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News Archive (March 2016)

The Ramblers
Wednesday 30 March

The last long car walk of the winter programme was a 9 mile circular of the Burbage Valley, led by Hilary and Tony.
Setting off from the lay-by near the Grouse Inn at Froggatt, 25 walkers made their way via Longshaw Lodge, the Burbage Rocks, Higger Tor, and Padley Gorge.
Plenty of people out and about, given this was a school holiday week, a fine day, and an area on Sheffield’s doorstep.

A coffee stop on the Burbage Rocks
Padley Gorge


Janet is a bit of a specialist in Hope Valley walks and today she led ten on a train based walk from Bamford to Hathersage.
A start towards Bradwell Edge, followed by Offerton Moor, with Mam Tor, Lose Hill, and Ladybower Reservoir in the distance.
Then a descent past Offerton Hall to the Derwent, following the river to Hathersage.
For the bird watcher, the Derwent yielded sightings of a pair of goosander and a number of mandarin ducks.

The Ramblers
Sunday 27 March


Margaret, John H, Diane, Marita at the weir on the Wye, Monsal Dale
Graham and Marita ascending from Deep Dale
Diane, John N, and Margaret at Deep Dale
Ashford route

A select band, led by John, for today’s walk ;

I led an 11.5 mile walk from Ashford in the Water.
The weather was bright but cool with the occasional light shower.
A route through varied countryside – Wye Dale, Brushfield, High Dale, Taddington, Deep Dale, Sheldon, the Magpie Mine, Little Shacklow Wood, and a return to Ashford via the Wye Valley.
We fortunately missed all of the bad weather until we arrived back at the car park in Ashford and were safely ensconced in our transport.
Visitors in the shape of Margaret and Graham came from Rotherham, Diane from Derby, and Marita from Norwich.
Six walkers in all had a great walk.

The Ramblers
Saturday 26 March


Margaret led a walk of around 10 miles from Whaley Thorns ;

From Whaley Thorns railway station, a short distance along the Archaeological Way to Whaley Village.
A lunch stop at Creswell Crags visitor centre, and then over the fields to Holbeck on the Welbeck Estate, stopping off at the tiny church of St Winifred to view the Cavendish – Bentinck graves.
Along through the bluebell wood, where we saw a few early flowers and back into Whaley.
13 walkers and only a short shower – much better than the weather forecast.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 23 March



A Ladybower circular from the Ashopton viaduct on the A57, via Moscar Lodge, the Strines reservoir, Back Tor, and Derwent Edge – led by John.
A good brisk walk for 17, including two visitors from Guernsey and two from Rotherham.
Quite a few Johns on board, especially with north-eastern accents. Good photography for a dull day from a local John in the party.

The Ramblers
Sunday 20 March

Graham writes ;

Sixteen hardy walkers stepped out from Upper Booth to walk 12 miles up Jacobs Ladder around South Head and on to Mam Tor on a lovely sunny day with marvellous views over the Derbyshire moors.
This was a strenuous walk and a few tired legs would enjoy a Sunday evening by the TV.

The Ramblers
Saturday 19 March


A monthly walk with six visually impaired and ten helpers today, led by Reg.
A six mile journey from Cromford via Middleton-by-Wirksworth onto the High Peak Trail, and then back to the start in Cromford in dry favourable conditions.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 16 March


The Wellington Monument, Baslow Edge

The Wellington Monument, Baslow Edge




The short bus walkers were in action today with Reg leading 18 on a popular route from the Robin Hood Inn via Curbar Gap and Baslow Edge to Baslow.
Great views and weather on a 5.5 mile route.



A beautiful spring day for Graham’s Eyam circular, leading 28 walkers – including one from West Yorkshire.
A route via Foolow, Abney Moor, Offerton Moor, and Eyam Moor – returning via Mompesson’s Well to the start.

The Ramblers
Saturday 12 March


Cathy writes ;

A fabulous walk today led by David, on behalf of Elaine.
Thirteen of us enjoyed superb views on a lovely day with little wind and outbreaks of sunshine.
Starting from Monsal Head, coffee at Wardlow Hay Cop with the trig point, lunch above Cressbrook and ice cream to finish. Oh – and a little walking.
Great company and a great day.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 9 March


Edna describes today’s long car walk ;

Only three members present, which was not really surprising given the poor weather forecast and early morning rain.
The ten mile circular route from Beeley Church was via the Plantation,
the Rabbit Warren, Hunting Tower, Chatsworth House (for lunch), the Russian Cottage, and Calton Lees.
We had to back track (literally), at the stream in the Plantation, as it was too deep and dangerous to cross, and find another route through, keeping to its left.
Surprisingly the weather was actually not that bad, so we had quite a good walk, getting back by 2.15 pm.

The Russian Cottage on a better day

The Russian Cottage on a summer walk

The Ramblers
Sunday 6 March

Very much Dronfield Footpaths Society territory for a 12 mile Sunday walk.
On a mainly fine day with an odd snow shower, a group of 15, led by Gordon, enjoyed the muddy conditions on a circular route from Coal Aston to Holmesfield , Cartledge Hall , Monk Wood and Unstone before returning to Coal Aston.









The Ramblers
Wednesday 2 March


Wingfield Manor (September 2013)

Wingfield Manor (September 2013)


John led a group of ten hardy souls on a cold and windy wintry day for a ten mile walk from the bus station in Alfreton, through Alfreton church yard and onwards to Crich, via Oakerthorpe and South Wingfield. Good views of the Wingfield Manor were enjoyed before the climb up to Hilltop and Edge Moor.
Lunch was enjoyed at Crich, followed by a climb up to the Sherwood Foresters’ monument at Crich Stand.
Walking around Crich Cliff Quarry, the route then followed a downhill track through the abandoned Dukes Quarry to the Cromford Canal and the finish at High Peak Junction – for buses back to Matlock and Chesterfield.


Edna writes of today’s longer car walk ;

A 10 mile circular from Hope via Castleton, Cave Dale, Mam Tor,
Hollins Cross, and Lose Hill.
13 people on the walk.
A ‘typical’ March day for that part of the world with sleet, snow, gale force winds, and a bit of sunshine on the way down the Lose Hill ridge.
Fantastic views of a snowy Mam Tor and the surrounding valleys.
Photos by John.