Lyke Wake Walk August 8th 2009



Earlier this year, I came to the museum and we were wondering what we could do to raise funds for the Harrison Collection. I came up with the bright idea of completing the Lyke Wake Walk. This made sense, after all Ryedale Folk Museum had had the collection of artefacts donated by the Lyke Wake Club, and there is even a building named ‘Fat Betty’ after one of the stones en-route. Andy and Mike also appeared at first to be enthusiastic, but after some thought, they both declined to take part. Maybe they were wise to do that?

The initial plan was for me to do the walk in June, Andy was co-ordinating volunteers and staff to meet me at various check points along the way. Unfortunately this attempt was unsuccessful. I had really bad blisters on both my heels, I got sunstroke and the compass decided to spin round in circles after the Lion Inn. So I sacked it and was returned to the museum by Judith in her 4x4.

Everyone thought I was mad when I said I was going to do the entire walk again. Some said; ‘Just do the second half mate, it’ll be enough’. No, the Lyke Wake Walk has to be done in one go, from Osmotherley to Ravenscar in its entirety. On August 8th, in just over 17 hours I did it.When I stopped for a bit of dinner at the Lion Inn, Blakey ,http://www.lionblakey.co.uk/ I got a shock to see an R.A.F search and rescue helicopter parked outside. Upon entering the barman did not know what made a ploughmans lunch so if you read it mate,here are the ingredients:Bread,cheese, pickle, apple/beetroot, and maybe some tomato and salad. It is not unknown for some kind of meat to accompany this delicious dish; http://www.icons.org.uk/nom/nominations/ploughmans-lunch . It is traditionally washed down with a pint of good ale. I was fortunate to meet Mike and Tim from Kent, who accompanied me after the Lion Inn, I’m always nervous on that section as I find it easy to go wrong, but it was ok this time. There was much bog to cross, I was up to my waist in mud several times, but I finished it. It was dark by 2200 hours, I’ve never been as glad to see my fiancé Suzy and my son Tom when I got to the end. Now I’ve got to collect the sponsor money… Hmm wonder if I should do it again next year?

Jonathan Severs
Volunteer at Ryedale Folk Museum

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