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News Archive (March 2017)

The Ramblers
Wednesday 29 March



Kath & John led 24 on the medium car walk, covering roughly 7 miles around Chatsworth.
The number included a visiting couple who had found the walk on the Walksfinder internet site.
From Calton Lees car park it was over towards Edensor and then on to to Calton Pastures, through Manners Wood, and down the bridle path to Rowsley for lunch.
The return was over the fields to Beeley village and back into Chatsworth Park.

Janet is a specialist in Hope Valley train walks and led 15 on a circular from Grindleford Station, via Padley Gorge, Mitchell Field, and Bole Hill.
There was plenty of time for a cup of tea at the Grindleford Station tea room before catching the 3:50 train back to Sheffield / Chesterfield.
Padley Gorge
A helpful memorial to Janet’s son at Surprise View
Bole Hill
Storm Doris had left her mark in Upper Padley

The approach to Parwich on the long car walk

Leader: Graham    Photo: Mel

The Ramblers
Sunday 26 March



More good spring weather for the Monsal Head walk.

Millers Dale


Above High Dale


Monsal Head and Fin Cop





Massacre at Fin Cop

Sixth and last crossing of the Wye, Monsal Dale


Leaders: Eileen & Terry    Photos: John

The Ramblers
Saturday 25 March



A great spring day for David’s walk ;

There were 13, including visitors from Hull and Sussex, on the 9 mile circular walk I led from Bakewell today.
The route was a White Peak classic including Wye Dale, Bradford Dale, and Lathkill Dale.
Plenty of ups and downs as we crossed the ridges between the river valleys.
The weather was perfect for our first Saturday walk this Spring, with bright sunshine and cloudless blue sky throughout.
Long range views were exceptionally clear.
Most of us cast a layer or two during the walk and some of the party made a dash for the ice cream shops on our return to Bakewell!

Bradford Dale

Photo by Mel

The Ramblers
Sunday 19 March




A Ramblers Roadshow came to Derbyshire today
– to the Palace Hotel, Buxton.


Bill was our representative ;

Over 100 attended, offering the opportunity to meet ramblers from other branches and to learn the skills required of a walk leader.
I found one of the workshops, ‘An Introduction to Walk Leading’, particularly useful for intending walk leaders, covering the procedures and implications involved.

The Ramblers
Saturday 18 March



An unfortunate downturn in the weather for the visually impaired walk as Kay took 13 plus 3 guide dogs on a very good, if a trifle muddy, 5 mile circular around Over Haddon.
From the car park a route down the lane to the River Lathkill, over the bridge and up to Meadow Place Grange farm. Then it was over the fields to Youlgrave for the lunch stop.
After lunch down into Bradford Dale, by the river to Alport, and back up the fields to
Over Haddon.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 15 March



A superb spring day brought out 86 of our members on today’s four walks ;

Kath & John led 32 on the medium car walk ;

Starting from the Revolution House at Old Whittington we did a 9 mile circular.
The route took us up to Grasscroft Wood, then onto Hundall and down by the side of Ramshaw Woods.
We crossed over the railway line at Unstone, and then on to Ouzel Bank, over the Dronfield bypass through Monk Wood onto Barlow Lees, and down to Barlow Fishing Ponds for a well earned bacon butty and a mug of tea.
A return via Barlow Brook, Monkwood Farm, over the bypass, down the bridle path to Sheepbrige and on to the Revolution House.
















Michael writes ;

23 of us set off from Elton on a warm, sunny day.
The original planned walk had been abandoned after soggy fields, muddy paths and difficult stiles were encountered on three separate preliminary visits.
We took the Limestone Way as far as Luntor Rocks, where lunch was taken.
En route we had stopped at the Winster Ore House where lead ore had been housed, and read all about the activities of lead mining in the area.
After lunch, and admiring the widespread views, we descended gradually by field path to Winster village, and thence back to Elton via the churchyard and field paths, for the bus back to Matlock and on to Chesterfield.


20 ramblers enjoyed sunshine and great views on a 12 mile round walk from Rowsley via Stanton Moor, Birchover,
Robin Hood’s Stride, Youlgreave, Alport and Stanton in the Peak.
Sue leading the way.

Cork Stone


Photo by Mel








Silverhill’s Miner



The warmest day of the year so far saw eleven make use of the Pronto bus to take a walk from Pleasley to Heath, via Teversal, Hardwick Park, and Astwith – traversing the giddy heights of Nottinghamshire’s once reputed highest point of Silverhill at 670 feet.


In common with some other county ‘high spots’, not everyone agrees. Wikipedia and some surveyors opt for Newtonwood Lane.
Surveyors determine Nottinghamshire’s highest point.

Those who like the high life can consult the Mountain Guide.

David was the leader.

Early spring lambs at Hardwick

The Ramblers
Saturday 11 March



South Lodge Tunnel Entrance, Welbeck


Margaret led 18 from Creswell Crags visitor centre onto the Welbeck Estate.

We took the route of the underground tunnel, (which runs from Welbeck Abbey) along to Broad Lane, where we saw where the tunnel ends.
Then onto Worksop Manor land, which adjoins the Welbeck Estate.
The view of what remains of Worksop Manor, (which is now a private house in the old servants quarters) was clearly seen through the trees.
It was then onto Hodthorpe, Whitwell and back to Creswell.
9 miles in total in cloudy but mild, dry conditions.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 8 March



A walk from Rowsley Old Station today around Beeley and Calton Pastures for 25 car walkers, with afternoon sunshine thrown in for good measure.


Leader: Mike   Photos: Mel



A bus journey on the 16A from Chesterfield to Barlow Church was followed by a four mile leisurely walk to Chesterfield Town Centre for 19 ‘bus ramblers’ and two dogs, led by Gill.
A fairly direct route with a coffee stop in Cutthorpe and lunch in
Holmebrook Valley Country Park.

A six ton ball in Holmebrook Valley Park, created by Colin Rose from 2000 handmade bricks

The Ramblers
Wednesday 1 March


Creswell Crags

Creswell Crags



A ten mile walk from Clowne’s Linear Park to Langwith, with a lunch break at Creswell Crags.


Archaeological Way, near Langwith

Archaeological Way, near Langwith




14 undertook the journey, led by Andrew, which included a small part of the Archaeological Way, now under further development.



A few words on Ann’s walk ;

A quick ascent from Hathersage took 21 walkers up to Stanage Edge for tea and biscuits and a wonderful view.
The walk along the Edge was followed by a long descent through fields and woods to Bamford for lunch in the sunshine.
A change to the route to avoid the over-spilling waters of Bamford Weir took us on to Shatton and along the lower hillside, with good views of the route walked.
Then it was back to Leadmill and Hathersage.


Photos by Mel