Walk Leader: John Clarke

Number walking: 18

Distance: 13.4 Miles

Weather: Dry and sunny apart from one very brief shower around 11am.

The walk commenced close to the historic Hob Inn pub on Church Road with input from the walk leader about the pubs central role in what became known as the Battle of Bamber Bridge which occurred in 1943 involving different units of the US air force. 

From that point the route followed the A49 south for a short distance before entering Cureden Park where there was input about the history of the park and Cureden Hall. The main path was followed through the park to Ken Mill Lane in Whittle Le Woods. Here the main A6 was crossed into Waterhouse Green. It was then along Town Lane for the short climb up to the Lancaster Canal which was followed through to Botany Bay in Chorley. Here the group left the canal joining Bagganley Lane, which after input from the walk leader about the unusual origins of the areas name, was followed past Primrose Cottage to the lunch stop by the picturesque number one Heapey Lodge. 

Post lunch the route took the group from the junction of Higher House Lane and Heapey Road along the farm lane leading to the disused Chorley to Blackburn railway. After passing under the railway there was a short climb up to Chapel Lane from which stunning views of the Lancashire coast were visible. 

The route then descended into Wheelton village where a path by the side of Black Lion Farm was taken to Copthurst Lane, this was followed over the Leeds to Liverpool canal down into lower Copthurst where a path which runs alongside the River Lostock was taken. The river was followed to the tunnel which was constructed in 1797 to take it beneath the Lancaster Canal, with the help of torches the group successfully negotiated the tunnel, climbing up by the route of the canal which last carried commercial traffic in 1932 and was sadly isolated from the rest of the canal network by the construction of the M61 in the late sixties. 

On reaching Chorley Old Road in Whittle the route took the group to Back Lane, which was followed down to Cureden Park, with a slightly different route being taken back through the park, before rejoining the A49 for the short return section to the finish point.                      

Brilliant Bimble

Start/Finish: Church Road, Bamber Bridge via Cuerden Valley Park and Buckshaw Village.

Walk Leader: Gaynor

Walkers: 9

Distance: 8 miles

Our first ever bimble was a great success. Eight walkers and our youngest non walker (Harper, 18 month old) set out for a leisurely bimble through Cuerden Valley Park. The pace was relaxed, allowing us to take in the beautiful woodlands and scenery that Cuerden had to offer on this beautiful crisp spring day. We passed Cuerden Hall and shared historic facts and discussed the newest owners plans for the beautiful Manor House. We continued through the 650 acre park across Town Brow up towards Buckshaw Viewpoint. The facts about the ROF Chorley  that was previously on the site of which is now housing, again was met with great enthusiasm. We continued our journey through Lisieux Hall (originally Crook Hall) to Lower Kem Mill to explore the ruins of the old print mill and retraced our steps back through Cuerden Valley Park for a well deserved choice of beverage at Ye Olde Hob Inn.