THE LIFE and work of of a passionate walker and Dalesman is being celebrated at Burley-in-Wharfedale – his home for 20 years.

Burley Library is hosting an exhibition about the achievements of writer, poet and walker Alfred John Brown during August and September, using display material created by his biographer, John White.

During the 20 years he lived in Burley, AJ Brown became a popular author of the first walking guides to the Yorkshire Dales, as well as writing novels, poetry and biographical work about his war service.

David Asher, chairman of the village’s Walkers Are Welcome Group, which organised the exhibition, said: "As a group that is committed to encouraging more local people and visitors to use the fabulous footpath network around our village, we were delighted to learn we had such a distinguished former resident, who did so much during the inter-war years and into the 1950s to promote walking throughout the Dales."

He added: "We are very grateful to John White for helping put together such an informative display, which tells the story of AJ Brown’s life, also to Bradford Library Services, which has collected together many of his books for visitors to the library to read and potentially loan after the exhibition finishes at the end of September."

John White will also be leading an AJ Brown walk on Wednesday as part of Burley Summer Festival.

Participants will visit some of the places in Burley of significance to AJ Brown, including the Hermit pub in Burley Woodhead.

It was here he met his friend, JB Priestley, for advice about his writing career.

Mr White will be reading extracts from a number of AJBrown’s books and poems, which give vivid and humorous insight into rural life at the time, including his love affair with country inns.

More information about the walk and other treks being organised during the festival by the Walkers Are Welcome Group can be found at the burleysummerfestival.org website, or contact David Asher for on 01943 862965.

Burley Walkers Are Welcome has just published its second leaflet of walks around Burley, entitled ‘More Rambles From The Roundhouse’. This is now available at bookshops in Ilkley and Otley, and from BurleyPost Office, the Coffee Station, the Hermit and the pharmacy in Burley.