Eileen Jones
A lifetime achievement award was made to our veteran writer Colin Speakman. He is a founder member of Gritstone Publishing Co-op, a keen walker and environmental campaigner, and the author or co-author of more than 50 outdoor books. Colin and his work are known and loved throughout Yorkshire and beyond. He is the mastermind behind the 80-mile Dales Way path, linking Ilkley with Bowness in the Lake District, for which his guidebook is now in its 11th edition.
Colin has also written walking guides to areas both in the UK and in mainland Europe, as well as poetry, topography, biography, transport history, and two literary anthologies. Recent publications include Yorkshire: Ancient Nation, Future Province and The Nut Brown Maid and Other Stories from the Yorkshire Dales.
The award was made during our 10th birthday celebrations at the Piece Hall in Halifax. Colin gave a talk about his books, and there was a mapping workshop led by Christopher Goddard, and an urban nature ramble led by writer and conservationist Laurence Rose.
Andrew Bibby and Andrew McCloy took visitors on a literary memory lane along the Pennine Way, and novelist Mike Padgett spoke about his Australian adventures. The event was organised with The Book Corner bookshop and Calderdale Libraries.
Presenting the award, Andrew Bibby said: “Colin is one of our founder members, and we are so proud to include such an eminent and prolific author on our list. He is an inspiration to us all.”
Image of Colin Speakman and Gritstone colleagues at the Piece Hall
