Fireworks in November


Wednesday November 27th. A Trio of Treats. Plodder Walk. 10 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas.

 

A ten mile walk from Jumbles car park.  Fifteen brave souls and one well behaved dog turned up for the walk.  The weather forecast was rain.  At 10AM prompt we started walking at a moderate pace, sociable and welcoming.  We followed the track round The Jumbles expecting rain but it passed us by, someone up there decided “it’s Norman’s walk, I’ll keep the rain away!”

We continued on to Turton and round the Wayoh Reservoir, onto the Strawbury Duck where we had a coffee break.  Then onwards to Entwistle Reservoir and through the woods which were delightful.  We stopped near to Viv’s checkpoint on the two crosses walk and had lunch.  We made our way past Turton Tower and continued to Jumbles Reservoir to finish a very enjoyable walk.  Later at the pub I got a lovely trio of kisses from three of the girls! 

Thanks everybody.

Norman

 

Thank you to Ed and Pauline for the pictures.

 

 

Wednesday November 20th. Rushy Hill and Hog Lowe Pike Romp. 12 miles. Leader: Kim Shaw.

On a lovely fresh day, free of rain, eighteen walkers and 2 dogs set off on a romp over the West Pennine Moors. The route was selected because as locals we drive on the Grane Rd, Broadhead Rd and the Roman Rd; we may know odd sections of this glorious countryside but this walk provided a chance to explore it further, and the reccies proved great fun and challenging.

The walk went from Hoddlesden to Shooters Hill, Rushy Hill, Calf Hey Reservoir, Broadhead, Cuckoldsman and back to the start.

I was really grateful to see so many familiar faces, some of whom had walked on my inaugural walks where I had made numerous mistakes. I am pleased to report that on this occasion everyone got lunch at an appropriate time and I only lost four adventurous hoofers for an hour or so whilst I tried to find an obscure stile to lead the group down and up the intrepid valley between Shooters Hill and Jackson Height. Fortunately they all returned safely for lunch.

Thanks to everyone who turned up and hope you enjoyed.

Kim

 

 

Sunday November 17th. Flash Start. 20 miles. Leader: Suzanne Corlett.

 

It was my first time leading a walk and to say I was nervous was an understatement. This was made even worse when 21 walkers and a dog (poppy) turned up! I couldn't quite believe 21 brave souls were trusting me to lead them 20 miles!! The weather started off great as we left the stunning setting of Pennington Flash. We passed round the back of my house which led to lots of comments about nipping in for bacon butties - it didn't happen! We went over the busy A580 as we headed down to Kenyon and through lots of farmers fields.

I treated the walkers to much welcomed benches in a pub beer garden for our morning break at Croft. We took in the wonderful view of Risley Remand Centre, not sure if a few people were familiar with it! We thought we had seen a lot of mud but this got a lot worse as we went through a couple of farms - it was a nice flat walk so the mud made it a bit more challenging! We went over the M62 and  I safely got everyone to Glazebrook village green for a lunch stop with more benches. I started to relax as we then headed along the Glazebrook Trail and homeward bound. Back over the M62 and we were treated to lovely sights of some alpacas or llamas (not sure what the difference is).

We left the Glazebrook Trail and headed for the Bridgewater Canal at Bedford. Quick break on the canal for some sweets and then headed for Leigh as the canal turns into the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Great result as we headed back into Pennington Flash just before it got dark and I didn't lose anyone! 

Actually quite enjoyed leading my first walk, you never know I might even volunteer to do another one. 

Huge thank you to everyone who came along and to the support my "walking colleagues" gave me - you know who you are! 

Suzanne.

 

Thank you to Suzanne for the pictures below.

 
 

Thank you to Jane for the pictures below.

 

Wednesday November 6th. We will Remember Them. Part 1. 12 miles. Leaders: Gerald Dentith and Hilary Scott.

It was a dull day but not a bad weather forecast as 19 walkers and 2 canine friends met in Baxenden. As the title of the walk suggests the theme was remembering the fallen: in this case the Accrington Pals of the First World War. A group photo was taken at the first memorial visited just across the road in Baxenden. Then down to an old railway track, leaving this to climb up to through the fields to tracks above. There was some mud but also views of lovely autumnal colours across the valley.

Down past the riding school, along another railway track and up to the morning coffee stop at Howarth Art Gallery. A chance to look at some tiled murals and a memorial made out of Accrington brick built in Flemish Bond, a replica of the one over in Flanders where so many young men perished. Onwards to the main war Memorial in Oak Hill Park where all the names of the fallen Pals are recorded. So many groups had the same surname, a reflection of the families involved. 

Down into a wood and through an industrial estate before passing the College and making our way over to Peel Park and the lower slopes of the Coppice. The Pals trained here, drilled and dug trenches in preparation for their wartime duties. Onwards to lunch in the main Cemetery after visiting the memorial there. A bit of drizzle had arrived by now but nothing to dampen our spirits.

We walked over to Huncoat and visited the Memorial there before making our way back to the Coppice, on the upper slopes this time. There were not the good views we had seen on the recce as the cloud was low now.

It was then a bit of a mudfest on the way back to Baxenden with some challenging fields that showed the effects of recent rain, livestock and building works. I think JT the mud monitor was pleased with this. We also found the tightest kissing gate ever, I don't think anyone managed to squeeze through with their pack still on their back!

After 11.5 miles there was the option to return straight to Baxenden or continue through more fields. The consensus was to return though some were disappointed! I shouldn't have given the choice!

Thank you all for coming and remembering the Pals. We are looking to walk around some more Memorials in the Oswaldtwistle area at this time next year.

Hilary

 

 

Sunday November 3rd. Marsden Circular. 21 miles. Leader: Andy Griffin.

Starting from Hollingworth Lake visitors centre 19 walkers and one dog walked 21 miles in very gloomy conditions. The route took us past Hollingworth Lake and Rakewood before climbing past Piethorne Reservoir on the Pennine Bridleway to our first stop at Readycon Dean.

After our morning break we continued climbing to meet the Pennine Way on Huddersfield Road and turned left heading for White Hill. We past a stone marking the the most easterly point in Lancashire at the Milnrow/Marsden border. After White Hill the Pennine Way took us past Windy Hill onto Blackstone Edge where we had lunch in a old quarry at 11 miles in.

The afternoon took us to Todmorden visiting Langfield Common and Gaddings Dam. The gloomy conditions lifted from this point on to reveal Walsden and the Rochdale canal which was followed back to Littleborough.

I'd like to thank everyone who came along to make the walk a very enjoyable day,

Andy