, when Bill Sugdon and Harold Sowerby led members from Darlington to Richmond, beginning a tradition that has continued for nine decades.

The club has survived the Second World War, two major foot-and-mouth outbreaks and the Covid-19 pandemic. Today it remains more than 100 members strong and organises full-day walks on Saturdays and Sundays throughout most of the year, as well as some midweek outings.

To celebrate its 90th birthday, members are tackling a 90-mile route linking some of their favourite walking country, completing it in stages over a series of Sunday outings. The club previously completed an 80-mile walk to mark its 80th anniversary. The current programme takes walkers through Leyburn, Redmire, Reeth, Muker and Tan Hill before the final section from Barningham to Barnard Castle on 8 November, which falls exactly 90 years after the club's inaugural outing.

The club's unusual name, CHA & HF, dates back to its association with the former Countrywide Holidays Association and Holiday Fellowship, the latter of which became HF Holidays.

Darlington rambling club marks 90 years with 90-mile challenge — Image: The Northern Echo

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Darlington rambling club marks 90 years with a special 90-mile walking challengeA Darlington walking club which has survived war, disease outbreaks and a pandemic is marking 90 years of rambling with a 90-mile challenge.The Northern Echo · 27 Oct, 08:00
Darlington rambling club marks 90 years with a special 90-mile walking challengeA Darlington walking club which has survived war, disease outbreaks and a pandemic is marking 90 years of rambling with a 90-mile challenge.Darlington & Stockton Times · 27 Oct, 08:00

In this story: Darlington CHA & HF Rambling Club · Frank Bowman · Bill Sugdon · Harold Sowerby · Darlington · Richmond · Barnard Castle

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