Spring Walks Festival 2026
(Wednesday 29th April to Wednesday 6th May)
Our Spring Walks Festival 2026 took place over 8 days from Wednesday, 29th April to Wednesday, 6th May 2026.
There were 43 walks with 279 different people taking part, and a total of 3352 miles walked during the festival. A list of the walks is available here.
Gathering at Holmbury St Mary Village Hall on Wednesday, 6th May
The festival culminated on Wednesday, 6th May, with a gathering at Holmbury St Mary Village Hall. Four different walks converged on the venue, where tea, coffee and home-made cakes were served, and John Peppard entertained us, singing and playing guitar.
Abdul (our Chair) and Sally presented certificates to the most enthusiastic walkers, and Abdul presented small gifts to Sally, Simon, Rob, Judith and Adrian for their help in organising the Festival.
Thanks
A special thank you to Sally Howes, Simon Strudwick, Rob Tomlinson, Adrian Barton and Judith Wotton (and the many other helpers) for organising a wonderful festival. And of course, thank you to our wonderful Walk Leaders, Walks Coordinators and those who prepare the programme, without whom none of this would be possible.
Holly McLaren created these lovely Mole pictures, recognising some of the many people who helped to organise this wonderful event:
The Walk Leaders
The Cake Makers
Photographic Competition
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Helen Robert-Shaw organised a photographic competition where walkers were invited to send one submission of ten quirky photos taken during the Festival, each photo associated with a letter in Mole Valley. The winner of the photographic competition was Judith Wotton, with Janice Belton as the runner-up. Holly McLaren has compiled all the photos into a slideshow (see below). |
Most enthusiastic walkers
The winners and runners-up of the various walking challenges are to be congratulated!
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Leisurely Walks Winner - 9 walks - Lizann Peppard Runners-up - 8 walks - Paul Davies and Tudor, Lesley Rice |
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Moderate Walks Winner - 5 walks - Helen Robert-Shaw Runners-up - 4 walks - Jan Belton, Paula Hughes, Mary Parish |
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All-day Walks Winner - 8 walks - John Godfrey Runners-up - 7 walks - Rob Tomlinson, Judith Wotton, Adrian Barton |
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Evening Walks Winners - 7 walks - John Godfrey, Judith Wotton, Adrian Barton Runner-up - 6 walks - Sally Howes |
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Total Walks Winners - 16 walks - Judith Wotton, Adrian Barton Runner-up - 15 walks - John Godfrey |
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Total Mileage Winners - 136.6 miles walked, 16,736 ft climbed - Judith Wotton, Adrian Barton Runner-up - 132.1 miles walked, 16,593 ft climbed - John Godfrey |
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Most Led Walks Winners - 5 walks - Lizann Peppard, Helen Robert-Shaw |
Podcast about the Spring Walks Festival
Listen to Sally Howes discussing this year's festival on the Walking Post Podcast here.
Last year's Festival
Click here for a look back at the Spring Walks Festival in 2025.
