TV and radio broadcaster, Clare Balding, has been walking the Nidderdale Way in the company of two local clergy for the next series of her Radio 4 programme, Ramblings.
Vicar of Upper Nidderdale, the Revd Darryl Hall, and the minister of Pately Bridge Methodist Church, Revd. Mike Poole with his wife, Julia Wyatt, accompanied Clare on a stretch of the Nidderdale Way as she recorded an episode of the Radio 4 Ramblings series.
Methodist minister, Mike Poole, was invited to start off the walk at Scar House Reservoir with a prayer and at the end of the stretch, Ramsgill, Darryl ended the walk with a blessing.
Along the way Clare introduced all three of her walking companions and then they discussed on microphone how Christianity and community make a meaningful difference to life in the dale.
“Walking parts of the Nidderdale Way is always a pleasure” said Darryl. “Our peaceful little churches are gathering points that direct our thoughts towards God. Outside of these spiritual buildings is the great cathedral of God's creation, the beauty of which is particularly noticeable here in Nidderdale.”
Clare fell in love with Nidderdale and took regular moments to absorb the sights and sounds - the 'orchestra of the dales' as Methodist minister, Mike Poole put it.
The full walk will be aired over several weeks from 18th May. This particular episode will be broadcast on 25th May on Radio 4.