Sunday August 28th. Radcliffe Rotary Way. 19 miles. Leader: Hilary Scott.

This was a hastily arranged walk as the leader for the original event was ill. Luckily 19 walkers and 2 dogs didn't seem to mind the last minute change. 

Leaving Moses Gate we made our way over to Nob End (yes, really) to start the Radcliffe Rotary Way. Along the disused canal to Ringley with a quick look at the old bridge and clock tower. Up near Giants seat and along the Irwell Sculpture trail until a swing left into Hurst Wood. We had morning coffee here.

Off along Copper Lane and over to Stand golf club where we managed to stay out of the golfers way on a good track at the side. Down the busy road to Sailor's brow and into Springwater park. Along the Roch for a short while and a bit of a challenge going up through the wood. Some fallen trees making the way more problematic. 

Along another busy road and then over Goshen playing fields to stay by the Roch for a mile or so. There was then a long stretch up Gigg Lane, past the football club and back onto Manchester Road. The urban walking was rewarded by lunch in a park which was pleasant although noisy from the traffic. 

Crossing over the road we went past the East Lancs railway sidings with more carriages than  you could shake a stick at, lots of restoration work to do there! Over an old railway viaduct and along old tracks past Elton reservoir and over to Starling Road.

A more rural stretch now across fields with views over to Manchester and along to Ainsworth Hall Road. Some lovely old property along here before ending at the busy Bolton/Bury road. Here, a few went to a nearby garage to stock up on drinks as the day had turned really sunny and warm, lucky us.

We followed Bradshaw Brook eventually reaching the outskirts of Darcy Lever. Here we climbed a field to get through a gate and the horse in the field pushed his way passed us and out through the gate! Luckily, there was someone there to control him and return him to the field. A narrow escape. 

Past the Darcy Lever gravel pits and into the outskirts of Moses Gate country park. The dogs left us a little early to return to the cars, the heat was wearing them out. The rest of us followed the old Bolton canal back to the higher reaches of Nob End and down the side of the locks to complete the Rotary Way. 

Back through Moses Gate country park which was now extremely busy for an early finish at just after 4 o clock. Thanks to all who came and a massive thank you to Dave and Alma Walsh who kept me on route. We only reccied this a few days ago, a good job we had done. Welcome also to the new people from MeetUp, I hope we will see you again.

Hilary. 

Wednesday August 24th. Two Ways to Thievely Pike. 10 miles. Leader: Mike Lee.

Seventeen walkers and one dog, including four members and the dog from West Lancs, met at Clowbridge Reservoir for the Two Ways to Thieveley Pike Plodder walk.

We had driven through heavy rain showers on the way to Clowbridge and were expecting a wet walk. But the rain stopped shortly after the start and the remainder of the day stayed dry, although sunshine was in short supply.

We set off along a track leading to the ruined village of Gambleside on the moor above the reservoir. From Gambleside we followed the old sunken lane out of the village until we met the Rossendale Way and followed it up Stony Hill to Compston’s Cross.

The stone cross is ancient, but the location isn’t. It was moved in about 1902 to this position from elsewhere on the moor, following a campaign by Samuel Compston, a local Alderman.

From the cross we continued on the Rossendale Way across the moor until it meets the Pennine Bridleway. Turning on to the bridleway, we followed it above Clough Bottom Reservoir as it heads in the direction of Thieveley Pike. Just after crossing the Burnley to Bacup road, a small memorial garden provided a convenient place for a drinks stop.

The garden is in the corner of a large field frequently used for sheepdog trials. It is dedicated to the memory of Linda Cropper, one of a renowned family of Rossendale sheepdog trainers.

Leaving the bridleway, we started the steady climb onto Deerplay Moor and up to Thieveley Pike. From there we took the Burnley Way path onto Heald Moor before dropping steeply alongside a disused quarry to the hamlet of Heald.

Heald is now a quiet backwater, but in the nineteenth century, thanks to its stone quarries, it was a thriving township with its own chapel and school and we stopped for lunch alongside the site of the now demolished chapel.

After lunch we climbed out of Heald and headed across fields, before dropping down to Spring Gardens and along Dean Lane to Water. The village of Water is in the next valley to Clowbridge and separated from it by a moorland ridge. We climbed out of Water, up to the top of the ridge and then descended the other side back to Clowbridge and the cars. 

Thanks to everyone who came.  

Mike Lee

Wednesday August 17th. Slane Ihiat. (farewell to Jane) 14 miles. Leader: Jane Hill.

"Thank you to the 21 people  and three dogs who joined me leading my final walk for the club in England. I set a question to everyone at the start to see if I could take them on a track on our lovely local moor, that they had not done before. I think I succeeded.

I was presented at the start with a special gift of a felt Lola made by Jeanie which I will treasure. We set off from Lotties directly up the hill. We made our way left to look over the Lancashire plains in the direction of the Isle of Man. It wasn’t visible today but can be seen with the naked eye on a very clear day.

We went over the top towards Rivington and when we got on the track we turned right. I short way along we turned off to the left to meet Higher House bend on Rivington Road. From there we took a left and after a short distance were back on the moors towards Hempshaws ruins for a morning break. We headed towards Great Hill joining the familiar path that comes along Spitlers Edge, where Alf and Caz had to leave us.

We turned off before the stile to Great Hill heading back to Roundloaf. I really do need to learn to drive my Garmin as the track had followed on my recce was over grown and much drier. With some help from the group we found Round Loaf before heading down to the Wellington Bomber Crew Memorial where we had lunch. Here John set off to walk home so I had lost my 10%

We continued through the lead mines to Hodge Brow turning left back towards Rivington. After a short climb we took the left footpath through the horse fields on up to Hempshaws ruins to complete the figure of eight walk.

We crossed up to the car park on Rivington Road before dropping down to Belmont. A left turn on High Street was followed by a right along Longworth Road North before turning right onto the footpath down to Egerton Road. All those walkers who wanted an Ice Cream stop at my house took a detour to Maria Square and Lola was dropped off for a sleep!

A short walk back to Lotties where I said a sad "Good Bye”. I plan to lead some walks in the Isle of Man in the future if the logistics can be organised with Alpha Travel.

Thank you everyone for a memorable day. East Lancs is a great local club.”

Jane.

Sunday August 14th. Haigh Hall Wander. 10 miles. Leader: Hilary Scott.

I would say that most walk leaders wonder how many will attend their event. I certainly didn't expect 19 to turn out on one of the hottest days of the year. There was also Alf whippet and Neil who spent the first mile with us. An excellent group.

The first mile was cooler and shady in Borsdane Wood, over to Hindley Golf course and a bit of balsam/bramble bashing to emerge at Kirkless tip - we really do go to the best places. Along onto the site of the Wigan Coal and Iron company where 5 blast furnaces were in use at one point. The site still bears evidence of the industrial past. Up to Rabbit Rocks and then the first drink of the day by the canal, some in the sun, some in the shade.

There was then a mile or so along the canal and a detour into Lady Mabel's wood, some shade again here. Back to the canal and up to Haigh Hall where supplies could be purchased if needed. My ice cream was lush! Into the Walled Garden to hug Norman's tree and a quick peep at Haigh Hall itself for those who had not seen it. 

The way back was over track and fields to be back at Borsdane before two. About half the group went to the pub at the end of the road for more liquid, well you just have to on a day like that don't you?

Thanks to all who came, especially the new faces and the LDWA members who have not walked with us before. We hope to see you again.

Hilary

Wednesday August 3rd. Longridge Fell and Two Rivers. 13 miles. Leader: Paul Banks.