pictures by John Jones
on disused railway route ,Whaley Bridge
art work gate
Andy and Jock after thunder storm soaking
28/07/2021
21/07/2021
Topley Pike
July 21, 2021.
TOPLEY PIKE, WYE VALLEY MONSAL TRAIL, CHEW DALE, BANK PIT SPRING, CHURCH INN AT CHELMORTON, DEEP DALE
Distance: Eight miles.
Difficulty: Challenging terrain: one strenuous climb: one tricky descent: otherwise easy.
Weather: Dry, warm and mostly sunny.
Walkers: Peter Beal, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, John Jones, Jock Rooney and Dean Taylor.
Apologies: Mickey Barrett, Andy Blease, George Dearsley, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Chris Owen, Dave Willetts.
Leader: Rooney. Diarist: Hart.
Starting point: Outside entrance to Topley Pike Quarry, near Buxton.
Starting time: 9.50am. Finishing time: 2.30pm.
Due to a misunderstanding this diary is based on my memory rather than any notes so my apologies for any further mistakes. The lack of detail available also makes it briefer than your diarist's normal verbose efforts, for which you may well be grateful.
From the free parking on spare land next to the quarry entrance on the A6 road linking Buxton with Bakewell we crossed to the pay-and-display car park at the start of the Monsal Trail. We walked with the River Wye on our left until we reached a cycle hire shop where we crossed to the other bank. We followed the footpath on the right with the Wye now on our right. Many plump brown trout were clearly seen idly loitering beneath the surface.
We negotiated two sets of stepping stones beneath the cliffs from which climbers were practising their techniques. The steep sides of the gorge were keeping us out of the hot sun but we still had to negotiate the undulating rocky path and several clusters of head-high nettles.
At one stage we crossed a footbridge to walk briefly back on the right bank of the river before criss-crossing back again to the left bank to continue. After a section of duckboarding we came to a stone footbridge on our right where we stopped for Pietime (70mins). For the first time since pandemic restrictions were invoked we were also allowed to share some tots of port.
Suitably fortified we continued by crossing the footbridge and heading slightly right at the start of a long hard climb up a scarcely visible path which brought us eventually to a drystone wall. It is believed this was once the site of a bronze age hill fort with views over the Chee valley below.
Our route took us through a farmyard and across a main road which we crossed and carried straight ahead for 100 yards before turning right at a wooden public footpath sign to enter a field. The route then brought us to the left of trees behind a drystone wall to an overgrown gate leading to another main road.
We crossed this and went over a stone step stile to enter a spinney with a drystone wall on our left. A stile led us into a field where we negotiated a herd of apprehensive cows with their newly-born calves.
Emerging via a stile to a path we turned left and swung right and followed a footpath with a farm far away on our right. After going through a gate we turned right at a public footpath sign which took us to the left side of the farm. We crossed three stiles to enter and leave fields until we reached a track from the farm.
Turning left we emerged at a lane where we turned right for 30 yards before turning left at a public footpath sign for Chelmorton (115mins). We followed this, passing Bank Pit Spring on our right.
Here a plaque informed us: The spring on this site was historically the source of Chelmorton's water supply. It was known as the 'Illy-Willy Water', and lies at the end of Grove Rake, an important former lead mining site.
The trough is the first of what used to be a series of water supply troughs down the west side of Main Street. The supply was replaced in the late 19thCentury by a 10,000 gallon tank – now redundant – below the trough.
After passing the spring we entered Chelmorton with St John the Baptist Parish Church on our left and The Church Inn on on right (140mins). Here we enjoyed pints of either Marstons' and Wainwrights' cask bitter in the sunny beer garden.
Resuming we turned right out of the pub and after 40 yards turned right at a public footpath uphill. This was the start of a route which went over stiles and gates in a north-westerly direction. After pausing for lunch we negotiated a tricky descent of Deep Dale with slippery limestone and scree to trap the unwary. Happily, apart from the odd girlish shriek from nettle stings, we emerged unscathed for the last lap of the journey. Here the footpath took us to the right of the quarry and deposited us at its entrance to rejoin our cars (200mins)
Next week's walk will start at 9.30am from the free Tom Brad's Croft car park next to Whaley Bridge canal basin. To reach it from the A6 take the Whaley Bridge signs, passing Tesco on your left and The Joddrell Arms on your right just before turning left and sharp left again to head towards the start of The Peak Forest Canal. The road swings right at the basin and the car park is on your right.
We intend to head up past the repaired dam at Todd Brook Reservoir to Taxal from where we will head for Taxal Nick and Windgather Rocks before descending down to the bridge between Errwood and Fernilee Reservoirs. On the far side of the bridge we will head left and walk along the right bank of the reservoir before reaching the main road and aiming to arrive at The Shady Oak for a bracer around 12.20pm. We will return to the car park around 2.30pm via the Goyt Valley and the disused Cromford and High Peak railway line.
Happy wandering !
Words by John Jones
Wander on 21st july;- we met at Topley Pike car park at 09.50 hrs, six walkers, (seven including the illicit female daisy. Self, Dean, Alan, Tom,Jock, Peter....It was interesting to note that most of us wore large brimmed hats ,rather wisely and most wore shorts which with untidy , nettle and thistle girded paths proved to be the opposite? As there was a confusion over who exactly was to lead this walk it was ruled by proxy...
Over A6 along River Wye and walking past cycle shed we crossed the river turning right, East, at the four terraced cottages. keeping E for two miles travelling over greasy stepping stones . limestone etc. Onto a narrow footbridge where we stopped for pie time utilising the scant shade. A welcome return to some normality was a nip from alan's hip flask. Much appreciated.
Over said bridge taking a s up to a (now disused ) roman settlement which once commanded a superb and strategic view over 270 degrees. .Through field and a lane walking S to Blackwell hall . across B6049 ,SE up lane shortly taking a R over stile and uphill past cattle and onto the A6 which we crossed entering the much needed shade of a small copse..Uphill through a delightful "Wildflower Meadow" and along Sough Lane . turning R taking a WSW direction along dry stone wall and passing Fivewells Farm over PillWell Lane and joining old lead rake down to Chelmorton passing the old sough and past water supply for the village. Into the pub yard where we greedily quenched our deserved thirsts... delicious ales at a not too dear price.. This pub never fails us .. After which with a slight collective unsteadiness we took a R turn entering Common Lane passing Shepley farm and crossing Old Coalpit Lane, NNW past burrs farm which is neater every time we pass by, A quick lunch and then down to a dale taking a N direction past settling pools and back to our cars, 9 mile approx over under 5 hours.
Next week's wander will be from the roadside by the Cock Inn, 09.40. Whaley bridge , will visit the shady oak at Fernilee and will be led by Alan hart.
pictures by Alan Hart
Bank Pit Spring (aka The Illy Willy Water)
Looking out over Chew Dale
The Wye
Wanderers on the stepping stones in the Wye River.
15/07/2021
Marple
July 14, 2021.
MARPLE LOCKS, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, TURF LEA LIFT BRIDGE, LEACOTE FARM, WINDLEHURST HALL, MARPLE GOLF CLUB, MARPLE HALL SCHOOL, ALAN NEWTON WAY, CHADKIRK, ST CHAD'S WELL, THE SPREAD EAGLE AT ROMILEY, PEAK FOREST CANAL, HYDE BANK, MARPLE MEMORIAL PARK, BEVI BAR AT MARPLE
Distance: 11 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Weather: Warm and sunny.
Walkers: Alastair Cairns, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Gibby, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney, Dean Taylor and Dave Willetts.
Apologies: Peter Beal (in Hawes), Andy Blease (in Anglesey), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Hughie Hardiman (attending funeral), Julian Ross (w^*king)
Leader: Taylor. Diarist: Hart.
Starting point: Arkwright Road, Marple.
Starting time: 9.33am. Finishing time: 2.38pm.
This was an ideal walk for those wanderers who want to avoid climbing or descending hills. We were able to enjoy both the rural splendour and some suburban landscapes on a predominantly flat route which took in two canals, a golf course, and the beer gardens of a pub and a bar.
During our journey we heard Tom discussing canine coiffure with an admirer (of Daisy) and saw a pair of moorhens feeding their chicks.
We also passed the site of the former home in Romiley of a girl who married James, Duke of York, who became King James 11 after The Glorious Revolution. Anne Hyde, later Queen Anne, had two daughters who both went on to become monarchs.
With playing fields on our right we walked to the end of Arkwright Road and crossed it to enter an area called Oldknow's Lime Kilns where three ancient archways showed where millowner Samuel Oldknow once baked the local limestone.
We followed a path to our right uphill and reached Marple Lock 16 on the Peak Forest Canal (4mins)
We turned left with the canal on our left but at Bridge 19 we crossed over and continued with the waterway now on our right (11mins). When we reached Turf Lea Lift Bridge on our right (30mins) we were delayed for seven minutes while a woman towed her narrow-boat under the raised bridge by muscle power. The barge was called Paradise but her unhurried progress and refusal of our offers of help would have tested the patience of a saint.
When she finally lowered the bridge to enable us to cross it (37mins) we headed for a T-junction where we turned right (42mins). At the end of this road we walked across through Leacote Farm (46mins) and crossed a wooden stile (49mins). We then turned left at a makeshift wooden stile by the side of a seven-barred metal gate (51mins)
After going through a kissing gate (54mins) and crossing a wooden stile (56mins) we forked right (58mins and followed a gritted footpath.
This led us to a wooden stile which we crossed and 10 yards beyond it on our right we crossed another stile (62mins). Another wooden stile (66mins) led us to Windlehurst Hall on our left (69mins). In the front garden was a wooden sculpture resembling Gandolf from Lord of the Rings.
The path now led us to The Macclesfield Canal which we joined by Bridge 8 (70mins) and walked along its left bank. Just before reaching Bridge 4 (78mins) we stopped for Pietime at a bench where we observed two moorhens begging for food to feed their chicks. Tom duly obliged by tossing his apple core into the canal.
Continuing our journey we went back a few yards to enter the course of Marple Golf Club (established 1892) and followed a series of yellow arrows which indicated our right of way across it. Thus guided we reached The Middlewood Way and turned right (93mins)
This 11-mile linear park for hikers, cyclists and horse riders follows the route of the former railway which operated between Macclesfield and Rose Hill, Marple, from 1869 until 1970. The trail also forms part of the National Cycling Network Route 55 from Ironbridge to Preston.
It was here where Tom was quizzed by a pair of women who admired Daisy's hairstyle. Clearly her absence at the beautician's last week had been worthwhile.
At crossroads where a right turn pointed to Marple Sixth Form College we carried straight on (96mins) until we emerged at a car park next to the council tip (103mins)
After turning right we reached a main road by the side of The Railway pub (106mins). After crossing it we turned left and soon right (107mins) into Weatherley Drive, passing an extraordinary figure of a guitar-toting spaceman waving the English flag.
Our visit to suburbia took us along Isherwood Drive, Marple Hall Drive, a public footpath between houses, Cromwell Avenue, Charles Avenue and another path between houses which brought us out opposite Marple Hall School (117mins)
We turned right and reached Alan Newton Way (122mins) where a plaque informed us that at the age of 21 this son of Stockport had helped to win a bronze medal for the British 4,000 metre pursuit cycling team at the Olympic Games in 1952. Turning left we reached a flight of steps on our right (128mins) which we descended to cross a footbridge (130mins) and continue with the River Goyt on our left. At a green bridge we crossed the river (136mins) and entered the Chadkirk Estate,
We turned right through a wooden kissing gate (138mins) and followed a wooden public footpath signmarked Chapel (140mins). We forked left (141mins) and reached a road which passed Chadkirk Chapel on our right. Beyond it we turned right (143mins) heading uphill and passing St Chad's Well on our left.
A flight of steep steps on our right brought us to The Peak Forest Canal (147mins) where we turned right with the canal on our left. At the next exit we left the canal (152mins) and turned right along Green Lane. This brought us to The Spread Eagle at Romiley on our right (154mins) where we enjoyed pints of cask bitter in the sunny beer garden.
Suitably refreshed we retraced our footsteps up Green Lane to rejoin the canal on our left (156mins) and leaving it when the waterway went through a tunnel (171mins).As we forked right past Hyde Bank we were passing the site of a house once occupied by Anne Hyde.
Anne (1637-1671) was the daughter of Edward Hyde, who became Lord Clarendon when his heavily-pregnant daughter married James, the Duke of York, in 1660. He became James 11 after The Glorious Revolution and his wife became Queen Anne. They had met while they were both in exile in the Netherlands following the execution of Charles 1.
The couple had eight children, of whom only two survived childhood. But those two daughters, Mary and Anne, both became monarchs.
Before a set of iron gates we turned right downhill (174mins) and rejoined the right bank of the canal where it had emerged from the tunnel (176mins). After going under Bridge 15 (180mins) we stopped for lunch just before an aqueduct engineered by Cyril Boucher (182mins)
After walking alongside the aqueduct we switched to the left bank (187mins) and passed a series of locks until we reached a road (203mins). We crossed this and rejoined the right bank of the canal before leaving it at Lock 10 to turn right (205mins) to enter Marple Memorial Park.
We went through it to reach a car park (209mins). Just before it we turned left and reached the main road through Marple. We turned right, passing Greggs and Bargain Booze. At traffic lights we turned left passing Tonic and Superdrug. As our preferred location, The Samuel Oldknow, had a full beer garden, seven of us opted for a pint next door at a new bar called Bevi (212mins)
Returning to the main road later we turned right and kept straight ahead to reach Arkwright Road on our right and our cars (220mins)
Next week's walk will start at 9.50am from Topley Pike, on the A6 Bakewell road out of Buxton. There is free parking next to the entrance to the quarry opposite the pay-and-display car park at the start of the Wye Valley Monsal Trail. We plan to follow the Wye before heading south to The Church Inn at Chelmorton for a livener. We will return via Deepdale and emerge via the quarry path.
Happy wandering !
Map by Tom
07/07/2021
New Mills
Words by John Jones
We met on a bright day with changeable weather but overall dry and warm Hughie, Tom, (minus Daisy who had a hair appointment, You know what these women are like) Andy. Jock and myself John..
We waited for any late comers until 09'45. Nowt so set off N,(North ) along walled lane fo a mile onto Birchvale, Soon turning towards Hayfield for a few yards and onto sett Valley Trail across which a f/path led (N) into stream bottom and past head of a Large Mill reservoir.
Up then onto a lane taking a left past two poultry sheds with a cock crowing to get out..A right turn uphill (NE) acroos taking sign for lantern pike side of cottages . up through gate and left along a wall despite Tom's complaining and onto summit.. Pie time.. 11.ish.. then down(N) to wall end and left to join lane at gate turning (SW) past little mill Inn junction and Wetthercotes delapidated set up.(It was ever thus) onto tamaced road.
Right leading (W) to Thornsett and soon at house a sharp left down steeeeep Steps , (And Sssslippery over Thornsett road down more past Industrial unit onto sett valley trail (W) then soon across road and later aright down by wall Onto High Street and masons Arms,, Where cheapish ale was much enjoyed. a gem of a pub. Including a barmaid who could not be arsed about serving but could be at trying to rip me off by short changing me for £4,
After which we walked up High street to Bus Staion and down by side ot T.I. Cntre taking in a good view of Torrs mill down steps under the arches passing an attractive young lass being top-roped up a sheer "Extreme " layback climb. She "Peeled off" however, We admired the water turbine , working passed under Albion Road Double arched Viaduct and past Goytside farm With Alpaca and it's toilet patch . Clean animals these. Lunch.. then across Marsh Lane up Dollypit lane and soon onto a steep few steps (NE) over stile into fields and sub station. uphill ,under railway line to beardwood farm, Over stile Left leading (N) up a delightful secluded lane to Laneside Farm and back to cars after admiring the lady wallers handiwork and art pieces. A good walk which showed Hughie dressed about right for a showery day.9 &1/4 miles 5 hours approx. next weeks walk will be led by Dean Raylor from Marple centre at Strines road/ arkright road Triangle where there is a football field,, directions;-Through Marple,from Stockport past cinema on left , and Navvy pub on right. over canal and bear right onto Strines road and park anywhere in that vicinity. 09.30. start aiming for Spread Eagle . Romiley .
map by Tom
Pictures by John Jones
Peeling off an extreme layback
lady waller's art work..laneside
Confluence, water turbine and Torrs
Pie time at Lantern Pike
Masons Arms wall plaque
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