Wednesday Wandering: Hayfield

May 22, 2019.

HAYFIELD, SETT VALLEY TRAIL, BIRCH VALE, MORLANDS ROAD, OLLERSETT MOOR, BIG STONE, CRACKEN EDGE, OTTERBECK HALL, VALLEY VIEW FARM, THE LAMB AT CHINLEY, CHINLEY HEAD, HIGHGATE HEAD, THE SPORTSMAN AT HAYFIELD

Distance: 9-10 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Dry, mainly cloudy with sunny spells.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Lawrie Fairman, Mark Gibby, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney with Tip.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (sailing off Turkey), Colin Davison (sailing), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Alan Duckworth (fishing), Hughie Hardiman, Julian Ross and George Whaites (domestic duties)

Leader: Beal. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Outside The Sportsman, Kinder Road, Hayfield.

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.32pm.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Caring for his flock like a good shepherd, our leader Peter waited patiently for two stragglers to appear only to find that the missing persons had taken a short-cut and by-passed him.

Thus he and Jock, who accompanied him in his solicitous behaviour, arrived at the finishing post ten minutes after his followers, four of whom had already departed. Such are the vicissitudes of trying to lead the Wednesday Wanderers: rather like herding cats.

No harm was done, however, and we enjoyed some splendid scenery in perfect walking conditions. We passed clusters of dazzling bluebells and hawthorn bushes in full spectacular bloom. Skylarks soared above us and we spotted a sheep wearing a red bucket. I am reliably informed that this is the must-have fashion accessory for trendy young ewes in 2019 so remember you read it here first.

From outside the front door of The Sportsman we crossed the road and followed a wooden public footpath sign to descend a flight of steps and cross the River Sett, turning right at the far bank. At the end of the lane we turned right then left just before St George's Church to cross the main A524 road linking Glossop with Chapel-en-le-Frith (15mins). On the far side we joined the Sett Valley Trail.

This is a path for hikers, cyclists and horse riders along the former railway line which once linked Hayfield with New Mills nearly three miles away. Between Birch Vale and Hayfield it forms part of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail.

We turned left at a wooden public footpath sign for Chinley via Morland Road and emerged opposite The Grouse (31mins). We crossed the main road between Hayfield and New Mills to the left of the pub and began a steady ascent up Morland Road, going through a gate at its end (45mins). We went through another wooden gate (67mins) and had now entered Ollersett Moor. Instead of following the bridleway ahead we turned left through the moorland, crossing a wooden stile (81mins) and reaching a rocky outcrop known as Big Stone (83mins)

After pausing for breath and photos we turned right and reached a stone step stile. To the left was an ancient shelter where we rested for pies and port (88mins). Resuming we crossed the stile and turned left, descending to Cracken Edge (90mins) where we turned right.

When we encountered a group of walkers from Stockport heading in the opposite direction, Mark engaged them in conversation, while John and Jock waited. In the confusion which followed they became temporarily detached from the main pelaton.

After we had swung sharply left downhill (100mins) and realised they were not following us, attempts were made to contact the missing trio, with Andy going back uphill in a vain effort to spot them. When phone contact was made we continued our descent, heading through a wooden gate and down steep steps to reach a lane (126mins)

We turned left passing Clappersgate, Otterbeck Hall and Newstead on our right before turning right at a wooden public footpath sign (138mins). The footpath went to the left of Valley View Farm, then right to reach a cattlegrid near its entrance. Here we turned left up the farm track (145mins) to once again reach and cross the A524. Turning left we soon reached The Lamb on our right (149mins).

Chris was first to the bar, deciding to opt for the Jennings' cask bitter, and earning a stifled giggle from the landlady when he announced she had offered to pull him one off before he sampled it.

By now the sun had broken through and we were able to bask in it on the wooden tables outside, soon joined by our three tardy chums. Jock's collie Tip seemed the most delighted to see us again, although Chris's popularity was further boosted when he shared his fried cheese dips.

Continuing, we returned to the A524, turning left and after 20 yards turning left again over a stile made from stone and wood (151mins). This was the start of a steep climb through a wooden gate up Chinley Head. After passing through another wooden gate (160mins) our group became separated when three stopped for lunch on some handy rocks (165mins). Others without lunches carried on while Peter, Jock and Tip waited ahead in a dip out of the sight of Mark, John and your diarist.

Having finished lunch first I took a short cut across a field in order to catch up the main group, as did John who was third to finish. But Mark chose the longer route, found Peter, Jock and Tip waiting, and told them John would be along soon.

One wonders whether similar confusion and misinterpretation led to The Charge of the Light Brigade.

After going to the right of a farmhouse (170mins) and passing it on our left, the main group then crossed a cattlegrid and emerged at a road opposite The Firs (191mins).En route we spotted a sheep which had managed to force its head through a bottomless red bucket and was now wearing it as a fashion statement.

We passed Highgate Head Farm on our right (198mins) before reaching Hayfield village centre and turning right up Bank Street (210mins). This took us into Kinder Road and back to our cars outside The Sportsman (217mins)

Tom, Alastair, Chris and Lawrie eschewed the chance to sample the Wainwrights' cask bitter at £3-70, but Peter and Jock soon joined us in the pub with tales of how they had waited in vain for John to reach them while he had been unwittingly taking the by-pass route.

Next week's walk will start at 9.45am from the free car park at Eyam, Derbyshire's legendary plague village. To reach it turn left off the A623 and take the first left passing the church on your right and then turning right, passing the public toilets on your right before turning right into what is known as the high car park. We aim to reach The Bull's Head at Foolow around 12.30pm for a livener before returning to The Miners' Arms at Eyam for further refreshment.

Pictures below.

Happy wandering !

Pictures by Alan Hart