News Archive (May 2019)

The Ramblers
Wednesday 29 May

Bamford to Grindleford

Leader: John

Bamford and Ladybower from Shatton Edge

Another Hope Valley train walk for 12, beginning at Bamford Rail Station.
A southerly route via Shatton, Abney, Bretton, and Eyam before turning north to Grindleford Rail Station for a return via Sheffield.

No longer a real option for a mid-afternoon bus return from Eyam to Chesterfield, as the No 66 service now has been reduced to a three hour gap. The more bus services are cut, the less people use them and turn to other means.

Mount Famine

Leader: John Photos: John & Mel

17 turned up for a circular jaunt from Upper Booth taking in Jacob’s Ladder, Edale Cross, Coldwell Clough, Mount Famine, (whose ancient name was Bank Head), and South Head.
The rain held off until the descent down Chapel Gate.
While the walk comprised a modest distance of 10.5 miles, it involved a respectable height gain of about 2500ft.

Edale Cross

Coffee break at Edale Cross

Bottom of Coldwell Clough before crossing River Sett and ascent of Mt Famine (right of centre)

Mount Famine

Hidden Places in Sheffield

Leader: Michael

Fifteen members took the 9.50 X17 bus to Sheffield where another joined us making 16 to take a short bus ride to Firth Park for a ‘Hidden Places’ walk round Firth Park and Wincobank.
Some had been on this walk before but for others it was new.
Sheffield being a hilly city the walk was up and down as various ‘hidden’ sites were viewed.
I was armed with a leaflet of the walk so was able to relate some information on the various sites – and some took the odd photo.
There was plenty of sunshine in the morning but later on the clouds rolled in from the west – but happily the rain kept off until we were on the bus returning to Chesterfield.

The Ramblers
Saturday 25 May

The Lady & The Lad

Leaders: Edna & Graham

Wheel Stones (Coach and Horses) – one of the gritstone tors on Derwent Edge

Three of the group on Back Tor

The Ramblers
Wednesday 22 May

Stainsby Surprise

Leader: Mel Photos: Mel

The Wednesday evening ‘team’

Hardwick Hall in the background

A Stroll Around Wormhill

Leaders: Eileen & Terry Photo: Mel

Flag Dale

The Ramblers
Sunday 19 May

Avenue Washlands

Leader: Mike

One week on from the 34 mile Chesterfield Round Walk it was just a gentle four mile circular incorporating the Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve for 29 walkers on the final day of another successful Chesterfield Area Walking Festival.

Many thanks to all who made a donation to the Air Ambulance / Rescue Services on our nine Festival walks.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 15 May

An Evening Around Killamarsh

Leader: Mel Photos: Mel

Ogston

Leaders: Gavin & Rhona

The Ogston start

A break for coffee near Wessington, with the lunch target of Crich Stand on the horizon

Another fine day for a regular Wednesday car walk, co-hosted this week with the Chesterfield Area Walking Festival.
30 walkers assembled at Ogston Reservoir for an anti-clockwise circular, via Brackenfield, Wessington, Crich, and South Wingfield.
A group from Amber Valley Ramblers encountered en route.

Brackenfield Church

Wingfield Manor among the trees

The Ramblers
Sunday 12 May

Chesterfield Round Walk

Leader: Mel Photos: Mel

The one regular feature of the Walking Festival each year is our 34 mile
Chesterfield Round Walk, this year with 38 participants and lasting 11.5 hours.

Saturday 11 May

Revolution House

Leader: Mel Photos: Mel

Plenty of yellow vests, but no protest march

Combining a themed Chesterfield Walking Festival and a regular Ramblers’ Saturday scheduled walk resulted in a group of 43 walkers starting out from the
Revolution House at Old Whittington.
Early spring sunshine gave the walk a great boost as the group dropped down to the site of the Peak Resort Ecodome Project to follow a newly created path and then alongside the River Drone to reach Unstone for a coffee break.
From here the path alongside the route of the ancient wooden Waggon Way to Apperknowle, and then on through Greenside for lunch overlooking the Moss Valley and Ridgeway.
The return route passed through Marsh Lane and Middle Handley with a pause at Grasscroft Wood to take in the magnificent views of Chesterfield and our ever present Crooked Spire.

The Ramblers
Wednesday 8 May

Where There’s a Well, There’s a Way

Leader: Isobel

A group of ten had a damp, but fortunately not as wet as expected, walk setting off from Litton.
Delightful spring flowers including cowslips, bluebells, wild garlic, early purple orchids and the unusual leadwort were seen through Tideswell Dale, Litton Slack and Cressbrook Dale.
The route continued via Wardlow and Tideswell Lane to Foolow and then to Wardlow Mires.
From there it returned to Litton by the concessionary path which gives impressive views of
Peter’s Stone and Tansley Dale.
At the end of the walk some of the group enjoyed tea or coffee at the friendly cafe in the post office by the green.

The Ramblers
Sunday 5 May

Eyam

Leader: Graham

17 walkers (including one guest) walked an 11 mile circuit from Eyam via Grindleford, Froggatt, and Stoney Middleton.
A cool but dry day with a few sunny intervals.

Wednesday 1 May

Ashopton

Leader: Arthur

An eight mile circular around a much healthier looking Ladybower Reservoir – from the Ashopton Bridge, via Crookhill Farm, crossing the A57 Snake Road at Hagg Farm – for 22 walkers and three dogs.

A quiet lunch by Ladybower’s southern edge

A Bit Too Clough

Leader: Mel Photos: Mel

After starting out from Barber Booth, 15 members climbed to Edale Cross before crossing Oaken and Dimpus Clough to reach the base of South Head.

Coffee break at Edale Cross

Someone is celebrating Sheffield United’s promotion to the Premier League

On the way the outlines of Mount Famine, Kraken Edge, Kinderlow End and Leygatehead Moor provided brooding backdrops and receding tones under a somewhat grey sky.
After crossing Roych Clough, lunch was taken near Tom Moor Plantation in bright sunshine looking out over Bolt and Short Edge.
The return to Barber Booth was effected using the Chapel Gate Track.