December Walk 2011

The Christmas ramble. A short walk and a long lunch! On a wet and grey Saturday morning fourteen members of the group assembled outside church at 9.30 a.m. to travel to Plumley for the start of a four mile circular walk around Holford Moss. As we arrived at our destination the weather suddenly brightened up and in good spirits, equipped with suitable footwear for the expected muddy conditions, we set out on our way. After walking through the village we were soon out into the surrounding fields and countryside. Although we had expected it to be muddy conditions were not too bad and we were able to make steady progress. Today the only activity on Holford Moss is agriculture but as you walk around the area you notice evidence of salt production in the past and it was close to one of the many lakes we stopped for coffee. After a short break and a warming tot for one of our party we continued up the path to the first of the old pumping stations now lying derelict and rusty. Continuing on through mossy woodland we eventually came upon the second industrial activity - oil storage. All that remains now are the concrete bases of the site built during the last war primarily for the supply of aircraft fuel. We were now close to the next industrial site, an old land fill site for soda ash used in chemicals production. The area is now covered in trees but the fired limestone can be clearly seen lying in layers on the banks of the site. Enough industrial archaeology, our next point of interest was Holford Hall a 16th century moated manor house and we made a short detour to view the house and moat and take photographs. By this time we were only a short walk back to the start point which was reached in plenty of time for lunch.

The Christmas lunch had been organised at the Smokers Inn where we enjoyed traditional festive fare and friendship. A vote of thanks was proposed to Judith & Mike for organising the walk and the lunch. Then came the business part of the meeting, finding volunteers to lead walks in 2012. Happily the rota was very quickly filled and the first walk of the new season will be in February in Lyme Park.

Coffee break on our way round Holford Moss on a sunny Saturday in December

Brine pumping station on Holford Moss

Views of Holford Hall, Plumley

Comments

Ashworth and Norden - Saturday 10th November 2018

Ashworth and Norden, Rochdale. St Jame's Church, Ashworth A party of six set out from Norden, Rochdale for this 5 mile ramble through the local countryside.From the car park we turned into Black Pits Lane and very soon arrived at the footpath alongside Naden Brook. At the bridge next to remains of the old mill, we crossed the river, and then began the climb out of the valley to a farm track which leads up to the ancient church of St James Bamford and the former pub known as the Chapel House, which is now a private residence. Here we stopped to admire the old church with its interesting grave stones and the views across Lancashire to Manchester and Derbyshire. We then crossed the fields to the old schoolhouse before joining Ashworth Rd to take us down to Simpson and Gelder Cloughs. Unfortunately we found the road closed because of a landslide and we had to retrace our steps and take an alternative path down to the valley. Not wishing to miss out the scenery...

Birtle - Saturday 11th February 2017

The first walk of the 2017 season started from the Pack Horse Inn, Birtle on the lower slopes of the Pennines above Heywood. On a cold wet windy Saturday we set off from the Inn to follow the road north on a long steady climb to the hamlet of Birtle where we then turned to follow the path along the edge of Ashworth Valley. Unfortunately from the top the views over Lancashire were obscured by cloud and mist but the views of the wooded valley with Cheesden Brook running through provided some compensation. We made a detour from the route to visit Nabs Wife the site of the former Tea room and weaving mill known as Kershaws Bridge. The site is now occupied by a private dwelling although the old mill yard is still evident. From here we continued along the edge of the valley before turning to take the path across fields to return to the start point and a long leisurely lunch in the pub! Further information: http://www.packhorseinnbury.co.uk/about http://heywoodmonkey.blogspot.co....

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Country Park - Saturday 10th August 2019

This walk came about during a discussion over coffee after Church probably two Sundays ago and was a bit of a corporate effort. Nothing was planned until some one mentioned Styal Mill and possibilities of lunch at the Ship Inn. One person had a much walked route embedded in her boots! This route also allowed the opportunity to cut back through the beautiful gardens if the prospect of the few short but sharp inclines was too much. Firstly we had coffee in the Mill restaurant before ten of us set off from the old Mill Yard (featured in ‘The Mill’ TV series). We went up the hill from the Mill towards the Apprentice House but turned left along the track that skirts the outer edges of land round the original home of the Gregg family. This used to be a muddy path but in the last few years the National Trust has upgraded many of the paths on the estate, making them accessible to more visitors, including wheelchair users and children’s buggies. We dropped down to the River B...

St Paul's Rambling Group Heaton Moor

Search This Blog