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.