After the Walk September 2021


Wednesday September 22nd. Clitheroe 60K Part 4. 15.5 miles. Leader: Roger Jackson.

 

Seven walkers set off from the car park in Newton in Bowland, on a slightly cloudy but dry morning. We crossed the bridge, where we had our team photo then followed the river before joining the road at Foulscales, where we turned right for a short way, then headed up onto Hodder Bank fell and eventually dropped down Fielding Clough to the River Hodder which we followed down to Burholme Bridge, our morning Coffee stop.

Suitably refreshed we crossed the bridge and headed up a minor road until turning left down a track approaching the short but extremely steep climb up New Laund Hill. Now heading downwards we passed through Higher and Lower Greystoneley soon reaching the 19th century Lime kiln at Knot Barn.

Here we left the Clitheroe 60K route ( until Clitheroe 60K part 5 ) and stared on our way back towards Newton in Bowland, passing through Lickhurst Farm, on up to Dinkling Green and then to our lunch stop just before Whitmore.

The sky was now clear as we went through the woods and over the tops and then down to Hareden Farm, having some tremendous views along the way. A short road walk then over the hills behind Dunsop Bridge which again provided some excellent scenery before we dropped back down into Newton in Bowland .

A great days walking but sadly no beer at the end (and big points deduction for me) as the pub was closed.

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

Sunday September 19th. Hyndburn Circular. 19 miles. Leaders: Paul and Jeanette Banks.

10 walkers and 2 dogs met at Spring Wood carpark.   Despite the wet weather forecasted, we enjoyed a dry, warm and mostly sunny day. 

 

We had a quick walking tour of Whalley, including a brief visit to Whalley Abbey and the Corn Mill Water Wheel.  After crossing the River Calder via Sol’s Bridge, we walked up Whalley Nab from Billington, enjoying views of Whalley Viaduct and Pendle Hill - and the sound of Church Bells on our ascent.

 

We had our morning break besides Dean Clough reservoir and then passed Parsonage Reservoir before descending on to The Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Rishton.   Our lunch break was at the canal side before leaving it at Great Harwood and walking through the hamlet of Tottleworth to Clayton-le-moors.

 

The walk proceeded through Clayton-le-Moors’ Woodlands and Millennium Woods and on the Ladybird Walk.  We walked on the disused Martholme Railway Path to Martholme Viaduct for our last break.  We returned to Spring Wood passing by Read Garden Centre and Whalley Golf Club. 

 

Jeanette.

 

 

 

Wednesday September 15th. Watergrove Whereabouts, Plodder Walk, 9.5 miles. Leader: Don Watson.

 

Ten Plodders and three dogs assembled at Healey Corner on a beautiful sunny morning.

The walk started along the disused railway bed over the Healey Dell viaduct and onwards towards Whitworth.

After a short climb from the busy Rochdale to Bacup road we arrived at Whitworth Square where we learned about the famous Whitworth Doctors from the Taylor family in the 18th century who were blacksmiths and farriers by trade but became famous by mending broken bones firstly on animals and then humans. People came from miles around to be treated by the doctors for all kinds of ailments. Their remains are in the churchyard of St. Bartholomews church.

We posed for the mandatory group photo outside the Red Lion in the square.

We then had a walk round the the churchyard of St. Bartholomews looking up to the eerie gargoyles on the stonework.

Next stop was the memorial garden near Lobden Golf Club for our first refreshment break and where Neil joined us on the walk.

We then walked over the moor and skirted Brown Wardle, Middle Hill and Hades before descending to Watergrove Reservoir where we had lunch outside the sailing club.

Neil left us after lunch and we made our way to Rushy Hill and Hamer Pasture where there are many quotations carved in the rocks. This was the idea of Peter Hudson, a retired engineer who wanted to leave a kind of memorial of popular quotes after his passing.

We were now into the last mile of the walk and approaching Healey Corner.

Thanks to all who came on the walk and welcome to the new walkers who joined us for the first time.

Don

 

 

Wednesday September 8th. Over to Bongs and back. 9 miles. Leader: Isobel Graham.

 

Six members set off from Cutacre Country Park on a very hot and sunny day to walk to Bongs.  Bongs is a local name for Tyldesley and is a corruption of the word 'Banks'.  We headed down hill through the park to cross the railway line on a footbridge. We then followed footpaths through farm land to join the Guided Bus Lane at Mosley Common.  After following the bus lane for 2 miles we arrived Astley Street Park and found some welcome shade where we had lunch.  

After the lunch break we continued on our way through the town centre, passing Tyldesley Common and along farm tracks and footpaths that took us back over the railway line and into Cutacre Country Park.  A short walk up hill found us back at the car park. 

Thank you to everyone who attended.

Isobel

 

 

 

Sunday September 5th. Will Yo Come O' Sunday Morning? 15 miles. Leader: Hilary Scott.

 

Eleven walkers met at Barrow Bridge to walk down to Halliwell to join the 125th Anniversary march of the Trespass on Winter Hill. Ten thousand marched on the original Trespass day but a very respectable crowd of 1000 made the effort to come today. After a few speeches (we couldn't hear them!) we lined up and commenced the walk led by a Samba band. No brass bands were available due to lack of practise in the pandemic. Up Halliwell road and over the ring road which had some very impatient drivers angry at being held up on this lovely Sunday morning. Up Smithills Dean road to the top where the march paused to let walkers and banner carriers have a rest and the long column to catch up.

I confess that we sneaked ahead at this point as I was very conscious of several pinch points on the actual Trespass path which could have made it an extremely slow journey up to Winter Hill. We paused for a photograph at the Trespass stone and then went up the path and through the several kissing gates that have been installed in the last year. It was disappointing to note that the wire has been cut on either side of some of the gates - bikers? - thus allowing the sheep to escape through. 

Up to the mast on Winter Hill where we spotted Strider cover girl Jean Bobker who was walking with another group. Down the rocky path to near San Marinos (Wright's Arms when it was the Trespass) where we left the Trespass route to walk back. The Marchers could catch free buses back to Bolton from Belmont. Not for us!

Lunch was on a wall just before we dropped into Longworth Clough. Down to the Clough and along, passing Dunscar golf club too. Up to Belmont Road and onto Horrocks Moor. A diversion down to the petting farm where our hopes of an ice cream were dashed by a mega queue. So we went on to Smithills Hall where many bought a cold drink at the Cakery there. It was then a short walk back to Barrow Bridge to our cars.

Thanks to those who came. What did the rest of you do O' Sunday Morning?

Hilary.

 

Photos from Jane, Hilary, Peter.   

 

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