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 the points of interest along the way. He nevertheless hoped he would spark enough interest for people to do their own research on the mile tunnel, Hob Stones Farm and Buttercup the cow etc.

After a nice warm-up walk beside the Leeds/Liverpool canal, we arrived in Barrowford, where we took advantage of the toilets before climbing up to, and walking along the ridge to Rigg of England Farm. We dropped slightly to Bull Hole Farm, which featured highly in the Pendle witches folklore, before ascending to Faugh’s Quarry for our coffee break and, for the ones who hadn’t been here before, the search for the “Face in the Rock”.

We then walked along the lane to Newchurch-in-Pendle and saw the “Eye of God” on the church tower. We also had a look at the witch's shop and once more made use of the toilets.

After leaving Newchurch, we followed the Pendle Way over the hill and down through Fell Wood to Lower Ogden Reservoir. Here, at one of the Tercets erected to commemorate the hanging of the Pendle witches just over 400 years ago, John gave us some info about them and about the commemorative 52 mile walk from Barrowford to Lancaster, which he helped to devise.

There then followed a straight forward descent to Barley where we had lunch. Some went to the café for a cuppa, and most used the toilets. (Maybe we should call it the loo walk!)

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From Barley, just as it started to drizzle, we headed directly towards Pendle Hill, but only went part way up before swinging northeast, passing Windy Harbour Farm and then arriving at Lower then Upper Black Moss Reservoirs. Luckily the drizzle had only lasted a few minutes and we stayed dry and bright for the rest of the walk.

Another climb and a descent brought us to the meeting of Blacko Water and Pendle Water before we climbed up to Blacko and beyond to have a short break below Blacko Hill and Stansfield Tower. We carried on to Malkin Tower Farm and passed above Slipper Hill Reservoir before the last climb of the day to Whitemoor Rd., and the descent to the Leeds/Liverpool canal and a short walk back to Foulridge Wharfe.

Thanks Ken for an interesting and well thought out 18 mile walk.