News Archive (January 2020)

Nine local members were joined by four visitors (from Milton Keynes, Scunthorpe, and Derby) to enjoy a 10 mile walk from Middleton by Youlgrave.
Leaving Middleton, the group passed through Hopping Farm to reach Harthill Moor.
After leaving Harthill Moor Farm a short detour from the route was made to allow a visit to the four standing stones of the bronze age circle just north of Robin Hood’s Stride. The detour to the stones was pre-arranged with the local farmer by our walk leader.
Following a photo opportunity at the stones, the group moved on to Robin Hood’s Stride for a coffee break.
On then through Birchover, where the opportunity was taken to explain the significance of Rowtor Rocks and the village’s Druid connection.
After crossing Stanton Moor to reach the Nine Ladies, lunch was taken at this stone circle before returning to Middleton via Stanton in the Peak, Alport, and Bradford Dale.
On return, and during the walk, Thomas Bateman’s association with Middleton was discussed including his connection with local archaeology and the artefacts he discovered that are now held in Sheffield Museum.
The location of Bateman’s Tomb was pointed out as we re-entered the village.

Nine Stones Close

Wednesday 22 January Monyash Leader: John   Photo: Mel        Lathkill Dale, Alport, Youlgrave Lathkill Dale Derbyshire Gritstone Way (2) Leader: Val      Belper’s Riverside Gardens, with a Strutt Mill in the background The second of Val’s Gritstone Trail walks, this time continuing from Milford, with the route northwards to Ambergate, via Belper ; 11 in the group. Some stiff hills for the Derwent Valley area, beginning with one up Sunny Hill in Milford, appropriately on a sunny morning. A tough stile, even for the fittest, near Heage    Fix My ‘Footpath’ Lunch was in Belper’s Riverside Gardens – where we switched to the eastern side of the Derwent for the second half of the walk. A further Gritstone Trail walk (from Ambergate to Matlock) is scheduled for 11 March.

Wednesday 15 January Bagshawe Cavern Leader: John   Photos: John                                               exit from the short crawl Our first underground walk ? Eleven of us spent three hours underground exploring Bagshawe Cavern, near Bradwell. The natural cavern was discovered in the 19th century when an excavated lead vein gave access. We were led down 90 odd steps to what was for part of the 20th century a show cave. A narrow passage crossed three pools of water but by straddling narrow footholds either side most were able to keep dry feet. Along the way were occasional shiny petrified cascades on the walls and small stalactites on the ceiling. At the end of this section at the Devil’s Organ Loft we made a loop by a short crawl pitch, and then down a short set of steps adjacent to the Dudgeon chasm to a shallow clear water pool. Here ended the show cave section, and we proceeded along a long crawl pitch to the bolder strewn Hippodrome chamber. The highlight of the trip was an half-hour hour return visit to the Glory Hole ; a slippery, slimy scramble as evidenced by the before and after photos of us in our caving attire. We didn’t emerge until after 1:00 pm – so rather than the short proposed walk due to follow, the group retired to the Taste Buds cafe at Bamford Garden centre for coffee and cake. Thanks are due to our guide, Dave Baines. Leaving Baslow Edge and heading for Curbar Edge Baslow Leader: Andrew The withdrawal of bus route 66 meant a revised approach to this Baslow circular. Beginning at Baslow Nether End it headed to the north via Baslow, Curbar, and Froggatt Edges for a lunchtime stop at Grindleford Station, at the end of the Totley Tunnel. Totley Tunnel at Grindleford Station The return followed the Derwent Valley via Froggatt and Calver. A bit wet underfoot in places for the group of nine – but a fine, mild January day.

Sunday 12 January

Taddington

Millers Dale Station, Tideswell, High Dale

Leaders: Jackie & Alan   Photos: Mike & John

Today’s group, shadows of their former selves

Hammerton Hill from Tideswell Dale

Knotlow from Meadow Lane climb

Wednesday 8 January Bamford Offerton Hall, Hathersage, Stanage Edge, Bamford Leaders: John & Tricia   Photos: John & Mel Coffee break Approaching the Edge Lunch on the Edge – a cold breeze doesn’t deter shorts Below Callow Barn, looking over to Stanage Edge Lumsdale Lumsdale Leader: Pat Lumsdale Disused quarry near the Cuckoo Stone Combination of Lumsdale and the Cuckoo Stone always makes for an interesting walk and 21 set out from Highfields School to follow a figure of eight route covering just under seven miles. With twenty minutes for a return bus to Chesterfield at the Duke of Wellington, a good chance for a refreshing drink.

Sunday 5 January

Calver Sough

Leaders: John & Tricia   Photos: John

Bubnell, Pilsley, Great Longstone                             

Highland cattle on Longstone Edge

The descent into Coombs Dale

Wednesday 1 January

Hope for the New Year

Leader: Mel   Photos: John

Cave Dale

Intending to start the year with a burst of energy, 27 members gathered in Hope for a New Year celebratory walk.
Taking in Castleton, Cave Dale (with a stop for coffee half way up), Rowter Farm, Mam Tor, the Great Ridge, Back Tor, and Wards Piece (Lose Hill) – before returning to Hope via Lose Hill Farm.
Lunch was enjoyed at Mam Tor with a wonderful, if a little misty, view down the Hope Valley.
The group were heartened by the incredible number, several hundred, of other revellers forming a long continuous line of people, with a good many children present
– stretching from Mam Nick to the top of Back Tor.
The majority of our group then congregated, just about filling it, in the Grasshopper Café for tea and coffee.
A very pleasant and invigorating way to start the New Year.

Back Tor

Lose Hill