Furness Vale

FURNESS VALE (PHALLIC WALK)

 

June 25,2025 

THE SOLDIER DICK AT FURNESS VALE, RINGSTONES CARAVAN PARK, WHALEY MOOR, HIGH PEAK SCHOOL, LYME PARK, LANTERN WOOD, LYME HALL, LYME CAGE, RED LANE,  DANDY COCK, PEAK FOREST CANAL, NEW MILLS, FURNESS VALE MARINA

 

Distance: 9.86 miles​  Ascent/descent: 1248 ft

 

Difiiculty: Moderate. One long climb

 

Weather: Mizzle to Start, cloudy and warm then Blue Sky and Clouds

 

Walkers:  Mike Cassini, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardman, Russell Spencer, Keith Welsh, Cliff Worthington. 

 

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly, Kieran Rooney, Peter Beal

 

Non Walking Drinkers: 

 

Apologies: Simon Williams, Clive Rothel, Alastair Cairns, Greg Owens

 

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

 

Starting point: The building formerly know as ‘The Soldier Dick’ Pub

 

Starting time: ​9.40am​​  Finishing time: 14.45 appx

 

The morning was grey and overcast with plenty of Mizzle, although as we were walking it felt more like low cloud.

From the car park of The Soldier Dick pub we turned right along the A6 until we reached The Old Imperial Palace building and turned right into Yeardsley Lane. At the top of the lane we turned to the right of Ringstones Caravan Park. We went through a gate by the side of the farm and entered rough track, Keeping a drystone wall on our left we walked uphill and followed the footpath until we reached a road at Longside on the route between Disley and Whaley Bridge. Here we had a small discussion about days gone by when Mr Hart would regale snippets of local information, in this case a murder stone…...

 

The Murder Stone. It is a memorial to William Wood, of Eyam, Derbyshire, whose lifeless body was found at the spot on July 16, 1823. Mr Wood, aged 30, a cotton manufacturer with a wife and three children, was battered to death as he was returning from Manchester’s Tuesday market carrying an estimated £100 from sales. Three men were seen by several witnesses running from the scene. Mr Wood’s body was found and taken back on a cart to The Cock Inn, Whaley Bridge, where an inquest was held. Meanwhile three men answering the descriptions of the suspects arrived in Macclesfield wearing bloodstained clothing which they replaced with new outfits. One of them, Charles Taylor, 17, from Salford, was arrested at The Greyhound pub. Taylor had two convictions for theft and had been released from prison the day before the murder.

The two other suspects fled, while Taylor hanged himself with his own stockings in his prison cell. One of the men at large, Joseph Dale, 18, was arrested in Liverpool where he was trying to enlist with a ship. He gave the name of the third man as John Pratt.

Dale pleaded not guilty but was convicted of murder. He was hanged in April, 1824. According to the historical records, it appears John Pratt was never apprehended. The memorial to William Wood was unveiled 57 years after his death.

 

 

As the Murder Stone was in the opposite direction we decided on this occasion to carry on with the route as planned, so we turned left and after a few yards took the footpath signed for Bowstone gate and Lyme Park. This led us through a field where we could see some rocks called The Dipping Stones. These were where, according to legend, people from plague areas placed money in holes filled with vinegar as antiseptic. Other villagers, from unaffected areas, would take the money and leave food in its place.

Looking back Coombs Reservoir was clearly visible in the distance and now the mizzle had lifted we had some spectacular views.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We passed the former Moorside Hotel , which once held the retirement party in the 80s for Pat Phoenix when she ended her Coronation Street role after 20 years of playing soap sex symbol Elsie Tanner. It is now called High Peak School and is a school specialising in supporting children with autism and social communication needs.

After crossing Higher Lane we headed up Mudhurst Lane towards Bowstone Gate Farm and passing the Bowstones, which were part of a pair of medieval Saxon crosses (the shafts), the heads of which are possibly a pair displayed at Lyme Hall.

We passed through Bowstone gate, and over the next style, turning immediately right and following the perimeter of the farm. We continued along this path until we came to  Lantern Wood. 

Here we hopped over the syle and followed the path to the far side where it splits. We followed it left and found the Lantern, a folly which overlooks the hall.

Here we had pie time, which proved difficult because of the amount of ‘biting’ insects due to the damp humid conditions. My legs are testament to their hunger !!

 

 

 

 

Making a hasty exit we followed a path straight downhill toward the hall, picked up a small service road and headed toward the ‘Old Stables’ where we took a path to the Cage. There we continued our downhill journey, following paths to reach the east gate and exit Lyme Park to enter Red Lane. Towards the end of the lane we chose the right fork and then went left downhill through St Mary’s Churchyard where the team split, some taking the easier but more mundane safe view on the road, whilst others ventured for the more scenic route through the churchyard with the added bonus of hazardous, slippy cobbles

Emerging by the side of the Ram’s Head , we turned right along the A6 and crossed it to reach our first watering hole, The Dandy Cock where we met Jock, Kieran and Peter.

 

We left the pub turning right and walked down the road at the rear to meet the canal, some road works prevented us from accessing the canal via our usual route so we detoured left and crossed a bridge further down. With the canal now on our right, we passed plenty of ducks and new borns learning to swim and climb out of the water. Further down we passed the ‘still for sale’ apartments with the lovely view and sounds of the Swizzels Matlow factory at New Mills. With the scent of parma violets and love hearts in our nostrils, we pressed on.

 

Our towpath route took us past The Torrs Riverside Park on our left with a caravan park on our right and past Carrs Swing Bridge. We then reached the Furness Vale Marina.

At Bridge 31 we left the canal and turned right. This took us past The Crossings pub by the side of the Manchester-Buxton line and back to the A6. We turned right, crossed the road and reached The Soldier Dick.

 

Next week’s walk will be led by Hughie, a circular walk around Wincle, finishing at the Wincle Brewery for refreshments. Parking will be near the brewery at Dane Bridge.

It’s a 9.40 am meet with a finish for refreshments at appx 1.30pm

 

Happy Wandering! 

 

Whaley Bridge

Whaley Bridge

 

June 18,2025 

WHALEY BRIDGE CANAL WHARF, GOYT VALLEY, TAXAL, TAXAL NICK, WINDGATHER ROCKS, DUNGE VALLEY GARDENS, ROUND KNOLL FARM, CLOUGH FARM, THE SWAN AT KETTLESHULME, HARDY GREEN, TODD BROOK, TODD BROOK RESERVOIR

 

Distance: 10.09 miles​  Ascent/descent: 1764ft

 

Difiiculty: Moderate. 

 

Weather: Hot & dry 

 

Walkers:  Andrew Blease, Alastair Cairns, Russell Spencer, Cliff Worthington.

 

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly,  Tom Cunliffe with Daisy

 

Non Walking Drinkers: 

 

Apologies: Simon Williams, Dean Taylor, Mike Cassini, Micky Barratt, Julian Ross, Keith Welsh, Chris Owen

 

Leader: Andrew Blease, Diarist: Russell

 

Starting point: Canal Wharf Car Park, Tom Brads Croft Rd Whalley Bridge, SK23 7LX

 

Starting time: ​9.40am​​  Finishing time: 14.45pm appx

 

 

From the car park we walked across the bridge over the River Goyt and headed to the main road where we turned left. We followed the main road before turning right up Macclesfield Road. We walked for about ten minutes and took a footpath on the left, this led us through fields onto LingLongs Road, where we turned left. Walking for a short distance St James Church in Taxal appeared on our left, whereupon a small discussion about how campenology took place and it transpired that Mr Cairns senior was a one time campenologist.

(Did you know that capenology is the single most dangerous hobby activity in the UK. There are more injuries - pro rata - than any other activity, even rugby, according to the British Medical Journal - Ed)

 

Passing Taxal Church on our left we walked for 30 yards before entering a field on our right at a public footpath sign. Keeping to the right of the field we reached a gate, went through it with a drystone wall on our left, and continued uphill until we reached a track. Here we turned left and walked along the track until we reached a green public footpath sign indicating the way to Windgather Rocks on our right.

 

 

 

 

We climbed steeply up this path, passing a memorial tree to keen hiker Terry Lardner on our way up Taxal Nick to reach the drystone wall on Taxal Ridge. From Taxal Nick the distinct formation of Windgather Rocks was clearly visible and we proceeded towards them. We reached the summit of the cliffs which are often popular with rock-climbers literally learning the ropes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We turned left along a track which led to a sheep fold on our right where we stopped for Pietime in its shelter. Exiting the sheep fold via a gate we turned left and walked along the minor road in the direction of Pym Chair. At a T-junction we turned right towards Salterford and headed downhill.

 

At a wooden public footpath sign we turned right over a broken wall and soon crossed a short ladder stile to head through a field. When we reached a farmhouse we walked right across its frontage and then turned left up a path to the right of the building.

 

After crossing a stile with a yellow arrow we passed a derelict farm building and followed a series of posts marked with yellow arrows which led us to two metal gates. These took us into Dunge Valley Gardens, a former nursery specialising in rhododendrons. 

 

After leaving the gardens we continued to a crossroads and went straight across into Clayholes Road. Bearing slightly left we passed Round Knoll Farm on our right and reached Clough Farm on our left. Next to its entrance was a wooden gate on the right which we walked through and headed left downhill through a copse. We then went through a field which we exited through a metal gate marked with a yellow arrow. After crossing a stone step stile we reached a track and swung right to the left of a farmhouse, ignoring two wooden stiles marked with yellow arrows. On reaching a crossroads we went forward, passing Stocks Bank Cottage on our right and turned left at a flight of steps to reach The Swan immediately on our left.

 

Sitting outside due to the hot weather, we joined Jock, Tom, Milly and Daisy for some much needed liquid 

 

 

 

 

Resuming our journey we crossed the road opposite the front door of the pub and walked through a garden centre to exit opposite a church. Here we turned right and then left into Kishfield Lane. This took us past Hardy Green on our left and Kishfield Croft on our right. Before reaching the bridge over Todd Brook (where previously we have stopped for lunch) we turned right over a wooden stile to enter a wood.

 

Ignoring paths to our right we kept Todd Brook in sight on our left until the path led us down to it. 

Ignoring the path closure and danger of death signs we made our way over a makeshift bridge to reach the far side where we went through a metal gate which had been broken open. 

We now walked with the sluice channel on our left and the reservoir on our right as we made our way back into Whaley Bridge. Surveying the low level of the reservoir and the now abundant foliage at the bottom, we noticed a deer surveying its surroundings and indifferent to the presence of ourselves. After passing Brookfield Pond on our left we arrived at the main road through Whaley Bridge and returned to our cars.

More photos of the walk below….

 

 

Next week’s walk will be the ‘Phallic Walk’, starting at the Soldier Dick pub, Furness Vale. SK23 7PH. Start time – 9.40am

 

Happy Wandering! 

 

Curbar Gap

 11th June 2025

CURBAR GAP, BASLOW EDGE, WELLINGTON’S MONUMENT, BIG MOOR, WHITE EDGE, GROUSE INN ON A625, FROGGATT EDGE, CURBAR EDGE

Distance: 8 miles Ascent/descent: 1,080ft

Difficulty: Easy (WHBW)

Weather: Bright

Walkers: Tom Cunliffe. Daisy Cunliffe, Mike Cassini, Chris Owen, Russ Spencer, Andy Blease, Keith Welsh, Mike Barratt and Simon Williams

 

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly

 

Apologies: everyone else

 

Leader: Cunliffe​​ Diarist: Cunliffe plagiarisedfrom Mr Beal’s Diary of 10th July 2024

 

Starting point: Curbar Gap

 

Starting time: 10.00am Finishing time: 2.30pm

 

 

 

This walk has been dubbed the route the Four Edges walk by our very own Peter Beale, taking in as it did Baslow Edge, White Edge, Froggatt Edge and CurbarEdge in a scenic circular trip from Curbar Gap.

 

White Edge is the least known of the edges, lacking any striking rock formations the others offer, or any reputation among the rock-climbing fraternity. But it is the highest at just over 1,200 feet and rewards the gentle climb with panoramic views over the Derbyshire and Yorkshire hills.

 

We met at the three lay-bys close to each other just below Curbar Gap and set off in the direction of Baslow Edge. We stayed a short distance away from the escarpment and after passing a lone prominent boulder took a track on the left which soon brought us to the gritstone cross of Wellington’s Monument

 

It is also noteworthy to mention that it was Mike Barratt’s birthday and round of drinks at our appointed water hole was most welcome by all.

   Curbar Edge

 

 

 

                                    

This modest edifice was erected to commemorate the Duke of Wellington’s 1815 victory at Waterloo by Dr Wrench, a local Army man. It was intended to complement a memorial to Admiral Nelson on Birchen Edge, just over a mile to the east.

 

At the time it seems the two monuments could have been seen from one another. But trees and bushes have obscured the Wellington memorial so it only becomes visible from close-up. Some of the fading lettering on the base can still be made out, with the words ‘Wellington. Born 1769 Died 1852. Erected in 1866 by E M Wrench.’

 

 

 

Birchen Edge

 

 

The monument proved to be an ideal spot for a group pic, however, Mr Owen had elected to hare off and was out of sight, as is his want.

 Nevertheless we went ahead with the pic ably assisted by a young lady who was also admiring the local views, she obliged by taking the pic. 

Leaving the monument we followed the track across the open moorland, passing highland cattle with two very young calves, and crossed the minor road that runs between Curbar and Chesterfield to the east.

 

We followed the path, vague in places where it had become overgrown, up a steady climb of around 400 feet to reach the trig point on White Edge, a short distance from which we declared pietime. 

 

Resuming, we continued along a more distinct path along the edge, towards the true top of the moor around half a mile distant at 1,204 feet. Splendid views were on all sides and the outskirts of Chesterfield and Sheffield could be made out to the east.

 

Around a mile-and-a-half from the top of the edge we reached a broken stone wall where a sign marked Grouse Inn pointed downhill to the left. We followed down a distinct track.

 

After a short, rocky stretch down through a copse we came to a field, on the other side of which was the Grouse Inn, across the A625. Chris was awaiting us and we were soon joined by Jock and Milly, who had walked along Froggatt Edge.

 

Mikey B provided the drinks and we responded by singing a rather moving rendition of Happy Birthday. 

 

Under way again after a 60-minute break, we turned right down the main road for a few hundred yards, taking a footpath sign to Froggatt Edge on the left at a lay-by. This soon led to the start of Froggatt Edge, where we swung left to follow it and then Curbar Edge for just over two miles of mainly level walking before reaching a sign on our right which took us down through a woodland back to our cars. 

 

Next week’s wander will commence from Whaley Bridge Canal Wharf SK23 7LX meeting at 9:40. 

Our route will take us through Taxal Nick, Windgather Rocks, DungeValley gardens, The Swan at Kettleshulme, Hardy Green, Todd brook Res. Car park. This walk may be viewed by visiting a previous diary by clicking on:  

http://wwanderers.blogspot.com/2023/09/whaley-bridge.html