WALLFEST IS COMING
Walton is home to the world’s first nature reserve, situated on the grounds around Walton Hall now Waterton Park Hotel. Charles Waterton built a three mile long wall around it and in 2026 it celebrates its 200th birthday. A celebration of Charles Waterton and his Wall. We are planning a month-long series of events around four themes:
· Nature
· Creativity/culture
· Heritage
· Wellbeing
throughout the month of May 2026 to mark this special birthday.
The following individuals and organisations are involved:
Age UK Wakefield District
Angela Carreno
Barbara Phipps
Charles Hanson
David Waterton-Anderson
En Route Hair and Beauty
Fanfare Choir
Helen Thomas - Artist
Kevin Trickett MBE
Lavender House Retreat
Lynn Clegg
New Inn
Professor Ian Rotherham
Robertson’s FM
RSPB
Sarah Fleming – Children’s Crafts
Second Chance Brain Injury Charity
Silvertini Restaurant
St Austin’s Church, Wakefield
St Helen’s Church, Sandal
St Oswald’s Church, Methley
Studio A Theatre Arts
Tim Kohler
Wakefield and District Ramblers Group
Wakefield and District u3a
Wakefield Camera Club
Wakefield District Badger Group
Wakefield District Sight Aid
Wakefield Heritage Network
Wakefield Mental Health Museum
Wakefield Museum
Walton Community Library
Walton Methodist Church
Walton Parish Council
Walton Primary Academy
Walton Rainbows, Brownies and Girl Guides
Waterton Park Golf Club
Waterton Park Hotel
West Yorkshire History Centre
Working for Walton
Plus others to be announced…
For up to date information follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook.
Click the link below to download the Wall Fest 26 Programme and discover the events planned throughout May.
Wallfest 26 Charity Spotlights
Wakefield District Sight Aid
Wakefield District Sight Aid was formed in 1869. We are proud to have been serving local people living with sight loss in our community for over 155 years. We are here to support anyone living with low vision, their families, carers and sight care professionals across the Wakefield District. Our vision is a world where blind and partially sighted people have access to the same opportunities and quality of life as fully sighted people.
Our mission is to: Help anyone affected by sight impairment in Wakefield to improve their confidence and independence. Reduce social isolation and promote positive mental health. Raise awareness about the importance of good eye health and care.
We are a small, independent charity with only three part-time members of staff. We are entirely voluntary-funded.
Age UK Wakefield District
Age UK Wakefield District is a local charity for people aged 50 years and over, working across the district to support people with life’s challenges.
With services, information and events specifically designed to promote ageing well with independence and dignity, we are here for people in need, their friends, carers and family members.
Second Chance
For over 40 years Second Chance Headway based in Wakefield has offered information, support, and therapy to people affected by brain injury - including survivors, family members, friends and unpaid carers.
The charity support hundreds of people from across West Yorkshire.
RSPB
The RSPB is a charity for the conservation of birds and nature. We bring people together who love birds and other wildlife, and who want to take action to restore the health and diversity of the natural world.
We carry out conservation on a large scale, protect and restore habitats, and save species from extinction. We’re living in a nature and climate emergency, and we won’t stop whilst the threats persist.
Our local RSPB reserves are St Aidan’s Nature Park and Fairburn Ings both located just to the north of Castleford. The Aire Valley reserves have a rich mining history and have been transformed into nationally important nature conservation sites and are home to some amazing birds such as Bitterns, Black-necked Grebes, Little Owls, Spoonbills, Cattle Egret and Bearded Tit.
Working for Walton
We are a Community Interest Company based in Walton, Wakefield who are very proud to work hard together to deliver fantastic events for the residents of our village.
We formed in 2016 with the initial aim to purchase a village Christmas tree. Mighty Oaks from little acorns do grow and we now have a full annual calendar of events including a vintage car show, scarecrow festival and full Christmas lights switch on event.
Walton Library
We have links with Wakefield Library services but are a volunteer-led, independent library with free membership available to everyone. We have a great selection of books and jigsaws to loan, free Wi-Fi and public computers, plus photocopying and printing at a small cost. There are board books and toys for our youngest members, and an interesting selection of books for school-age borrowers.
WCL also arranges many regular meetings and groups, plus special events in the village throughout the year. We have strong support from Working for Walton, the Parish Council, our churches, the New Inn and Walton Club.
