Plodding into Summer


 

 

 
A ROSSENDALE WALK. Wedneday June 26th.
Led by Peter Smith.
 
Eight Plodders met at the now closed Deerplay Inn on the Bacup to Burnley road at 10 am.


Peter Smith led the walk from the Deerplay Inn down to Broad Clough where we crossed the main road on to the original Bacup to Todmorden road which is now just a lane. It is a climb up to the Rossendale Way skirting Sharneyford. We then walked along the Rossendale Way for a short time where we had a morning coffee. Reg then left the party as he had been walking a lot over the last few days and had done the recce for this walk with Peter.


We then walked towards Beater Clough with lots of local interest and history explained to us by Peter. We did quite a lot of climbing for a Plodders walk so it was good to reach a summit and have lunch in the glorious sunshine.


We then walked on the Burnley Way which was the old Pack Horse trail from Burnley to Rochdale  where lime was transported south from Clitheroe.
We then reached the trig point at The Beacon which was the highest point of the day with views over Lancashire, Derbyshire and West and North Yorkshire, picking out Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Darwen Tower, Peel Tower and Stoodley Pike were also seen from this 360 degree viewpoint.


Our descent took us to the source of the River Irwell and then back to the cars. We then changed our footwear and made our way to The Rose and Bowl at Stacksteads to enjoy a well deserved drink.


Thanks to Peter for a smashing informative walk with terrific views.


Don

 


 

Thanks to Don for the pictures.

 

Wednesday July 10th. Thirlmere Way.Part 6.

Brock Valley to Dolphinholme.


Some 12 Plodders set out from the Brock Valley Picnic Carpark on a overcast but cooler day. This was a welcome break from the intense heat of the previous days and fortunately stayed with us for most of the walk.

This section crosses some both scenic and interesting areas including, the River Brock, Cobble Hey Farm, Calder Vale Village, Grizedale Fell and Dolphinholme. During the course of the walk we cross over the Aqueduct seven times but only are aware of it by the sighting of gates. It contours the Forest of Bowland roughly following the 500 feet level. The Victorian engineers would have faced very difficult challenges where the Aqueduct travels under high moorland hills bisected by deep river valleys.

The walk started along the River Brock Valley, walking close to the river until taking the first footpath on our right to take us steeply up hill to Brock Mill Lane.Turning left along the lane until a footpath on the right opposite the T junction. Walking diagonally across a very large field we reached a road and took the next left ,Hobbs Lane, to reach the farm road leading to Cobble Hey Farm. Situated at 600 feet above sea level the farm offers stunning views of the Forest of Bowland. On a good day you can see the Welsh Mountains and the Isle of Man. It is a tourist attraction well known for it's gardens and farm animals. Cobble Hey Farm has a specialist team of teachers who teach visiting school children about the animals and plants. Furthermore, immediately before entering the farm there are two gates classified as standard by our Gate Inspector, Bernard.

Passing on we reached Calder Vale Village.This charming village lies on the River Calder in a deep valley and can only be accessed by a single road. The name Calder is thought to be derived from the old Norse,"kalder"(cold). The village was founded by Quaker brothers, Richard and Jonathan Jackson, and in 1835 a cotton weaving mill, Lappet Mill, was built, powered by the River Calder. The mill and the mill pool still exist and Lappet Mill is still working as a cotton mill. One of the main products is the red,black and white checked cloth used for Arab head scarves and it was said that Yasser Arafat's headdresses were made at the mill. The Jackson brothers also built many of the terraced houses which are very well cared for today. Having seen the terrible housing and poverty in Manchester around the cotton mills the Jacksons wanted to build an ideal village for their workers. There is a village hall and Methodist chapel in the village centre and we sat near the River for a morning break.

Crossing the river bridge we turned up the path leading through the woods and eventually into a large field. Crossing the field to the farm road to Kelbrick Farm we took the path leading around the farm buildings to reach the farm road leading down to the road. Crossing to the stile immediately opposite we crossed the field to further stile, turning right to Bank Farm. Turning left immediately before the farm we crossed a tarmaced path leading to the radio masts and continued with a reservoir and plantation on our left and down hill to the road. a Turning left we followed the road for half a mile to a cattle grid and just beyond a carpark and some large stone blocks on which we sat eating our lunch.

Before the Plodders dosed off in the pleasantly humid conditions Reg marched them off up hill and then down to Fell Fall Farm. On the hill side leading to the farm is a gate which opens and allowed several photo calls by Plodders walking through the gate. Finding the path beyond the farm is a challenge despite an overgrown sign pointing upwards. With the help of our very own jungle scout we managed to successfully lose ourselves a few times before reaching a stile and further sign. There is a definate but in places difficult to find path leading past the plantation on the left to a further sign pointing upwards to the road. The party fragmented as it walked over the moorland to eventually reach the road some distance from the footpath sign pointing down a well recognised path! We paused here to regain our breath and admire the view stretching from Blackpool Tower,along to Morecambe Bay and over to the Lakes which were hazy but definate. An important stage of the Thirlmere Way being able to see our ultimate goal somewhere in the Lakes.

We then took the path contouring around Grizedale Fell.The track contours for just over a mile and at times appears little more than a sheep track. There were abdundant bilberries, not yet ripe. At the far end of the path several streams make the terrain very boggy and difficult to cross. It is fortunately well signed and eventually just before a wall and fence going down hill there is a very small and difficult to find path going down eventually to Lane Head Farm. Reg and Peter on their reccy went beyond this small path not seeing it as from the approaching side there is nothing to indicate a path down.(this is on the other side of the post!) Several fields later and a difficult track back Reg and Peter found the small path and sign pointing down.That is what reccying is about.

Warning the Plodders of not only the narrow path but he had taken a spectacular fall the previous week Reg let the Plodders go on with Norman in the lead who had a less dramatic trip on the way down. Passing our final gate of the day and crossing the Aqueduct for the seventh time we took the now broad initially grass and then tarmac track down to the road. Turning right we headed for Tinkers Lane. At this junction Norman for the fifth time took the wrong turn and Plodders could only think he was going for the record number of wrong turns.

Gaining momentum down Tinkers Lane,with the thought of Dolphinholme becoming more real, we cut across the corner via a pleasant path and over the next road via stiles to walk past Wyreside Hall and the large area of woodland down to Wagon Road as it enters the quiet and beautiful village of Dolphinholme. Reg loves to admire the allotment next to the River Wyre, which at present is very full of fruit and vegetables.

At this point Norman felt at last he knew the quickest, not the correct way, back to the cars.Hence the race to see who arrived first!(Norman of course) As the majority followed Reg some one was heard to say Reg would not have walked us up such a steep hill if it was not the correct way.There were no dissenters.

Finally the Plodders,safely home for 3.30pm, satisfied with the walk, headed for the pub at the cross roads with the Barbara Windsor look alike barmaid.The beer went down a treat. Some one measured the distance as 9 and a half miles.

Reg

 


Thanks to Don for the pictures

 

 


Thirlmere Way. Part 7. Dolphinholme to Caton. 12 miles.

Wednesday August 14th.

Some 8 Plodders,(the A Team) set out from the church car park which is such a good base, to tackle the walk to Caton and the River Lune. Following the Aqueduct as it contours the Bowland Fells we again followed paths with little evidence of them being walked regularly if at all .Nevertheless the paths allow great views of Morecambe Bay, the Lakes and Bowland Fells.

It was a warm sunny morning which lasted till mid afternoon when the promised rain clouds arrived. We managed to reach Caton with only a light soaking!

Retracing the previous way into Dolphinholme we continued along Wagon Road to the farm lane to Dolphinholme House. Passing the farm buildings we continued forward forward for half a mile to find some inspection hatches. Looking along the line of the Aqueduct we see a gate as the Aqueduct makes to cross the Wyre .Descending down an overgrown track we reached the Wyre and crossed the substantial foot bridge .Climbing to Lentworth Hall Farm we admired the unique gate made up of farm implements. Via Plantation Lane we took the path to Till's Farm and on to Lower Moorhead Farm .From here we deviated from the Tim Cappelli's route which crosses Grit Fell. Passing the derelict Bogman House we reached Castle o Trim Farm and shortly after lunch.

Continuing forward we walked along the farm road to Hare Appletree Farm and up to the road. Taking the first footpath on the right we crossed the fields to Rowton Brook Farm .Descending down the track we took the path descending through woods to reach a field with three Aqueduct gates and further ones visible as the Aqueduct contoured the fells.

Descending further we reached the road, turning right along Rigg Lane. After one and a half miles along the lane we reached Littledale Road. After a drinks break we continued along the road to where just beyond the track to Hollinhead Wood we once again found the Aqueduct. Here work on two sites is being undertaken to make the inspection hatches more secure .Also we noted three futher gates. Climbing steeply we passed the Crags with great views of the surrounding Fells.

Descending we crossed Udale Bridge over Artle Beck, passing the camping site and up to the road junction and New House Farm and it's attractive gardens. Forward up the farm track we reached Littledale Road as it steeply descends to Caton .Just beyond the next road junction we took the footpath leading down to Caton, noting some unusual Aqueduct Gates en route. On reaching the road we turned left along the road to see Aqueduct gates and inspection hatches as it passes beneath the road heading for the River Lune .Crossing the busy A683 we reached the track bed of the former Lancaster to Hornby railway and followed this to the carpark at the Crook of Lune. A very satisfying day was completed in the Dolphinholme pub with it's look alike Barbara Windsor Barmaid. The beer and chips were good too!

Reg.

 


Thanks to Reg and Don for the pictures.

 

Wednesday August 28th. Reg's Birthday Walk.

10 miles from Bacup. Leader: Don Watson. 13 plodders and 1 dog.


 
Thirteen 'Plodders' and Maude assembled at the Lee Quarry Mountain Bike Centre at Bacup, including John's granddaughter, Hannah, who came along to make her debut plod with the gang. The walk was originally called 'The Valley of Stone' but was soon changed to 'Reg's Birthday Walk' to celebrate our esteemed leader's 75th birthday.


We set off at 10 am in the direction of 'up' to Lee Quarry which has been transformed into a mountain bike course. After half an hour we reached the remains of the old saw shed which was used to cut the blocks of quarried stone. After a wander round the site and a quick drink we made off along the moor towards Britannia where evidence of quarry tramways were visible.


We then descended to the dismantled railway bed of the old Rochdale to Bacup line which closed to passenger traffic in the 1930s but was still used for freight to Whitworth up to the 1960s.


With the coming of the railway to Rossendale in the 1840s quarries rapidly expanded and for up to 60 years entire hillsides were quarried to build towns and cities all over Britain. In the peak period of 1870-1890 up to 3000 men were employed in the quarries.


On our journey south down the Whitworth valley we remained on the railway bed apart from the odd time we had to leave it because of housing. We stopped for a refreshment break at Shawforth and then onwards to a steep climb up to Cowm Top Farm where we had views over Rooley Moor and the valley down to Rochdale and beyond to Manchester.


We descended the Facit Quarry road (which is still being worked) to Cowm Reservoir where we had our lunch. After lunch we circuited the reservoir and rejoined the railway track which took us to the jewel in the crown which is Healey Dell and was enjoyed by plodders who hadn't been to the area before. The view of the railway viaduct is magnificent from the path along the River Spodden underneath.


We had walked about 9 miles now and Hannah was heard to say 'how far now, Don' quite a few times. After quite a bit of teasing and another mile we arrived at The Healey pub. We sat in the beer garden celebrating Reg's birthday with real ale and cheesy, chilli chips which Reg kindly ordered. Then to Reg's surprise, Maureen arrived with a birthday cake from the 'Plodders' which was decorated with a walking and railway theme organised by Jim.
Happy birthday was sung and the cake was cut and shared amongst the group to end a smashing day.


The gang then set off on the final half mile along the track to Whitworth Road to catch the bus back to Bacup and the cars for the onward journey home.


Thanks to all for your company and help with the celebration.


Don