March 2nd 2011 and seventeen people joined our six miles’ easy walk from Brierfield Station to explore the countryside around Old Laund
A great display of snowdrops at Old Vicarage
A steep descent into Spurn Clough
You can’t beat a walk in springtime!
Having a good natter at the end of the walk
Wednesday, April 6th
Our party of seventeen setting out on their walk beneath the impressive arches of Whalley Viaduct.
Much older arches – the mediaeval North Gate of Whalley Abbey
The daffodils were in full bloom on Whalley Nab
A spectacular view of Whalley Arches fron The Nab
Descending into Billington from The Nab with views across to Longridge Fell
Heading to Old Langho
Old Langho Church built in 1557 – one of few built just after the Reformation and using stone and windows from Whalley Abbey. The church is little used now.
We continued along the bank of the River Ribble swollen by days of rain in the Yorkshire Dales
Assault course or public footpath? A collapsed tree had blocked our route.
Our route took us by historic Hacking Hall which was built in the early 17th century on the site of an earlier house.
A view of two loos! To the left of the Hall’s chimney a garderobe with its ‘long drop’ to the yard belo. Nearer to the camera its replacement 19th century privy. Which would you prefer to use?
Returning to our starting point at Whalley Station at the end of a very enjoyable day’s walking.
Wednesday, May 4th WEST PENNINE MOORS
The party alighting at Entwistle Station
From Entwistle we headed up the valley above Wayoh Reservoir
Our route took us through these bluebell woods
70% of all common bluebells are to be found in the UK but under threat from Spanish invaders
Heading through the cotton grass near Soot Hill
Putting on the stile. Note the new public footpath sign made out of recycled black plastic bags
Believe it or not, this was the main Roman road from the fort at Manchester to the frontier at Hadrian’s Wall. A day’s march would end at Ribchester then the road continued north and east over the Bowland Fells to the fort at Burton in Lunesdale. For part of its route over the fells above Slaidburn it is the track known as the Salter Fell Road.
Dropping down to Cranberry Fold with Darwen Tower in the background. Some will remember The Cranberry Fold as a popular nightclub venue from their younger days but, alas, now a housing estate.
It’s hard to believe but this beautiful woodland was, not so long ago, Bull Hill Refuse Tip above Darwen
Peter and John cast an eye over the tip’s methane extractor plant
There’s always something of interest on our walks
Noticing our interest in the blue plaque, a resident took us round to the front of the house to show us its impressive front. Samuel Crompton lived in the original house in the middle whilst local millowner Eccles Shorrock turned into into a mansion by adding the wings.
Eccles Shorrock will be remembered for having the impressive India Mill Chimney built in 1867/8 and at that time the tallest chimney in Britain. It was modelled on an Italian bell tower and used locally produced handmade bricks in its construction. Now a listed building and home to peregrine falcons.
At the end of this excellent walk we admired this old steam engine taken from a local mill