Archive 2014


Riggs of Pendle

Riggs of Pendle Fifteen walkers and two dogs enjoyed a wander around some of Pendle Borough's borderlands, taking in a stretch of canal, Foulridge Lower Reservoir, Noyna End, Great Edge, Knarrs Side and then the Pennine Bridleway to a lunch stop at Wycoller. A short climb then took us to Bank House…

Walk from Walloper Well

Tuesday Walk from Walloper Well car park, January 14th. A nippy but bright morning saw 17 members of the group set off to tackle the 'paddy fields' of the Ribble Valley which our leader had warned us were very wet and muddy. How right she was! We went out down Bradford Fell and Moor Lane, past…

Barbondale Thursday Walk

Barbondale Thursday Walk Arranged at very short notice it was a pleasant surprise when 9 keen members turned up for this walk. The prospects for the day were rather mixed as heavy showers had been forecast and cloud was shrouding the tops. Nevertheless off we strode out of the village and through…

Cuerden Valley Walk

Cuerden Valley Walk. There is a wealth of good walking in our area, through pleasant and interesting scenery and places. The problem is during spells of wet winter weather, fields can get very muddy and compromises have to be made. That was the case today. Starting from Cuerden Valley we headed out…

A Walk in the West Pennine Moors

Tuesday walk Jan28th. On a very wet and misty morning 18 of us, and 4 dogs, set off from Crookfield car park behind our leader, Mac, who had told us that, because of the conditions, we would be doing his 'B' route. We made our way through the ruins of Hollinshead Hall and downhill following the…

Haweswater Thursday Walk

Haweswater - Thursday 30th. Jan. 2014 This walk was only circulated to members a day or so in advance, so it wasn't surprising there were only 3 of us on the walk. In this respect we were quite fortunate, as a much larger group would have been unmanageable, with any degree of safety, given the…

Rivington Tuesday Walk

Rivington - Tuesday 4th. Feb. 14 Given the recent spell of heavy rain, this was a well thought out walk and well led by John C. The route he chose followed paths, minor road and tracks to the west of the Upper Rivington and Anglezarke Reservoirs, before turning back on ourselves at Waterman's…

Ribchester Walk

Ribchester - Tuesday 11th. February 14 On a cold, wet February morning, who would choose to set out on a 10 mile walk through the countryside? The answer is simple - 15 from West Lancs. LDWA. What those in their warm, dry houses and cars, who saw us heading out of the village, probably didn't…

ANGLEZARKE AMBLE PHOTOS

          ANGLEZARKE  AMBLE  2014  PHOTO  GALLERY   Have you been clicked by BRIAN?????             CLICK  HERE       to find out.   Thanks to Brian Fisher for some remarkable photographs

Fairfield then an Up

Fairfield and Seat Sandal - 15 Feb. 14 There are those in our group whose preference is to walk at lower level and there are others who very much like to get out into the hills. Todays walk was for the latter category. This type of walk, however, puts a certain amount of pressure on the walk…

Chipping - Tues. 18 Feb. 14

Chipping - Tues. 18 Feb. 14 This was a circular walk in the shaddow of the Bowland Hills, through very pleasant countryside and farmland. The day was set fair, with good sunny spells and, considering the time of year, ideal for our 10 mile walk. Bearing in mind the wet, soggy state the recent rain…

Hurstwood -Tues. 25 Feb. 14

Hurstwood - Tues. 25 Feb. 14 It was a chilly, blustery, but bright start to the day as we left the car park in Hurstwood and headed, along The Burnley Way, up past Hurstwood Reservoir, to join the ancient Gorple Road. We followed this well made track as far as Gorple Stones, where we took to the…

The New Gazebo

The New Gazebo Our old flimsy gazebo having been condemned to the scrap heap by the strong winds at the 2014 Anglezarke Amble, a new and more substantial one was essential for our future challenge events. Today 10th. March 14 we unpacked and erected our new one. Click on pictures to view Come and…

Over half a century on the Committee between them!

Doreen Viney and Bob Waller retired from their respective roles as Vice Chairman and Secretary at this year's AGM, with over 50 years of committee membership between them. Bob has been Secretary since 1988 and Doreen has held various committee positions, spanning 25 years. Their tremendous hard…

Austwick - Tues. 4 March 14

Austwick - Tues. 4 March 14  9 walkers set off from Austwick in the kind of drizzle that makes it difficult to decide whether or not it's worth putting on waterproofs. The first stretch uphill to Norber via Nappa Scar was quite warm for those wearing them, but although the rain stopped, there was a…

Tuesday Walk, March 11th

12 people turned up at Rowley car park for the start of this Tuesday walk. The weather was very spring-like, the sun was shining and we had the promise of a good day ahead. After a circuit of the lake we picked up the Burnley Way which we were to follow for much of the day. We progressed through…

Watergrove walk

Watergrove walk March 22nd 2014 Although the forecast for the day was not very good, the weather at the start of the walk was very promising with sun shining and a nip in the air. 12 people, 8 from the group, 2 from Glossop and 2 from Huddersfield turned up for the walk which included sections of…

Tuesday Walk, March 25th

Hurst Green Tuesday Walk A dull, rainy start meant that, for the 10 people who arrived for this walk, waterproofs were donned  at the start and stayed on for much of the day. We began on a short, but uphill, road section before crossing the main road and going down the drive to Merrick's Hall…

Scream Point - 1 April 2014

Walk from Scream Point Where's Scream Point you may ask? Answer - a couple of miles North of Kendal, just off the A591. When your walk leader is an Ex. Met. Office 'weather maker', the least you expect from her is a bright sunny day. This was certainly not the case as the majority of the group…

Tuesday walk April 8th

Tuesday Walk April 8th The start of this walk was from Spring Wood car park just outside Whalley and for the 14 people who turned up, the weather, although a bit nippy, held the promise of a fine day ahead. After the initial climb up Clerk Hill, which Dave promised was to be  the only climb of the…

BARBONDALE ROUND 5 APRIL 2014

                                                                                                                                    The Barbondale Round                  Saturday   5th  APRIL  2014         Set in pleasant rural scenery and close to, but away from the hustle and bustle of the…

Rimington - Tues. 15 April 14

Rimington - Tuesday 15th. April 2014 Today was one of those days you want for a walk but in this country rarely get. So, under clear blue skies and pleasant warm sunshine, we left Rimington behind and with Pendle imposing in front of us, we headed out via Stubs Wood and Hollins to Ox Close and the…

Chipping - Tues. 22 April 14

Chipping 22nd April 2014  It was disappointing that after a fine and mainly sunny Easter weekend, as we approached the start of the walk in Chipping, a light drizzle was falling and the Bowland Hills in front of us, were heavily shrouded in mist. Nevertheless a nice sized group of 16 assembled on…

Blubberhouses - Sat. 26 April 14

Blubberhouses - Saturday 26th. April 2014 Six of us left the car park at the head of  Fewston Reservoir on one of those dull, drizzly, dank sort of mornings, which make you wish you'd stayed in bed. To cap it all we walked 50 yards or so then….Ooooops! ..'We're on the wrong path!' Second…

Jumbles - Tues. 29 April 14

Walk from Jumbles Res. Tuesday 29th. April 2014 Today's walk was from the most south/westerly of the three public car parks serving the recreational area that surrounds Jumbles Reservoir. The start was delayed a few minutes or so, as one or two members were having difficulties finding the correct…

Mickle Fell walk, Saturday May 3rd, 2014

Thirteen walkers left Dufton to follow the Pennine Way up to High Cup Nick, passing the impressive basalt plinth called "Nichol's Chair" (after the Dufton cobbler who is supposed to have sat astride it to mend a pair of boots). A coffee stop near the edge of High Cup Nick would have proved an…

Tuesday Walk May 6th

Hutton  Roof & Farleton Fell Walk 13 members of the group plus 2 guests and 2 dogs started out on this walk from the Cinderbarrow picnic site car park. After crossing a few fields with long, wet grass we made our way through Dalton Old Hall to the old quarry car park. A gentle ascent through Dalton…

Scottish Week, May 12th - 19th, 2014

Twelve members and guests enjoyed an excellent week's walking based at Craggantoul House, Loch Tay. John Bennet once again organised superb accommodation with excellent facilities and a view to die for, and Kate organised food for breakfast and packed lunches, making everything run smoothly. The…

Tuesday Walk May 20th

Sixteen people turned up at John Crook's house for the start of this walk. The weather was a bit uncertain as we set off as a few of us had experienced rain on the way there. However, the sun started to make an appearance and it wasn't long before jackets, jumpers etc.; were coming off. John took…

Prepare for 'Take Off''.

Prepare for Take Off. Our walk 'took off' or rather started from the York Gate Quarry car park on Otley Chevin and, after a short loop, headed eastwards through mainly woodland to the trig point on East Chevin. It was a glorious Spring morning of the kind you dream about all Winter when you're…

The Valleys' Hundred 2014

The Valleys' Hundred 2014 Congratulations and very well done to:- Jaqui Peaks who completed this year's 'Hundred' in 37 hours 50 mins. Nigel Dean who completed in 39 hours 53 mins. Brian Fisher who completed in 41 hours 57 mins. Chris Seddon (who we regard as one of our own) just made it in 47…

Tuesday Walk May 27th

There was a distinct shortage of ladies this morning as 10 men & 2 women met up at Horrock's Wood car park for the start of this Tuesday walk. Although we had had a few spots of rain on the way there the weather, for the moment, looked quite promising and our walk began along Bryan Hey reservoir…

Zig-zag round Chipping

We wondered, as we gathered at Chipping for the start of this walk, if the weather was going to be as awful as when we had put this walk on for East Lancs. group last year. It certainly seemed so as waterproofs were donned by the 14 people there. Fortunately, the gods were with us today because…

Sandstone Trail and Delamere Forest

Driving down the M56 with rain pouring down, thunder in the air and the odd flash of lightning in the sky did not bode well for the walk from Frodsham.  It was raining so hard when we parked up that we had to sit in the car for ages before we could attempt to get the waterproofs on. Eventually five…

Brockmill - Tues. 10th.June 14

Brockmill - Tues. 10th. June 14 In contrast to our walk the previous weekend, it was a pleasant mild, mainly sunny morning as our group of 12 headed out fom the car park at Brockmill. The first half of our walk took us through attractive woodland alongside the River Brock, downstream as far as…

Chatburn Walk

Gareth, Glenn and myself were introduced to the latest recruit to West  Lancs. group, namely  Maisie the cute, 8 months old Bedlington cross puppy belonging to Dave Taylor at the start of this extra 16 miles walk from Chatburn.The walk was one we have done several times before starting out along…

Rivington - Tues. 17 June 14

Rivington - Tues. 17 June 14 Considering quite a number of our 'regulars' were either away on holiday or otherwise engaged, it was encouraging to have 20 members turn up for the walk. This was no doubt helped by a few days of settled weather leading up to the walk, the promise of another dry,…

Baugh Fell and Aye Gill Pike

Baugh Fell and Aye Gill Pike. There are long sections of high level moorland on this walk, which in turn could be both dreary and wet underfoot in bad weather. That's one reason why the walk was only announced at short notice, after being assured of a nice day by the weather forecasters. The walk…

Walk from Crown Point

After several attempts, (people will keep moving about!) 22 heads and 6 dogs were  counted when we met up at the Crown Point car park for the start of this Tuesday walk led by Glenn Williams. We began by taking one of the good new paths which led over Dunnockshaw Community Woodland and down to…

Chorley Circular

Thirteen people turned up at a new venue for our regular Tuesday walks, namely Botany Bay car park. The weather was perfect as we set off on John Evenden's take of the Chorley Circular Walk which was officially opened in April 1993. John wanted to avoid a long stretch of canal at the start of the…

Tour de Buttertubs - Sat. 5th. July 14

Tour de Buttertubs The planning for this walk had to begin in August last year, in order to be in time to be sent off for the December issue of Strider. The concept was for a medium distance walk, starting and finishing at sensible times, but timed to watch the Tour de France en route, as it fought…

Walk from Mellor Brook

Eventually, 16 people and 4 dogs set of on this Tuesday walk from Mellor Brook. The start was a steep climb to the trig point on Mellor Moor which, despite it's relatively low height of 223m, has extensive panoramic views all round. Descending now through fields we crossed the A59 opposite Tiggis…

Skirethorns Lane; Tues 22nd. July 14

Skirethorns Lane; Tues 22 July 14 It may seem rather silly, but the walk leader always feels in some way responsible for all aspects of the walk he/she is leading, including the weather. We all of course realise he/she can't do much about it, but nevertheless it doesn't stop the friendly banter if…

White Coppice; Tues. 29 July 14

White Coppice; 29th. July 14 After a sustained spell of hot sunny weather, the forecast for today wasn't very promising, with a weak weather front passing over, making it cloudy but mild, with spells of patchy drizzle.  Starting from the picturesque cricket field at White Coppice, Brian, our walk…

The Bowland Cuckoo

The Bowland Cuckoo is an old event of 18 or 25 miles over some pretty rough, boggy stuff over the fells in the Forest of Bowland. As the weather had been dry for quite a spell it was thought to be a good idea to put the shorter route on as an extra Thursday walk. However, driving down the M61 in…

Ingleborough (almost) Grand Tour, 05/08/2014

Eleven walkers set out from Clapham, with the sun shining but a promised forecast of rain "later in the afternoon".  Our way led through the tunnels and along Thwaite Lane until we took the footpath beneath Robin Proctor's Scar and then up to Norber Boulders. Green turf paths amidst limestone…

Walk from Longridge

On a morning that began quite blustery and rainy, 10 of us met at Longridge for the start of this 10 miles Tuesday walk. Gareth, our leader for the day, told us that it was going to be a bit of a historical walk with several things of interest to see en-route. After going through John Smith's…

Water Yeat, Coniston Tues. 19th August 14

Water Yeat, Coniston. Tuesday 19th. July 14 The walk today did a circuit round Coniston Water, but instead of following the shoreline as one might expect, for the majority of the walk the route followed higher ground overlooking the Lake. Starting from Water Yeat, near the Southern tip of Coniston…

Worthington Lakes, Aug 26th

There was a definite nip in the air at the start of this walk and the sixteen, who had all turned up quite early, set off round Worthington Lakes with a bit more gear on than of late. The route took us round the lakes (which are reservoirs for United Utilities really) before going through Arley…

Moses Gate - Tues 9 Sept 14

Moses Gate - Tues 9th. Sept. 14 21 walkers left Moses Gate Country Park. We started with a walk around Crompton Lodge then followed the River Croal to Clammerclough Bridge, where we crossed back over before joining the River Irwell which we followed to Stoneclough. This is where we left the Park…

Foulridge Wharfe; Sat 27 Sept 14

Foulridge Wharfe - Saturday 27th. Sept. 2014 Our group of 12, including John Sparshatt (LDWA Chairman), left Foulridge Wharfe under clear blue skies. Ken, our walk leader for the day, apologised for having forgotten to do his revision the previous evening, making him a bit rusty regarding some of…

Turton, Holkar Meadows Tues 30 Sept 14

Holkar Meadows, Turton 30th. Sept. 2014 In order to avoid paths we had walked several times before Kath, our walk leader for the day, took us out on a mainly urban route, that was quite complicated and isn't easy to describe. The main points of interest on this section were the historic 16th.…

Rammy Wanderer, Tuesday 07/10/14

 Five of us had a late start off due to traffic congestion.  We had light rain on/off all day, so it was cut short to 15 miles. We set off on Bury's cycle Kirklees Trail to reach a farmstead just before Elton Reservoir which had cocks and chickens of all kinds as well as geese.  Talk about Heinz 56…

An article about Bottoms Up by Tim Glenn

Many thanks to Tim for this article about Bottoms Up (originally intended for "Strider" but now on our own website!) Bottoms up – 11th October 2014 22 miles of a Lancashire landscape that offers nothing but good cheer and dry socks In spite of my affection and respect for the LDWA West…

Bottoms Up Photographs, 2014

11th October 2014. A total of 59 walkers and runners set off on the long (22.5 mile) route, and 27 on the short (13 mile) route. 100% of the starters successfully completed their route, with good weather all day and less mud than usual. Many thanks to the thirty or so people who turned out to help…

Tockholes Tues 14 Oct 2014

Ryal Fold, Tockholes Tues. 14 October 2014 The start of the walk was delayed a little as one of our members had been delayed by road closures. Once together however, our slightly larger group than usual of 24 and 3 dogs, headed uphill from Ryal Fold, in the direction of Darwen Tower, but instead of…

Sabden; Tuesday walk from Watt Street 21 Oct. 14

Watt Street, Sabden. Tuesday 21 October 2014 The weather forecast was poor with gale force winds and heavy showers predicted. Neverheless eight of us convened in Sabden to do an 18 mile, mainly low level walk, round the villages closest to Pendle Hill.  We headed out of Sabden climbing steadily to…

Walk from Crookfield

Another good turnout of 22 people and 3 dogs  set out from Crookfield car park on a grey, but dry and mild, late October morning for this walk led by John Crook.  We followed part of the Tacklers Trail section of the Witton Weavers Way up past the Mildred Barker seat and continuing on passing the…

Hutton Roof & Farleton Fell, Oct 30th

  Hutton Roof & Farleton Fell This 16 miles walk was the same one that I led for the group in May this year and nine people turned up which was good for a walk put on at short notice. Unfortunately, the weather was not as glorious as it was in May but it was very mild for late October. On reaching…

Walk from Ball Grove

A nice round dozen of group members met at Ball Grove car park for the start of this 16 miles walk which took in short sections of the Pendle Way, the Pennine Way and the Bronte Way before descending to Wycoller Country Park. After the initial photo, and with the prospect of a fine day ahead, we…

Remembrance Sunday 2014

Remembrance Sunday 2014 When we arrived for the start of our walk, Rivington was already alive with ramblers, dog walkers, bikers, mountain bikers and Uncle Tom Cobley and all. Not to be outdone, as our group for the day, made up of LDWA members from West Lancs, and East Lancs. finally mustered, we…

Barley. Tues 11 Nov. 14

Barley. Tuesday 11th. November 2014                A grey, misty morning saw 12 walkers and 2 dogs leave Barley car park for a walk on and around Pendle.  Passing to the North of Barley Hill we passed through Under Pendle farm and onto Ogden Hill before dropping into Ogden Clough.  The route…

Walk from Newton

Chris had found a new venue for the start of this 10 miles walk and 11 group members turned up at the car park at Newton for the start which took us along a short section of the River Hodder before heading uphill and eventually on to a good track at New Laithe to emerge on the Waddington to…

Hollins Lane, Accrington. Tues 25 November 14

Hollins Lane, Accrington. Tues. 25 November 14 Our Group seems to have an abundance of Daves and Kens and sometimes it's necessary to qualify the one you're referring to in one way or another. So to avoid confusion we'll refer to our walk leader today as Dave 'W', from whose house in Hollins Lane,…

Walk from Jumbles Sailing Club

On the coldest morning of the winter so far 14 of us gathered at Jumbles Sailing Club for the start of this walk led by Kath Page and although it was a bit nippy the forecast for the day was quite good. Our route took us past Turton Tower and along Witton Weavers Way before turning left and heading…

Sawley Brow - Tues. 9th..Dec. 14

  Sawley Brow - Tuesday 9th. December 2014 The weather forecast for the day was not good, with strong winds for the morning and heavy rain from mid afternoon. Nevertheless seventeen walkers and four dogs were ready for the off with our intrepid leader Glenn. We had walked all of ten yards, at the…

Pendleton Tues 16th. Dec. 14

Pendleton. Tuesday 16th. December 2014 The heavy shower many of us had driven through, on the way to the start, had finally passed over and the question was, do we put on waterproofs or dare we risk it without? So it was as our group of 22 left the village of Pendleton, some were in cagoules and…

Christmas Quiz

Many thanks to Stan for designing and chairing another wonderful Christmas Quiz for the meeting on 15th December. Teams of four put on their thinking heads to recognise lakes, villages and mountains, all photographed by Stan on walks, but often from unusual viewpoints, making it tricky. Hardest of…

Arnside. Saturday 27th. Dec. 2014

Arnside - Saturday 27th. December 2014 It was a cold, clear, crisp morning as those of us relatively free from family committments, seasonal colds and niggling injuries met on Arnside Front for our last Group walk of the year. After the customary group photo, we followed the coastline past New…

Pudding Plod, 20th December 2014

26 members and guests met at 9am at The Calf's Head, Worston for our annual Pudding Plod Walk, which was ably led by John Evenden, taking a route via Chatburn and a variety of field paths to a welcome Christmas Cheer stop at Downham, where Susan and Zoe's selection of drinks and mince pies warmed…