Willow Walk Year Five: 65 Squeavers, 3 Parks, 1 Very Big Dock Leaf

Willow Walk Year Five: 65 Squeavers, 3 Parks, 1 Very Big Dock Leaf

*Annual family hike honours Jane Morrey and earns Hikes Away badges for all*

SQUIRRELS · BEAVERS · HIKING · COMMUNITY

Sixty-five Squeavers — plus parents, siblings, grandparents and a good number of stick collectors — set off on Sunday 10th May for the fifth annual Willow Walk, and this year's route was a proper L25 treasure hunt.

Clarke Gardens, Camp Hill and Allerton Towers: three local green spaces, two glorious sunny hours, and one Squirrel's burning question — "Can I roll down every hill?"

The answer, for the record, was yes.

Named in memory of Jane Morrey (Willow), our beloved former Beaver leader who helped risk-assess these walks from the very beginning, the Willow Walk has become one of the group's favourite family traditions. And with snack stops, squirrel spotting, play areas and some truly enormous dock leaves ("The dock leaves are so big!" — Beaver Scout, wide-eyed), this year's edition didn't disappoint.

The route took families through spaces some had never explored before. One parent summed it up perfectly: "Never been here before. Who knew?!" That's exactly what the Willow Walk is for — getting outdoors together, exploring your own patch, and discovering green corners you didn't know existed.

There was litter picking along the way (because we always leave places better than we found them), plenty of stick collecting (of course), and — because it was absolutely roasting — lolly ices at the finish line. The cheers could probably be heard back at Clarke Gardens.

Every single participant earned their Hikes Away staged badges — Stage 1 for Squirrels, Stage 2 for Beavers. That's 65 badges stitched onto blankets and hoodies, and 65 young people who now know they can walk for two hours, have fun doing it, and still have energy to roll down a hill at the end.

Huge thanks to the team who planned, risk-assessed and led the route, and to every parent, carer and sibling who came along. These walks are only possible because families show up — rain or shine (mostly shine this year).

Next year, the Willow Walk returns to its roots: the Hale Lighthouse circular along the River Mersey. We'll see you there. Sticks optional. Rolling mandatory.

*Fancy joining us for the next one? Squirrels meet Thursday evenings, Beavers on Mondays. Drop us a line at info@25th-allerton.com*