St Paul's Rambling Group Heaton Moor

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you  Keith Booth passed away this morning. He died peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family. Keith was a stalwart member of our group and although in recent years he had not enjoyed the best of health he still joined us on our walks. May his soul rest in peace and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time. The funeral will be at St Paul's on Saturday 14th January 2012 at 10.30 a.m.

The Warpers Trail, October 2010             Fossilised tree in Jumbles Country Park Crossing a stream on the way to Edgworth  Wayoh Reservoir Feeder stream for Entwistle Reservoir  Afternoon break at the head of Entwistle Reservoir Werneth Low December 2010                                             In his master's steps he trod,                                             Where the snow lay dinted; On the way to the summit. View across Greater Manchester War Memorial - Werneth Low On the way back to the pub and Christmas dinner! 

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

The November outing was a six mile ramble along the Beamers Way part of the longer Witton Weavers Way. Our start point was Witton Country Park, Blackburn and luckily we enjoyed a warm sunny winter day. The first part of the walk was through the park to Big Cover Woods and a long steady climb through woodland to the hills above the park. After a short rest we eventually made the summit and crossed the Yellow Fields, so called because of the gorse cover in Spring, to the top of the ridge known locally as 'The Hump'. Here we were able to enjoy views across the Ribble Valley  and the Pennines above Bury and Bolton. After enjoying a coffee break we then descended through pleasant countryside to Houghton Bottoms and the River Darwen. Although the day was dry and warm, heavy rain the night before made it muddy underfoot and slowed progress across many fields. Undeterred we continued along the river bank passing a cow who appeared to have strayed from the herd for she was entirely alon

The October walk was a 6 mile ramble on the moors and valleys above Tintwistle. We set out from the Angling Centre on the Arnfield reservoir in good spirits but in driving rain which we hoped would clear as we progressed. The first part of the walk was alongside the reservoir but we were soon climbing upwards towards the high moor. As we neared the top the rain came down even harder and we also ran into mist and cloud. We had expected to see views from the summit of Lancashire, Cheshire and Derbyshire but the weather was just too bad. Coffee was taken in the shelter of a dry stone wall which kept out the wind but not the rain. The next part of the walk was the descent into the Arnefield river valley and as we reached the lower ground there was a brief respite from the driving rain. Eventually as we reached woodland, the rain eased and our spirits rose. Not for long, however, for we suddenly realised we had missed a turning and we had to get out map and compass to get back on the right