Adlıngton

September 4, 2019.

ADLINGTON, LYME MARINA, SKELHORN STUD FARM, COFFEE TAVERN, BIRCHENCLIFFE, SPOND HILL, BRINK HOUSE, GRITSTONE TRAIL, RAINOW, BOLLINGTON, THE VALE INN, CLARENCE MILL, THE MACCLESFIELD CANAL, THE MINERS ARMS AT WOOD LANE ENDS, ADLINGTON

Distance: 8-9 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Mainly cloudy with some blue skies and sunshine.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney with Tip, Graham Stone.

Alternative walkers: Colin Davison and Laurie Fairman.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (hols), Tom Cunliffe (Portugal hols), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Gibby (stomach upset), Hughie Hardiman (filial duties), Julian Ross (w*^king), George Whaites (domestic duties)

Leader: Beal. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Road outside The Miners' Arms at Wood Lane Ends, Adlington.

Starting time: 9.49am. Finishing time: 2.25pm.

A road closure and major diversion in Higher Poynton delayed the arrival of three walkers, including our leader, Peter, who was making his farewell appearance before leaving us for a prolonged holiday in the Greek islands. His sure-footed leadership will be sorely missed in the coming weeks. On the positive side there won't be a dull moment as we try to find our way around the local countryside. What we lose in certainty we will gain in the spirit of adventure.

Early morning rain had stopped just before we started the walk and it started again just as we finished so we were able to enjoy the sights without getting wet. The views from Spond Hill of Windgather Rocks, Shutlingsloe and Bowstones were appreciated as we headed for Bollington.

Some of our members were disappointed that we did not take in Andrew's Nob during our descent, with Peter preferring to skirt around it.

After the early climbing and descending we were ready for the largely flat finish along the banks of the Macclesfield Canal.

Some of our group expressed surprise that a “posh” place like Adlington should have a Miners' Arms. The area around Poynton was exclusively rural but coal was mined informally there from the 16^th Century. This intensified during the Industrial Revolution and in 1832 Lord Vernon opened several collieries. He owned dozens of mines and in 1859 they produced 243,000 tons of coal.

In 1856 it was estimated there was a reserve of 15 million tons which could supply 245,000 tons annually for 61 years. By 1926 production had dropped to 80,000 tons and the last pits were closed in 1935 with the loss of 250 jobs.

We passed The Miners' Arms on our right and took the first road on our left which led us to Lyme Marina and Bridge 18 which took us to the far side of the Macclesfield Canal. This was designed by Thomas Telford and built between 1826 and 1831.

We crossed two wooden stiles to the left of Skelhorn Stud Farm (11mins) and turned right to go through a metal kissing gate marked with a yellow arrow. By heading diagonally right across a field we reached a wooden kissing gate through which a path led us to the road between Poynton  and Pott Shrigley (18mins).

Turning right we passed the Coffee Tavern on our left and turned left at Birchencliffe, heading uphill (21mins). This brought us to a wooden gate where we turned left (35mins). Just before we reached Keeper's Cottage we turned right uphill following a green sign for Bowstone Gate and Kettleshulme (39mins)

We crossed two wooden stiles to reach a lane on the ridge of Spond Hill where we turned right (67mins), passing the Trig Point on our right. Pietime was delayed until we had started to descend from the summit of the windswept hill (85mins). Refreshed with snacks, port and humbugs we went through two metal kissing gates to reach a road where we turned right (86mins) and immediately passed a sign for Pott Shrigley. After passing Brink House we turned left at a wooden public footpath sign (91mins) along the Gritstone Trail.

We followed a marker post to the left of the track (95mins). This route took us through two metal kissing gates. After the second of these we kept close to a drystone wall on our left (103mins) as we began our descent into Bollington with the distinctive folly called White Nancy on the far side of the valley.

After we had gone through a third metal kissing gate we found the footpath ahead was closed because of a dangerous footbridge and we were diverted to the right of a farmhouse (115mins). We reached a road (122mins) and turned left, passing a sign for Rainow (124mins) and The Poachers' Inn on our left (133mins)

Carrying on along this main road through Bollington we walked under the viaduct bridge and turned right into Bollington Recreation Ground (146mins). With the River Dean on our left we crossed the field diagonally right to reach the rear of The Vale Inn (151mins), where we were reunited with Colin and Laurie. Here a selection of cask bitters was available at £3-50 a pint, with the cost of pints of lime and soda varying inexplicably between £1-20 and £2-20.

Resuming  we turned left out of the pub and left again to retrace our steps through Bollington Recreation Ground, emerging back on the main road and turning left up a track just before the aqueduct bridge (157mins). This brought us to the left bank of the Macclesfield Canal opposite Clarence Mill (160mins)

This was a five-storey former cotton spinning mill built by the Swindells family of Bollington. It now accommodates flats, offices, a cafe, The Discovery Centre and the local Canalside radio station.

With the canal on our right we were on the last lap of our journey, pausing for lunch at a bench by Bridge 24 (175mins).  We left at Bridge 18  (217mins) and walked downhill to reach Wood Lane Ends with The Miners' Arms on our right (230mins)

Next week's walk will start at 9.45am from the side road next to The Old Hall at Hope, Derbyshire.

We intend to climb up Lose hill, Back Tor, The Great Ridge including Hollins Cross, Mam Nick and Mam Tor, before descending to The Cheshire Cheese at Castleton for a livener around 12.30pm We expect to be be back at The Old Hall for further refreshment at about 2.20pm.