Beamsley 04/02/2018
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers: Jill & Andy, Sue Williams, Lizzie, Melanie, Rosalinde, Robin Myers, Laurie, Phil & Cyn, Sue Lund, Andrew Sanderson, Glynis & Pat Appleyard
We set off from the executive car park near Bolton Bridge and immediately picked up the River Wharfe. Heading upstream to Bolton Abbey we were on the course of a fell race but actually only saw one runner. Leaving the river, we climbed an old track towards Storithes, at which point the snow started to come down. After elevenses at New Hall, it was on to the old Almshouses & Piano Shop on the A59, one of the houses is a lovely old round shape.
After a stroll along Kex Beck, we passed the Deerstones before crossing a tricky little footbridge and another short climb through woods to Ling Chapel farm. Here, in the middle of a field, we were greeted with a strong smell of Waccy Baccy, weird but wonderful. As we climbed along the lower flanks of Beamsley Beacon, a small mutiny took place, as some of the group decided to follow the road around the Moor, all ladies I hasten to add. A lovely old sunken stone path took us to lunch over-looking Addingham, which pleased Glynis, as the woman is always hungry. Before a nice wander along the River we got up close and personal with a Heron and then admired some impressive new log cabins being built at Olicana.
We still had one more climb to do, but this was delayed by Laurie & his gang feeding carrots to the horses in some stables. Halfway up the hill, we went through the most pointless gate I have ever seen, causing much laughter. To end the day, a tricky steep decent through Lob Wood caused quite a bit of frustration aimed at the leader, with a smile of course!!
Although quite a tough walk, I hope everyone enjoyed it!!
Thanks Ian
Cliviger Gorge – 08/07/2018
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers: David, John Hamlin, Pat Appleyard, Jill & Andy, Robin, Laurie, Andrew Sanderson & Carol Summers.
A decent turnout for a long walk on, what turned out to be, a really hot day. We started out from Holme Chapel, just over the border in Lancashire & soon picked up the Burnley Way. This trail was followed for much of the route & we were soon climbing to join the Pennine Bridleway as well. We admired a wonderful horse memorial to Mary Townley, who created some bridleways in the local area.
We had morning break looking out over the lovely West Pennines, before then heading onto a large moor known as Deerplay. It was here that Pat realized she had left her walking pole back at the horse memorial, even worse for Andrew because she had borrowed it from him. Once over Deerplay, we then reached the summit of Theively Pike, then descending to a really scruffy farm yard. Lunch was taken next to an old quarry, once again with stunning views, then going through a lovely wood to arrive in Portsmouth, yes!! Portsmouth. In the village the ladies were admiring some wonderful cocks that were running free in a pub beer garden.
Tempting though it was, the pub was by-passed, as we still had a fair way to go. After crossing the railway line, a rather tough climb was ensued taking us onto moorland called Black Scout. It was here a strange thing happened, we met a family that Ian had met in exactly the same place whilst doing his reccy the previous week, spooky!! After tackling a rather overgrown wood, it was a short trek back to the finish.
Dovestones Long Walk – 8-4-2018
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers: Denise Smith, Robin Myers, Andrew Sanderson, Glynis, Melanie, Michelle Bray, Laurie, Sue Lund, Angela Phipps & Carol Summers.
We arrived at Dovestones Reservoir in Saddleworth & as usual the large car park was busy. We set out away from the crowds along Bradbury Lane, an old track that took us to join the Oldham Way.
Following this trail for a while we passed a group of fine looking Highland cattle before removing layers of clothing, as the weather was warming up. We were about to get a lot warmer as the climb up to Alphin Pike is no mean feat. We took a break at the top of the 469 metre fell & were treated to stunning views across Tameside & the Peak District. A narrow path was followed along the edge above Dovestones Rocks with some dramatic views and sharp rock features.
We took lunch just before reaching Chew Reservoir and once again the views were spectacular. The dramatic landscape kick-started a deep conversation about man’s effects on the world. Laurie decided to throw half of his lunch in a large puddle, proving that man is not as clever as we think. After crossing Chew Dam, we ploughed across a very wet path but were rewarded with sight of a Mountain Hare, still in its white winter fur.
I had intended to have a break at Bramley’s Cot, an old derelict building built into the natural rock, but we were beaten to it by a group of socialists from Liverpool. A few members had been struggling to stay on their feet along the rocky path, but Sue was non-stop tripping. After spotting dogs, witches and anything else you can think of in the rock formations we finally started to head downhill. Laurie had to be educated about the finer points of ladies underwear, but I leave that to the imagination. The final stretch around the reservoir was very busy with people, but we made it to the finish, where we were rewarded with yummy ice cream, although Laurie dropped his again.
Ilkley Moor Night Walk 09/02/2018
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers: Robin Myers, Roger Davidson, Pat Appleyard, Carol Jobling, Jill & Andy Mcfarlane.
Starting out from the Cow & Calf pub, the weather was perfect for a night walk, cold but with a lovely clear starry sky. The first part of the walk was along the lower northern edge of Ilkley Moor, crossing Backstone Beck and onto The Tarn. We climbed the steps up to White Wells and had a coffee break overlooking an illuminated Ilkley.
As we rested, a taxi pulled up at the cafe and out got an occupant of White Wells, I never knew anyone lived there! Another short climb above Rocky Valley brought us onto the open moor. This was the easiest part of the walk but Pat managed to take a tumble hurting her knee. After a few minutes, she was back on her feet and we were on our way to the Poetry Seat. Whilst taking another break, everyone took turns to read a poem they had brought along, some funny, some sad but all well received.
Here we had a lights out moment & Roger identified the stars with a phone app. The finish was all downhill to the car park, where there were a few cars with steamed up windows, probably just having Fish & Chips, but I’ll leave that to the imagination.
We returned to the cars about 10pm and everyone had a good experience
Newmillerdam – Sunday 11 March 2018
Leader – Lizzie Lowe
Walkers – Jenny, Terry, Pat and Dave with Emily, Marcus and Paige, Denise and Andy Smith with Drew, Lesley, Owen, Peter and Carol, Glynis, Sue Williams, Phil and Cyn, Jonathan, Terry Doolan, Marj, Sonia, Pat Appleyard, Bill and Hazel
The day began with a bit of a parking crisis at Newmillerdam – the first fine day for ages so the whole world was out walking around the lake. Some of us had to scatter to nearby lanes in search of parking places. Eventually we all gathered and set forth along one side of the lake to the far end – then right, across a little bridge and up into the muddy woods. Sue Williams and Glynis left us at this point – Sue has a broken wrist and didn’t want to fall on the slithery slope and damage herself still more!
The woodland path led us to a railway bridge over the disused Chevet branch line, then out onto a road. We crossed, and entered Seckar Wood – even muddier, and uphill! We came to a clearing with benches and information boards. Here we took refreshments. Then Denise, Andy and Drew left us – they had a Mothers’ Day related errand to perform.
So now we had only 21 walkers instead of the original 26. We went forth regardless, emerging from Seckar Wood onto squelchy fields – with a fantastic (?) view of Wakefield far below us in a mist. Then it was downward, getting ever more muddy, until we reached the village of Chapelthorpe.
A bit of pavement walking got the worst of the mud off, and gave us a chance to admire the interesting buildings of Chapelthorpe. Shortly after the Pennine Camphill Community estate, we turned left, taking a pleasant path up to a lane lined with grand old houses. At the end of this lane, we found the A61, and had to turn left to get back to the lake and car park. We said our goodbyes – some going to find their cars, others off on Mothers’ Day visits, and the majority heading eagerly for the tea room.
And in the tea room, we were re-united with Glynis and Sue, who had enjoyed some pleasant hours strolling and chatting. No doubt Sue will soon be back on the long walks, but we all hope she enjoyed her interlude with the short-walkers.
Lizzie Lowe
Sheriff Hutton, 11.5 Miles – 11 March 2018
Leader Ros Smith
Walkers: Laurie Hutchinson, Robin Myers, Angela Phipps, Jill & Andy McFarlane, Sue Lund, Mel Stockdale and Michele Bray.
Long Walk Sunday
This walk was designed to encourage members who might wish to try a longer walk, by providing a walk on mostly level terrain with minimal hill climbing, the opportunity to break off half way and /or have a good rest before continuing to the end. An email with this information was sent to Club members the day before the walk but the walk also coincided with Mother’s Day. In hindsight it might have been better to have chosen a different date and avoided Mother’s Day as well as given more notice of the walk possibilities and intentions because I’ve never such a variety of excuses! Ranging from (the expected) Mother’s Day ‘I’m being taken out ….’ to ‘I’ve been to a gig the night before which involved a lot of drinking’, and finally ‘I’ll come and see you off but I’ve broken my wrist’!!
However, there was great camaraderie which was just as well because recent snow-melt had left the ground very wet underfoot. By the end all felt like they’d had a good mud bath- great for the complexion but not for the clothes!
The walk took in parts of three long distance paths- Ebor Way, Fosse Walk, and Centenary Way. From Sheriff Hutton we walked westwards out of the village past some new-build homes, then across fields and farmland before turning northbound and towards the Howardian Hills.
A creamy-white Owl was spotted scanning for food in the stubble of some crop. Landed a couple of times as he found meat and took off again. Angela took great photos. We just need a competition so that it can be identified!
Our one climb took us up into the Howardian Hills past the Yorkshire Lavender Farm before reaching Terrington and its Teashop-cum- Post Office and Store! What a great hub here for the local community.
Sat at tables outside the cafe we imbibed with a scone, Yorkshire scotch egg (homemade) or sandwiches and nice tea and coffee. Revived, we set off along a level tarmac track to Mowthorpe Hill Farm then came down through woods, spotting a roe deer dashing away from us as we reached the levels. Could see Sheriff Hutton castle in the distance. Not far now we thought!
Some very muddy ground across a ploughed field before going up into Stittenham Woods. Lovely long views across the lands we had walked from here, and of Sheriff Hutton castle ruins which seemed farther away!. Back down to an enormous ploughed field with no path left for ease of crossing. This has previously been reported to RA using their Pathwatch App along with other problems discovered on rekkies.
We passed some very dignified horses as we walked through by Sheriff Hutton training gallops- we resisted giving them carrots even though they could smell them, then passed more new-build properties and the lovely old village church before finally reaching the castle ruins and returning to our cars.
The pub awaited those who dared to have a second treat of the day: beer and chips!
Long Preston – 14/01/2018
Leader: Ian Pickering
Walkers: John Hamlin, Andrew Sanderson, Sue Lund, Carol Summers, Robin Myers, Laurie Hutchison, Angela Phipps & David Booth.
The weather was neither good nor bad as we left Long Preston maypole along School Lane. Soon into the walk, Ian bumped into an old walking pal he used to guide with, so chatting delayed us a while. On with the walk & we headed along lanes towards Newton, before venturing onto access land to Newton Moor Top.
As we trudged across the open fell, we came across a group of Deer, which hung around not far away allowing us some good photo opportunities. Just before reaching the fell summit, Sue began to feel unwell, but made it to the top after a few remedies. After a coffee break listening to Cricket with Laurie, we followed another old lane for a few miles to reach Scaleber Force.
We took lunch at this wonderful waterfall & then after a short road section picked up Lambert Lane, an old track that took us to Blacks Plantation. On the way back we took a small detour to the trig point at Hunter Bark, bagging our second trig of the day, although Laurie thought it was the first. Just before reaching the village we came across a bear and a Hippopotamus in a tree, honestly we did!!
Baildon Moor Sunday 4th March 2018
Walkers: Mel, Andrew, Peter & Carol, John & Sonia, Lizzie, Laurie, Robin, Cyn & Philip
After a week of extreme weather not experienced for many a winter we did receive a number of telephone enquiries as to whether the walk would be going ahead. However come Sunday morning, 11 valiant members of the club were up for the challenge (including one who had already endured 8 hours trapped on the M62 earlier in the week)! Give or take the fog in the Bradford area the journey to our starting point at Titus Salt School car park was trouble free.
We donned our extra layers and set off in good spirits up the steady climb through Shipley Glen and paused for a quick refreshment at the top. Much to our surprise the snow flurries started again, and quickly increased to a full blizzard for the next hour as we made our way up the side of the stream and out on to the moor. Some of the standing snow was already knee deep, particularly where it had drifted in the wind. Fortunately it had blown itself out by the time we stopped for lunch at the Sconce Lane scout camp, an ideal spot complete with picnic tables – usable once we had removed the 6” snow covering.
Pressing on we continued over the moor and up Baildon hill (282m) where the fog descended making it difficult to see our leaders who were striding out in front. We needed the map, compass and GPS to make sure we were on the right path as we made our way down towards Dobrudden Farm Caravan Park. We encouraged each other to keep going through the fog and snow with the promise of a nice tea shop at the top of Shipley Glen Tramway, which would only leave a short but slippy descent back to the car park. Sadly we missed by a whisker the Tram ride down, and as Lizzie said “it’s amazing this is still running when Virgin trains are not”.
Mel suggested as it had been such a good day, we should repeat the walk in a future programme when we might be able to enjoy the views and scenery.
Shibden Park – Sunday 8 July 2018
Leader: Lizzie Lowe
Walkers: Peter and Carol, Lesley, Jonathan, Jack (a new recruit)
So few walkers today! Wonder where they all are? Anyway, the few of us who turned up gathered in Shibden Park lower car park, where space was restricted as a huge film crew with all its paraphernalia took up 50% of available space.
We set forth alongside the lake, then took a sharp right under the railway arch up a cobbled pathway to a main road high above the park. Having crossed the road, we climbed up Shibden Hall Croft, turning along an alley between houses to find an even steeper pathway which led us eventually to the unsurfaced Barrowclough Lane.
Turning right onto this lane, we continued to climb until we reached a huge stone wall, where we turned left into Long Lane. Here, we perched on a wall to have elevensies. At the end of Long Lane, we turned left into a tiny hamlet, then after about quarter of a mile, took a lane on our right, to pass Marsh Farm. We descended a broad clear track to a storage compound, then turned left again down a narrow track.
We encountered a problem along this track. The route was blocked off, with a huge diversion being recommended on a nearby noticeboard. There were men working on nearby pylons, and their cars were parked on a temporary roadway which had crossed the footpath. Not really adequate grounds for stopping walkers in their tracks, I thought! Cheekily, we dodged round the barrier, crossed their temporary roadway, went through a field the other side, climbed over the gate and got back onto our path. A matter of 50 yards, rather than the recommended diversion of about 2 miles!
After that, all went well – we descended a very bendy minor road, turned left through some woods, then left again along Shibden Hall Road. Then we turned right along a pathway which took us back into Shibden Park, went through some woods on the far side of the lake, and emerged near the tearoom. It was very crowded on this warm sunny day, but the staff were efficient and we were soon tucking into cake and much needed liquids!
Lizzie Lowe
Horsforth – Sunday 1st April 2018
Leader: Lizzie Lowe
Walkers: Linda, Jenny, Robin, Laurie, Jonathan, Pat Pitts, Bill and Hazel, John and Sonia
The Walk began in Troy Road, near Horsforth Station. We went down a ginnel by a car showroom and wandered through muddy woods, wending our way downward through tunnels beneath the railway line. Crossing the Leeds Ring Road, we then went muddily up Butcher Hill, and down again through Hawksworth Woods to the A65 at Kirkstall Forge.
Descending to the River Aire, we followed the riverside path westward to Newlay Bridge, then upward along pretty streets, then down to the riverside path again, and along past Calverley picnic site and beyond. The paths got even muddier.
Eventually we started our ascent through woods, up stony paths, awkward steps and damp fields, to emerge on West End Lane in Horsforth. Then it was upwards again over Hunger Hill, finally emerging onto Lee Lane.
At this point, we had a choice of turning left to do a 3 mile loop past the airport, or turning right to Margaret Road and the Old Ball pub. We’d had enough mud; the walk had already been much longer than my book alleged; we were tired. So we turned right and were soon sipping coffees and beers at the pub.
I felt very guilty for leading people on such an extended and muddy adventure – but well done to all the walkers who got more than they’d bargained for!
Lizzie Lowe
Fishlake, near Doncaster – Sunday 18 February 2018
Leader: Lizzie Lowe
Walkers: David Lyon, Terry. Lesley, Peter and Carol, Robin, Jonathan, Bill and Hazel, Bev, Pat Smith, Laurie, Owen Turner (new member)
The walk began by the village green in Fishlake. We meandered west via flood embankments beside the River Don for a while, then turned inland along Moss Road. After a couple of hundred yards along this quiet road, we found a footpath on the right – this led us, via some awkward stiles to another flood embankment overlooking two ponds. By the second pond, we stopped for elevenses – no birds on the ponds unfortunately!
Passing through a farm then along a lane, we came back into Fishlake, through which we toured via a series of muddy paths behind houses. It’s a pleasant village with a lot of interesting history, an ancient church, and some lovely houses (but sadly an awful lot of litter by the roadsides). After passing the Cricket Club, we turned right, now heading east along another lane. This led us muddily to another road, then a spectacularly rutted and muddy byway which wove its way through woods and reeds to the River Don. We sat by a narrow road bridge on large rocks conveniently placed to act as picnic seats, and ate our lunch.
There was then a vote – we could follow the correct route back to Fishlake, as prescribed in the ‘100 Walks in Eastern Yorkshire’ Book – a two mile hike along more muddy rutted tracks. Alternatively, we could stroll eastwards along the top of the flood embankment – much drier. The dry route voters won. So we went back to Fishlake along the embankment. It was about the same distance, but far easier than slipping and sliding in the slime!
On return to the village, we repaired to the pub, where strong coffee and various alcoholic drinks revived us ready for the drive home.
Lizzie Lowe
Linton – Thorpe – Sunday 2 September 2018
Leaders Peter and Carol
Walkers: 22 in total
The promise of a lovely day greeted us as we met up near the Fountaine pub. As Carol and I were putting our boots on she had counted around ten members who were also kitting up. Then another ten came marching around the corner, so we had a grand total of twenty two, which was wonderful.
From the pub we headed past the old Fountaine hospital in a Southerly direction with the Swinden Quarry in view on our right. Crossing the Crook Beck we then headed towards Threapland picking up Thorpe Lane bearing right at Far Langerton farm towards Thorpe.
At this point I noticed Elbolton Hill in front and bearing in mind that Jill and Angie are about to undertake a treck up Kilimanjaro, I did jokingly suggest that they go straight up it for a bit of training and meet us for lunch in Thorpe. They decided to do just that! Not only Jill and Angie went up but five others followed them one of whom was Laurie. As Pat Smith was clambering over a stile he was so anxious to catch up that he trod on her fingers which went down really well with her. As he shot off up the hill at a good rate of knots to catch up with the others Pat shaking her now throbbing fingers after him was not amused but I think she will have forgiven him by now.
However, it all worked out fine and lunch was enjoyed by all on the village green in Thorpe. We then proceeded to join the River Wharfe for the next leg. I was intently looking at my GPS and map trying to locate the suspension bridge, when Sue suggested that if I looked a bit to my left instead of at the stepping stones I might just spot it! Thanks Sue for your wealth of local knowledge. This walk by the river to Linton Falls is a lovely part of the walk and rounded it up beautifully.
We did just over the 8 miles at 8.35 and average speed of 1.35 mph should anyone care to know.
Thank you all for coming, it was lovely to see you.
Best wishes Peter and Carol