Plodders Jan to June 2014


 

Plodders Bangor to Ogwen Cottage Walk, 18th June.

Six Plodders met at Porth Penrhyn, Bangor, for a pleasant stroll to Ogwen Cottage, above Bethesda on the A5.

On arrival at the start Leader John announced that he left his maps in his car when he changed vehicles in Wigan. The good news was he and another Plodder had done the route 8 years earlier and he was reasonably confident that he could remember it.

The start was straightforward along a disused railway line, taking a brew stop before leaving it.

Unfortunately our leader found he had sat in some tar when he tried to stand up, at least he will have a waterproof bottom if he ever sits in wet grass in the shorts he was wearing.

As soon as we left the railway trail it was a case of trying to remember the rest of the route.

We found the next turn and this took us up to give us good views across Menai Straits to Anglesey. A bit of metalled road walking got us to the view of the old Bethesda slate quarry but finding the route through it proved challenging.

We eventually regained the intended route and stopped besides Ogwen falls for lunch, which was an excellent choice in the pleasant sunshine.

It was onward and upward from here passing under the Ogwen slate quarry zipwire, which was in use.

The view as the valley opened up was splendid and it was a very enjoyable stroll up the valley before the final pull up to Ogwen Cottage YHA and visitors centre.

As we approached the Visitors Centre we stopped to ask a lady how often the buses ran, to be greeted with “There are no buses, the owners of the bus company are in prison!”

With this in mind we stopped for refreshment outside the Visitors Centre and reviewed our options.

It was imperative that the two drivers got back to Bangor so the rest could be picked up. Don decided a lift back to Bangor for them was the best option and he took on the task of finding one for them, and came up trumps.

A young couple who had been walking over Tryfan and the Glyders said they would drive them back, even though they where actually heading in the opposite direction.

Allan swiftly finished his ice lolly and he and I jumped in the car. The driver explained he had been in a similar position in the past and was only to glad to help. The walkers all chipped in to give him some money towards the petrol even though he said he didn’t want any.

Both drivers returned with their cars and the walkers all drove down to Bethesda for fish and chips before going their separate ways.

A good days walk with brilliant company, weather and views.

Neil Woodcock

Photos:

 

Ramsbottom Circular, May 7th

Six Plodders set off from Ramsbottom railway station at 10 am on a reasonable day to follow the route of the first leg of the The Heritage Trail towards Townsend Fold near Rawtenstall. The Heritage Trail is a walk devised by Tom Schofield linking three preserved steam railways - The East Lancashire, The Keighley and Worth Valley and The Embsay to Bolton Abbey.
We left Ramsbottom walking upstream along the River Irwell until turning right up hill and airily crossing over the M66 motorway. We then made our way up to and crossing the A56 road at the Duckworth Arms and then turning right into Hollins Lane and up to the next junction meeting the A680 where we crossed the busy road and into Michael Wife Lane. The lane delves into a leafy enclosure that descends to a ford and footbridge crossing Plunge Beck, a beautiful spot.
We then climbed up to Windy Harbour with views over the Rossendale Valley, with Peel Monument and the West Pennine Moors beyond.
Passing Horncliffe Top Farm, dated 1681 (which was originally the old Quarryman's Inn) we made our way down to the delightful hamlet of Balladen where we had our first refreshment stop. The ELR steam train could be heard in the distance.
Across pasture land we descended to Townsend Fold where we now left The Heritage Trail and rejoined the River Irwell and walked along the bank to Ewood Bridge and the Football Ground which is in a state of disrepair. We stopped for lunch here, sheltering from the rain which had just started. The ruined stand still had a good waterproof roof so we stayed dry whilst eating.
We walked on to Irwell Vale sandwiched between the River Irwell and the ELR. On arrival at Irwell Vale we had a look at the pristine station, a credit to the volunteers. A pleasant walk followed through Meadow Park and then on the trackbed of the old Ramsbottom to Accrington railway. We arrived at Stubbins and climbed a steep road up past cottages which were 400 years old and then up to the National Trust's Stubbins Estate.
We then crossed pasture land that soon emerged into the car park at the Old Mill Hotel. On the left is Devil Hole Lodge which once served Carr Mill, long since demolished. We turned left down Carr Street passing the Library and Heritage Centre to arrive at the town centre traffic lights where the Tilted Urn is on the left. Continuing down Bridge Street, we arrived back at Ramsbottom Station at 2.15 pm.
A good walk with a bit of everything was enjoyed by all.
Don

 

Bollington Plod, April 9th

Martin Banfield's report is here and photos here.

 

Anglesey Plodder Walk, April 4th

With member NeilW spending a lot of the summer at his caravan on Anglesey one plodder (AlanR) suggested meeting up with him down there. Other Plodders overheard the conversation and asked if they could join them. So on Friday 4thApril four Plodders joined Neil at his caravan on Red Wharf Bay for a gentle 16 mile circular walk, initially along the Coastal Path and then inland circling back to the caravan with Neil’s son Paul acting as group photographer.

On arrival at the caravan time was taken for a brew before setting off at 10.45 am with the prospect of good weather. The route followed the Coastal Path from Red Wharf Bay round to Lligwy Beach where lunch was had. The path was rather muddy and fellow walkers realised why Neil’s middle name was “Hippo.” A drink stop was taken on the sea front at Molfre before walking round the headland to see the construction of a new Lifeboat station, passing the very old original. Because of the construction work a slight detour had to be made taking them past the lifeboat museum where leaflets where handed out to the walkers. JohnP was pleased to be passing the site of The Royal Charter disaster as he had dived there previously.

Following lunch the Plodders headed up the metalled road to the site of a 4th Century village and a 12th Century Church and then continuing on to a 3000BC mausoleum. On reaching the main road the walkers headed away from Red Wharf Bay before turning left towards Marian-glas. This meant a little more metalled  road walking but soon after Neil found paths taking the Polders over fields (more mud) passing a golf course (he found a golf ball) and a trout farm. It was then along a minor road and down through a dell where the walkers took advantage of the stream to wash their boots before heading back to the caravan around 5pm.

After a change of footwear the group enjoyed a fish supper before heading home.

Neil Woodcock

Photos by Paul Woodcock

 

 

 

 

Eccles, The Bridgewater Canal and Worsley Woods – A Plod, Wednesday March 12th

Martin Banfield led a Wednesday walk at short notice. His report and photographs can be found on his blog here.

 

Eccles to Bolton Railway Ramble 29th January. (9 miles)

Seven Plodders set out from the tram station in Eccles on a cold but dry morning. Walking through the centre of Eccles both Viv and Peter had memories of life in Eccles during the sixties. Viv's parents ran a pub in the main street which served the hard working local community and the many characters there in. Peter was a policeman ‘on the beat' having also many memories of life at that time.

Stopping at Eccles Railway Station, Reg talk of The Manchester to Liverpool Railway opened in 1830 as the first passenger service in the world using two tracks between Manchester Liverpool Station and Liverpool Edge Hill.  At this time Eccles was a village and one of the few stations on the line. It was the start of steam trains having the ability to pull trucks/coaches for long distances. Bringing matters back to present times there is an Eccles Station Conservation Group which has planted shrubs and tended the stations gardens and keeps it litter free.

After a mile of street walking we arrived in Monton and admired the Monton Light House. For those who have not seen this interesting building if you goggle it there are four short videos of how it was constructed. There is also a replica of the boat Queen Victoria used back in 1850 when she visited the Duke of Bridgewater. The surrounding area which includes the Green, church, school and golf house are now within a Conservation area.

Climbing up to the former Eccles to Bolton Railway track bed we enjoyed the views over the Monton Green Golf Course on one side and open coutryside on the other. Making use of two benches we stopped for a coffee break. Walking on we admired the sight of Worsley Station, which again Peter remembered in its former days with its still preserved long driveway.

Continuing along the tarmaced track we passed through Worsley Woods and the sidings that held coal trucks from the Bridgewater Coliery, to reach and pass beneath the M60. Immediately after this the track is closed off for a mile whilst United Utilities do some work on what? Fortunately a man exercising his impressive spotted dalmatian advised us as to a scenic bypass through Worsley Woods to the Cricket Ground at Roe Green. Here we crossed the bridge where the track divides into two branches, one to Bolton and the other to Leigh.

Gathering steam we passed beneath the East Lancs Road and headed for Walkden. Reg had some photos of Walkden Low Railway Station. Passing beneath the active high-level railway, we headed onto Little Hulton Railway Station and had our lunch on the preserved platform. Further on we passed beneath the three pipes of the Thirlmere Aqueduct. I am pleased to say the Plodders remembered passing the pipes on our walk through Hulton.

Eventually reaching the end of this section of the track we crossed the M61 and made for Plodder Lane! Back on track we crossed Plodder Lane where Phil lived as a child and youth. He delivered, with his father, papers and supplies to patients in the Bolton Royal Hospital. Phil remembers the colliery lines and trains of which the whole surrounding area at that time was covered with. Today there is no sign of Plodder Lane Station or sheds, excepting the outer brick wall, which now makes up on side of the path as it runs past the new housing estates and lower down the Hospital. Continuing we past Townley's Farmyard with some splendid cattle and a strong manure smell.

Passing on we followed the track bed across open fields and then entering a built-up area under two bridges to reach a park and recreation football pitches. (Heyward Park). Turning right and first left into Rothwell Street we crossed the bridge where the line from Leigh had joined the Bolton -Eccles line on their final approach to Great Moor Street Station. Turning into Shaw Street we saw the litter-filled cutting over a broken down wall our final sighting of the former railway line. A rather sad end to what had been a very interesting journey. Litter unfortunately was common along many sections of the walk. Our thoughts were that this an unfortunate reflection of a section of the community and perhaps an appeal to the better half of society as happen following the Tottenham riots may be a useful suggestion to local councils.

We ended our walk at Morrisons Supermarket, near the site of Great Moor Street Station the remains of which comes down to a solitary brick wall! We finished in bright but cold daylight once again missing out on rain and, to a large extent, mud at 2.45pm.

Reg Kingston

Photos:

 

Burnley Way, Part 1 (Weavers Triangle to Brierfield) 6 miles, Wednesday Jan 22nd

Despite Reg's less than appealing walks description, some 10 stout Plodders met up at the Weavers Triangle Information Centre. Immediately walking to the canal, we viewed the basin serving the Weaver's Triangle. Peter Smith talked a little of the history, pointing out that Burnley was the first large town where the Leeds-Liverpool Canal passed through the centre of the town. Local goods were shipped to all parts of the world including Russia. The town at this time was said to be the most industrialised in the world.

Walking on we passed the basin formerly involved in boat-building and then to the 'Straight Mile'. One of the seven wonders of British Waterways, the 60 ft embankment gives wonderful views over the town centre and the surrounding countryside. Looking down on the town centre brought back happy memories for Don of coach trips to weekend dancing and pub visits! To the right were rows of houses in very good condition with immaculate chimneys for row after row.

Following the canal we past a very well kept park and play area with a variety of 'play machines'large enough for some Plodders to play on. (see photos)Reaching the River Brun(Burnley derives it's name from the River) we headed towards the Brun Valley Greenway and it's wildlife! Passing the site of Bank Hall Colliery we passed Heasandford House, the oldest occupied house in Burnley, with structures surviving from the 15th century. It is now several private residences. Shortly after this we crossed the Bronte Way.

Following the river we became slowed by an increasingly muddy path. Pausing for a drinks break we continued along the path to reach Haughton Hagg Wood, one of the few semi-natural woodlands left around Burnley where there are apparently great spotted woodpeckers and tree creepers.

Finally we climbed away from the River Brun and reached the small lane passing Extwhistle Hall, where we had lunch bathed in sunshine. As we passed the Hall, Peter told us the sad tale of how the Hall was left by the Parker family following a most tragic accident. In 1714, after a very wet day out shooting, Captain John Parker came home and put his wet cape in front of the fire forgetting the tin of gunpowder in one of the cape's pockets. The ensuing explosion seriously injured the Captain and two of his daughters, severely damaging the kitchen and setting fire to some rooms. The Captain died of his wounds a month later and the family moved out to live at their other residence, Cueden Hall near Preston. Since that time none of the upstairs rooms have been used and the lower houses have been lived in by Tenant Farmers from time to time. Considering the 300 years of scant use it is remarkable the building is still standing. (see picture)

Refreshed by lunch the Plodders galloped down through sodden fields to the River Don and on upwards to the stony path referred to locally as the scary path or Oggity Coggity. Finally we reached the Queen's Street Textile Mill. The Mill open at times to the public has a working steam engine and was the last textile mill to close in 1952.

Catching the bus back to Burnley Bus Station, excepting Julie who walked, the Plodders went their various ways, some ending up in the Weavers Triangle Pub. Despite the mud, it was a very enjoyable day out.

Please note the next section of the Burnley Way, (Queen's Street to Hurstwood) is on February 12th. I will update you further after the reccy, as also further details of next week’s walk along the former Eccles to Bolton Railway Line.

Reg Kingston

Photos from Reg

Photos from Neil Woodcock

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