After the Walk April 2022
Friday April 29th. The Noctambulation. A Night Walk. 14 miles. Leader: Nick Halford.
Five select gentlemen met at Roddleswoth cafe at 7pm and went through the woods, via Slipper Lowe, to Great Hill. The walk was originally intended for February with a dark and sloshy ascent envisaged, instead we had bright sunlight and uncharacteristically dry ground.
From the top we took the long paved path over Spitlers Edge to Hordern Stoops, then the stony route past the pigeon tower to the Pike, which was there so up we went. At the top the the sun was completely gone, and with the night clear and moonless the lights of West Lancashire were spread below us, with the cranes of Liverpool docks in the distance.
Down, then the most direct and amazingly dry climb to the mast, where looking East we could see Winter Hill's twin, Elmley Moor, far away. Down the horrible path to San Marino's and through sleepy Belmont, turning at the reservoir to climb to the Witton Weavers Way. No turkeys in turkey tree, but instead peacocks, sleeping in the branches safe from Mr Fox.
Back through the now pitch black woods, pausing only to explore the spooky remains of Hollinshead Hall. Thank you to the lads that were not afraid of the dark.
Nick.
Click on the link below to see pictures from Geoff.
Sunday April 24th. Pendle and Ribble Round. 21 miles. Leader: Gordon Stone.
Thirteen LDWA members from East Lancashire, West Lancashire and West Yorkshire groups assembled near Whalley Abbey for a 9am start on a bright but cool Sunday morning. The first few miles generally followed the route taken in the 2015 Red Rose 100. As there is little suitable location further on, we took our morning coffee break on reaching the road just before Nick of Pendle. At that point, one of our group had to turn back as he was suffering from something in his eye which could not be removed. His safe return was later checked.
The section between and Nick of Pendle and the summit was somewhat wild with a strong wind to battle through. Gloves and hat weather. The summit was popular and a kind fellow summiteer offered to take photos so we were all included in the shot.
We inspected the plaque for George Fox and then were soon on our way losing height and losing the wind, back on the RR100 route to Downham. Lunch was taken at Downham which is such an ideal place for a stop. Some of us even made use of the highly recommended ice cream shop. It really is a walk of two halves, as with the lack of wind chill, layers could be removed as we headed through the lush landscape, negotiated the crossing of the A59, through the village of Chatburn and onto the banks of the Ribble where we espied a heron. Onwards through the Sculpture Trail with an excellent location for afternoon break with ample benches available before heading away from the river to return to our vehicles shortly after 5pm, having covered just short of 21 miles with 2360 ft of ascent (33km, 720m ascent).
The day had been glorious : dry both above and underfoot and many remarked that they would do the route again.
Gordon.
Wednesday April 20th. Village Link Part 2. 12 miles. Leader: Barbara Shelton.
A month after we did Part 1 of this walk, we completed the second leg in fine conditions, with 16 people and four dogs taking part.
The 12 mile route took us from Greenmount along the old railway track and past the architecturally impressive Tower Farm, dated 1840, skirting Tottington and Woolfold to reach Walshaw, then Whitehead reservoirs where we had our first break. Then it was on to Ainsworth to admire some Grade 2 listed buildings (and the Duke William pub briefly for take-out tea and bags of crisps) before heading for Affetside with a lunch stop on the way. From there we dropped down into Two Brooks valley and on to Hawkshaw with its village store which was raided for some very welcome ice creams! With around three miles to go we headed up to the edge of Holcombe Rifle Ranges, past Redisher Farm and around Greenmount golf course to get back to the finish.
The full Village Link route is around 19 miles long and was devised by the Bury Rural Inequalities Forum. It links six of the area’s most historic villages: Nangreaves, Greenmount, Ainsworth, Affetside, Hawkshaw and Holcombe. There’s a link at www.village-link.com where you can see the route description containing lots of historical information.
Barbara Shelton
Pictures from Jeanette and Hilary
Saturday April 16th. The Lost Gardens of Rivington. 14 miles. Leader: Hilary Scott.
A glorious Easter Saturday and 15 people gathered to walk and learn a little of the local history. There were representatives of other groups including Lakeland, Calderdale, Merseystride and Staffs.
We set off towards Arcon Village, a bleach works conversion where one of my friends waved us on our way. Onwards at the base of Wilderswood and past Ormerod Farm pausing to look at the track of an old tramway that took Fireclay down to the Klondike pipe works.
We headed into the Gardens and looked at the Ravine, the Japanese garden, the kitchen gardens, the great lawns, the bungalow site and the Pigeon Tower. I lost points for not having the key to the latter after spending all day there on Good Friday! We also saw a deer startled out of its hiding place by a dog.
A trip up to the Pike and along to the Pike Shack where Nick and Barbara had kindly gone ahead to order food and drink. Then climbing up to the summit of Winter Hill, a quick look at Scotsman's stump and down the trespass path to the commemorative stone. Still dropping, down Coal Pit Lane and to Barrow Bridge to look at the managers and workers houses there. Even some Boltonians had not been here.
Into Moss Bank Park for a late lunch and then a return to Barrow Bridge to climb the steps and on to Walker Fold. Up to Burnt Edge and a sweetie stop at the new Topograph. Along to the quarries, down Matchmoor Lane and back to our cars.
I think everyone enjoyed it, it was a great friendly bunch of people. Thank you all for coming.
Hilary.
Wednesday April 13th. A Stroll down Memory Lane. 10 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas.
My walk, All our Yesterdays, went back to 1994/1995. I had photos from that era so we made it fun and several people won Easter Eggs by answering questions.
Thanks for taking part. I had 26 walkers and 3 dogs. All were very well behaved. Nobody dared to get in front of me!
Our first stop was a short break at White Coppice then off to Brinscall for lunch. We had a little rain then , but after that it was fine in the afternoon.
We had a short break at Withnell Fold and then onwards down the canal.
I think everyone enjoyed it. We had a very happy team.
To me it made my day, a big big THANK YOU to all.
Happy Walking,
Stormin Norman.
Pictures from Caz and Clare.
Sunday April 10th. Come Fly with Me. 19 miles. Leader: Jane Hill.
On a frosty morning eleven walkers and two dogs set off from Hale Barns on the Bollin Way towards Manchester Airport. As we came up from Castle Mill we were surprised to see a small horse show in the fields we walked through to get to the path at the end of the shorter original runway.
We paused here to watch a plane take off over our heads and then saw them landing in the distance.
We followed a security fence down to the footpath tunnel under the new extended runway. It is very impressive and the date stone at the entrance is the year 2000. Climbing up from here we followed the new runway to our break stop after crash gate 8. We were spotting several planes with TUI being the most common today.
From here we followed the North Cheshire Way towards the entrance to Tatton Park. Part of the footpath has been diverted here as Bellway homes are building an estate of large houses. We entered Tatton Park through a large entrance to keep the deer in and it was busy along this route with youngsters on bikes and several dogs taking an interest in our dogs Scrappy and Luna.
We had a good warm and sunny lunch stop in the stable yard at Tatton Hall which was busy today with the fairground carousel as an accompaniment to our conversations.
Homeward bound we crossed fields to Marsh Lane and then over the M56 to join the Bollin way again. We could still see the planes taking off and saw a very large one that circled Northwards. At our afternoon sweet break a young family were passing by and two boys shared some jelly babies with us!
A short pavement walk on Bankhall Lane took us past some impressive houses before dropping down to the Bollin for the last time. We came back through Hale Golf club and past the house built in the 1970’s for the footballer Colin Bell which is at the top of Ross Mill Lane. We got back for 4 pm just in time for our football fans to listen to the start of the Liverpool versus Man City match and get back home to watch the second half! I hope it was a good game.
Thank you all for your great company today.
Jane Hill
Photos from Pauline and Jane
Bottoms up, Wednesday 6/4/22, 13.5 miles. Leaders Dave & Alma Walsh
Fifteen of us & Freddie the dog gathered at Witton Country Park. We had one member who was new to the East Lancs group. It was quite cold & windy so emergency layers were extracted from the boot of the car by the two leaders.
From Witton Park we climbed up Billinge Hill to the viewpoint at the top. Unfortunately in view of the mist & light rain that had started to fall the vista was poor. Dropping down from the hill along the Witton Weavers Way the rain increased & by the time we reached the Wainwright topograph full waterproofs were being donned. Again no views. Normally football fans would see Deepdale & Ewood Park from here.
We dropped down, the rain ceased & we followed fields & down a cobbled lane to a bridge over a river where we had a morning break. Continuing on we had a brief view of Woodfold Hall, a splendid building now converted to flats.
We walked along a quiet road to Samlesbury Bottoms. After climbing up the road footpaths took us over several farmers fields to Hoghton our lunch stop. On route a sheep in distress was lying on its back trying to right it's self. Two members managed to get her back on her feet again.
Lunch was taken in the grounds of the church. The bells were pealing as a wedding was taking place. We managed to see the happy couple in their vintage car. After lunch we walked part way up the drive to Hoghton Tower before turning right & followed a path over fields to Riley Green.
A short walk along the road before following a path to the River Darwen. The sun was now out & it was quite warm. We followed the river to Feniscowles. After crossing the road we had an afternoon break, Hilary kindly dished out some sweets. We then walked along the Leeds Liverpool canal to Cherry Tree where we followed roads back to the cars at Witton Park.
Thanks to all who attended, Dave & Alma.
Pictures from Dave and Hilary
