Hayfield

 January 25, 2023.

THE SPORTSMAN AT HAYFIELD, ELLE BANK, STONES HOUSE, HIGHER HEYS FARM, VORPOSTEN, CHINLEY HEAD, MONKS MEADOWS, HILLS HOUSE, PEEP-A-DAY, PHOSIDE, HIGHGATE, THE KINDER LODGE AT HAYFIELD, THE SPORTSMAN AT HAYFIELD

 

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Light drizzle on and off throughout.

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Hughie Hardiman with Penny, Alan Hart, Jonathan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor with Tommy, Dave Willetts.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (cruising to Australia), Peter Beal (in La Palma), Alastair Cairns (foot injury), Mark Gibby (attending father's funeral), Simon Williams (wife ill with suspected appendicitis)

Non-walking drinkers: Mark Enright and Jock Rooney with Milly.

Leader: Taylor. Diarist: Hart.

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

Starting time: 9.46am. Finishing time: 1.35pm.

 

 

Hughie (left) with Penny 

 

 

 

A debutant was quick to put another young walker in his place as we assembled outside the pub in Hayfield at the start of this walk. Hughie had brought his niece's four-year-old whippet Penny for her maiden voyage with the Wednesday Wanderers.

Their breed tends to be somewhat timid but when Dean approached with his powerful Italian mastiff Tommy it was Penny who took on the role of aggressor. She barked and bared her teeth at the bemused yet solidly-built Tommy. He looked around for support as if to say “It wasn't me. I didn't do anything honest.” 

Meanwhile Penny, clearly a feminist who viewed all dogs as potential rapists, persisted with the attitude: “Don't even think about it. I never let anyone smell my bum on a first date.”

Penny's stereotyping of male dogs appeared to be vindicated in the early stages of our journey as Tommy kept running back to check her out. Penny, however, was determined to show she was no pushover and resisted his clumsy advances. I am happy to report that at the end of the walk a truce had been declared and they appeared to have become friends. Time will tell if it leads to romance. I shall keep you posted.

We were saddened to learn that Mark Gibby would not be attending because he was attending his father's funeral. We send Mark our commiserations. We also send our best wishes to Simon Williams, whose wife Sue was taken to hospital with suspected appendicitis on the eve of this walk. Hopefully she will make a speedy recovery before the ironing and dishes mount up.

From outside The Sportsman Dean and Tommy led us back towards Hayfield before turning left at a green public footpath sign (2mins) and heading down to a footbridge across the River Sett. On the far side we turned right to head towards Hayfield again before going sharp left uphill at a wooden public footpath sign (10mins). This was the start of a steady climb which continued for an hour in thick mist.

On reaching a lane we turned left (16mins) and then went left again at a T-junction (18mins) following the track as it swung right. At a fork (20mins) we went left and then crossed a stone step stile (23mins). At a fork in the path we went right but the alternative paths later converged.

 

                   

The view towards Kinder

 

 

When we reached a five-barred wooden gate (52mins) we went through it and another one (53mins) before reaching a smaller gate (56mins) and turning left. This brought us to a public bridleway where we turned left (61mins)

This path took us through three gates in quick succession. Just before we reached a metal gate we turned right over a stone step stile (71mins). Following a path in the mist we reached a broken drystone wall just before a wooden stile and paused for Pietime (74mins).

 

                

 The view at Pietime

 

We crossed the stile (75mins) and soon left the track to head diagonally right towards a gap in the corner of a field (76mins). After exiting the field we turned left along a wide well-trodden grass path. This later plunged downhill until we reached a wooden gate on the far side of which was the A624 road linking Glossop and Chapel-en-le-Frith (86mins)

On the right 20 yards away was The Lamb at Chinley Head. Sadly our brisk pace meant our arrival was ahead of opening time. Besides the three dogs would not have been allowed indoors at this pub on a day when the temperature hovered just above freezing point.

After crossing the main road we turned left for 20 yards before turning right at Monks Meadow (87mins) and heading towards Valley View Farm. Just before the farmhouse we turned right (90mins) at a green public footpath sign then left (91mins) at a footpath sign which took us to the right of the farmhouse. 

On reaching a road we turned right (99mins). We reached a wooden stile on our left (108mins) and crossed it to head towards Higher Hills Cottage. This brought us to the house and surrounding buildings at Peep-a-Day. With Peep-a-Day on our right we went through a metal gate and immediately turned right through another metal gate (114mins). The path led us through a gate (118mins) and at a fork (126mins) we went left through a wooden gate. This led us to a shallow stream which we crossed by stepping stones to reach a former mill at Phoside (132mins) 

 

We passed the building and followed the track back to the A624 (141mins) where we turned left in the direction of Glossop. We soon reached the A6015 road on our left leading to New Mills (144mins) which we followed for 20 yards and turned right to enjoy a variety of excellent cask ales in The Kinder Lodge (145mins).

Here we were joined by Jock with Milly and Mark Enright, who confessed he had taken a look at the weather earlier in the day and gone back to bed. No doubt he will regret that decision when he sees the stunning scenery he missed.

 

  Walkers and non-walking drinkers united at The Kinder Lodge

 

Those of us who had cars outside The Sportsman turned left and crossed the A624 to into Hayfield, turning right on to Kinder Road and heading uphill (150mins). Your diarist and his son de-booted and called in The Sporty for a final pint, where we were joined by Jock and Milly.

Next week's walk will start, as planned on January 18, at 9.45am near Leather's Smithy pub, Clarke Lane, Sutton, near Macclesfield SK11 0NE. With the pub on your left turn right along the road with Ridgegate Reservoir on your right. Park in the layby on the left after 250 yards.

Chris will lead us through Macclesfield Forest over Shutlingsloe, stopping for a livener at The Ryles Arms, Hollin Lane, Sutton SK11 0NN around 12.30pm before returning to Leather's Smithy at about 2.15pm.

Happy wandering !  

 

Sutton Hall

 

Jan 18 2023

Sutton Hall round route via Macclesfield Canal to Bosley locks; across fields through North Rode to Harrington Arms at Gawsworth through Gawsworth back through Danes Moss Nature Reserve to Sutton Hall

Distance walked 11.3 Miles

Difficulty: easy Tom classed as stiletto and white handbag –

Weather: clear dry and sunny but snow underfoot.

Walkers: Mark Enright Ben Enright Dave Willets Dean Taylor Julian Ross (PS on a cruise for the next month if you’ve not heard) Hughie Hardiman Mark Gibby Andy Blease Keith Welsh Tom Cunliffe Daisy Cunliffe Chris Owen Mike Cassini. Apologies; Alan Hart, Peter Beal in La Palma, Mickey Barrett cruising,  Alistair Cairns supervising Roofing contractors, Simon Williams playing with Spielberg.

Leader Chris Owen

Diarist Mike Cassini volunteered by Tom 

Starting Point; Sutton Hall 9.55am finishing time of walk 2:30pm

 

Apologies if this is not up to the usual standard and lacking the usual local geographic geomorphic and historic detail. My memory isn’t what it was and I agreed to this after Mr Cunliffe threatened me with Daisy if I didn’t write it. The initial plan to meet by the Ridgegate Reservoir was scuppered by the overnight snow and early morning freeze so plan b was to meet at Sutton Hall and follow a mainly flat route initially via the Macclesfield canal. As soon as the starting gun went Messrs. Owen and Taylor, thrilled by the flat terrain, were at Bosley Locks before Tom had changed from his stilettoes into his new Hi-Tec boots and morning break was taken.

Following a short trek down down a iced racing track for 4 x4 test pilots we cut through fields  by some beautiful Highland cattle.

We then went via North Rode past large fishing lakes/ponds to -not the Bosley Harrington Arms but the Gawsworth version.

Following a bit of furniture moving regarding a local Settle, we settled down for light refreshment before setting off through the quaint village of Gawsworth past Sir Robert Peel’s statue which was moved to its site for no particular historic reason just after WW2 . We then cut through Danes Moss which is apparently the highest and largest raised lowland bog in Cheshire- then over the railway bridge to the Macclesfield canal again returning to Sutton Hall sometime after 2pm.

 

Next week will start at the Sportsman in Hayfield 9:45 led by Dean and Tommy Taylor 

 

Litton

 

January 11, 2023.

LITTON, TANSLEY DALE, CRESSBROOK DALE, CRESSBROOK, THE ANGLER'S REST AT MILLERS DALE, THE RED LION AT LITTON

 

Distance walked: 7-8 miles.

Difficulty: Mainly moderate, sometimes strenuous with soggy sections.

Weather: Mainly dry after early rain.

Walkers: Alastair Cairns, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor with Tommy.

Non-walking drinker: Jock Rooney with Milly.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (cruising to Australia), Peter Beal (packing for Canaries hols), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Enright (w*^king), Keith Welsh, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Leaders: Hart and Cunliffe. Diarists: Hart and Cunliffe.

Starting point: Road outside The Red Lion at Litton.

Starting time: 10.05am. Finishing time (of walk): 1.15pm.

 

After being persuaded to lead this walk Jock suffered acute pain from a knee injury and had to tender his apologies. Consequently, without his local knowledge, we had a choice of choosing a different route or delving into the Wednesday Wanderers' archives.

Tom managed to unearth an ancient manuscript, possibly written originally with quill and ink, by one George Dearsley from October 12, 2011. As we discovered enroute this diary from bygone days of yesteryear was full of interesting historical background, wit and whimsy but sadly lacking in directional information. 

Consequently, we found ourselves scrambling over walls, gates and barbed wire as we wandered unwittingly off-piste and despite our best efforts were unable to get back on track.

After nearly two hours of walking, your regular diarist decided to cut his losses and try to retrace the route back to Litton. Mike joined me and we returned to our cars in less than an hour.

Thus the first part of this week's diary is from the metaphorical pen of Alan and the second from Tom. I had already blotted my copybook by oversleeping, turning up late and delaying the start by five minutes for which I humbly apologised.

Possibly as a punishment I was then handed the printout of George's 11-year-old diary and informed I would be leading.

With the Red Lion on our left we walked past the Post Office and the Methodist Church on our right before following a public footpath sign on our right 50 yards beyond the church. On our left we climbed a stone step stile following a sign indicating the path to Cressbrook Dale (4mins)

Following the well-trodden path we exited the field by another wooden stile and turned left for 30 yards. We climbed a stone step stile on our right towards TansleyDale. Confusingly a sign a few yards further welcomed us to Cressbrook Dale (15mins). At this point the directions said we should pass some cottages, one of which was called Quiet Ways. No such buildings were seen.

 

Instead we continued to follow the well-worn path, going through a wooden gate and tiny bridge over a swollen stream before turning right (25mins) along a path now heading south. Having abandoned hope of following the written instructions because there was no sign of habitation, we searched in vain for a footpath heading west.

After crossing yet another barbed wire fence where my crown jewels dangled like saddlebags on either side, I decided enough was enough (115mins). After I announced my decision to try to find my way back to the cars, Mike followed suit.

We found a route which involved no clambering over walls, gates or barbed wire and returned to Litton (170mins). From there we drove to Millers Dale and joined Jock and the other walkers in The Angler's Rest. Lifts were given back to The Red Lion and it was universally agreed that the two traditional pubs had been the highlights of the outing.

What now follows is Tom's description of the rest of the walk by him and Daisy, Alastair, Chris, Dean and Tommy.

 

 

A screen grab from Memory Map

The track we took is shown by the dark blue line starting from Litton through to the Angler’s Rest at Miller’s Dale

 

Alas, the black circle part way along said track approximates to the area at which Messrs Hart and Cassini left the main group to return back to base. Perhaps Mr Hart wanted to reclaim one of his testicles from the barbed wire! Nevertheless, they missed out on what was to be a noteworthy adventure. As the old adage goes; a faint heart never won a fair lady, alternatively, this was no walk for the faint hearted, and so our two comrades trudged back to their vehicles

 

The baton was picked up by your current diarist leading our band of mettled men along the top of the valley, whilst looking for a safe place at which to descend to the river and get back on track. Unfortunately, we had to continue following the valley for about a mile until we spotted a suitable place to descend, we did so rather gingerly down the steep slippery slope until we were met with a rather viscous-looking barbed wire fence penning us in the wrong side of Bottomhill Road. We were now in Upperdale

 

We managed to cross the fence where we turned right with the river on our left striding out for the Angler’s Rest at Miller’s Dale, our burgeoning thirst quickening our step. Upon reaching Cressbrook Mill we turned left here with an iron railing on our left, this brought us to the riverside where we encountered 3 walkers who’d tried to walk along the river bank but rather wimpishly turned back because the river bank had flooded. Undeterred by ankle deep water we proceed along the bank eventually emerging at various villages and hamlets along the way but not before more ankle deep water had to be negotiated. Your diarist was at the head of the group, sadly the rhythmic roar of the fast-flowing river and weirs were interrupted by the moans and groans of those who followed complaining about the ingress of water in a couple of “over-boot” incidents.  The men were so delighted by these events they were heard to remark that this walk should be added to your diarist’s stable of tour companies thus described as Tom’s Wandering Aqua Tours (or twat for short). How lovely!

 

With smiles all round, we sallied forth eventually reaching solid dry ground. 

We marched on, scorching the earth as we went until happily reaching the Angler’s Rest where the Famer’s Blonde was an absolute delight at £4.20 a pint. 

 

                                 

 

 

    

 

Next week's walk will start at 9.45am from near Leather's Smithy, Clarke Lane, Sutton, near Macclesfield SK11 0NE. With the pub on your left turn right along the road with Ridgegate Reservoir on your right. Park in the lay-by on the left after 250 yards. Chris will lead a circular walk over Shutlingsloe, stopping for a livener at The Ryles Arms, Hollin Lane, Sutton, around 12.30pm before returning to Leather's Smithy at about 2.15pm.

Happy wandering !

Pictures by Alistair Cairns

Hayfield

Wednesday January 4th

HAYFIELD, SNAKE PATH, MIDDLE MOOR, MILL HILL, PLANE WRECKAGE, BURNT HIL, CHUNAL, MATLEY MOOR, LITTLE HAYFIELD, GIGGLE GAGGLE WAY, THE KINDER LODGE AT HAYFIELD

 

Distance: 8-9 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Early drizzle then mainly dry.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Jonathan Hart, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney with Milly, Dean Taylor with Tommy, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (cruising to Australia), Alastair Cairns, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Dave Willetts (poorly)

Leader: Beal. Diarist: Hart.

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

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.20pm.

 

In damp conditions the first Wednesday Wanderers' walk of 2003 got off to an encouraging start with 11 hikers and three dogs tackling a healthy climb over scenic moorland in the foothills of the Kinder Range.

A plaque reminded us we were walking in the footsteps of the Kinder Mass Trespass in 1932 which paved the way for ramblers to use public footpaths over privately-owned land. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those trespassers who defied an unfair law to bring about change.

En route we also paused at the wreckage of a plane which crashed in 1944 to bring back memories of the sacrifices made in World War 11.

From outside The Sportsman pub we walked back downhill towards Hayfield before turning right at a green public footpath sign (5mins) and passing the plaque commemorating the Mass Trespass.

 

The trespass was a coordinated protest involving three groups of walkers approaching Kinder Scout from different directions at the same time. It is thought about 400 took part. Some of them were arrested after a scuffle with gamekeepers and jailed, which evoked a wave of sympathy.

This led to the National Parks legislation, the establishment of long-distance footpaths and The Countryside Code relating to ramblers' behaviour.

It has been interpreted as the embodiment of working class struggle for the right to roam against the rights of the wealthy to have exclusive use of moorlands for grouse-shooting.

 

The rough path uphill took us past the landmark called Twenty Trees on our left (14mins) and the start of The Snake Path (29mins).This took us past the distinctive white shooting lodge and a row of grouse-shooting butts as we climbed Mill Hill.

 

 

The relentless climb took us close to Williams Clough leading to the Kinder Ridge but before that started we turned left along a flag-stoned path (85mins) towards Burnt Hill.

 As we headed west along the flagged path we reached some plane wreckage on our right where half our group stopped with leader Peter for Pietime (95mins). A group of mutineers declared the site of the plane crash, which had caused a dip in the landscape, failed to provide sufficient shelter from a sharp wind. They chose to carry on and pause elsewhere.

 

Little now remains of the wreckage of a Liberator from the US 310th Ferry Squadron which crashed on Mill Hill on October 11, 1944. The plane was being moved from RAF Burtonwood to RAF Hardwick and had climbed to 2,800 feet when it encountered turbulence.

The plane flew into the hillside in low cloud despite a warning from the navigator. The two crewmen, 2ndLieutenant Creighton R Houpt and Staff Sergeant Jerome M Najvar, survived the crash. They walked along the route we followed to the A624 Chapel-Glossop road where they were picked up by a passing truck.

According to local legend the only injury suffered was a broken jaw suffered by the pilot after he was punched by his angry navigator.

 

We continued along the flagged path taken by the USAF pair, going through a gate and climbing a wooden stile to reach the main road and rejoin the breakaway group (130mins). We crossed the A624 following a sign for Charlesworth until we reached a green public footpath sign and turned left (140mins)

 

 

Forking left off the main track (145mins) we now crossed a field where a herd of cows were protecting a young calf who had been born out of the normal season. On crossing a wooden stile and reaching a T junction we turned right towards Matley Moor Farm, going through a gate into the farmyard and then swinging left (160mins). 

The track now led us to a cluster of signposts where we chose the one leading to Hayfield via Little Hayfield (170mins), The well-trodden path was heading towards a gate but 50 yards before we reached it we chose another path which led downhill and swung right (175mins)

Where the main path swung left downhill (196mins) we carried on straight ahead

along a path which was known locally at The Giggle Gaggle Path.

 

It was so named, according to folklore, because every morning a long line of women millworkers would follow this route from Thornsett to Clough Mill at Little Hayfield, returning in the opposite direction each night. The sight and sound of the long line of chattering ladies gave the path its name.

 

We passed Bank Vale Farm on our right (202mins) and went through the Old School Field (alternatively known as The May Queen Field) to reach a footbridge on our right over the River Sett (213mins)

Emerging at Hayfield bus station we kept left to reach a road and turned left. The Kinder Lodge was 50 yards on our left (215mins) where the Timothy Taylor Landlord cask bitter was in excellent form.

Suitably refreshed we turned left out of the pub, crossed the A624, dog-legging right and left to head uphill into Hayfield town centre. At a large Chemist sign we turned right to enter Kinder Road and return to our cars (225mins)

Next week's walk will start at 10am outside The Red Lion at Litton. To reach it turn left off the A6 at Chapel-en-le-Frith on to the A623. After 7 miles the road to Litton is marked on your right.

Happy wandering !