Royal Mail/Postage - please check that you have the correct postage rate when sending books and sae's - remember a "large" stamp may be needed if the envelope is thicker than 5mm.  Please ensure you put a return address on the back of your envelope.    This is particularly relevant when redeeming Long/Medium Distance Trails and National Trails - the envelope being returned will be larger/heavier than the one you sent as it will contain all your books and a certificate/s.  A standard 100g large stamp is unlikely to be sufficient.   

BWF Awards

Please ensure that you include your contact details when sending IVV log books for redemption to the BWF Awards Officer.

Once the existing stock of Award pins & badges have been sold, the BWF will only be providing Certificates at Award levels. Claimants are requested to contact the BWF Awards Officer for up to date price and availability of pins / badges.

As a result of increased costs to the BWF, we are having to increase the cost of the Pins & Badges sold as part of the Award Levels. With immediate effect, the cost will now be £3-00 per Pin & Badge i.e. if you want both, its £6-00.

The 1st European Walking  Day will take place on 25th October 2026 - although walking events  between 17th – 25th October 2026 will qualify.  We have 5 clubs participating, 1 main event, 2 series events and 3 permanent trails.  The events calendar is in the process of being updated to indicate these 5 events.  A special woven cloth badge will be available to pre-order as well as certificates.  More details will be added here as they become available

The 2026 Events Calendar on the website is the most up to date version - there are some changes from the printed copy.

Royal Connections Special Programme and Rivers Special Programme - Started 1st January 2025

         
Entry forms and information are now available from the website menu above - Challenges/Special Programmes.  A walk list page is being updated regularly with walks advised as having Royal Connection and/or River.

Medium and Long Distance Walk lists updated to 10 February 2026- available from the Walks menu above.  Lists now include the counties the walk passes through

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PERMANENT TRAIL INFORMATION UPDATES

All Permanent Trails on the BWF Website are registered until 31st December 2026

PT34 YORK TOURIST WALK / PT215 YORK CITY AND RIVER TRAIL
The York Museum Gardens are currently closed until 15 July 2026.
PT34 Diversion: After following riverside path with river on right, don't turn left through archway but carry on straight ahead beside river. Turn left before bridge and go uphill to Museum Gardens gates. Question 6 is unavailable.
PT215 Diversion: Turn left at Museum Gardens gates down to river. Turn right on Dame Judi Dench Walk. After archway, turn right onto Marygate and continue past Museum Gardens exit.

PT328 WHITBY ABBEY AND WHALEBONES WALK (BRIDGE CLOSURE & TEMPORARY DIVERSION) 29th June 2026
The organisers of PT328 (Whitby Abbey & Whalebones Walk) have just been informed about a bridge closure that significantly affects the route.  The Whitby Swing Bridge is temporarily closed. It seems that the bridge is susceptible to expansion during very hot weather which means that it can become stuck during swinging operations.  North Yorkshire Council apologise for any inconvenience and will reopen the bridge as soon as possible but it is likely to remain closed during the prevailing heat wave.  Shuttle buses will run throughout the day until further notice to transport pedestrians from one side of the bridge to the other although it is reported there could be long queues for the buses during busy periods. The buses will run from the Bus Station (adjacent to the Railway Station) and the Grape Lane turning circle (near tin Ghaut Slipway).  Other walking options (diversion walking instructions) available here.   If you are planning to walk this PT, please do a ‘Google’ search for ‘Whitby Swing Bridge’ which should bring up the most recent updates on the bridge’s status.

Grantham Machine Gun Corps Armistice Trail  (PT 287) Amended route description dated 22nd April 2026 10km route now 11km due to route change.  5km still available.

Yeovil Yompers (BWF 114) Change of email address for all email contact - please use a.ash12@btinternet.com (effective immediately 28/9/2025)

**ISE VALLEY VAGABONDS PERMANENT TRAILS**
Please contact Carol Jones by email caroljones138@btinternet.com for Ise Valley Vagabonds Permanent Trail information and routes until further notice.  The Permanent Trail route descriptions are also available to download from the Ise Valley Vagabonds Permanent Trails Facebook Page

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