North Beds Ramblers celebrate 50 years of walking groups

North Beds Ramblers, the oldest Ramblers Group in Bedfordshire, turns 50 in 2026, and they have a packed programme to celebrate.

And thanks to a recently discovered walking programme from 1976, the group aims to recreate its very first year of walking as part of the celebrations.

“The programme was very scant, with one monthly walk offered on the first Saturday afternoon of the month,” said publicity officer, Sandra Kelsey.

“We still walk on Saturday afternoons, but sadly, we have no idea how long the walks were, although starting at 2.15pm in the winter might suggest that they weren’t very long!”

Throughout 2026, the group are also hoping to incorporate parts of the North Bedfordshire Heritage Trail into many of their walks.

“Recently, a number of our members have been involved in re-signing the North Bedfordshire Heritage Trail, and so it will be lovely to see some of their work first-hand,” said Sandra.

As with any big birthday, plans are afoot to have a celebration party, and the group will be producing some 50th anniversary memorabilia for their walkers.

North Beds Ramblers 50th anniversary logo. Image: Julianna Jagielska

All the memorabilia and promotional material will include their new 50th year logo, kindly designed by member Julianna Jagielska.

“If you are in the locality, please come and join us on one of our birthday walks or any other. as we now walk every Saturday, not just the first of the month,” said Sandra.

You can find out more at their excellent website here and we feature all walks within Bedford Borough in our weekly What’s On Guide.