Sutton Hall

 June 1st, 2022. 

Sutton, Macclesfield Canal, North Rode, Gawsworth Hall, Moss Head Farm Distance: 11.5 miles. Difficulty: Easy. 

Weather: Mainly sunny and dry with fluffy white clouds. 

Walkers: Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns and Daisy, Mark Enright, Christopher Owen, Peter Beal, Julian Ross, Clifford Worthington, Dean Taylor. 

Non-Walking Drinkers Jock Rooney Thomas Cunliffe. 

Apologies: Alan Hart, 

Leader: Owen. Diarist: Ross. 

Starting point: Sutton Hall Starting time: 9.34am. Finishing time: 2.09pm

Starting time: 9.34am. Finishing time: 2.09pm 

There were eight walkers making up the eclectic mix that is the Wednesday Wanderers. After a brief chat it was decided that no more walkers were going to arrive and without a sound, our leader strode off to the entrance of the hall and turned left along Leek Old Road and then left again across a field towards Sutton Grange. 

Here we took another left turn along the road and made our way towards Cop Meadow Road. At the end of Cop Meadow, we joined the public footpath towards Sutton Reservoir. Keeping the reservoir on our right we came to the A523. Crossing straight over we joined the Macclesfield Canal and turned left. Never one for dawdling, our leader set a fast pace as we trudged along the side of the canal for some distance. As we reached the first lock our leader paused for a while whilst the strung-out walkers gathered together. 

Anticipating pie time some started to unload their rucksacks to sit in the sun and watch the boats drift by. Our leader, however, had other ideas and set off on our first right turn of the day towards Rode Reservoir where he found a shady spot full of mud next to a field recently sprayed with manure. Here one of the quickest ever pie times in my memory was called. A minority of walkers found a place to sit but most stood for almost five minutes before we were off again for our second right turn at North Rode Manor towards Rodegreen where we turned left at Gawsworth Hall towards the Harrington Arms. 

The Harrington Arms is a gem of a public house. At the entrance is a blue plaque denoting it to be one of “Britain’s Best Real Heritage Pubs” as designated by CAMRA in recognition of the outstanding historic importance of parts of its interior. The pub is part of the Robinson Brewery Empire and the Ale was deemed to be in good form. Here we were joined by two non-walkers. Tom bounced in with his usual broad smile keen to show off his poodle to anyone who would show interest. Jock arrived with his new puppy and the conversation continued about dogs and training. 

On leaving the pub we retraced our steps to Gawsworth Hall where we passed a statue of Sir Robert Peel, Patron Saint of Police Pensions. Several wanderers mused on why the statue was there with Peter Beal stating firmly that “ I think I knew once but I am sure I have forgotten”. Such words of wisdom cementing his reputation as an elder statesman of the group. The statue was originally displayed in Peel Park Salford, paid for by public subscription after Peel's death in 1850. When Salford Technical College was extended in 1954 the statue was removed to make way for the building and placed in storage. In 1969 Christopher Richards of Gawsorth Hall purchased the statue and placed it in the grounds of the hall. His motivation is not known. 

We marched on past the ornamental ponds towards Mount Farm where we turned left along the road for a short distance. When the road took a sharp left we continued straight ahead on the public footpath towards New Home farm turning right at the first footpath before reaching the farm and walked towards Moss Head Farm. Here we rejoined the canal and proceeded in a Northerly direction back to our starting point. Out of the eight walkers walking today only Chris was available for the 8th June. As such Alan has volunteered to lead the walk starting at 09.30hrs outside the Soldier Dick at Furness Vale