A WALKING club in Chester has celebrated its 100th birthday by re-treading the steps of its first ever ramble.

Members of Chester Rambling and Hill Walking Club set out to Eccleston and the Iron Bridge on May 28, 1919.

And that same route was re-enacted on May 28 this year when long-standing member Margaret Hodson led the walk.

Around 135 members past and present also celebrated with a centenary dinner at the city’s Queen Hotel earlier this month on May 16.

Special guest was Kate Ashbrook, the general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, who spoke about issues dear to the hearts of all walkers – continued access to paths and open green spaces.

Committee member Maria Owen researched the club’s history for a special booklet to mark the centenary.

She said: “The club’s archives include detailed minutes from committee meetings from 1919 onwards.

“We also have most of our printed listings of walks and social activities. These first appeared in1931 and are still issued twice yearly to this day.”

The club has experienced challenges over the years. The Second World War depleted the membership in the 1940s, and major outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in 1967 and 2001 impacted heavily on footpath access across the country.

These days, the club boasts a full programme of Sunday and Wednesday hikes of eight miles or more, as well as shorter Tuesday night walks in summer.

Regular Club walks take place in Cheshire, Wirral, North Wales, Derbyshire and Shropshire. On top of this, coach trips and camping holidays enable members to tread hills and dales further afield.

Although the club’s main focus is the great outdoors, social activities have been prolific since its beginnings.

Maria added: “Back in the day, such events included folk dancing, stick whittling and whist. These days, the social programme is more likely to consist of ice cream tasting and meals out!”

Some things may have changed since 1919, but the Club’s ethos of providing walking opportunities for people of all abilities remains.

To see what Chester Rambling and Walking Club has on offer, visit

www.chesterwalkingclub.com