AN event focussing on the the life and work of Alfred Wainwright is taking place in Grassington.

Wainwright Memories is being held at the Octagon Theatre on September 10.

A lifelong love of the outdoors and admiration for Alfred Wainwright inspired Yorkshire-born engineer Chris Butterfield to build an archive honouring the world-famous fell wanderer and safeguarding his legacy. Chris has amassed an extensive private collection of Wainwright material and created a popular Facebook group, Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia, and a website, alfredwainwright.co.uk
Chris has published numerous articles about Wainwright and has appeared on television and radio to discuss the life, work and achievements of the late, great AW.
At this Grassington Devonshire Institute hosted event Chris discusses the life of Alfred Wainwright and the people who knew him. Chris also talks about his new book – Wainwright Memories – featuring three unique Wainwright stories that took place during his later years. These tales will give the reader a deeper understanding of the inspirational fell wanderer. There will be a question-and-answer section and a Wainwright-related giveaway.
Chris will be your host for this fascinating presentation. There will also be special guests who were friends and associates of Wainwright.
Chris said: "This unique event focuses on Wainwright's life and work, including his connections with Yorkshire. Several special guests who were friends and associates of Wainwright will be attending, including his Westmorland Gazette publisher, Andrew Nichol, 91, who was responsible for Wainwright's newfound fame during the 1980s by persuading him to go on television. A link to the event, including additional information, is on their website https://www.grassingtondevonshireinstitute.org/events

Alfred Wainwright was born on January 17, 1907, in Blackburn, Lancashire. His occupation is listed as accountant, walker, writer, illustrator and cartographer.

He loved walking the fells and particularly loved the Lake District. He published several guidebooks. His 190(ish)-mile-long west-east Coast to Coast Walk from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay was devised by him as an alternative to the north-south Pennine Way. The walk remains popular today.

The 214 fells he descries in his Pictorial Guides - of which more than two million copies have been sold - are now generally known as the Wainwrights.

The Long Distance Walkers Association maintains a register of walkers who have completed the Wainwrights; by March 2023 the figure was 898 though it is estimated that the total number of completers could be over 50 per cent higher.

Doors to the Grassingtone vent open at1.30pm. This presentation runs from 2pm-4.30pm with one interval and time for Q&As plus book signings.