After the Walk July 2021


Saturday July 31st. Spot the Hall, 16 miles. Leader: Hilary Scott.

 

There was definitely Mist over Pendle as we gathered in Downham to Spot the Halls in the Ribble Valley. Our first one being in the village, Old Well Hall, once the home of the Manorial Steward. Up and over the fields to Swanside Packhorse bridge and then on to Sawley Abbey and onto the Ribble Way.

A short break on the banks of the river having looked at Bank Hall and Sawley Lodge and then on to the cement works and Horrocksford Hall. Through the sculpture park and to Brungerley Bridge, the old Yorkshire boundary. A quick look at Waddow Hall and then lunch at Edisford Bridge near the site of a 14th century leper house. Siddows Hall and then Standen Hall, through Pendleton with the village hall (cheat, I know!) and the debate over Pendleton Hall.

Along under Pendle itself with Mearley Hall and then Little Mearley Hall. Through Worston with its Hall and a look at Hall Foot. Over to Worsaw End, location for Whistle Down the Wind and finally back to Downham, glimpsing the imposing Hall there.

Thanks to all who came, it was a good day out, 

Hilary

Pictures from Roger and Hilary.

 

 

 

Sunday July 25th. Alf's Hoghton Adventure. 20 miles. Leaders: Caroline Tennant and Alf.

 

12 walkers and Alf the dog met, bright and early, on Sunday morning in Whittle.  A cyclist was accosted to take a group photo.  Thankfully a change in the forecast weather meant we had a warm dry day for our walk.

 

We set off towards the canal and passed through the first 2 tunnels of the walk, a bright day meant we didn't all have to get our torches out in order to not fall in the river.  On to the Leeds Liverpool canal at Top Lock for the stretch to Riley Green.  A minor crisis on my part at Withnell Fold, caused by too many walks going through the area, thankfully Dave came to my rescue, and we went the right way.  

 

The path coming off at Riley Green was somewhat overgrown, but we bashed our way through to drop down to the River Darwen.  Through the woods up to Feniscowles, morning break at the old paper mill and back on the canal to Cherry Tree.  

 

Into Witton Park to join the Witton Weavers Way to Pleasington.  Along Throstle nest brow, with its marvellous views, to meet the Darwen again.  The lunch stop came before we crossed back over the river, to approach Hoghton Tower from the back.  A motorcycle event at the Tower made for a noisy afternoon.

 

Passing Hoghton Church, we made our way over the fields to our third tunnel under the M65 and towards Brindle for another overgrown section and the final tunnel under the M61.  The filthiest tunnel, but it was cool and gave us a brief respite from the heat.

 

Afternoon break in my back garden.  Thanks to Scott for brewing up and Hilary for playing mum, cutting up the cake.

 

Alf flaked out on the lawn, but got a second wind when we set off, so joined us for the final section through Cuerden park, along the River Lostock, back to the cars.

 

Thank you to everyone for their marvellous company, Alf and I had a brilliant day with you all.

 

Caz & Alf x 🐾

Pictures from Caroline and Hilary.

 

 

 

Wednesday July 14th. Wind and Water. Plodder Walk, 9 miles. Leader: Mike Lee.

 

On a fine sunny morning we set off onto Ashworth Moor from the Ashworth Moor Reservoir car park, better known as Owd Betts. We followed one of the lesser used footpaths, passing the remains of abandoned farmsteads, to Cheesden Brook and the upper reaches of the Ashworth Valley. Crossing Cheesden Brook, we walked higher up the valley before a short steep climb took us up to the old Coal Road running up the valley and to the windfarm road along the watershed.

 

A right turn took us onto Knowl Moor, giving us an extensive panorama of views from Manchester and beyond around to Winter Hill, with Knowl Hill in the foreground. We crossed the moor on the windfarm roads, heading for the Alden Valley and its reservoirs. Arriving at the edge of the valley, we could look down at its four reservoirs far below us.

 

Descending to the edge of Greenbooth Reservoir, the lowest of the four, we headed up the valley, passing Naden Lower Reservoir, to arrive at the dam of the Middle reservoir. This provided a pleasant grassy slope for us to have lunch in the sun.

 

After lunch we continued up the valley and crossed the dam of the Higher reservoir to commence our journey back down the opposite side of the valley. At this point the valley is steep sided and there are high vertical rock faces where stone was quarried to build the reservoirs. A flight of steps leads up the edge of one of these faces and we used it to reach the flatter ground above. A footpath and old lane then took us past yet another abandoned farmstead and onto a road leading up out of the valley.

 

A path along the edge of the valley took us the full length of Greenbooth Reservoir (named after the village submerged during its construction), gradually descending to its dam.

 

After crossing the dam, we left the Alden Valley and headed for the hamlet of Red Lumb. In Red Lumb several members were intrigued by a tiny postbox bearing the initials ER VII, which we concluded was Edward VII.

 

We were now on the home stretch and we crossed the Edenfield to Rochdale road to complete our journey along an old sunken path taking us back towards Owd Betts.

 

Thanks to the seven people that came.

 

Mike Lee

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday July 11th. Brinscall Round. 20 miles. Leader:Phil Chapman.