Leader:                 Sue Fagg

Number on walk:   20 plus 4 dogs

Distance:              10.5 miles     

Weather:              Dry with little wind and some afternoon sunshine       

Walkers gathered by the Methodist Chapel in the conservation village of Calder Vale founded by the Quaker brothers Jonathon and Richard Jackson who in 1835 established Lappett cotton mill. The mill continues to work seven days a week; one of the main products is red, white and black cloth used in Arab headscarves. After a faltering start point, blamed on the absent assistant walk leader Steve who had initially planned the route, I was rescued by John T who found the path at the back of mill cottages and we proceeded into the mud!

Walking near the River Calder we turned away up to the hamlet of Landskill and off to Cobble Hey. Dropping down to Hobbs Lane we then ventured across more fields to cross Delph Lane passing by High Moor. Here evidence of the winds of 12 days ago could be seen as an outbuilding was being dismantled before it fell down. Moving onto Broadgate with slight route hesitation occurring as fencing seemed to obscure the path to Broadgate wood; with assistance from an able orienteer and a man with a map on phone only seconds were lost before more mud could be experienced! The final fields lead onto Bleasdale Tower area where snowdrops were still in full bloom and a tarmac route was taken.

The devastation of winds was now really seen with Bleasdale estate suffering more than 100 uprooted trees, one minor road had taken 2 days to clear to allow access. As we walked towards Bleasdale school and Church, Brooks Packhorse Bridge was passed. This bridge (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) appears to have been for pedestrians to cross the river Brock as it has steps and leads on to a steep embankment.

Lunch was taken outside the village hall with some of the group enjoying the benches and little garden developed to help all enjoy the tranquil area. A track was taken passing Vicarage Farm as the group enjoyed some spring sunshine and views of the fells. Looping round under Hazelhurst Fell we walked through Clough Head Woods where more trees had fallen and back to Bleasdale Tower crossroads. By this stage is was becoming very apparent how frightening it must have been when the east winds raged on March 1^st. 

Walking the track under Oakenclough views over the Fylde and fells behind were wonderful as were some young lambs. From Stang Yule we dropped down to Rough Moor with some final sections of mud. The track was then taken to Calder Vale school and Church before walking down the coffin route back to the village passing a small section of the River Calder where boots could be rinsed.

A lovely day for a walk when Spring really did feel to be in the air.