Hayfield

February 22nd, 2012.

HAYFIELD, SETT VALLEY TRAIL, OLLERSETT MOOR, PEEP O DAY FARM

Distance: Nine miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Windy, some showers

Walkers: Colin Davison, George Dearsley, George Whaites., Lawrie Fairman, Peter Beal, Jock Rooney and Tip

B Walkers: Geoff Spurrell, Ken Sparrow

Non Walkers: Tony Job, John Eckersley, Frank Dudley

Apologies: Alan Hart (Benidorm)

Leader: Fairman/Beal   Diarist: Dearsley

Starting Point: The Pack Horse, Hayfield

Starting Time: 9.42 am. Finishing Time: 2.01pm

Over trousers or no over trousers was the big question as the group booted up and most preferred the extra protection as the overcast skies sent down intermittent showers.

The early part of the walk gave no indication of the exertions that were in store. We set off from Hayfield, past the Skillet restaurant, crossing the main Chinley to Glossop road and followed the Sett Valley Trail, which took us via Thornsett to New Mills. This is a sedate 2.5 mile walk, following in part the former branch railway line from New Mills Central to Hayfield.

Mr Beal set a brisk pace and we arrived at the Torrs in New Mills at 10.35am, deciding on an early Pie Time at 10.42am opposite the Torrs Hydro which was producing 52kw of power, the equivalent, Mr Davison informed, of 52 one-bar electric fires. The energy from this contraption goes to the local Co-op store apparently.

Torrs Hydro

We set off again at 10.52 am and were soon negotiating a muddy track, emerging at Gowhole Farm.

After a few yards we took a road off to the left (Lady Pit Road).

There appears to have been a colliery in this area many years ago, which closed in 1903.

In 1949 Whaley Bridge and surrounding towns were blacked out when lightning struck power lines and a 100 foot chimney at the colliery also collapsed following a lightning strike. Drama indeed.

Around 50 yards further on we took a path to the left, which took us through a tunnel above a railway track and across a field with two giant electricity pylons.

We climbed a stile and found ourselves on a bridle path, turning left and 40 yards on we went through a gate which led to a steepish climb above Shed Yard Clough.

This brought us to a farm with a nicely converted barn on our left and we turned left up a track which brought us to a T-junction.

Turning right we arrived at an intersection and went straight over heading towards Ollersett Moor.

This was the toughest part of the walk, a climb that seemed to go on forever, the group buffeted by high winds.

The slog brought us to Big Rock and a thankful descent, although the steepness of the slope in parts made this tricky too.

We eventually picked up a farm track and passed two men dry stone walling in very inhospitable conditions.

We turned right and came to the A624  Chinley to Hayfield road at Peep o Day Farm, turning left and a few yards on towards  Hayfield took a bridleway to the right.

This brought us out at Ashes Farm and at 1.26pm the welcoming sight of The Sportsman pub hove into view.

Here we met up with the B Walkers.

Thwaites Bitter was £2.70 and Wainwright £3.10.

The beer was made all the more palatable by the fact that it was bought through the largesse of birthday celebrants Messrs Davison and Sparrow.

But more beneficence was to follow. Leaving the Sportsman at 1.50pm we returned to the cars at 2.01pm and having de-booted made our way to the Kinder Lodge where the birthday boys had laid on pie, chips and mushy peas. For they are Jolly Good Fellows, and so say all of us.

Next week our walk will begin at The Cock, Whaley Bridge at 9.35am, anticipating a half way stop at The Shady Oak, Fernilee. Sadly your diarist will not be able to join the group due to a networking engagement.

Whaley Bridge

WHALEY BRIDGE, FERNILEE, COOMBS RESERVOIR, COOMBS, CHAPEL STATION, ECCLES PIKE.

Distance: Eleven miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Crisp and Dry, some Sunny spells

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

B Walkers: Geoff Spurrell, Ken Sparrow

Apologies: Jock Rooney (Egypt)

Leader: Fairman   Diarist: Dearsley

Starting Point: The Cock, Whaley Bridge

Starting Time: 9.36 am. Finishing Time: 2.23pm

Leaving the car park of the Cock at Whaley Bridge we walked past the pub on our left and took the path to the left which snakes through a housing estate.

We headed for the path that leads eventually to the Shady Oak, Fernilee, situated on the A5004, between Buxton and Whaley Bridge.

Leader Fairman and Wanderer Davison set a blistering pace, shoulder to shoulder, like Coe and Ovett, Denman and Kauto Star.

We past the gable end of the Shady Oak on our right, reaching a five ways intersection. After consulting a map it was agreed to go straight on, opening a five bar gate and heading into the field beyond.

Worryingly Mr Davison and Mr Fairman then split to go in slightly different directions.

But within minutes the consensus was to keep together and to follow the dry stone wall on our left.

Nosey Llama

We mounted a stone wall and took a dog leg to the right, negotiating a second wall to find ourselves on the lip of a hill, with a pleasing view below us to out left of the B5470 Whaley Bridge to Chapel Road.

The nearest landmark was Cadster Farm.

We headed across the fields in the 11 o’clock direction to a ladder stile.

At 10.50am the sun then came out, adding to the general feeling of well being.

Five minutes later, with Coombs Reservoir in the distance to our left  it was Pie Time.

Pie Time

Combs Reservoir

We resumed our wanderings at 11.08am, passing The Hayloft, a self catering cottage and turned left and then right up a hill path towards Tunstead Farm.

Just past the reservoir on our left we turned left down a hill towards a house with a white conservatory.

This led us to a nine foot high wall which we had to climb with the aid of protruding steps, bringing us along the side of an impressive house called Spire Hollins, valued on the Zoopla website at £822,000.

We found ourselves on a metalled road and turned left passing Carr Green Farm.

By 11.42am we had reached the Beehive pub in Coombs village. But we soldiered on, walking directly away from the pub and after 300 yards taking a left turn.

Reaching a barn we turned right up a hill and over a railway bridge, following the railway line on our right until we reached Chapel-en-le-Frith Station.

Here we followed the lower path below the car park and turned left, eventually reaching Cromwell Avenue and Horderns Road which led us into Chapel itself and to the welcoming sign of the Roebuck pub at 12.31pm.

Carling was £3.10, Black Sheep £2.70 and Tetleys Bitter £2.60.

We were joined by B Walkers Geoff Spurrell, Ken Sparrow who had taken the bus to Doveholes and looped their way to Chapel.

Concern about the finishing time allowed for just one pint in the Roebuck, although I suspect the B Walkers (having tried to leave but missed a bus) enjoyed a second.

We duly set off at 1.02pm leaving the pub and turning right to retrace our steps along the main road and eventually picking up the path to Eccles Pike where lunch was taken at 1.27pm.

I should point out that the sextet had split into two groups of three, Messrs Fairman, Davison and Dearsley taking a slightly shorter route to Eccles Pike, than compatriots Hart, Beal and Whaites.

However, the group stayed together thereafter, leaving at 1.40pm and arriving at the Cock at 2.23pm.

The B Walkers had taken the bus to Tunstead Milton and made their way from there to Whaley.

In passing may I draw your attention to the hyperlink below which will lead the computer literate among you to an interesting blog post which I stumbled upon from a local walker. It shows a walk we have done but is illustrated by some good photography. If it does not work automatically by clicking the link cut and paste it into your browser.

http://gerryco23.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/the-goyt-whaley-bridge-to-marple/

Next week the Wanderers celebrate the birthdays of Messrs Davison and Sparrow who plan to lay on a post walk feast at the Kinder Lodge, Hayfield. To that end we shall meet outside the Pack Horse in Hayfield Village at 9.40am

Whaley Bridge

WHALEY BRIDGE, CROMFORD AND HIGH PEAK RAILWAY (DISUSED), ACROSS MANCHESTER-BUXTON RAILWAY, SILK HILL FARM, BUGSWORTH, ACROSS MANCHESTER-SHEFFIELD RAILWAY, COTE BANK FARM, THROSTLE BANK FARM, BIG STONE, CRACKEN EDGE, CHINLEY, OLD HALL AT WHITEHOUGH, PEAK FOREST TRAMWAY, BUGSWORTH BASIN, PEAK FOREST CANAL AND THE COCK AT WHALEY BRIDGE

Distance: Ten miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Dry with initial cloud giving way to blue skies and wintry sunshine.

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

B Walkers: Ken Sparrow and Geoff Spurrell.

Non-walking Drinkers: John Eckersley and Tony Job.

Apologies: George Dearsley (working) and Jock Rooney (Hols in Egypt).

Leader: Davison. Diarist: Hart. Driver: Whaites.

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

Starting Time: 9.35am. Finishing Time: 2.45pm.

After an unsuccessful attempt to pass his leader’s badge certificate a month ago, Colin had another brave try. Rather like the pilot who must get back into his plane as soon as possible after a crash, our curly-haired comrade took the courageous decision to lead our party. It is my sad duty to announce that he crashed again.

Given his (comparatively) tender age, he should not be discouraged. But after two retreats in the first hour, it may be some time before we hear him singing “The Grand Old Duke of York” again.

He still has much to learn from Lawrie’s school of leadership: in particular the rule that you NEVER, under any circumstances, admit you have gone the wrong way.

One could also criticise the fact that he allowed a quintet to split into three, but let us not be too harsh on a youngster who clearly means well.

From the car park we passed The Cock on the left and turned left after 30 yards to cross a stream. The icy ascent to the disused Cromford and High Peak railway line path was a sign of tricky times ahead.

We turned right and continued as far as a road bridge over our track, turning immediately right up a flight of steps to cross the bridge on Chapel Road (10mins). We were led left up Rock Bank and back down again five minutes later, before continuing along the main road past the Board Inn and turning left to head up Eccles Road (23mins)

We crossed the Manchester-Buxton railway line before swinging first right and then left at a public footpath sign through a gate marked with a yellow arrow (26mins). Keeping a drystone wall on our left we crossed a stone step stile and entered a field containing a herd of 18 Shetland ponies.

We exited over a stone step stile and turned left along a lane for 50 yards before turning right over another stone step stile to walk through the right side of a field. We went through a gate (37mins) and over another stone step stile into a field from where we could see Chinley Churn on our left in the distance.

Our party kept to the left of this field, leaving it by a gate and turning left along a lane (50mins) which took us past Silk Hill Farm on our left. Beyond the farm was a sign warning us, apparently, to beware of toads. (It was not made clear whether they were armed and dangerous).

After crossing the A6 we passed the Navigation Inn on our right. The pub, whose landlady in the 1950s had been Pat Phoenix, later to become a legend as Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street, announced it was open all day. On our right we passed first Buxworth Junior School and then Bugsworth Memorial Hall – a reminder that the village is still divided over how it should be named.

After walking under the bridge carrying the Manchester-Sheffield railway line (64mins), Colin led us left into Dolly Lane. Three minutes later (67mins) he led us back down the lane and turned left to continue along the main road until we turned left at Brierley Green and followed a wooden footpath sign into a field.

Our port and pietime (75mins) was interrupted by the arrival of two horses which came to check us out. They rejected half a sandwich and a piece of chocolate proffered by Peter B. Two other horses ambled over to inspect us from over a drystone wall and one of them also spat out a piece of chocolate. What is it with the horses of today ?

As we continued uphill a woodpecker was heard but not seen in the distance. Shortly afterwards we saw a peacock and his mate in a cottage garden.We crossed a stone step stile in front of Cote Bank Farm and turned right uphill before turning left at the farm’s flagpole. This led us to a road where we turned left (87mins) and passed Throstle Bank Farm on our right (92mins).

We turned right at a wooden public footpath sign marked with a white arrow and walked steadily uphill over a moor. After a long climb we went through a gate (112mins) and turned right to reach Big Stone at Cracken Edge (119mins).

As we descended the precipitous slope, our party split into three groups, with the leader and diarist taking a dangerously icy and narrow down-tilting ledge. Peter B accompanied Lawrie and George W to a safer path and then made his own way down to Chinley.

After reaching a road (154mins), the two duos were united and turned left before re-joining Peter B  at the Chinley, Bugsworth and Brownside war memorial on our left. Opposite this monument we turned right over a railway bridge into Green Lane (171mins). By following a sign for Whitehough we reached Whitehough Head Lane (176mins) and the Old Hall on our right (178mins).

Here we met Ken and Geoff, who had walked from Whaley Bridge. We ordered pints of Marstons’ cask  bitter at £2-60 or Hopsack at £2-85. Both were deemed excellent.

Departing the pub we turned left and soon headed left along the Peak Forest Tramway (180mins). This brought us to the front of the Navigation Inn at Bugsworth Basin (202mins), where we had lunch on a wall. Resuming, we walked along the icy towpath to the right of the Peak Forest Canal, crossing it at Bridge 17 to continue along the left bank.

This brought us to the car park at Tom Brad’s Croft (227mins), from where there was a choice between the path along the disused Cromford and Peak Forest Railway line or the main road through Whaley Bridge.

Both routes led us back to The Cock (242mins), where we de-booted and joined John and Tony for pints of Robbies at £2-75. Your diarist’s patience was tested when the changing of a barrel seemed to involve as trip to the brewery in Stockport.

Next week’s walk will start and finish at the same venue. We plan to set off from The Cock car park at Whaley Bridge at 9.35am, heading for Chapel-en-le-Frith and aiming to reach The Roebuck by 12.15pm. We hope to be back in The Cock by 2.15pm.

Colin will be notified by the committee when he can next apply for his leader’s badge certificate, but we recommend some studying and testing of routes would be 

Bollington

BOLLINGTON, WHITE NANCY, RAINOW RIDGE, GRITSTONE TRAIL, DEAN VALLEY, THE ROBIN HOOD AT RAINOW, THE VIRGINS’ PATH, INGERSLEY VALE WATERFALL AND THE VALE INN AT BOLLINGTON

Distance: Nine Miles.

Difficulty: Easy after Initial Steep Climb.

Weather: Cold but Dry and Sunny.

Walkers: Colin Davison, Lawrie Fairman, Alan Hart, Jock Rooney with Tips, and George Whaites.

B Walker: Geoff Spurrell.

Non-Walking Drinkers: John Eckersley and Tony Job.

Apologies: Peter Beal (walking in Lakes), George Dearsley (working) and Ken Sparrow (domestic duties).

Leader: Fairman. Driver: Davison. Diarist: Hart.

Starting Point: Free car park opposite The Spinners Arms at Bollington, Macclesfield.

Starting Time: 9.30am. Finishing Time: 2.10pm.

The month started in glorious fashion with a bright crisp morning after overnight frost. There was a chilly wind in exposed areas, but by mid-morning weak wintry sunshine shone down on us and we enjoyed excellent visibility from our vantage points on the hills and ridges around Bolly.

We celebrated a return to one of our favourite pubs, The Robin Hood at Rainow, which had been closed at lunchtimes on a previous visit. There was much weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth (amongst those of us who had teeth) on that occasion towards the end of August.

During this visit we discovered it had only been closed for two weeks and had been open at lunchtimes since September. If only we had known.

But as one door opens, another slams in your face. After enjoying our pints of Robbies in The Dog and Partridge in Bolly at the beginning of January, we decided to pay it another visit in preference to The Spinners. We found it closed.

The unreliability of pubs regarding their hours of opening, and in some cases their very existence, is causing huge problems for our planning. It is fortunate that our motto – Firm of Purpose but Flexible in Action – has enabled us to rearrange our schedules at short notice when faced with these crises. (The loose Latin translation is “Nili Illegitimi Carborundum”)

After a prompt start we turned left uphill, loaded up with a variety of orgasmic pies from the Smith bakery on our right and sallied forth from the shop (10mins). At a mini-roundabout we turned right into Church Street and left after The Crown at the T-junction.

This took us past a former millpond on our right and the Tullis Russell bowling green on our left. Soon after passing the bowls hut, we turned sharp right, went through a gate and took the direct steep route up to White Nancy (30mins). The origins of this landmark have been mentioned in previous jottings.

We walked along the ridge, reaching the village of Rainow via a gate (62mins) and turning left at the main road. Our group turned right off Hawkins Lane at a road sign and went through a gate marked with a yellow arrow. This led us into a field (67mins) and another sharp climb.

Despite taking different angles uphill at one stage, we discovered that all paths led to the Gritstone Trail, where we turned right (84mins). As a chilly wind was blowing on the hilltop, we stopped for pies and port under the shelter of a drystone wall (90mins).

During this break we fell into conversation with a group of five passing men of a slightly younger vintage. They informed us they were not attached to any official groups, but liked to go walking in the hills on Wednesdays, ending their fun in the fresh air with pints of beer. Spooky.

Resuming, we crossed a stone step stile on our left and continued with a drystone wall on our right. We continued to follow the markings of the Gritstone Trail as it led us over stiles and through fields until we emerged on to Bull Hill Lane on the edge of Rainow (112mins).

We turned left along the main road, and left again at a public footpath sign towards Hordern Farm (116mins). After passing through the farm, we took a lane right uphill (124mins). Initially we ignored a public footpath sign (126mins) on our left to enter New Buildings Farm, where the owner politely pointed out the error of our ways.

Returning to the aforementioned footpath sign (130mins), now on our right, we crossed a stile and headed diagonally right through a field. We crossed a ladder stile and turned left (134mins) down the valley over a series of stiles.

After crossing a road (139mins) we went through a field and turned left at a row of cottages before going right over a wooden stile (140mins). This brought us to a wooden footbridge over the River Dean (143mins).

We crossed a ladder stile and a wooden stile before heading right uphill (145mins). We turned left over a cattle grid and sharp left again towards farm buildings, following a footpath sign to the right of them (150mins). Crossing a stone step stile on our left, we walked through a field containing three black sheep.

We headed towards Andrew’s Knob, which a month earlier had been shrouded in mist (and not, as one wag suggested, “by Fergie’s arse”). On this occasion the hill was clearly visible. After passing a church on our left, we swung left and crossed a stone step stile (164mins) just before reaching a chapel on our left.

Walking left downhill, we went through a gate, crossed the road and entered The Robin Hood at Rainow (166mins). Geoff, who had walked directly to Rainow from Bolly, soon joined us for pints of Black Sheep cask bitter at £2-85. Spooky again.

Continuing, we walked along Stocks Lane at the rear of the pub, and turned right into Chapel Lane. We turned right again into Sugar Lane (169mins). We followed a wooden public footpath sign (172mins) which guided us round the back of Flagg Cottage and on to The Virgins’ Path.

For the uninitiated, this was so named from the times when the village of Rainow did not have a parish church. Brides-to-be were obliged to walk two miles across sometimes muddy fields to reach the nearest church in Bollington for their nuptials. A considerate farmer supervised the laying of flat stones across his fields so the bridal dresses would remain pure white like their wearers.

Although some of these stones have become overgrown, many remain to this day to keep hikers out of the mud. After pausing for lunch (181mins) we continued along the path to Ingersley Vale waterfall (184mins). In its day Ingersley Mill housed the second largest waterwheel in the British Isles, with a diameter of 56 feet.

We continued past the Tullis Russell bowling green (193mins), now on our right, and retraced our footsteps back to the cars to de-boot. Having been misinformed by your diarist as to the distance from the Dog and Partridge, three of us walked what proved to be about 500 yards, only to find the pub closed.

We then walked a further 200 yards to The Vale, where we found John and Tony, who had anticipated our rearranged venue. Here Jock bought a round of Bollington Best Bitter at £2-85 a pint to celebrate his 70^th birthday last month. Hard to believe that “wee Jock” as he was once known, has become a septuagenarian. Congratulations to him.

Next week’s walk will start at 9.35am from The Cock at Whaley Bridge. We expect to reach The Old Hall at Whitehough, Chinley, for a half-time pint around 12.30pm before returning to The Cock for refreshments at 2.15pm.