News Archive (November 2022)
Wednesday 30 November
Cutthroat Bridge
Bamford Edge, Bamford Mills, Bamford Moor
Leaders : Paul & Parul Photos: Mel
Climbing to Bamford Edge, wrapped in mist
Greeting a Shetland cow
Tupton
Hardwick Wood, Egstow Hall, Clay Cross
Leader : Basil Photos: David
Only a 30 minute walk from Tupton to Clay Cross down the A61, but today’s bus walk was a far more interesting meander through the fog for eight walkers.
Starting near the historic Egstow Hall in Tupton parish, it finished at the modern housing development of Egstow Park in Clay Cross, somehow taking in both Hardwick Wood and Tupton Hall School on the way, with a brief view of the even more historic Ryknild Street included as well.
Sunday 27 November
Ashford in the Water
Sheldon, Priestcliffe, Taddington, Brushfield, Monsal Head
Leaders : John & Tricia
11 members set off from Ashford in the Water on an overcast but thankfully dry day to take in the local scenery.
We didn’t come across many people out walking today, perhaps they were put off by some wet conditions under foot.
Saturday 26 November
Unstone
Middle Handley, West Handley, Hundall, Apperknowle
Leader: Collin Photo: Mel
A dull, but dry November day
Wednesday 23 November
North Chesterfield Way
Chesterfield, Barlow, Cowley, Dronfield
Leader: Kay Photos: Basil
After heavy morning rain seven stalwarts met at Chesterfield Town Hall to walk the nine miles to Dronfield Civic Centre, following the North Chesterfield Way.
The route was created by our Ramblers affiliates, Dronfield Footpaths & Bridleways Society, and they keep an eye on its condition.
Whilst the paths were muddy and slippery, we had a dry day until a short sharp shower took place at Cowley, towards the end of the walk.
The most difficult part was towards the end when deep puddles crossed an enclosed path, and a wet, or agile crossing was required. Along the way jays and rabbits were seen and some lads enjoyed a ‘pooh sticks’ race at Barlow Brook.
The bus back was timely.
A reverse route from a group walk in April, 2016 based on the same North Chesterfield Way.
Slow Ways Drochethree
Sunday 20 November
Bamford
Thornhill, Win Hill, Twitchill Farm, Hope, Castleton, Shatton
Leaders: Kath & Barry Photos: Kath
 Another ‘Ethel’ – Win Hill summit at 462 m |
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 Castleton Church |
Wednesday 16 November
Tideswell
Weston, Hay Dale, Flag Dale, Cheedale
Leaders: Terry & Eileen Photos: Mel
Peterdale
Colin and friend above Cheedale
Walton to Holymoorside
Wingerworth, Stone Edge
Leader: Basil Photos: Basil & David
After the previous day’s downpour we were lucky to have a dry bus walk.
The route was somewhat modified on the day because it was likely the river would have been impassable if we went down to Holymoorside from Stone Edge via the Round Walk route. It’s a long way to descend if you have to return to the top.
We were also lucky with the delayed 170 bus back from Holymoorside. Like many services, now sadly lacking in regularity.
A rare Restricted Byway off the Darley Road
Autumn in the Walton Woods
Climbing up to Stone Edge
Sunday 13 November
Rowsley
Beeley, Chatsworth, Calton Pastures, Bowling Green Farm
Leader & Photos: Simon
Saturday 12 November
Eyam
Leadmill, Upper Padley, Froggatt
Leader: Isobel Photos: Mel
Eleven ramblers met in the car park at Eyam, including a member from Leeds, on a cloudy morning with the promise of better weather later.
We soon warmed up by walking up the Nook and crossing the fields to reach the Sir William Hill Road. At the road junction we branched left across Eyam Moor, descending to Leam and eventually to Leadmill Bridge.
After a short walk by the river Derwent the route again climbed this time to Greenwood Farm. From there it was an easy level walk to Padley Chapel and the lunch stop.
After lunch, we had descended to Grindleford with the sky turning blue and the autumn sun shining on the golden leaves. After crossing the road, we walked through Horse Hay Coppice and along Spooner Lane to Froggatt Bridge.
There was then another climb, firstly to Knouchley Farm, and then towards Top Riley.
The path through the wood to Riley Graves was lit by dappled sunshine.
After looking at the Riley Graves it was a quick descent into Eyam in time for a coffee stop before the drive home.
Distance 10 miles
Lost in autumn colour, heading for the Riley Graves
Derwent riverside near Froggatt Bridge
Wednesday 9 November
Holymoorside
Wingerworth, Stanedge Golf Club
Leaders: Christine & Maureen Photos: David
Coffee for 16 walkers above Stubbing Pond
Totley
Totley Bents, Lenny Hill, Totley Moor, Moss Road, Storth House, Hillfoot
Leaders: Gavin & Rhona Photos: Mel
Eckington
Moss Valley, Troway, Geer Lane, Carter Hall Farm, Robinbrook, Ridgeway, Ford
Leader & Photos: Basil
Today’s bus ramble was a circular of just under ten miles, commencing from Eckington bus terminus.
Six regulars in attendance set a reasonable pace on a lovely sunny November day. The ground conditions in some places reflected recent rainfall and care was needed on ascents and descents.Moss Valley is known to some as Mud Valley but there is now less of it. Notorious Robinbrook has largely been re-surfaced, presumably by Derbyshire County Council. Two stretches of the path from Ford, by Ford Fishing Pond, and Never Fear Dam, have also been hard surfaced. This path crosses the County and City boundary but neither Derbyshire nor Sheffield City Council paid for this. It was arranged by the Don Catchment and River Trust and funded by Peak and Northern Footpaths Society. Our thanks to both these organisations.
Along the way we spotted the odd unusual waymarks including Walk on the Wild Side and the Sheffield Country Walk. The former will soon be joining the Mosborough Mouse in heading towards extinction as the route, originally promoted by Derbyshire County Council, has been abandoned by them. It no longer appears as a promoted route along with several others. Thus the waymarks will eventually fade or be vandalised into oblivion.
Saturday 5 November
Alport
Conksbury Bridge, Lathkill Dale, Calling Low Farm, Moor Lane, Bradford Dale
Leader: Graham Photos: Mel
Bradford Dale
Another fungi trail ?
Seven Ramblers set out on a nine mile walk from Alport over the fields to Conksbury Bridge and followed the river up Lathkill Dale where we saw Dippers in the river.
We climbed the steep limestone steps up to Moor Lane and, along Bradford Dale, two walkers spotted a Kingfisher.
The weather forecast for steady rain all day turned out to be dry weather in the morning, turning to occasional drizzle.
Wednesday 2 November
Calver
Calver Low, Coombs Dale, Roughside, Rowland, Hassop, Pilsley, Chatsworth Park, Bubnell
Leader: Mike Photos: Mel
 Chatsworth Park |
 Snowy Waxcap from our mushroom expert (?) |
Another good turnout of 21 walkers set off from Calver.
It was cloudy and dry at the start but the weather forecast was for rain later in the afternoon and assurance was given by the leader that the group would be back before the rains came – a brave man!
We made our way across the fields at Calver Low to join the path along the bottom of Coombs Dale and made the steady climb up this steep sided dale to reach the entrance of the abandoned
Sallet Hole mine. Here the track became stony and well eroded by the stream of water which was running down it.
We continued up the ‘Rough Side’ section and took a steep alternative path before Black Harry’s Gate to reach High Rake and our coffee break.
This was the highest section of the walk at 1109 ft. Good views towards Eyam and Froggatt Edge.Dropping from Bleaklow the group took the narrow path down to reach the hamlet of Rowland. Opportunity here was made to purchase various jars of home made marmalade. All monies from this venture go towards supporting Edale Mountain Rescue.
A section of road walking was necessary to reach Hassop and to join the path behind Home Farm and walk through Birchill Bank Wood to reach the A619. Crossing this busy road, the group took the bridleway and climbed up to Pilsley for the lunch break. Suitably refreshed, we walked up Handley Lane.
A pair of buzzards overhead kept the group entertained calling to each other as they soared above us.The group then took the bridleway down into Edensor. This path is now becoming more of a deep gully than a footpath due to the excessive water erosion. At Chatsworth a group photo was taken and an opportunity to use the toilets. On leaving Chatsworth Park at the tall rotary gate, we walked through Baslow, passing the church to reach the small bridge at Bubnell. Continuing along the road through Bubnell the group followed the Derwent Valley Way all the way back into Calver and the completion of the walk.
As the leader had promised at the start, the rain managed to stay away for the duration of the walk.
Distance: 13 miles Elevation: 1450 ft
Chesterfield & NE Derbyshire Ramblers 