HEXHAM Ramblers have published a series of walking treasure hunts to mark their diamond anniversary, but the real gems are the routes themselves.

The treasure hunts are, in fact, six walks with 60 questions that need answering along the way. Anyone who bags all 60 clues will get a prize.

The reward the Ramblers themselves are hoping for, however, is some fresh blood.

Branch secretary Julia Forster, who designed the walks, said: “They are open to everybody, not just Ramblers, because our ultimate aim is to get a few new members.

“We’re doing the treasure hunt walks over the school summer holidays in the hope families will do them and then get involved.

“They’re all under five miles long, so very doable for many.”

The walks start from six different places: Allendale, Wylam, Blanchland, Simonburn, Stagshaw roundabout on the Military Road and the Dipton Mill pub in Hexhamshire.

The closing date for submitting the answers is August 31, so the team can announce the winners at their 60th anniversary celebration, due to be held at the Hexham Abbey visitor centre on Sunday, September 4.

Members will also host a stall at Hexham Farmers’ Market the day before to promote the national Ramblers Walk About festival, and to talk about what the Hexham branch itself does.

Besides doing a walk every Sunday somewhere in the Tyne Valleys network, they also have a very active way-marking and footpath maintenance group that meets monthly.

“We work with the Northumberland County Council rights-of-way officer and he suggests parishes we can cover,” said Julia.

“We’ve just done part of the Pennine Way in Haydon Bridge parish.

“The county council welcomes the help because in these times of cut-backs, they can’t do everything themselves.”

After an initial training day five years ago, the group was up and off and has been criss-crossing the district ever since.

Around 25 people have signed up to help and usually eight or so turn up at a time.

“We were the first Ramblers group in Northumberland to do this,” said Julia, “but since then, another three have started doing it, so it’s really starting to grow.

“It was about putting something back, but I must say, it’s quite satisfying to do as well.

“It’s also good for people who can’t walk either very far or fast, because you are stopping and starting all the time, so you are getting a rest along the way.”