Whaley Bridge

WHALEY BRIDGE, TAXAL, HILLBRIDGE WOOD, GOYT VALLEY, FERNILEE, TUNSTEAD HOUSE FARM, COOMBS RESERVOIR, CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH GOLF COURSE, BRADSHAW HALL, LYDGATE FARM, ECCLES PIKE, THE OLD HALL AT WHITEHOUGH, PEAK FOREST TRAMWAY, BUGSWORTH BASIN, MOSELEY HALL FARM AND THE COCK AT WHALEY BRIDGE

Distance: Nine Miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Dry, Blue Skies and Sunshine.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Colin Davison, Lawrie Fairman, Alan Hart and George Whaites.

B Walkers: Tony Job, Ken Sparrow and Geoff Spurrell.

Non-Walking Drinkers: Frank Dudley and John Eckersley.

Apology: Jock Rooney (Diving in Azerbaijan).

Leaders: Lawrie Fairman (immaculate first half); Colin Davison (shambolic second half).

Driver: Whaites. Diarist: Hart.

Starting Point: Car park of The Cock at Whaley Bridge.

Starting Time: 9.35am. Finishing Time: 2.22pm.

Beneath sunny blue skies, we set off promptly and looked forward to yet another walk in the autumn sunshine. We did not know this at the time, but things started to go wrong at the outset, when Colin proposed an alternative route back from Whitehough. More of that later.

Suffice to say that this diary will only take the reader along three-quarters of the A-team’s journey. To try to describe the final two miles might lead others to follow in the footsteps of folly.

Passing The Cock on our left, after 30 yards we turned left across a stream and reached the disused High Peak and Cromford Railway line, where we turned right. After passing Alpha Mews we turned right (9mins) at a path marked with a public footpath sign which led us into a children’s playground.

We took the path to the right and dropped down to the main road, which we crossed (14mins) and proceeded along a path until we reached a footbridge across the River Goyt on our right. Here we heard what seemed to be a cockerel with a sore throat, not so much crowing as wheezing.

We crossed the bridge (19mins) and headed up the steep path with gravestones on either side until we reached St James’ Church, Taxal, on our right. We turned left (21mins) and passed Glebe Farm on our left, on this occasion ignoring the stone step stile on our right which would have led us to Taxal Nick.

After edging around a gate we followed a wooden public footpath sign across a muddy field – the first of many (28mins). We exited the field through a gate at the entrance of Hillbridge Wood (34mins).

After passing a party of walkers from the Buxton University of the Third Age, we crossed a footbridge over the Goyt (40mins) and headed up a field, slightly left and over a footbridge. We crossed a wooden stile and headed towards some farm buildings (46mins).

In the farmyard a pair of goats approached us in a friendly fashion as we headed up the lane to The Shady Oak at Fernilee (50mins). We crossed the main road and took the lane to the left of the pub, crossing Elnor Lane and heading up a track (58mins).

We crossed another lane and turned right up a stony path (59mins), which soon swung left along a farm track (60mins). We turned left at a stone step stile (72mins) marked with a wooden public footpath sign and stopped for pies and port on the sheltered side of the wall.

Resuming, we went down the field, swinging first right, then left to reach a wooden ladder stile by Tunstead House Farm (82mins). We continued down the lane, passing Meveril Farm, Swallow Barn and Coombs Reservoir on our right just after we had crossed a bridge over the Manchester-Buxton railway line.

This brought us to Tom Lane (93mins), where we turned right away from Tunstead Milton. It became Manchester Road and we turned left at a wooden public footpath sign (95mins) which led us into Chapel-en-le-Frith Golf Course. We followed a series of posts marked with yellow arrows to cross the fairways and exit the course by a gate (102mins).

The path took us to the left of Bradshaw Hall and then we swung right in front of the imposing building before crossing a stone step stile by the side of a gate (108mins). We turned left over a wooden stile (112mins), crossing another wooden stile and heading diagonally right across a field (114mins).

After crossing a stone step stile we turned left, keeping a drystone wall on our left. We crossed a makeshift stile and turned left at a yellow arrow which took us through a gate. We passed Lydgate Farm on our left (119mins) and turned right at a public footpath sign to enter Eccles Pike (120mins).

As we reached the brow of the right shoulder of Eccles Pike, we saw the three B team walkers some 250 yards ahead of us. At Colin’s suggestion we headed diagonally left through a field, exiting by a wooden stile and carrying on with a fence on our right (126mins).

A gate brought us out on a lane where we turned left and then right over a stone step stile. After 30 yards we crossed another stone step stile, crossed a road and followed a public footpath sign pointing to a stone step stile covered in weeds and grass cuttings.

We swept them aside and crossed into a cottage garden, swinging right to exit on a road and turned left (132mins). Our party crossed above the A6 Chapel by-pass (134mins) and entered Whitehough village. Work was continuing at The Oddfellows Arms on our right, so we reached The Old Hall on our left (137mins).

Here Colin made his first, but by no means the last, error of the day. Instead of asking for the cheapest beer available, like the true Yorkshireman he is, he ordered pints of Jennings at £2-75p. He was later seen sobbing when he learned that Marstons’ bitter was £2-50p.

The B-teamers arrived moments later, and a little bird told me they had driven to The Cock after Tony arrived at The Rising Sun too late to catch the free bus. Colin’s local knowledge had enabled us to outmanoeuvre the B team with a flanking movement and arrive at the pub ahead of them. It was to be Colin’s last success of the day.

Daniel Capper, the genial young landlord of The Old Hall, informed us that although work was continuing on renovating and extending The Oddfellows Arms, it had been open at weekends since September. He expected it to be fully operational, though not finished, by Christmas, although initially it will only open at 6pm on weekdays.

He intends to give it back its original name of The Paper Mill Inn, and it will have four bedrooms.

Leaving the B team behind, we turned right out of the pub and headed downhill until we reached the route of the former Peak Forest Tramway on our left (139mins). On the right was a large millpond containing several species of wading birds including two black swans.

We continued with Black Brook on our right and the A6 on our left, pausing for lunch at a footbridge (152mins). As we approached Bugsworth Basin and the Navigation Inn later, we turned left to cross a footbridge over the A6 (159mins). We walked between a cricket pitch on our left and a soccer pitch on our right to reach the village of Buxworth (they rejected an offer to be named Bugsworth).

We turned right along the road and left at a cul-de-sac to follow a public footpath sign on our right, crossing a field towards Moseley Hall Farm. It was around this point that our new leader became disorientated, leading us over gates and barbed wire fences. At one point, to assert his authority, he said cheerily “I think I know where I am.” This did little to raise spirits.

Ignoring his exhortations to head left back towards Fernilee, we descended to reach a road we knew and made our way back to The Cock. The Robinsons’ Unicorn was in fine fettle at £2-60p a pint.

Next week’s walk will start from the spare land used as a free car park opposite The Wheatsheaf at Old Glossop.  A livener will be taken at The Anchor in Hadfield and we expect to return to The Wheatsheaf at 2.15pm.

It was decided the Wednesday Wanderers’ Christmas lunch would be held at The Dog and Partridge, High Lane, at 2.30pm on Wednesday, December 21.  

Compstall

COMPSTALL, CHADKIRK, OTTERSPOOL, DANBANK, HIBBERT MILL, MARPLE, MARPLE BRIDGE, COMPSTALL

Distance: 10 Miles.

Difficulty: EASY.

Weather: Dry, lovely sunny day for mid November

Walkers: Colin Davison, Laurie Fairman, George Whaites,

Apologies: Peter Beal (Hols in Caribbean) Alan Hart (hols in Barbados)

B Walkers: Tony Job, Ken Sparrow and Geoff Spurrell.

Non-Walking Drinkers: Frank Dudley, John Eckersley .

Leader: Fairman. Diarist: Fairman.

Starting Point; Car park at Andrews Arms

Starting Time: 9.30am. Finishing Time: 2.45pm.

A  short report on this occasion as we have done this particular walk many times – even going back into the vague annals of the Wednesday wanderers when Tony and Roy took their shoes and socks off and crossed the Goyt at Chadkirk – didn’t they know there was a bridge 200yards down the road?

We left promptly at 09.30 and made good progress taking the footpath on the north side of the bridge in Compstall this led us along the banks of the Etherow River which looked remarkably clean.

We left the river to cross the fields below Romily and passed under the railway bridge then climbed up the steps to the canal. Here we turned left and followed the canal to the steps above the road leading down to Chadkirk an interesting very old village – a real gem in the Stockport landscape.

Despite the early time 10.35 we could not resist sitting in the sun on the benches in the church gardens a really pleasant site.

Onwards, we gained the road at Otterspool and on crossing the bridge inspected the new works under way to install a double Archimedes screw to generate electricity from a fall of water less the 6ft. The nasty part of the walk continued to the traffic lights at Danbank. Here we were in a dilemma as the leader had forgotten his map and did not have the courage (or memory) to take the longer route through the fields to avoid the MUD. Despite Colin claiming to know the route well we opted to follow the rough track up to the muckiest farm in the area. There was the compensation that it did have an amazing selection of defunct machinery, but it is a path to be avoided.

After the farm track we reached the bridge over the Middlewood way, here we turned right and walked a short distance to the golf course. Then we followed the track to the canal opposite Hibbert’s mill the site of Colin’s famous ice non walk.

A short walk brought us to the Ring of Bells where we were made welcome, the Robbies in excellent form at 280p a pint. Colin must have thought it was his birthday as everybody responded to his wheedling and bought him crisps. We were however beaten to the pub by the B walkers who got the bus up to the Romper and walked along the canal to the pub.

We left at 1.15 and walked down through Marple Bridge to Brabyn’s park were we took lunch and relieved ourselves, George very nearly being caught in the act by a young lady.

An unevental stroll brought us to the Andrews Arms at 2pm again the Robbies was excellent at the same price  

Next week’s walk will start from the car park of the Little Mill at Rowarth 9.40am. It is anticipated we will stop for refreshment at a suitable pub to be discussed (the Grouse was mentioned), around 12.30pm and be back in Rowarth around 2.15pm.

Bollington

BOLLLINGTON, ANDREWS NOB, SPONDS HILL, BOW STONES, BIRCHENCLIFF, WOODEND FARM, MINERS ARMS, BOLLINGTON

Distance: 10Miles.

Difficulty: Medium.

Weather: Dry, Patchy sun and Cold.

Walkers: Colin Davison, Laurie Fairman, George Whaites,

Apologies: Peter Beal (Hols in Caribbean) Alan Hart (hols in Barbados)

B Walkers: Tony Job, Ken Sparrow and Geoff Spurrell.

Non-Walking Drinkers: Frank Dudley, John Eckersley .

Leader: Fairman. Diarist: airman.

Starting Point; Car park in Bollington

Starting Time: 9.32am. Finishing Time: 2.45pm.

At 0920 a call from Colin told us that he was delayed by emergency dental treatment and couldn’t make it on time and suggested we met him at Bow Stones. This seemed a good solution so George and I set off via the  famous orgasmic pie shop.(not much profit today!) .Leaving the shop we picked up the Gritstone trail northbound and climbed the steep hill up to the fells here I had the pleasure of sending a text message declaring we were at Andrews Knob.

Still following the trail we met Colin few  yards short of  Bow  Stones and crouched in a low ditch for elevenses , avoiding the very strong SE wind.(11.05)

After Colin had dried out his tea bag for later use we headed back towards Dale Head and down the hill not following the official path but keeping close to the dry stone wall. On reaching  the rough track we turned left and then right to follow the track to  Birchencliff admiring the farm development as we passed. When we got to the road at Harrop Brow we turned right and then turned left past the last house and crossed the fields towards. Woodend Farm.

When we got close to the stile we could see the most enormous red bull in the next field Colin thought the barbed wire fence would separate us but  on reaching the top of the stile stopped dead when he saw that the fence was on the other side.

Taking our courage in both hands we entered the field and crossed behind the animal giving it a very very wide berth. Must losing our  sex appeal as it was not the slightest interested  in us. A muddy wooded track round Woodend Farm took us to the canal and the Miners Arms.(12.35)

Here we found the B group relaxing in easy chairs after I put mud on the carpet our trio decide the decent thing to do was to sit out in the sun. George celebrating his 69^th birthday kindly bought us a  pint of IPA which was much enjoyed(280p)

The weather started to look a bit grim so we headed off at 1.20pm for Bollington along the Middlewood Way and the canal reaching Frank and John at 2.25pm The Spinners was busier than we have seen it for ling time with new staff in charge the Black Sheep was on form at the atrocious price of 320p

Next week’s walk will start from the car park of Andrews arms at Compstall at 9.35am. It is anticipated we will stop for refreshment at Ring of Bells Marple, around 12.30pm and be back in The Compstall around 2.15pm.

Castleton

CASTLETON, CAVE DALE, MAM TOR, HOPE

Distance: Eight and a half miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Overcast with Sunny spells

Walkers: Colin Davison, George Dearsley, George Whaites, Peter Beal, Lawrie Fairman, Jock Rooney and Tips, Jock’s son Keiron

B Walkers: Tony Job, Geoff Spurrell, Ken Sparrow

Apologies: Alan Hart (meeting)

Leader: Beal/Fairman   Diarist: Dearsley

Starting Point: The George, Castleton

Starting Time: 9.41 am. Finishing Time: 2.30pm

The group set off a few minutes early but was soon stopped in its tracks by Mr Fairman who remembered he had left his Sat Nav on his car roof. The forgetfulness proved a stroke of good fortune because Mr Rooney, Tips and son Keiron (thought absent) were actually delayed finding a parking spot and were able to link up with the Wanderers. Mr Whaites sported his new Brasher boots.

We left the village with the Old Barn souvenir shop on our right, following the signs for Cave Dale.

A steepish climb took us well above the village and near the summit we dog legged right, climbing a wooden stile and then turning right with a farm on our right.

George, Colin and Peter

 Mam Tor (below) could be seen in the distance. We crossed the road to Perryfoot and a few minutes later crossed a second road (to Chapel-en-le-Frith) to begin the climb up to Mam Tor.

Mam Tor

The view half way up Mam Tor

As we reached the summit of Mam Tor the wind seemed to stiffen, blowing from right to left in the direction of Edale. We stopped for a snack at the summit at 11.01am. Mr Davison had found a blue garment which looked like oven gloves but which was some kind of scarf-come-hand-warmer obviously dropped by one of a number of schoolchildren visiting the area. It was to remain in his possession.

View from the summit

We resumed our walk at 11.15am following the stones on the Great Ridge to Hollins Cross and beyond.

Two beasts at the summit

Negotiating a stile and turning left we began our descent into Hope, reaching the outskirts of the village at 12.26pm and the welcoming doors of the Cheshire Cheese at 12.26pm.

The B Walkers hove into view just as we arrived.

Here was a cornucopia of choice, including Peak Ales’ Swift Nick and Farmers Blonde both at £3, Hartington Bitter at £3.20 and Brown Cow at £3.30.

The B Walkers had started in Castleton, followed Hollowfold Road and passed Loosehill Hall and Riding House Farm.

Sign

Joined by the B Walkers we resumed our walk at 1.20pm, turning right out of the pub. After a few minutes later we reached Castleton Road, turning left at the Woodroffe Arms pub.

At a sign saying “footpath to Castleton” we turned off right to follow what appeared to be a small river identified on the map as Peakshole Water.

We stopped for lunch at 1.46pm, resuming at 1.58pm. At the end of the track we turned left into Castleton and a few hundred yards later reached the second Cheshire Cheese of the Day.

Here Chatsworth Gold and Black Sheep was £3.06 and Castleton Ales bitter £2.40. Mr Beal duly dispensed birthday beer to celebrate his 63^rd.

Next week we will meet in Bollington at the free car park opposite the Spinners. The Miners Arms will be the half way stop. Mr Beal extended his early apologies for a three week absence from Wandering. He’s off to the Caribbean, lucky chap.