The birthday of Pontypool and District Ramblers Group is easy to remember - 4-5-67.

On that date a public meeting was held in the schoolroom of a Congregational Church in Pontypool, addressed by the then assistant secretary of the Ramblers Association Mr A Dalby, and the local group was born.

With the group celebrating its 50th anniversary this month there are several special events planned to mark the milestone: notably a celebratory dinner for current members and those who have been particularly associated with the group’s activities in the past.

There will also be a repeat, in part, on May 20 of the group’s first walk, starting at the Memorial Clock in Pontypool Park, with the Mayor of Torfaen sending the walkers on their way.

To specially mark the anniversary, the group has published ‘Walks in and around Torfaen’, a booklet describing 12 great walks in the Eastern Valley area between Blaenavon and Cwmbran.

These walks cover the core walking area of the Pontypool Group and have all given considerable enjoyment to members over the last 50 years. Copies (£4.95 +p&p) can be obtained by contacting Walks Officer Lew Lewis on 01873 890270.

Many of the group’s walks fall within our local area, taking in places like Gilwern, The Blorenge, the Sugar Loaf, Pant-y-Goitre, Clytha Park, Penperlleni and Pwlldu

Group Chairman Peter Hulme said, “We’re a friendly group and cordially invite anyone who would like to be part of the history of our next 50 years to consider joining us for a walk by visiting out web-page at www.ramblers.org.uk/pontypool where full derails of our current programme of walks may be found.”