After the clocks go back....
Wednesday November 2nd. Round the Ressers.
13 miles from Bromley Cross. Leader: Hilary Bell.
22 people joined me on a warm but very misty morning with Mr Weatherman having promised us that the sun would be shining by around 10.00am. Roy even came equipped in his summer shorts. Alas the weatherman had lied and the sun did not appear. We walked in mist for the whole day but this did not seem to spoil the enjoyment of the walk for anyone. I was disappointed that people did not reap the benefit of the lovely views this walk offers. Fuelled up on a breakfast of scrambled egg and bacon a brisk pace was set by myself and Ian but even the lovely Leeds boys managed to stay with us (although Richard did admit his legs were 'wasted').
A most enjoyable, well earned coffee break was had just a short distance from the end of the walk at the village cafe in Trawden. A short trot back to the car park saw us finish the walk before dusk.
Hazel
Wednesday November 16th. Three Villages Heritage Walk.
12 miles. Leader, Allan Roberts.
Just eight trusting souls turned out on this weather promising day from the old [1775] Alma inn near Colne. On a good day there are three hundred sixty degrees of quality views from this pub.
Off we set across the fields and up Watery lane which is very aptly named though we managed to bypass the worst bit which by then was officially a ford. Onwards across mostly farmland passing some very old farm houses towards Foulridge. In spite of its industrial past this village has some fine old buildings and a village green no less.
We had an early break here with permission of Herr Groupenfuehrer Leader who thought he was treating the group by letting them sit on a wall at the canal side and being allowed to share their meagre supplies with the ravenous ducks; a few legs were bitten so the ducks took the hint and limped away.
So off we marched towards Trawden up quaint sounding Pilgrims Way which turned out simply to be named after a Mr Pilgrim whose house it passed.
One of the features of this walk are several good quality paths provided by the local land owners parallel to their long drives, walls on the one side & fencing on the other.
At this point there were excellent views down onto Colne with its rows of steeply built terraces.
Hence on to an old turnpike road from Skipton to Haworth [ the same that passes the pub at the start]. The tale is that the chap at this end insisted on telling travellers they had to buy a ticket for the whole of the journey, this of course somewhat upsetting the chap at the next pay point. Apparently blows were eventually exchanged.
We then followed Colne water along a very pleasant valley passing at one point a large cemetery where lay the remains of one Wallace Hartley the bandmaster of the Titanic.
Then up the hill to Mire Ridge passing a new stone plaque with Trawdens original name Trawden Forest; just after this is an old Quaker chapel in whose graveyard is another famous Hartley, this time of jam making fame [ they certainly got about did these Hartley's]
Then down into Trawden passing old stone mullion cottages and halls all hiddely piddely on the hill to partake of more food. This time there were no ducks but lots to look at sitting around an old jam making cauldron of [all together now] Mr Hartleys and on the wall poetry in the local vernacular.
Up more hills with fine views climbing over two substantial stiles known as pulpit stiles the Groupenfuehrer not resisting the opportunity to stand in one and lecture on the importance of keeping a tight knit group and looking smart [ some hope with East Lancs] took the only wrong turn about here. With a bit of back tracking and lots of fingers pointing at various places on the map he managed to find the route again, don't think too many noticed
Hence down into oh so pretty Wycoller which I am sure most of you are more than a little familiar with its pack horse bridge, clapper bridge & the burned out hall claimed to be Ferndean Manor in Jane Eyre. The hamlet makes an interesting place to spend a few mins.
Leaving the hamlet we pass the old pump house now a dwelling with what you may mistake to be its swimming pool on the roof.
Up and down a few more hills; through more fields passing a row of old carriers cottages then across Laneshaw Bridge and up the hill scrambling into to the very welcoming Alma Inn with its comfy seats and log fires.
Not a bad way to spend a short November day.
Someone even bought Groupenfuehrer a drink. Prost.
Allan.
Wednesday November 23rd. Tilberthwaite Treasure.
12 miles from Tilberthwaite. Leader : John Plumb.
The original idea of the walk was to pass three Trig Points within a 20 mile walk. On the Recce the route was found to be too long for a walk in late November. So the walk was shortened and finished as an 18 mile walk.
An excellent pace was kept up in difficult conditions. Two new members, Linda and Alan came along on their first club walk and enjoyed themselves.
The two Trigs passed were at Trough Edge End and Rushy Hill. Along the way we took in Whitworth Square, Middle Hill, Hades, Trough Edge End, Todmorden Edge, Rochdale Canal, Inchfield Pasture, Rough Hill, Watergrove Res and finally Rushy Hill.
I'd like to thank everyone who came along to make it a great day out,
Andy Griffin
