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News Archive (April 2017)

The Ramblers
Sunday 30 April

Goyt Valley
Crossing the dam at Errwood Reservoir
Errwood Reservoir
David and Lorraine at Shining Tor
A breezy Goyt Valley walk
– starting from Derbyshire Bridge and on to Errwood Reservoir, the ruins of Errwood Hall, Shining Tor, and the now closed Cat and Fiddle pub.

Leaders: Rhona and Gavin    Photos: John

The Ramblers
Wednesday 26 April


A relaxed lunch at the end of Lees Wood

Border Country walk from Coal Aston     Leader: Gordon   Photo: Mel


A fine day for an 8 mile circular from the Calton Lees car park at Chatsworth.
An anti-clockwise route via Ball Cross, the Monsal Trail, and Rowsley, led by Christine and Doug.
A good following of 32 walkers.

The Ramblers
Monday 24 April


A five mile circular walk from Winster today for the Monday group.
Reg led 11 along the Limestone Way through Birchover in fine,
if a bit chilly, conditions.

The Ramblers
Sunday 23 April



From Baley Hill looking over to Raven’s Tor and Hall Dale
Allen’s Bank
Looking over to Thorpe Cloud from edge of Bunster Hill

Dovedale Skywalk       Leader: David   Photos: John

The Ramblers
Saturday 22 April




Margaret reports ;

14 walkers enjoyed good weather from Whitwell Wood today.
We passed a 16th century Elizabethan Hunting Lodge, saw boats on the Chesterfield Canal,
a flying display at Netherthorpe Airfield, and a carpet of bluebells and other wild flowers in
the wood.


Photos: Mel

The Ramblers
Wednesday 19 April


Approaching the Magpie Mine
Coffee break at Sheldon
Crossing Deepdale
Lunch at Monyash Cross

Magpie Mine


Taddington circular        Leaders: Eileen & Terry   Photos: John and Mel



An X17 bus journey to Meadowhead was followed by a ten mile rural walk back to Chesterfield town centre, via Dronfield, Cowley, Barlow, and Cutthorpe – following part of the Sheffield Country Walk and the North Chesterfield Way.
A group of 14, led by Basil on a fine, if a bit dull, spring day.


Lunch at Barlow Fish Ponds
The Ramblers
Saturday 15 April


Congratulations on 17 years of walks with the visually impaired.
Keith, with a guide, celebrated the anniversary of the ‘VIP’ group by leading a Middleton Top circular.
Kath writes ;

There were 21 of us which included six ‘VIPs’, five guests from the Derby Group and five trusty guide dogs.
We started from Middleton Top Countryside Centre and walked over Middleton Moor, to Griffe Grange and on to Harboro Rocks, where we had lunch overlooking Carsington Water.
It was back to Middleton Top via the High Peak Trail.
About 5.5 miles in all.
Walk leaders were Keith (one of the group’s founder members) and John. Other founder members out today included Jack, Barbara, Ken, and Josie.

Photo by Barbara

Middleton Top

Eyam boundary stone


Another Saturday – another stretching route ;

Todays walk was led by Jim from Baslow.
A Roller Coaster consisting of 18 miles of rather pronounced ups and downs.
Baslow Edge along to Froggatt Edge and down to Froggatt Bridge.
Up to Eyam and Eyam Moor and down to Stoke Ford – up to Abney and down to Bretton Clough – up to Hucklow Edge and on to Foolow, Eyam, Stoney Middleton – before a return to Baslow.
All over in seven hours for eight walkers – Margaret, Graham, Lorraine, Mike, Nigel, Andrea, Jim, and myself (John).
All happy and healthy. Views in plenty – and the expected rain never materialised.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 12 April


Barbara reports ;

Ken and I led a walk from White Lodge on the A6 near Taddington through Monsal Dale up to Monsal Head for a coffee break.
Then it was on to Ashford in the Water for lunch, sheltering under the bandstand from light drizzle.
The afternoon saw a return via the Shacklow Woods back to the car park.
We had 20 out in total. Nice walk.

A variable April day for weather, with the High Peak not getting the best of it.
Mike led an 11 mile circular from Barber Booth, via Hope, Castleton, and Hollins Cross
– with its orientation table erected by his fellow walkers to the memory of Tom Hyett of Long Eaton.
Not a day for the views, but an enjoyable walk for ten members.







A bit nearer home, Reg led 20 bus walkers over familiar territory on a five mile loop from the Robin Hood Inn to Baslow, via Chatsworth and Edensor.

The Ramblers
Saturday 8 April


Leader: Dawn   Photo: Mel

Time for a rest between Wigley and Wadshelf


Great weather for the return of John’s more strenuous Saturday walks ;

We walked through Narrowdale and saw a sight that most people who have walked with me have encountered over the past eight years at the farm.
A Mk2 Land Rover that I have photographed every year as it deteriorates and crumbles back into the ground – chassis broken , doors hanging off, totally immobile as has been since I first set eyes on it in 2008.
My fellow walkers were Lorraine, and John from CNED – and Nigel from Derbyshire Dales.

I having been following the demise for 8 years now
Nigel, John, & Lorraine
1952 Land Rover

The Ramblers
Thursday 6 April


A select band of six on the morning walk today, led by Basil – in good spring weather.
A short walk through woodlands in Wingerworth and Walton, admiring the views and early bluebells.
The Ramblers
Wednesday 5 April



A Bakewell circular for 17 ‘long bus’ walkers, led by Jenny and Mel. From the centre of the town the route followed the Monsal Trail as far as Monsal Head, before heading south along the Wye and crossing the A6.
A return via Deep Dale (a little too early for much plant life) and Sheldon back into Bakewell for the 3:10 Chesterfield bus.


A return to Bakewell, via footpath WD7 24/1


Photo: Mel

Shining Tor


Ann reports ;

Thirteen walkers started from Kettleshulme, climbing up onto Taxel Edge, along the Windgather Rocks, Pym Chair and to the summit of Shining Tor.
Good views in all directions over Shutlingsloe, the Cheshire plain, and around to the Kinder plateau from the trig point.
We stopped for lunch and a look into the Jenkin Chapel in the valley on the return.