After the Walk January 2025
Wednesday January 29th. Flat paths and Lanes around Sefton. 11 miles. Leader: Steve & Noreen Martin.
Seven adults, including one guest, and a dog set off from McDonalds at Aintree retail park. Glorious blue skies, 7 degrees, with very little cloud with a slight northerly wind in places.
The 11.3-mile walk traversed the Trans-Pennine Trail, beginning at Aintree and encircling the renowned Aintree racecourse. The route followed a former railway line that once accommodated train carriages filled with race attendees, leading to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and extending to Maghull.
We paused for a coffee and restroom break at Maghull Train Station voted the best in the UK 2024 before exploring the historic residences of Frank Hornby and Rafael Sabatini.
Lunch was enjoyed in a playground, basking in the warmth of the spring sun. Subsequently, we proceeded along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal through Maghull, reaching the lesser-known Bridge 15, which was destroyed by the IRA in 1939, and continued along the old Cheshire Lines to Old Racecourse Road, where it is believed the inaugural Grand National was held.
Our journey then took us across Sefton Meadows and through the Mersey Forest, passing through Netherton before returning to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and ultimately back to our starting point.
Steve.
Wednesday January 22nd. The Road to Wigan Pier. 10 miles. Leader: Andrea Foster. 17 walkers.
Meeting at Low hall nature reserve the walk began with a meander around the lake and some mud of course. We paused for a little bit of history about Low hall. A moated manor house once stood on these grounds and was the family home of the Langton's for some 400 years. Later, Low hall was also the scene of a tragedy when a locomotive called Dorothy plummeted down a mine shaft complete with coal wagons and its driver who sadly were never to be seen again.
Crossing the A58 we continued following the old Whelley loop line, a disused railway line now made into a public footpath. On reaching the Leeds Liverpool canal we turned left heading towards Wigan, passing through Ince. At Wigan we continued to our holy grail "Wigan Pier" and a little bit more history. Fact or fiction? The irony being that when George Orwell wrote his "Road to Wigan Pier" book, he searched in vain to find the pier as it had already been demolished. A "mini" pier replica now marks the spot.
Our route continued taking in old factory buildings (now being converted into flats), the river Douglas and onto Parsons Meadow. Nearby we stopped for lunch at picnic tables very thankfully provided by St Jude's rugby club who had given permission for us to use them.
After lunch we rejoined the Leeds Liverpool canal running parallel to Poolstock road and followed the canal passing Scotsman's flash and Persons flash. At Bamfurlong junction we turned off the canal to Platt Bridge and took a path running at the back of Iceland. The abandoned furniture and rubbish along this stretch of woodland and grass was something to behold!
Then going under a former railway bridge to return to Low hall nature reserve.
Thank you to all who joined me today for your company and smiles. And a special thanks to a few pilgrims who had travelled all the way from South Lakelands. It's good to know that Wigan Pier must still hold some charm.
Thanks again, Andrea.
Sunday January 12th. South Lancashire Three Peaks. 17 miles. Leader: John Shortt.
15 walkers and one dog tackled the South Lancashire Three Peaks. We were delighted to welcome some walkers from the South Manchester group.
The paths along the route were icy and the temperature remained cold throughout the morning. The group was in good sprits as we made our way through the icy landscape. We travelled through Dean Wood and along the Leeds and Liverpool canal to our first peak – Parbold Hill. Some members of the group purchased an ice cream from the van.
We then climbed our second peak – Harrock Hill. During the afternoon the skies cleared and the clear, crisp weather was perfect for walking. We ascended the third peak, Ashurst’s Beacon, in glorious weather and returned to our cars at 4pm.
John.
Wednesday January 8th. Planes, Boats and Beds. 13 miles. Leader: Stephen Hindley.
A group of 7 hardy walkers set off from Gisburn in sunny but cold conditions with plenty of snow and ice on the ground
Heading across fields and through the solar farm we picked up the Pennine Bridleway and started the steady climb to the top of Weets Hill where we had great views of a snow-covered Pendle Hill & the 3 Peaks in the distance, descending on the Pendle Way we had a stop for our morning break.
The walk continued down Folly Lane before crossing fields down to Lower Park Marina on the Leeds Liverpool canal which had a thin covering of ice. Following the canal through the outskirts of Barnoldswick we were soon at Greenfield Locks for our lunch stop.
With the sun having disappeared & the temperature dropping we headed across farmland via Bracewell and Walter Hill arriving back in Gisburn at 3.30pm
Stephen
Wednesday January 1st. Pendle and Clarion House. 12 miles. Leader: Paul Banks.
9 LDWA members braved the wet windy weather to complete a 12 mile walk from Sabden on New Year's Day 2025. It was lovely to welcome two LDWA members who were new to East Lancs LDWA walking.
The walk started from Clitheroe Road Carpark near to the Nick of Pendle. A low level path was followed to Churn Clough Reservoir before continuing along the Sabden Valley passing ancient 13th century Vaccary Walls to Stainscombe House. The walk went along a very muddy and rain flooded path toward Sabden Fold and on to Newchurch in Pendle, where the walkers huddled in the porch of St Mary's Church to shelter from a torrential downpour and have morning coffee.
The skies cleared after coffee and the walk continued through a small wood and fields to reach Clarion House. Clarion House was unfortunately closed (though it does open every Sunday and Boxing Day if people wish to visit for tea and cakes and warm real fire). The walk continued down Ginny Lane to Roughlee and Whitehough Water to Barley. Unfortunately the cafe, which is always open, was closed. The group took advantage of the shelter and toilets and had a second break there.
The steep Pendle Hill Walking Route was followed in relatively dry weather going up the steep steps to ascend Pendle Hill. A dense mist rolled in as the summit was reached. The descent took the group through Churn Clough and headed towards the Nick of Pendle. The walk deviated through Deerstones - a series of large millstone grit boulders supposedly showing the Devil's footprint from when he jumped from Hambledon Hill to Pendle. The route joined the main path from Churn Clough Reservoir returning walkers to their cars.
Paul
