Sunday March 31st. Come Fly with me. 14.5 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.

Twenty-two of us, who had all remembered that the clocks had gone forward, set off from the car park at Beesley Green on a dry sunny day. We dropped onto the loopline heading South & followed it to the end of the line at Monton. From there, we dropped on to the Bridgewater canal to Patricroft. Leaving the canal, we walked along a track by the railway, which led us to Worsley Brook.

We followed the brook for a while before turning off to pass under the M60 motorway to reach a large cemetery at Peel Green. We walked around the cemetery until a muddy track led us to our morning break stop on the perimeter of Barton Aerodrome. It was very busy with planes & helicopters taking off & landing.

After our break, we walked along firm tracks to Chat Moss. Keeping strictly to the causeway over the moss, we crossed a railway line & walked along a path that led us to Rindle Road. After that, quiet lanes & tracks over fields led us to our lunch stop at Astley Green. There were just enough benches to accommodate us all & we had views of the former Astley Green Colliery.

After lunch, we rejoined the Bridgewater Canal & headed east towards Worsley. We passed the RHS Bridgewater, which opened in May 2021, on our left-hand side. Leaving the canal at Worsley, we crossed Worsley Green & then walked through Worsley Woods back to the cars.

Thanks to all who attended, Dave & Alma

Click on  the link below for Howard’s pictures from the day.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eCD8uNwfYtYG8XKj7

Wednesday March 20th. Golborne to Culcheth Circular. 13 miles. Leader: Ann Finnigan..

8 walkers gathered at the back entrance to Haydock Racecourse uncertain what the day would bring. The first and hardest challenge was crossing the East Lancashire Road, no mean feat at 10am in the morning! 
It began a bit damp but the rain slowly dissipated within the first half hour or so.
A fair bit of history on the walk as well: the monument to the first person killed by a train… William Huskisson at the Rainhill trials.( more info here) https://rainhilltrials.co.uk/william-huskisson-and-the-first-railway-tragedy/

Plus walking across fields that saw some of the battles and skirmishes of the English Civil War. As with most walks at the moment, mud plays a big part…we weren’t disappointed!

The promise of a good lunch at Partridge Fisheries didn’t let us down either, high quality food all round in relaxing surroundings, including the noises from an African grey parrot.

The return journey was just as muddy, but nothing stopped us from having a great walk with a good craic!

Thanks to everyone who joined me on this walk, see you all again soon.

Ann.

Saturday March 9th. Liverpool Circular. 12 miles. Leaders: Steve and Noreen Martin.

The day started overcast but brightened up around midday, however, there was a north easterly breeze that felt a little cold.  The circular walk around the southern part of Liverpool started at the rear of the Royal Liver Buildings. Twenty four walkers from three local groups, set off towards the Royal Albert Dock stopping for a short and fascinating talk at Captain Walker statue. After quick comfort break at the Albert Dock we followed the River Mersey upstream, taking in the sites the river had to offer, before climbing the ‘Dockers Steps’ up to Elswick St were the sitcom Bread was filmed. It was then back down hill to the old festive gardens were a short tea break was had in the Chinese and Japanese gardens.

We then headed up Lark Lane for lunch in Sefton Park after a lap of the boating lake and Palm House. From here it was a short distance to Princess Park, were a ‘Friends of the Park’ gave a short talk on the parks history. It was then onto the two houses Ringo Starr lived in as a child before a visit to St James Cemetery and Liverpool Anglican Cathedral prior to dropping down to Liverpool One and 30 St James St, the home of the White Star Line, were the walk finished.

A great inner city walk, well attended, with interesting places along the 12 mile route.

Steve.   

Wednesday March 6th. A Winter Walk round Winter Hill.

The group consisting of fourteen walkers set off from Walker Fold Car Park at 10.00am. 

We headed in a northerly direction, passing Sheep Cote Green Farm then onto Dean Mills Reservoir. This sizeable stretch of water located on the southern slopes of Smithills Moor once served a local mill in the 18th/19th centuries.

Sunday March 3rd. Two Crosses Marshals Walk. 18/26 miles. 

14 walkers and 3 dogs set out from Batridge barn car park for the marshals' walk of the Two Crosses route.  

Along the dam to Entwistle station, descending into the woods to take the newly signed path around the house access road and up to Orrel Cote.  Through lots of mud to Crowthorn, before climbing up to Wet Moss.  The new paving made route finding and not falling into bogs much easier for everyone.  Morning cofffee was had at Bull hill, better known as the Naughty Corner to most.

Off again to go around Bull Hill to reach the Pilgrims cross and more paving stones and some more mud to get to Peel tower, before dropping down the steps through Redisher.  Lunch stop over the road from Greenmount event HQ.

After a good rest we set off along the disused rail track to Tottington, before branching off through Tottington and Gorsey Clough to admire 3 new gates, paid for using the Martyn Greaves fund.  Along to Affetside to drop down to Jumbles via the spotted pig.  A quick stop to use the facilities at Jumbles before making our way via Turton Tower, back to the cars.

A quick break for the 10 that continued on the long route.  Thanks to Nick for dropping Alf home and giving him his tea.  Whilst Alf could have done the longer route, I think he was quite happy to call it a day and curl up in his bed at home.

The remaining 10 walkers set off across the boggy, wet path over to the A666.  After dropping through Gorse Gully we found our way around the first route diversion still in the daylight.   Then along the Witton Weavers Way to track junction and the last climb of the day.  We then managed to get through the second and final diversion with only just enough light to see the tree we needed to aim at.  Then sloshed our way down the path off the moor to reach and go around Entwistle Reservoir to get back to cars.

Many thanks to all the event marshals who came along to do the final check of the route and enjoy a very pleasant day out.