After the Walk July 2025
Wednesday July 23rd. Arnside Amble. 15 miles. Leader: Geoff and Louise Halliwell.
There were 9 walkers including Geoff and I on last weeks walk. They were all from the Lancaster and Lakeland area, just one lady from East Lancs and the first time on an LDWA walk for her. She was in training for a walking marathon later in the summer. Just Colleen that we had met before.
The route we had intended had to be slightly amended due to the high tide. We checked with the coast guard and he wasn't sure we would get around safely hugging the coast.
We therefore made the sensible decision and avoided Jenny Brown's point and added in Quaker Stang instead.
A coffee stop at Silverdale cricket club and a welcome lunch stop overlooking Leighton Hall which was busy with summer visitors.
Onto The Pepperpot which few of the walkers had been to previously. This afforded great views over the Silverdale bay.
Onto Arnside Tower and then the sting in the tale up onto Arnside Knott, again giving fabulous views over the bay towards Grange.
A fine day with luckily no rain which had been forecast.
Louise and Geoff
Sunday July 20th. Village Link. 19 miles. Leader: Stephen Hindley.
Nine walkers met at Nuttal Park in warm overcast conditions with the forecast of showers, which fell frequently throughout the day. Our route was the ‘Village Link’ which is a trail around and between six of Bury’s most historic villages [Nangreaves, Greenmount, Ainsworth, Affetside, Hawkshaw & Holcombe].
Our first village was Nangreaves which we reached via Grants Tower, then continuing down the stone cobbled old turnpike road between Bury and Burnley our next stop was Greenmount where we had our morning break. After following the Kirklees Valley Nature Trail we turned towards Walshaw and then the reservoirs at Starling before reaching our third village at Ainsworth and our lunch stop.
From Ainsworth the route becomes hillier with the climb to Affetside, before dropping down to Hawkshaw and then the final climb to Peel Tower. From here it was all downhill via the last village at Holcombe before continuing down through Ramsbottom and back through the park.
Hope you all enjoyed the walk
Stephen
Wednesday July 9th. How Green are my Valleys. 11.5 miles. Leader: Gerald Dentith.
Eleven folk set off from Helmshore in the rain, contrary to the forecast. All had waterproof tops however, even Phil, and it wasn’t too long before the weather turned out as promised, perfect for walking.
We headed north first around Holden Wood reservoir and up for a morning break at Musbury Heights quarry. Then around Tor Hill and Alden to Stubbins, with tales of the Naughty Corner told as we passed. Two large and fast deer crossed out path. We went through Stubbins to find the Irwell, and then up the river valley to another break at Irwell Vale church.
Thank you to Gerald for a well-planned walk, including some paths that those who knew the area well hadn’t seen before.
Nick
