News Archive (April 2019)

The Ramblers
Sunday 28 April

Hathersage

Leaders: Mel & Jenny Photos: John

Some great views on a circular via Abney Moor and Hucklow. Eight in the group.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 24 April

Springtime in Derbyshire

Leader: Sue Photos: Mel

A Birchover peacock

A group of 25 set off from Rowsley along a woodland path beside the River Derwent for an 11 mile circuit through Darley & Wensley Dales and Clough Wood before crossing Stanton Moor to return to the start.
Spring sunshine, fresh green foliage, new born lambs in the dales, birdsong and masses of spring flowers (especially the stunning carpet of bluebells in Clough Wood) all combined to make it an enjoyable day.

Clough Wood bluebells

The Ramblers
Friday 19 April

A Stephenson Trail

Leader: David

The start of the Trans Pennine Trail spur at Chesterfield Rail Station

The first bit of the Trans Pennine Trail spur in this part of the world was followed by a group of five across Tapton Golf Course on a repeat of the short ‘Stephenson Trail’ of October last year.
The ‘father of the railways’, George Stephenson spent the last ten years of his life at Tapton House and is buried inside Holy Trinity Church – with a namesake having pride of place outside the church entrance.

Tapton House

The Ramblers
Wednesday 17 April

Bolsover to Chesterfield

Leader: Basil

The scenic route (or just one of them) for ten bus walkers, following cross-country paths via Bolsover Castle, New Bolsover, Carr Vale Nature Reserve,
Sutton Scarsdale Hall, and part of the Brimington West Wood.

New Bolsover renovation continues, with the Castle in the distance

Carr Vale Dragonflies

Carr Vale Nature Reserve

Sutton Scarsdale Hall

Another variation in Ramblers Routes – West Bolsover Way

The Ramblers
Saturday 13 April

Bolsover, Glapwell, Stony Houghton, Scarcliffe

Leaders: Pat, Mel, Cathy

The first Saturday walk of the summer programme ;

Leaving Bolsover in bright spring sunshine, nine members followed a route along the Bolsover to Glapwell ridge and took a coffee break at Glapwell Garden Centre.
After a short session of admiring the many plants and flowers on view the group commenced the return journey via Stony Houghton and Scarcliffe.
A trip enhanced by the sight of emerging bluebells scattered randomly among carpets of
wood anemone.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 10 April

Right around Jacob

Leader: Ann Photos: John & Mel

Approaching the trig point on Kinder Low

Crowden Tower

In Crowden Clough

Nineteen left Edale to climb the rugged Crowden Clough – some attacking the scramble head on – and onto the Kinder plateau, with a welcome coffee stop at Crowden Tower.
Sunshine and lovely views all day for the circuit above Jacob’s Ladder, via Kinder Low, Kinder Low End, Brown Knoll and Lords Seat.
Fields, lambs, and spring flowers to end the nearly 12 mile walk.

Crowden Tower after the climb from Barber Booth

Looking towards William Clough from Kinder Low End

Three Lakes Country Park to Pleasley Vale

Leaders: Christine & Rosie

A bright day for an eight mile circular from the Three Lakes Country Park near Shirebrook.
After passing the Sports Direct complex at Shirebrook it was a journey through Pleasley Park to the mills in Pleasley Vale and a stop for lunch on the Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire border in front of St. Chad’s Church.
Originally built on the Derbyshire side of the River Meden the church was apparently taken down and rebuilt on the Nottinghamshire side of the river, following a bizarre wedding disagreement.
27 walkers in our group today.

St Chad’s, Pleasley Vale

Lunch visitors, with the River Meden in the background

The Ramblers
Friday 5 April

Royal Hospital

Leader: David

Chesterfield from Tapton Golf Course

A four mile morning circular from Chesterfield Rail Station to the Royal Hospital at Calow, using a Transition Chesterfield devised route – and adding an exploration led by Joe of the Victorian Public Cemetery at Spital, the second oldest in the county – and near to the site of the old leper hospital.

Spital Cemetery

The Ramblers
Wednesday 3 April

Calver, Eyam, Foolow, Deep Rake

Leaders: Tricia & John Photos: John

Ruby’s Chair, above Rough Side (who was Ruby ?)

Riley Graves, Eyam (six members of the Hancock family who died of the plague)

on the climb up to Top Riley – before descent past Riley Grave to Eyam

Kegworth to Clifton

Leader: David

Contrary to the weather forecast, a glorious spring day for a train / bus walk from Kegworth in Leicestershire to Clifton on the edge of Nottingham.
Strangely turning to snow and hail as the group of ten returned to Chesterfield Rail Station.
The route from Kegworth was via the Midshires Way and the West Leake Hills to a lunch spot above ‘Gotham City’ by the Cuckoo Bush Tumulus.

Bridleway BW3 through the West Leake Hills

The history of Gotham and its future link with New York City dates back to the time of King John.
In the absence of a county council to maintain the ‘King’s Highway’ the ‘wise men’ of Gotham feigned madness, regarded as infectious at the time, to avoid having to build a road to facilitate the King’s journey to Nottingham.
The American writer Washington Irving perceived some link between the people of Gotham and those of New York City and this eventually led on to an unofficial name for the City and the Batman saga.
The afternoon saw the onwards journey to catch the Clifton Skylink back to East Midlands Airport, via the site of the old Thrumpton Ferry across the Trent, and Barton in Fabis.

Gotham legends

Site of the Thrumpton Ferry