News Archive (January 2023)
Saturday 28 January
SYNED AGM Walk
Coal Aston, Woodcock Farm, Povey Farm, Ryall’s Wood, Troway, Summerley
– followed by an afternoon AGM in Coal Aston Village Hall
Leaders: Gavin & Rhona Photo: Mel
Outside Frith Wood
Area President David Blunkett addresses the meeting
South Yorkshire / NE Derbyshire Annual Report (2021/22)
Wednesday 25 January
Arkwright
Poolsbrook, Duckmanton, Sutton Scarsdale, Heath
Leader: John Photos: Basil
12 participants gathered at Arkwright Town, after a short bus journey from Chesterfield, for a 9 mile linear walk.
The weather was much improved but residual ice patches and muddy sections were anticipated. The gathering had come from a wide area of North Derbyshire including
Coal Aston, Staveley, Killamarsh, Wingerworth, Hasland, and Hady amongst others.
Taking advantage of a Phoenix Greenway we progressed north to join the Trans Pennine Trail, and on to the popular Poolsbrook Park for lunch.
Soon we passed a commemorative bench to one of the groups early stalwarts, Gordon Woodward, who died in 2001.
We also observed the impact of national policies with large solar panel arrays at Tom Lane and Longcourse Farm and wind turbines en route, plus much house building towards Staveley.
The route was via Duckmanton, Long Duckmanton, Sutton Scarsdale, and through Wrang Plantation to reach Heath as light rain commenced.
The Pronto bus was taken back to Chesterfield from the A6175 near Gildage Farm.As most bus fares are currently temporarily capped at £2 (and free to pass holders after 9:30 am weekdays), the ‘barriers to entry’ of walking as a healthy sociable leisure pursuit are mostly in peoples’ minds. All our walks are open for those who want to try a ‘taster’ walk.
Sunday 22 January
Old Pit Tips
Bolsover, Bolsover Woodhouse, Stockley Trail, Riverside Way, Palterton
Leader & Photos: John
Monty’s Pond
Ten walkers met in Bolsover for a 10 mile circuit taking in a couple of old pit tip summits.
We crossed Kitchencroft, once common land now paved over by car parks, to arrive at the aptly named Dyke’s Field where part of the medieval earth work that once surrounded the town remains.
From here, paths led to Limekiln Fields, a road adjacent to where they used to make lime during the construction of the castle.
At the old mill we turned to the magnesian limestone escarpment edge and descended to Bolsover Woodhouse via a scarcely trodden path.
Fortunately, since the recce, the fencing from a housing development no longer compromises the right of way.
Peter Fidler memorial cairn
Crossing Buttermilk Lane, the mound formed from Markham colliery spoil was in view.
The summit is very broad and we traversed this to gain a good track, followed by a pleasant path through gorse leading to the bed of the old LMS line that served the
Doe Lea valley collieries.
Unfortunately, this became blocked by a new development and for ¼ mile we battled through small gaps between hawthorn and the security fence along the right bank of the Doe Lea until we regained
Buttermilk Lane.
Pavements and a new metalled cycle/bridleway led us to the continuation of the LMS line, now forming the Stockley Trail.A short deviation via the Peter Fidler memorial to wooden benches and tables for our lunch stop, and then on to the sylvan Monty’s Pool on the summit of the old Bolsover pit tip.
Re-joining the trail at the millennium sculpture ‘Breaking the Mould’, we followed this until turning up the path to Palterton and then back along the escarpment edge to Bolsover.
Here we encountered the south end of the earthwork at Hornscroft park.
A final slight deviation to the Back Hills passing one of the conduit houses, then up the steps to Surprise View ending our excursion.
‘Breaking the Mould’
Saturday 21 January
Teversal
Silverhill Wood, Teversal, Rowthorne & Skegby Trails
Leaders: Chris & Jill Photo: Mel
A Saturday walk for 20 ramblers from the Visitors Centre in Teversal.
We visited the highest point in Nottinghamshire and followed the Teversal, Rowthorne and Skegby Trails to Old Teversal Village before finally arriving back at the Visitors’ Centre 10 miles later.
The day started with a bacon sandwich and tea for the early arrivals, at £3 for both they really deserve to do well – and they do ; the centre was really busy. Debbie and her team of volunteers provide lovely refreshments at excellent prices.
The walk started through Silverhiill Wood, passing two lakes before arriving at the Miner, an impressive sculpture and now often claimed as Nottinghamshire’s highest point. After our coffee break, shared with the local swans, we walked the Teversal and Rowthorne Trails, continuing through open fields and earned a well-earned lunch stop.
We continued our walk towards Pleasley, turning south to the Skegby Trail before arriving at Old Teversal village.
The village is famous for Teversal Manor, the fictional Wragby Hall in D.H.Lawrence’s 1928 novel ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’.
St Katherine’s Church is of interest too. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, it is the family church of the Earl of Carnarvon.
A short walk later, we finally arrived back at the Visitors Centre.
The Silverhill Miner ‘testing for gas’
A shorter (3.1 mile) circuit around Silverhill and Teversal is item 7 of our Short Walks
Wednesday 18 January
Burton Bole Summit
Derwent Heritage Way, Robin Hood’s Stoop, Offerton Hall & Moor, Siney Snitch, Burton Bole,
Silver Well, Rebellion Knoll, Bradwell, Brough
Leader: John Photos: John & Mel
21 walkers and a dog turned up for this 10 mile circuit over Offerton Moor from Mytham Bridge. Overnight frost and a light dusting of snow made walking conditions pleasant after the recent mud.
The path along the south bank of the Wye was followed almost to the Grindleford road before turning up to Mount Pleasant. A slight descent to cross Dunge Brook, followed by an ascent through Callow Wood to the eponymous farm.Robin Hood’s Stoop
We took a slight deviation to the metalled road running to Offerton Hall to see Robin Hood’s Stoop. Allegedly, from here he could fire arrows to Hathersage church.
Then a slight descent towards Offerton Hall before crossing the stile to the main holloway leading up on to the moor.
Crossing Siney Sitch we had lunch with the wall giving some protection from the breeze.
Offerton Moor, near Siney Snitch
From here we crossed the heather up to the literal and metaphorical high point of the walk
– the unmarked top of Burton Bole that has Ethel status.
A remarkable panorama greeted us with views of many hills and edges; Mam Tor, Stanage, Millstone, Sir William and Durham to name but a few.
The descent was mainly via Brough Lane, but access to this was impeded by a fence without stiles and a locked gate, so we backtracked a little to the edge of the fence.
A short cut took us down to Silver Well and up again to the lane giving a great view into Over Dale.
A final go and return deviation to the view point of Rebellion Knoll that overlooks Bradwell Village.The group on Rebellion Knoll with Burton Bole as backdrop
Rejoining Brough Lane, it was downhill all the way passing the post-Roman earth work of Grey Ditch on the left before cutting right via Elmore Hill farm to the lanes and footpaths taking us back to the starting point.
Saturday 14 January
Five Churches Walk
Harthill, Wales, Todwick, South Anston, Thorpe Salvin
Leader: Barbara Photo: Mel
Wednesday 11 January
Ashopton Viaduct
Crook Hill, Lockerbie Farm, Fairholmes, Derwent Edge
Leaders: Pauline & Clive Photos: Mel
Saturday 7 January
Tapton Lock
Chesterfield Canal, Brimington, Trans Pennine Trail, Tapton Golf Course
Leader: Mike
Fully attired for winter walking, the Saturday group, including a visitor, set off from Tapton Lock for a seven mile walk, commencing with a stretch of the Cuckoo Way, to reach Bilby Lane Bridge.
At the bridge we were rewarded with sight of a rather energetic kingfisher – before turning south for Brimington.
After a short coffee stop the walk proceeded, with the grey sky clouds beginning to breakup to reveal patches of blue interspersed with fluffy white clouds. The patches of blue sky greatly increased and were enhanced by unseasonably strong and warm sunshine that allowed for a leisurely lunch stop in the park on Brimington Common.
On then to the Trans Pennine Trail which was followed across Wheathill Lane to the Golf Course and then down through the greens and fairways to Chesterfield Station.
After skirting the station the group returned first to the River Rother side path and then a final section of the canal towpath to return to Tapton Lock.
Wednesday 4 January
Chesterfield Canal
Staveley, Poolsbrook, Brimington Common, Tapton
Leader & Photo: Dermot
24 walkers participated in a slightly modified route to that originally planned.
We left Chesterfield Railway Station and followed the Chesterfield Canal to Hollingwood Hub, where we enjoyed meeting up with the Medium Car Walks Group on their local walk.
After a short coffee stop we continued down the Canal in an easterly direction to Staveley Basin – and then headed south on the trail to Poolsbrook, where we had our lunch stop overlooking the lake and watching the resident wildlife.
We then returned to the trail and skirted Inkersall before we turned west and went through the Westwood and on to Brimington Common.
It was then a descent towards Tapton and through the Golf Course back to the start.Miles covered were 11.7.
Great weather with the additional benefits being toilets at the start, coffee stop, lunch stop and the finish.
A perfect walk for January with hard surfaces, only three stiles, and a 2:30 pm finish.
Sunday 1 January
Hope
Castleton, Cave Dale, Mam Tor, Barker Bank
Leader & Photo: Mel
In order to mark the start of the new year, and work off any hangovers, a group of 18 walkers left Hope to reach Castleton via the riverside path.
From Castleton, a climb through Cave Dale followed a very busy section of the Limestone Way to reach the track to Rowter Farm, pausing two thirds of the way up for a coffee stop.
On then past Windy Knoll, with excellent views of the Great Ridge, to make the climb (accompanied by a constant stream of similar minded people) to reach Mam Tor for a wind swept group picture at the trig point.
Down then to Hollins Cross for lunch with a view and bright winter sunshine.
After crossing Barker Bank using the ridge path, the group split for a time with half tackling Back Tor and Lose Hill whilst the remainder followed the lower path through Brockett Booth Plantation.
Reunited below Lose Hill, the group then followed the traditional path back to Hope, passing through Lose Hill Farm.
A small number from the group rounded the day off with tea and coffee at the Grasshopper Café.
Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Ramblers 