News Archive (March 2015)
Wednesday 25 March
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A House of Lords committee today cast doubt on the usefulness of HS2. There is no doubt over the value of the Hope Valley rail line connecting Sheffield and Manchester. Janet led ten of us on the train to Edale, from where we walked through the heart of the valley to Hope station – via the Blue John and Treak Cliff Caverns and the Odin Mine.   The Odin Mine  Manned flight over Mam Tor |
On the last Wednesday of the ‘winter’ programme twelve of the longer car walk group walked from the Sportsman Inn on the Redmires road past Fulwood Hall and up Porter Clough onto Brown Edge for elevenses.
We crossed Houndkirk Moor in lovely sunshine and onto Burbage Edge, taking in the wonderful views, to stop for lunch at Robin Hood’s Cave on Stanage Edge.
Then on to Redmires reservoirs and Headstone Bank for afternoon tea – before finishing around the top of Wyming Brook.
A total of nearly 14 miles, a lovely walk , good weather and good company.
Jack reports ;
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Whatever the origin of the name Laughton en le Morthen, a village near Rotherham, it illustrates our long links with the European mainland. Elayne led a good walk from there. 14 people turned out to enjoy the nine mile route to the old Cistercian Roche Abbey and the village of Firbeck of horse racing fame – before returning to the starting point. The weather was kind with good periods of sunshine. |
Sunday 22 March
A good walk from Wyming Brook.
A day on the Hallam moors to Stanage Edge, returning by the Rivelin Dams.
Saturday 21 March
Another visit to Ashford in the Water, this time for the visually impaired group.
Jack reports ;
Today’s Saturday walk attracted a total of 17 walkers including 6 VIP’s and 2 guide dogs.
Conditions were cool and bright and mainly mud-free on an enjoyable circular 5 mile route including Church Dale, Great Longstone and Little Longstone with a stop at Monsal Head for lunch.
A short section of the Monsal Trail followed before heading back over the fields to Ashford.
Wednesday 18 March
© OpenStreetMap contributors
The actual source of a river or brook is often difficult to identify.
We all know that the Moss joins the Rother close to Eckington …. but where does it start ?
According to Wikipedia the source can be found just to the east of the Jordanthorpe Parkway in an area of woodland called Coalpit Wood.
OpenStreetMap puts it a little further north close to Lightwood Lane.
Which is correct ?
According to Wikipedia ‘the source is the farthest point of the river stream from its estuary or its confluence with another river or stream.’
We usually walk on footpaths, not through streams – so we couldn’t possibly comment.
A dozen intrepid souls simply followed some of the muddy footpaths from Eckington through Ford, Geerlane, and Coal Aston to the Bochum Parkway, before making our way through Graves Park to the X17 bus on Meadowhead.
As long as there are footpaths, does it matter where the Moss begins ?
The Valley is an attractive and perhaps under-rated part of NE Derbyshire.
Somewhere near to the source of the Moss ?
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Meanwhile in Sheffield itself, an 11 mile walk for 28 from Whirlowbrook Hall around Ecclesall Woods, Beauchief Abbey, Ryecroft Glen, and Lady Canning’s Plantation. The walk was labelled Woods, Abbey, & Allotments in the programme – but what about the allotments ? All was revealed when the highlight proved to be Rhona & Gavin’s new allotment at Beauchief. |
 The Five Pits Trail near to Holmewood A local walk as Tony led 27 from Grassmoor Country Park on an eight mile circular route – following the Five Pits Trail past the Wolfie Pond and on to Williamthorpe Ponds for a coffee break. Then on through Holmewood to Timber Lane – always one of our better lunch stops with plenty of seating. The return was via Lower Pilsley and North Wingfield. |
Tuesday 17 March
Our joint morning walk this week with
Dronfield Footpaths and Bridleways Society
saw 23 leaving Dronfield Woodhouse for a five mile route around Monk Wood, Barlow Lees, and Cowley – after a breakfast of coffee and toasted tea cakes.
A quiet, milder day, but a bit on the dull side.
Monday 16 March
The real lost ways ?Will we soon need a new definition of lost ways ? Ramblers have long sought to re-establish lost ways – footpaths that once existed, but have disappeared over the course of time. |
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There is a much wider issue here.
We have a significant number of footpaths throughout the land that are not lost. They are widely used and often feature on surveys done by individuals on that Wikipedia of maps – OpenStreetMap – but they do not feature on Ordnance Survey maps or the definitive rights of way maps held by county councils. The Countryside & Rights of Way Act (2000) proposes to close the Definitive Map and Statement in 2026 to the addition of rights of way that were legally in existence before 1949. This is only 11 years away. Will thousands of well-used footpaths be then lost and liable to be closed or stopped ? We could wait to find out – or we could mobilise the community to get every path claimed on the definitive map. |
Churchside Lane to St Pauls Avenue is not recorded as a public right of way. One of thousands nationally ?
Saturday 14 March
Cathy led the walk from Ashford in the Water ;
We had ten today including myself.
Five for a bacon butty in the Aisseford tea room. They do a ‘mean’ butty and drink for £5 – excellent.
Then a really good walk to Little Longstone, via the tunnel and Monsal Head, on to Great Longstone on well travelled paths, and a route up to Longstone Edge that was new to some of the group.
Back down to Rowland with some purchasing of preserves on route – always a nice selection for sale.
Picnic tables at Hassop provided a lunch stop, then Bakewell via the trail, past the old station and along the river Wye back to Ashford.
A dry day with light winds, a little mud and the sun trying to peep out, good friends, what more can one wish for – thanks to all who joined me on a lovely walk of just under ten miles.
Wednesday 11 March
The long car walkers took to the Rowthorne Trail today, with Mike leading a group of 18 on an 11 mile route – via Stainsby Mill, Astwith, and Hardwick. The two Halls at Hardwick |
| Hardwick was also seen today from the vantage point of Silverhill – just across the Nottinghamshire border, when Marion led 15 short bus passengers on a route from Tibshelf to the Carnarvon Arms in Teversal. |
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Jack led a group of 25 medium car walkers on an 8 mile circular from Cromford Meadows on a route via Lea, Dethick, and the Cromford Canal. Those accustomed to Tudor history from the recent BBC series ‘Wolf Hall’ were reminded of more gruesome goings-on from the 16th century around Anthony Babington of Dethick.  The Cromford Canal  We were pleased to welcome the NE Derbyshire MP, Natascha Engel, to walk with us. Natascha was good enough to sponsor an early day motion in 2012, acknowledging the significance of the Kinder Mass Trespass on its 80th anniversary. We welcome any politician of course to walk and talk with us in this current election year. |
Sunday 8 March
Monyash Church a month ago
With walks all scheduled in advance we can’t always guarantee the best weather.
This Sunday’s two walks attracted 13 ramblers each.
David led a 5.5 mile walk from Poolsbrook Country Park along the Trans Pennine Trail and the Cuckoo Way to the outskirts of Renishaw – then back to Mastin Moor and Woodthorpe for lunch, before returning in the rain to the Country Park.
Robert led his group on a rainy 12 mile Monyash circular. What a difference a month makes.
Wednesday 4 March
Swing in Bow Wood.
Does this beat a wayside bench ?
The 9:30 Matlock X17 double-decker was commandeered by walkers today, with four separate groups using it to head out of Chesterfield.
Barbara’s short bus group used it as far as Walton before heading out towards Holymoorside.
Anne’s longer bus group stayed on to Matlock Green and the 17 walkers followed the steep climb to Riber before making their way via High Peak Junction, and Alderwasley, to Wirksworth.
En route they ran into Bob’s car walk party from Crich in the woods near Lea Mills. A rare countryside meeting of our groups.
Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Ramblers 