Wednesday June 30th. An Egerton Event. 11.5 miles. Leader: Lynn Rossiney

We met at Egerton Cricket Club on yet another lovely warm & sunny day

Setting off towards Smithills we ventured through Moss Bank Park & Barrow Bridge, then up through Walker fold  to Winter Hill where we had lunch

The way back took us down to Belmont  & through  Longworth Clough with dry paths for once

Thanks for everyone making it a fun day

Lynn

Pictures from Roger and Lynn.

Sunday June 27th. Silverdale Round. 21 miles. Leader: Pauline Melia

Five intrepid walkers (a small but perfectly formed group) set out from the dramatic Warton Crag car park to retrace the steps taken approx. 18 months ago by an East Lancs group, taking in some of the nicest coastal views that Lancashire has to offer. Last time the area had been recovering from storms that left sections of the route flooded but this time the weather was fine with no need for diversions to the planned route.

Having climbed up to the top of Warton Crag we made our way via Occupation Road, Crag Foot and the RSPB hides to Jenny Brown’s Point.  We spotted that the local council has now put up signs at the cottage on the coastal path, making it clear that it is a right of way – good to see.

Our route then took us towards Silverdale. We had a great morning break on the estuary below Know Hill – a few of us enjoying a coffee from the little hut parked on the rocky beach. A lovely surprise – nice coffee too.

We made our way to Cove Well then Far Arnside and Arnside Park, it being really good to see people out and about in the caravan park. Our second caravan park of the day was at New Barns where I did what I did 18 months ago – bought a delicious Bakewell Tart! (safely stored away for a lunchtime treat).

Our next milestone was at Arnside Knott, where after a steep climb we stopped momentarily to take in yet another panoramic view. Mountains and the estuary – wonderful.

Lunch was taken in the park at Arnside. We watched a group of youngsters being coached on the tennis courts – it must be Wimbledon soon!  Suitable refreshed, we made our way via Black Dyke and Hazelslack, spotting a few deer on the sweeping hillside in the park.

Our afternoon break was taken in the lovely village of Beetham (I must try the pub one day – looks lovely). I commented that the village stocks weren’t actually stocks, but a pillory (who would have thought – thanks to Caroline T. for educating me). I wasn’t pilloried for being a know-it-all, thank heavens.

Via Beetham Hall, Yealand Storrs, Yealand Conyers and Hyning Scout Wood, we eventually reached the village of Warton. The last section climbs steeply back to the car park but the views out to the nature reserve made it (relatively) painless!

Lovely day – thanks to those who attended – fab company and great to be out and about again on a weekend walk.

Pauline.

Pictures from Pauline, Jane and Roger.

Wednesday June 16th. Singing Ringing Tree. 15 miles. Leader: Barbara Shelton.

The dirty dozen (later, the sweaty dozen!) set off from Towneley Park, Burnley for a 15 mile circular taking in the Singing Ringing Tree panopticon, which, for much of the day, was a mere dot on the horizon.

The route followed substantial sections of the Burnley Way and bits of the Pennine Bridleway, visiting the delightful village of Worsthorne early on, with its wonderful village shop – a real Aladdin’s Cave of goodies, where drinks, ice creams and pies were bought. Passing through Hurstwood and on to Cant Clough Reservoir, we stopped for a well-earned lunch break at Shedden Clough Limestone Hushings, before descending to Holme Chapel on the Pennine Bridleway. We took in a bit of military history at the cemetery there in the form of the grave of General Sir James Yorke Scarlett, famous for leading the Charge of the Heavy Brigade in the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War.

The main ascent of the day came next, taking us up to Crown Point overlooking Burnley to finally achieve our objective – the Singing Ringing Tree, which is a sculpture of pipes designed to make haunting and intriguing sounds if the wind is right – and it was! After a break there, it was (nearly!) all downhill to get back to the park and more ice creams if needed (well, we had done around 2,300 ft of ascent on a sultry day!)

Barbara Shelton

Thanks to Barbara for the pictures.

Sunday June 13th. Jubilee Tower Round. 21.5 miles. Leader: Roger Jackson.

Seven walkers set off from the Brewhouse Pub car park at 09.00 am. The weather forecast was for a very hot day so we were rather pleased by the slightly cloudy, but still warn, conditions. After a short walk down the main road we joined a minor road leading to Dunscar Golf, then continuing past the clubhouse to the bridge at the bottom of Longworth Clough. Here we went up to and along Longworth Road turning right to go round the back of Delph Sailing club, joining the Witton Weavers Way just above Stones Bank.

We then followed this route passing Belmont Reservoir , giving us a fine view of the Sailing Club , Belmont in the dip and Winter Hill, in the distance, to eventually arrive at the ruin Holinshead Hall, our morning coffee stop. We then continued into the country park following the River Roddlesworth. soon passing our East Lancs sponsored sign post and in about half an hour reaching the reservoir where we turned up right across the fields into Tockholes Village .

From here past Earnsdale and Sunnyhurst Hay reservoirs and up to Jubilee Tower, for our well earned lunch stop with fine views all round. Now refreshed we followed the main ridge , for a mile , then turned left to cross a wonderfully dry Darwen Moor and hit the main path down to Blackburn Road.

Here we turned left down to the main road and along Entwhistle reservoir via the top path , stopping for a final coffee stop with a picturesque view of the water below. Continuing on we joined the long track to Turton tower , turning right, just before the tower itself , to go over Turton Golf Club then back to our start via a series of minor roads arriving just before 5.00 pm in time for a pint at the pub before heading off home after a good days walking.

Many thanks to all who joined me

Cheers

Roger

Pictures from Hilary, Jeanette and Gordon.

Wednesday June 2nd. Whalley Wander. 12.4 miles. Leader: Lynn Rossiney.

10 of us set out from The Sands, Whalley Abbey on a beautiful sunny day.

Walking towards Mitton we crossed the road over to Standen Hey woods, where we came across a herd of cows running around, luckily avoiding them.

After a short stop at Edisford Bridge, packed with families on this lovely day we carried on through Clitheroe, & on to Wiswell, through Deer Park Wood, descending down from Clerk Hill through Spring wood, back to the Abbey via the weir  & a drink at the Abbey café.

Thank you everyone who came along

Lynn