News Archive (August 2016)
Wednesday 31 August
A strong turnout of 32 for Tony’s seven mile walk from Crich Market Place. The route passed the Tramway Museum on its way up to Crich Stand – and then down the valley to the Cromford Canal towards Ambergate – before climbing up Crich Chase and back to base. |
![]() August came to an end with a fine 14 mile circuit of Dronfield on a good walking day, following much of the Dronfield 2000 Rotary Walk. Margaret led 13 on a circular from Coal Aston Village Hall in a clockwise direction via Troway, Summerley, Holmesfield, and Bowshaw. ![]() |
Wednesday 24 August
Ten took a walk on the northern part of the Staffordshire Way from Uttoxeter to Rocester. From the train at Uttoxeter Racecourse the route headed under the busy A50 and up the Lower Dove Valley, past the Doveridge Clay Shooting Club having a very active day. Most of the path followed the Derbyshire side of the Dove as far as Abbotsholme School, before crossing back into Staffordshire at Rocester, and finishing with a walk around the impressive JCB Factory Lakes. |
Photos by John and Mel of today’s Youlgrave circular |
There are encouraging local moves throughout our group area to develop walking, particularly in Eckington, Barrow Hill, and Dronfield. David writes;
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Saturday 20 August
John led an 18 mile walk for five yesterday from Ilam, deferring to common sense and altering the route because of the very high wind speed at high levels. A route via Dovedale, Biggin Dale, Narrowdale, Alstonefield, and Castern Hall.
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Two reports from Kath ;
![]() Saturday 20 August
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![]() Wednesday 17 August
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Saturday 13 August
Mel was one of seven on today’s circular from the Barrel Inn at Bretton ;
A route taking in the expansive views from Sir William Hill before descending to Hazelford Hall for a morning coffee break.
Then westward to follow the Bretton Brook, and a gentle climb to Smelting Hill, which gave the group access to Abney Moor for lunch.
The return to the Barrel was via Robin Hoods Cross and Hucklow Edge.
Bright sunshine provided excellent views into Bretton Clough and Stanley Moor during the walk back along the Hucklow and Eyam Edges.
Wednesday 10 August
13 takers for a local Calow circular of 10 miles, led by David.
The route began and ended at Calow Church and proceeded via the Westwood, Ringwood Park, the Chesterfield Canal and the developing Staveley Town Lock before a lunch stop at Poolsbrook Country Park, full of families enjoying good weather in the August holidays, and a return via Duckmanton.
Tuesday 9 August
David reports ;
There were 18 on today’s six mile Tuesday morning walk with the Dronfield Footpaths and Bridleways Society on an historical theme, led by Ruth.
It began at Coal Aston and went through Frith Wood to the old centre of Dronfield, exploring some old industrial sites including a newly opened footpath and bridge on a former mill site.
Damstead Works made spindles for the textile industry and in 1856 was subject to a ‘rattenning’ where the mill was damaged as part of widespread industrial unrest in the Sheffield area at the time. In this instance gunpowder was dropped down the chimney, with the perpetrator sentenced to four years hard labour.
‘This mischief had been accomplished by lowering down the chimney a garden water can, filled with gunpowder, and plugged at the apertures with wood, so as to form an explosive shell’.Railway history in the town was then explored and the group also looked at the recently restored 16th century Dronfield Barn Heritage Centre.
The walk continued over field paths to Stubley Hollow and Bowshaw and then back to Coal Aston.
Saturday 6 August
The Saturday long walkers have had their fair share of rough weather this summer.
Happy that today was bright and warm.
Gordon led a group of nine over 17.5 miles and approximately 1500 feet of ascent from Calver Sough.
Good views wherever they looked, lots of smiles and poor jokes (?) All finished in good spirits.

Wednesday 3 August
With the sun now setting before 9 pm, this week unfortunately saw the last of the Wednesday evening walks for 2016. Led by David, 10 joined a final walk of just under 4 miles on a fine but gloomy and breezy evening. A circular route from Dronfield Woodhouse which took in Monk Wood and Cowley. Thanks to Pat and Cathy for organising the evening programme, which will resume in May next year. |
Fairholmes was a popular destination today. Val writes ;
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There was 12 miles of great weather for the long car walkers, taking a circular route along Derwent Edge and then down to Fairholmes via Lost Lad and up to Crook Hill via Lockerbrook Farm. A group of 13, led by Mike. Photo by Mel. |
A strong turnout of 26 for the short bus walk today, led by Barry. Perhaps the absence of hills helped, since the walk started in the centre of Bolsover, followed the path to Palterton, and then along the Stockley Trail to the foot of Bolsover’s hill for a return bus to Chesterfield. A short diversion took the group through the Model Village, still sadly a neglected gem but with Heritage Lottery funding on the way. A fine day with a welcome breeze after recent humid weather. A route of nearly five miles. |