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News Archive (June 2016)

The Ramblers
Thursday 30 June


Just as we were getting over the muddy conditions of last winter, heavy rain in June has brought them back.
GPS route

GPS route


This was evident on the latest of the series of short local walks, this one a Holymoorside circular via Nether Loads and Nether Chanderhill, led by Basil. No rain on the day, thankfully.

The next scheduled short morning walk is a Handley / Hundall circular in July.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 22 June


Midsummer already for the Wednesday evening walkers !
David led today’s walk ;

A group of ten for this evening’s walk.
A pleasant and warm evening, but it lacked sunshine.
A route from Woodthorpe and round Norbriggs Flash,
a surprising oasis in this urban area.
We continued past the new canal lock at Staveley Town Basin, returning via Poolsbrook Country Park to Woodthorpe for a drink at the Albert Inn.


Ilam Rock

Ilam Rock


A Staffordshire circular from the Milldale car park for 21 walkers, led by Mike.
A good route of 12.6 miles via Ilam Rock, Stanshope, Wetton, Thor’s Cave, Ecton Hill with its Ecton Engine House and Alstonefield.
Warm and mainly dull, with just a slight shower of rain towards the end.
The Staffordshire Peak was as quiet as usual, except for a surprising number of Duke of Edinburgh groups.

The Ramblers
Friday 17 June



Chatsworth from near the Wellington Monument on Baslow Edge

Chatsworth from near the Wellington Monument on Baslow Edge


After a week of torrential showers it was good to get out on a dry, if somewhat cloudy day.
The latest in the series of short, leisurely morning walks covered the first half of the ‘Dr Wrench’ walk undertaken on the anniversary of the eve of Waterloo a year ago.
GPS route

GPS route


Dr Wrench was a notable physician to Baslow and Chatsworth for over half a century and left his mark on the construction of features such as the Wellington Monument on Baslow Edge, the unusual clock face on Baslow Church marking the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, and the carved Golden ‘Jubilee’ Rock near to his home at Park Lodge in Chatsworth.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 15 June


Sue writes ;

16 walkers completed our 12 mile route from Fairholmes in the Upper Derwent Valley.
We climbed towards Lost Lad, before heading for Abbey Brook.
Taking a contouring path above the water, we then headed across the moors via Cartledge Stones Ridge to Back Tor, accompanied by curlews warning us to keep away from their young.
Derwent Edge took us back to Fairholmes by way of Grindle Clough and Barn.
We were lucky to escape heavy rain though the mist descended from time to time.

The Ramblers
Saturday 11 June


Yet another long walk this time from Alstonefield for John ;

…. via Stanshope – Casterne Hall – Rushley – Musden Wood – Calton – Blore – Thorpe – Dovedale – Coldeaton Dale – Gipsy Bank – and a return to Alstonefield.
A total of 19 miles completed in nearly eight hours, including stops.
The weather was mainly dry until the last 20 minutes when it poured down, but not enough to dampen our spirits as we still had enough energy left to walk to the ‘George’ for a pint.
A group of four – two Johns, Diane from Sheffield, and Elizabeth from Nottingham.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 8 June



A linear walk from the Peter Fidler Nature Reserve on the edge of Bolsover along the Stockley Trail to Arkwright Town, looping via Doe Lea, Stainsby, Heath, and Sutton Scarsdale.
Nine walkers covered 10.8 miles on a very hot day, led by David.

Mixed farming 21st century style

Mixed farming 21st century style


The Ordnance Survey route
The Bing aerial route

The Ramblers
Saturday 4 June



Towards Great Longstone
Morning break
Spotted orchids
Solomon’s Seal
Wyedale
Topley Pike
Lunch at Tideswell

John’s report on yesterdays walk from Chelmorton, led by Andrea ;

A dry start from Chelmorton Church for the ten walkers, heading towards Flagg.
The group included two from Chesterfield, seven from Derbyshire Dales, and one from Manchester.
Onwards towards Monyash, Deepdale, Millers Dale, Priestcliffe, Blackwell Dale and a return towards Chelmorton.
19 miles in nearly eight hours, including stops of 45 minutes.
An excellent pace in warm humid weather, enjoyed by all – especially the pint of ale at the finish!

The next long walk is from Alstonefield next Saturday 11th of June, starting at 9 am.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 1 June


Val led a small group of 6 on the early bus to Buxton for a walk of just over 10 miles ;

After climbing out of Buxton over the golf course we crossed the moor and descended to the Goyt valley, over the dam between the reservoirs.
Walking alongside Fernilee reservoir through the woods where bluebells were still flowering in abundance, we reached and crossed the second dam before following the river Goyt to Whaley Bridge.
Leaving the river it was then along the Peak Forest canal to
Bugsworth Basin – once a hive of industrial activity, and still an interesting site.
This was the junction of the canal and Peak Forest tramway, and we took the tramway trail to Chinley to catch the train to Sheffield.
Parks, moorland, woodland, reservoir, river, canal, disused tramway, and a few short stretches of road made a varied walk.


June arrives with a cold, unseasonal day for a Ladybower circular.
We took the advice of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust who tweeted we should start by having our lunch outdoors (which we always do) as part of the 30 days wild campaign.
Photos from John

Photo by Mel