Walk leader: Andrea Foster

Number on Walk: 19 plus Nellie the dog

Distance: 8 miles

Weather: Sunny and dry  

Starting with a wander through Borsdane wood we took a footpath leading over to Hall Lane and then through Hindley golf course. Although we stuck to the footpath, there was a "close encounter of the third kind" with a golf ball that thankfully was a miss rather than a hit. Soon after we reached Top Lock and the Leeds Liverpool canal and paused briefly to take in the art work on the side of a former pub. It was a nod to the heritage of the canals with the a picture of boats transporting cotton and coal in this area. Then walking along the canal tow path it was a pleasant straight route up to bridge 60 where we turned right and headed up to the Haigh plantations and woodland estate.  

With the Haigh Hall house in sight but shrouded in scaffolding and covers, we paused for a bit of history and information from the census records regards the last family to occupy the house. Five generations of the Linsey family were the last to have this as a family home from 1780 til 1947 when the house was sold to Wigan Council. We await with baited breath to see the results of the current transformation taking place at the house. To quote "a heritage destination of national significance" is on the horizon.

After lunch we walked along Copperas road, passing a restored windmill. Now a pretty landmark it originally served as a means to pump water for the nearby brewery throughout the nineteenth century. As we reached St. David's church and the corner of the Balcarres arms, there some further history regards the five story brewery that once stood there behind the pub. Built in 1873, John Sumner and co ran a successful brewing business with it's brewery workers living in the terrace houses opposite. The cellars running below the houses still exist today. Greenalls group took over the brewery in the 1930's but after it's demise the brewery building was demolished in the 1950's and the grounds are now occupied by a car show room called Culraven garage. The name being taken from the original Brewery owner house who lived opposite.

Next passing the boundary stone that marks the dividing line between Haigh and Aspul we headed down the footpath at the side of St David's church and cemetery following the path alongside Holly Nook and Hilton farm. Then quickly crossing the road we passed Aspull civil hall and back towards Hall Lane. With great views of St Elizabeths church and Winter hill further still we crossed over Hall Lane again and took a wide detour around the field so as not to upset the cows and their calves. Reaching the back of Borsdane wood we were soon safely returned to our cars.

Thank you for a great turnout and to the weather Gods for smiling on us today. And as ever for your company and cheer. Andrea