Wednesday April 29rh. Barlick-Barley Circuit. 14 miles. Leader: Iain Connell.

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Bognor Regis Holiday 2026. East Lancs on tour with West Lancs.

Click below to see Howard's photos from this trip.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oN49nx37YbrzU8gN7

Thanks to Robb, Hedy, Pauline, Nigel and Hilary for the pictures below. They are not in any order.

Sunday April 19th. An Introduction to walking with East Lancs. Part 2. 13 miles. Leaders: Paul and Jeanette Banks.

12 walkers including 2 new attendees and Betty set off from Edisford bridge following the ribble way to Brungerly Bridge, here we left the river ribble and made our way to the River hodder via Waddington and Bashall Eaves, here we had our lunch on the Banks of the river in glorious sunshine. Further down the river we picked up another attendee who set off late but walked the route in reverse. 

From the river hodder we made our way back to Edisford Bridge via Great Mitton along the ribble way. 

13 walkers and 1 dog completed the walk in a sunshine filled day.

Paul

Wednesday April 15th. Sister Act: The Pennington Edition. 15 miles. Leader: Ann Finnigan. 

Sunday April 5th. An Introduction to walking with East Lancs. Part 1. 13 miles. Leaders: Paul and Jeanette Banks.

8 walkers and 1 dog completed a 13 mile walk from Sawley.  A day of two halves with the weather - a morning of rain showers, hail stones and strong winds.  After lunch we enjoyed sunshine and light winds with clear views throughout.

The walk took in Beacon Hill and Brocklehurst.  We had lunch by the cenotaph in West Bradford before making our way to Bungerly Bridge and along the River Ribble to Sawley with a slight detour led by Chris to view the quarry lake near Castle Cement. 

The second instalment of our walk will be on Sunday 19th April.  We then put the two walks together on 3rd May to create a 26 mile walk for anyone up to the challenge.

Thanks, Jeanette 

Wednesday April 1st. Rainford Ramble. 10 miles. Leader: Andrea Foster.

Rainford Ramble 

Wednesday 1st April 2026

Number on walk 10

Number of miles 13

Weather Dry and cloudy 

Leader Andrea Foster 

It was great to see some familiar faces and three new faces. A warm welcome to Louise, Adam and Norman who joined us today.

Setting off from Orrell water park we went through the woods. Passing a garden with two noisy geese we paused to observe their antics. Sadly no golden eggs in sight. Then made our way through another wood leading up to Billinge Hill. From here on a clear day you can see up to Winter hill and across to Crosby beach, so it was a good opportunity to stop and stare for a while and appreciate the views.

It was down hill then all the way to the top of Carr Mill Dam where stopped on a bridge for an elevensies cuppa.  

From Carr Mill Dam we crossed the A571 making our way through the housing estate to Moss Bank. Then some bird spotting as we spied a kestrel and some buzzards while crossing over a field to meet Crank road. From here we followed Berringtons lane running parallel with the golf course and then turning right came to Rainford industrial estate where Rainford linear park begins.

At the start of the linear park we paused for a little bit of history learning about the industries that once thrived here. From clay pipe making in the 17th century to sand washing for sand to be transported to St Helens to make glass. Also mining and a large scale potteries factory.

The linear park was once of course a thriving railway line that ran from Ormskirk to St Helen's. Rainford train station still exists today. This used to be Rainford junction, where the line crossed with the Liverpool to Wigan line. With the coming of the motorway and the East lancs road and decline in industry, the stops in-between Rainford junction to St Helens became obsolete. The last passenger train was in 1951 and the last goods train in 1964. 

The linear park has been here since the 1980's and National lottery funding further transformed the track into a Heritage trail. Information boards about the industries here from the 17th century onwards and signs mark the original train station stops at Old Mill lane, the Rookery and Rainford village.

Following along some of the linear park track we stopped at a cafe .. "under the oak".. an unusual set up with take out hot drinks and food being served from a converted horse box. With seating provided further along the linear path we stopped for lunch.  

Soon after turning off the linear park in the direction of Muncaster Drive, we paused again for a little bit more history about the large Victorian mansion that once stood here called Muncaster Hall. It was home to a wealthy mill owner from Hindley called Richard Pennington. He had this Victorian grand design built for his large family with no expense spared. Sadly after Richard's death Muncaster Hall had a sad demise and became a chicken farm, finally being demolished in 1966. All that remains are the once grand stone entrance gate pillars to his estate. 

From here we took the public footpath leading to Langwood lane and through a squeeze bally ally at Moss House and crossing fields over Pimbo lane to the Promised land. Then passing Mountains farm and onto Smethhurst road where we stopped as some of us indulged in ice cream before returning to Orrell water park. 

Andrea