Sheffield Weekenders

Our walking group was formed in 1981 as a way for local people to meet, socialise and relax, other than on the hectic Sheffield club and pub scene. The first walk was held that Spring, had 4 attendees and started from Lodge Moor in Sheffield. In the same year Derrick Robinson took over organising the group and carried on doing so for 22 years. The group is very friendly, welcomes new attendees, has an informal organisation. It does not have a committee or budget. The group is and has always been very informal, not charging any subscriptions or fees to attend. People have joined from Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Manchester and other areas. It is mainly gay men who come along but gay women are always welcome. Although most of our members have a love of walking and the countryside, this has never been a pre-requisite to join, as our walks are generally easy to moderate. We rely on people who do come to sometimes volunteer to lead a walk, so we can offer a full programme of one walk every month. They are nearly always the first Sunday of the month. Do not worry though if that is not your strength, as we are happy for anyone to come along and join us – you will soon see that we are of different abilities and characters and always pleased to make new friends. The social side of our walks is as important as the physical side.