Preheat oven to 350. In a 2-qt. Saucepan, heat dates, walnuts, sugar, and 1 1/4 cups water to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes, until dates are soft and mixture is thick, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar and baking soda. By hand, kead in butter until dough forms. Press half of the dough evenly in the bottom of a 13" x 9" metal baking pan. Bake 15 minutes or until pale golden.

Spread date mixture evenly over hot crust. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture on top. Bake for 25 minutes longer or until golden. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. When cool, cut lengthwise into 4 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 8 pieces.