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 leader for the day, took us out on a series of less walked paths to Brinscall, then on well walked paths, along the line of the disused Chorley/Blackburn railway line, through Withnell to Abbey Village. Here we looped back on ourselves, crossing over our approach to Abbey Village as we made our way to upper Withnell, then along a track, before heading over Pike Lowe, followed by a long steady descent to our lunch stop in Withnell Fold.

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After lunch we dropped down to the towpath on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal, which we followed all the way to the boatyard at Botany Bay. Here we left the tow path and after going past Bagganley Lane Farm, we climbed steadily up to Higher House Lane, then across field paths, back to White Coppice.

Points of particular interest before lunch, were wicker art works of railway memorabilia under an old railway bridge near Withnell, the memorial to Private Miller in Withnell and carvings and stocks in Withnell Fold. In the afternoon we went past an old mill in Withnell Fold that used to make special paper for bank notes. On the canal itself there was a very curious water gypsy boat complete with piano and bath tub. Further along the canal we watched narrow boats negotiating the series of locks below Top Lock.

There were 20 on the walk, which clocked in at around 10.5 miles. The weather was much as forecast. Thanks a lot Brian.

Stan