Looking At The Memorial in Victoria ParkThe New Year’s Walk for 2014 took on a new format in that it was linear. There were quite a few cancellations due to ill health so only seven participants headed off from Bradford in the minibus to our starting point at Woodlands Cricket Club in Oakenshaw. There a further seven people joined the party to walk the 4.5 downhill miles to Heckmondwike on the Spen Valley Greenway.
We started off at the memorial in Victoria Park which commemorates the loss of 38 lives in an explosion at the nearby Low Moor Chemical Works in 1916 in what was once a heavily industrialised part of Bradford.
The weather at the start of our walk was clear, bright and mild and we meandered happily along enjoying the surprisingly open countryside along the route as we dodged the many bike 
Sheep Sculptureriders who make good use of this Sustrans route. The mild weather tempted one or two plants into flower and we were accompanied by numerous birds as we enjoyed the various sculptures that are a feature of the route.
After a short shower, lunch was taken a mile or so before we reached Heckmondwike where a small flock of redwings entertained us. 
Redwing After we reached our destination the weather took a turn for the worse and so the café at Morrison’s was a welcome retreat for most of the party whilst they waited for the minibus to be fetched from our starting point for the return journey. Some members of the party ventured as far as the Tog24 factory shop and Sue was rewarded by the purchase of a pair of £8 walking boots!
This was a not-too-strenuous outing, ideal for an early-season walk which allowed everyone to dust off what cobwebs remained after the recent festivities.Stuart