"Walkers assemble in the middle of Newtown to meet the buses which leave at 3.00 a.m. At 4.00 a.m. they start walking from Glandyfi. Setting off in the dark, the sky soon starts brightening and with luck, walkers will see the sunrise ahead of them.

There is a short refreshment stop near Aberhosan before starting the long climb up to Creigiau Esgairfochnant. Still following Glyndwr's Way over the moorland at Dylife, walkers finally reach Staylittle Village Hall for Breakfast. Yes! Breakfast. Some walkers also take advantage of the St. John's Ambulance at this point.

There then follows a rather boring 10-mile road walk to Llandinam where lunch is served. After fuelling up, there follows another long climb up from the village to the Penrhyddlan Wind Farm. Walking is now fairly easy along the farmed moorland to the tea stop near the Devil's Elbow, Dolfor.

After crossing the A483, the path passes near Y Glog before reaching the B4355. Here, walkers follow the Kerry ridge path to the Kerry Pole. It is only about a mile now to the finish at the Anchor.

As the walk developed over the years the administrative work also grew and eventually, Mr Wakefield handed over the arrangements to Trevor Caldwell who was then the local RSPCA Inspector. Eventually he moved and it was taken over by a couple from Adfa.

The ravages of Foot and Mouth disease in 2001 meant that the walk was cancelled; and it did not start up again!

In 2004, the Rotary clubs of Llanidloes and Newtown agreed that this important event should be re-introduced. Planning took a long time, but they were able to restart the 2006 Walk. Over 180 people entered, a very satisfactory beginning. Some 220 entrants applied for the 2007 walk, with over 200 appearing on the day.

The Across Wales Walk has long been a way to raise funds for Charity. In 2006, the combined efforts of the walkers and the organisers resulted in about £35,000 being presented to various charities.

The Walk - 2008

The weather forecast for Saturday June 21 2008 was terrible. Rain from 2.00 a.m. apparently. It was therefore with great relief that 217 walkers were clocked in to start the walk at 4.00 a.m. in dry weather.

In fact the rain started at about 5.00 a.m. - gently at first! From about 6.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. the walkers suffered heavy rain and high winds as they climbed up to Glaslyn and crossed the moors over Dylife.

A hot breakfast and a cup of tea were very welcome at Staylittle. Although the weather was never great for the rest of the day, conditions improved, and 153 of the original starters eventually clocked in at the Anchor Inn.

The first pair arrived at the Anchor at 2.45, a time of 10 hours and 45 minutes for the 42 mile walk. All the walkers were in by 9.45.

Also, another 70 walkers finished at the Anchor having walked the shorter distances from Staylittle, Llandinam or the Devils Elbow.

All the walkers deserve congratulations and thanks for completing the walk. They were in high spirits as they reached the finish and many said they will be back next year when the walk will be on Saturday June 20th."

Article by John Evans