Lancastrian Schoolroom
Lancastrian Schoolroom - Thursday 30th June
The second of the summer history walks, this time starting back in the familiar surroundings of Idle Village. Seven walkers assembled, including returnees from last year’s autumn series, John & Christine, still yet unaware of the cornucopia of delights that they would encounter on this 23 mile walk. The walk leader contrary to Lynn Anderson’s advice did not promise any diamond rings but did promise a rose garden!!!
We set off at a steady pace, aware the first coffee stop, The Holly Bush café in Kirkstall, did not open until 10.30am, and we did not want to run the risk of arriving too early!!! This brought a new challenge to Kevin, who usually tries to keep the walk pace up, rather than slowing it down!!! Heading down to Apperley Bridge and the usually picturesque banks of the river Aire, we were met with a series of obstacles, The Bridge opposite the George & Dragon, crossing the river was closed. The old car sales centre was being converted into a cycle hire centre, (electric bikes), and ice cream parlour. Once on the river bank, Calverley Old Bridge was under precautionary repair due to a negative risk assessment. It was a pity Chris was not on the walk, this would have been his highlight!!! The flood defence construction at Horsforth Vale had expanded since we last walked through the area in autumn 2021 and the picnic sites were fenced off!!! Even if I say so myself, we were relieved to reach Bramley Fall.
Bramley Fall Woods offered us some shade from the heat that was starting to build up as the day progressed and after last year’s shenanigans we did not try to cross the Leeds/Liverpool canal at Kirkstall Locks but headed for Kirkstall Bridge and our proposed mid-morning coffee stop at the Holly Bush Café. Unfortunately we had walked too fast and arrived at 10.00am!!! So we headed down to Gotts Park and had our elevenses in the intriguingly named Rose Garden. Intriguingly named in the sense that there were no roses!!! But after our coffee stop, we headed onto Armley Park, where we encountered an impressive wild flower garden.
We were now onto the West Leeds Greengateway, heading over Armley common towards Cabbage Hill, which affords extensive views of Leeds City Centre. The ascent of Cabbage hill although steep was achieved with ease. Why there are songs written about Salisbury Hill and not Cabbage Hill, I’ll never know – come on you Keiser Chiefs get writing!!! Dropping down to Lower Wortley we took a detour to visit a Rose Garden, with Roses!!! So do not say the walk leader does not keep his promises!!! We then climbed up to New Farnley taking a second unplanned detour when we encountered horned cattle in the woods, before arriving at New Farnley Cricket Club for our Lunch. Omelettes seemed to be the order of the day. After lunch we headed via the Romanian church, dedicated to Makarios the Great, to Farnley Hall Park, which houses offices for Leeds City Council, Parks & Countryside in the Impressive Farnley Hall. Although built by the Danby Family in the 16th Century, there was a building recorded on the site in the 1086 Doomsday Book.
Departing the park we were now heading for the main feature of the walk, the Lancastrian Schoolroom. Founded in 1813 by Educationalist Joseph Lancaster. His philosophy was to have boys and girls of different ages within the same class. He encouraged the older and brighter children to teach the younger ones and refused to use the cane. This seems enlightened and progressive for 1813, until you realise he punished the children by tying them in sacks and/or hoisting them to the ceiling in cages!!!
Departing the schoolroom we dropped down through Cockersdale Woods and headed to Fulneck passing Café 54, (which was used in the filming of Gentleman Jack), to reach Queens Park for our afternoon stop. We were now on the final leg of our walk, the main aim being to get Madeleine back early enough, so she did not miss her evenings orchestra practice. We headed through Pudsey passing the Pudsey St Lawrence cricket ground to Owlcotes Hill, dropping down through the woods to Chatsworth Fall. On reaching Woodhall the fun and games started, with dark clouds full of thunder now gathering overhead, waterproofs were quickly donned and the group struck out for home in torrential rain. Pausing briefly after numerous ‘claps of thunder’ the decision was made to shorten the walk and return via Ravenscliffe woods instead of Woodhall Hills. On reaching Greengates we were soon climbing through Thorpe Edge back to Idle village, where we arrived at 5.20pm and the end of another cracking walk, which had started in promising sunshine only to end in a deluge!!!
My next Thursday History walk is in two weeks’ time, when we will be undertaking a Railway Children’s walk, to coincide with the release of the sequel to the 1970 film – The Railway Children Return. I hope you can join us?
