Celebration of city's Clarion Ramblers

Entitled ‘Clarion Call: Sheffield’s Access Pioneers,’ the book includes previously unseen-photographs of the early days of the Sheffield Clarion Rambles.

The book, published by the South Yorkshire & North East Derbyshire branch of the Ramblers, features photographs of men in their Sunday suits and women in long dresses and hats, all wearing hob-nailed boots, on rambles organised by the Clarion Club. The club, founded by GHB Ward in 1900, was one of the first working class rambling clubs in the country. One of the pictures even shows Ward skinny-dipping in a pool near Swain’s Greave, Bleaklow, on an early ramble. The book, which will be launched at this year’s Spirit of Kinder Day event, at Edale Village Hall on Saturday April 22, has been written by Dave Sissons, Terry Howard and Roly Smith, all committed local access campaigners. Ward expert Dave Sissons has managed to link many of the photographs with actual walks as recorded in the well-known Clarion Club Handbooks, which Ward single-handedly edited for 50 years. Terry Howard, a prominent Sheffield rambler, also contributes his personal views of Kinder Scout and the legacy of GHB Ward. The book also records the leading role in the fight for access to mountain and moorland which Sheffield has played over the years. Editor Roly Smith writes about national figures that had strong connections with Sheffield’s fight for the right to roam.

Roly, president of SYNED, said: “We felt it was important that Sheffield’s part in these early access battles be recorded, especially now that the city is campaigning to be Britain’s Outdoor City.”