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 had added another 37 to the throng. Time for off and with the West Lancs. LDWA wreath in a 'poly bag'in her hand Doreen, our walk leader for the day, gave us a short briefing before leading us out of  Rivington towards the memorial in Leadmines Clough, where a Remembrance Sunday service was to be held.

It's re-assuring that the LDWA in Lancashire is strong enough to attract so many walkers, but it did present difficulties in the early stages with several seemingly long hold ups at gates and stiles, causing some anxiety as to whether or not we would make it in time for the 11 o'clock service. Nevertheless we made it OK and with 10 minutes or so to spare, jostled our way into the large congregation already milling around the memorial.

The memorial itself is in memory of six airmen killed during a training excercise in WW2 when, in icy conditions, their Wellington Bomber crashed nearby on Anglezarke Moor. The memorial service, now conducted by Chorley Ramblers, was originally the idea of one of our early members, Eric Unsworth, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Along with a couple of hymns, and the customary two minutes silence, a few prayers were said, including one for Eric and a family member of the pilot, who had also died recently and who had been over some years ago from Australia to attend a Remembrance Day service here. Following the service wreaths were placed round the memorial, including ours from West Lancs. laid by walk leader Doreen.

After the service was over we made our way sombrely back through Leadmines Clough and then more cheerfully up past Simms and onto Redmonds (Spitlers) Edge. From there we headed toward Great Hill, turning off before the top to drop down to the ruined Great Hill Farm and our lunch break.

Click on pictures to view slideshow.

The morning had been clear and sunny, perfect Autmnal weather, and so it continued during the afternoon, as we continued our walk down through Brinscall Woods and along the Goit to Anglezarke, then on to Rivington, stopping just once on the way for a coffee break at White Coppice.

A moving service and an enjoyable 13 mile walk under perfect conditions. Thanks Doreen.

Stan.