Christ Church, Longridge » Ramblers

The April Ramble – Lupton Circular

The Editor — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:37:07 +0000

After a number of local walks, we decided, this month, to spread our wings somewhat and explore a little of the splendid countryside on the Lancashire / Cumbria border.
Our meeting point was where the A65 crosses the Lancaster canal. The turnout was a splendid dozen plus two dogs and from here we headed south, enjoying the warm spring sunshine and clear skies, along quiet lanes and field paths towards Aikbank, where we picked up a little stream and followed it to where it joined the pretty Lupton Beck. Here, we stopped for photos and to allow the dogs to have a play in the water and then it was onwards towards higher ground and past the square turreted Lupton Tower. At this point, the anti-walker farmer had taken every inch of a large field and put the narrow path along a steep banking between two rows of barbed wire. Later, after crossing the busy A65, we were met by a couple who were adamant that we weren’t going to pass through their garden via the public footpath and directed us on a route around their property.
Now, we were heading North-West, along rolling hills towards our lunch stop, but some of the party had got too far ahead, so lunch was taken in something of a war zone. Crabtree Farm is a clay pigeon shooting centre, so our party dined amidst a pile of concrete rubble to the accompaniment of endless gunfire, some of which seemed rather close for comfort. A lone Buzzard circled overhead, which seemed in keeping.
Leaving the Somme, we stopped to look at a very large and handsome pig and then entered fields, walking northwards and enjoying splendid views of the south Lakeland fells and around to Morecambe Bay and Arnside Knott. It was here that we heard that Neil had lost his ferrule, which sounded painful, but turned out to be the round bit at the end of his walking pole.
Our route now took us under the busy M6 and past the pretty St Gregory’s Church, with its churchyard carpeted in Daffodils and on to the canal where, as we headed south, the waterway is bisected by the motorway, and on back to the start. As we were about to leave, Neil drove past, waving his retrieved ferrule.
This part of the country always provides good walks and today was no exception. After the exceptional weather over the past months, we all thoroughly enjoyed the spring conditions. Why go to the Lakes?

Linda & Eddie Grange

The March Ramble – Around Longridge

The Editor — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:32:48 +0000

The March walk was a circum-navigation of Longridge, using one of the excellent guides’ published by the council, but with some modifications. Instead of starting and finishing in the town centre, we kept entirely on the “Loop”.
Starting from Grange Towers, at the bottom of Hacking Drive, with the coach house used as a changing room, we proceeded to cross the Mardale Road recreation ground, with its five football pitches, over the footbridge and through fields to Daniel’s farm and Preston Road. Crossing the road and resisting a visit to Franco’s, we entered the pleasantly quiet Pinfold Lane and headed to the Alston reservoirs. The heavy rain that arrived during the morning had now become light drizzle and remained so for the remainder of the walk.
From here, we headed eastwards through Alston Grange Farm and onwards across a beautiful wooded valley towards Higher College Farm with some of the buildings occupied by local businesses. Our route now took us northwards, crossing the Ribchester road and up a muddy track by the side of Spade Mill Reservoirs and at the top of the hill, headed right to follow the hillside towards the caravan site in the quarry, where the owners kindly provided us with picnic tables at a position with a fantastic view of the Ribble valley. Whilst dining, a pair of deer appeared in front of us whilst the falling rain washed the red cedar Cuprinal from the table onto our clothes.
After lunch, we climbed up through the caravan park, stopping briefly to examine a demonstrator. Very smart, but what a price! Then it was up to the top reservoirs and the Jeffrey Hill road and the highest point on the walk. Now it was steadily downhill, noting the newly born lambs and looking at a little bit of history, as we crossed the bed of the original railway that carried stone from the quarries.
After a spell on the Chipping road, it was now across country to Inglewhite Road, Halfpenny Lane and into the charming Green Nook Lane followed by a complete contrast at Shay Lane and the industrial estate. Then it was back to the start.
What is noticeable on such a walk is the diversity to be experienced in such a short distance. Fields, farms, leisure, woods, hills, main roads, quiet lanes, homes and industrial areas are all encountered and everywhere a scenic backdrop. Longridge has quite a lot going for it.

Eddie & Linda Grange

The November Ramble – Around Pilling

The Editor — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:12:00 +0000

The November walk should have been a pleasant eight mile trek around low-lying farmland between Pilling and Knott End, returning along the sea wall. However, the endless rain the previous week and a forecast of heavy rain and gales provided us with something a little different.
Having parked by the sea wall at Fluke Hall, we started walking into the Pilling Lake District, every hollow filled with water just above boot depth. Nothing like starting the walk with wet feet. Nevertheless, our party of six and the swimming dogs took it all in our stride. Not a place for wimps!
The first point of interest was a ruined farm, followed by a series of fields, stiles and footbridges. Next we had a bit of respite with a stretch of dry lane and then it was back through farms and fields. At this point we encountered hundreds of Canada Geese, feeding on the stubble left after the corn had been harvested.
We had now reached the halfway point, the fishing lakes populated with various species of duck and our lunch stop. The rest of the walk would take us to Preesall and Knott End, followed by nearly three miles of sea wall. However, due to the endless rain, wind and wet feet, we decided to ignore lunch and take a short cut back to the cars.
The final leg of the walk along the high sea wall provided us with impressive views in all directions. The wind here was quite light at a time when the south was getting a battering.
A bit of a disappointing day, but this is a walk that we can perhaps return to some other time.

Linda and Eddie Grange

The October Ramble – Around Grimsargh

The Editor — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:10:00 +0000

The object of this month’s walk was to explore some of the numerous footpaths in the area between Grimsargh and the east of Preston.
Starting in the centre of Grimsargh, our group of six headed eastwards and picked up a footpath that took us along the back of the old reservoirs, now drained and reverting back to nature. Then it was along Elston Lane, which we left at a stile to join the Ribble Way. We now entered the best part of the walk, the descent into the beautiful, steep valley of Tun Brook Wood. Now the Ribble Way took us past the crematorium and on to Red Scar Wood, passing the remains of the old hall and on to a footbridge over the busy and very noisy M6 to enter Grange Park.
Within the park are the remains of Ribbleton Hall, demolished shortly after the war and this is where we had our lunch stop, half the party in the drawing room and the others, who knew their place, in the scullery.
Leaving the park, we followed the valley to Ribbleton Lane, crossed over into Sion Park and climbed the steep embankment to the old Longridge railway which we followed for a while, noting the steady gradient as this was originally a gravity railway bringing stone from the quarries at Longridge.
After re-crossing the M6, we left the old rail-bed and walked along the M6 link road as far as the new Spar filling station, crossed to a farm, to be met by two noisy dogs and then followed the motorway northwards for a while before making our way towards Haighton House and “Squire Anderton’s Wood”. We are now in familiar territory, following the brook, then Cow Hill and back to Grimsargh.
Many thanks to Janet and Jim for arranging a splendid local walk, full of interest and blessed with excellent weather.

Linda and Eddie Grange

The September Ramble – Around Elswick

The Editor — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 23:07:00 +0000

The Fylde Plain used to be an extensive area of marshland that started to be drained in the late eighteenth century and is now regarded as one of the most fertile areas of farm land in the country.
Our walk this month was centred on the pretty village of Elswick and our small group of four plus two canine firths, Clyde and Moray, met at Elswick village hall for the start of the walk.
Heading north through the village, we came to Bonds Ice-cream Parlour, which we hoped to visit on the next lap. We now walked along Bonds Lane. The weather was just perfect for walking in flat country, (it doesn’t get much flatter than the Fylde), with bright, clear warm sunshine and excellent views eastward towards Longridge Fell, Parlick and Beacon Fell.
Leaving the lane, we now entered fields and encountered the first of twenty-two stiles on this walk. Now it was fields; a short road section; field and again road followed by the start of the most challenging part of the walk. Our route took us through a farm, but the anti-hiker farmer has neglected the stile, which was lethal, the paddock was overgrown, an electric fence crossed the path and a small field had been planted with corn without leaving a path. However we were able to navigate round this nightmare into an easy field, but that was full of cows. Now dogs and cows don’t mix, but they all behaved themselves.
Now the real fun started. We encountered a large cornfield and should have had a path across it. Needless to say, it didn’t, so we had to go around. Was there a path to use? No. The acquired technique was to hold our sticks just in front of our faces to deflect the leaves and blast through. It worked! After the fun and games, we found a horizontal gate post to sit on and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Afterwards we did a road section and passed a collection of straw figures, such as a scarecrow in the form of a clown. These were very well done. We were now at the hamlet of Wharles and passing the Eagle and Child pub, we made a right turn and shortly re-entered the fields. Throughout the walk we noticed the abundance of fruit on the trees: sloe, blackberries, apples and many more.
At this point we were close to HMS Inskip, the government radio station whose tall masts can be seen lit up from Longridge and in addition to the main masts, there is a whole forest of smaller structures.
We were now heading back to Elswick and passed by some areas of woodland where the dogs managed to flush out some grouse and guinea fowl. For the final leg of our walk, we followed the main drainage ditch, stopping to water the dogs at the large water tanks provided for the cattle.
A pleasant, enjoyable walk of seven miles in perfect weather and now it was to Bonds for a well-earned “Double Scoop”.

Linda and Eddie Grange

The August Ramble – Savick Brook

The Editor — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:36:00 +0000

For some time, Jim has considered a walk following this minor water course from its source at Longridge to Preston’s Haslam Park. Savick Brook eventually enters into the River Ribble and is the entry point for the Ribble Link, which connects the Lancaster Canal to the national canal network. This proposal was met with some scepticism, but turned out to be a very viable and interesting walk.
The various elements of our party met at the bottom of Shay Lane and the six of us started the walk in perfect weather, first going through Shay Farm and heading across fields, pleasantly mud-free and arriving at the edge of Grimsargh. From here, we picked up Cow Hill, walking along quiet lanes until we entered the beautiful grounds of Haighton House, or “Squire Andertons Wood” as it is known locally. Once through the woods, we climbed the track that passes Ladywell House and St Mary’s Well before heading west and crossing the M6 motorway.
We were now in Fulwood and this part of Preston has seen extensive development over the years, so there was some doubt about the existence of useful footpaths. However, it appears that the valley containing the brook has been left untouched and offers some pleasant paths. One of these paths led us through a forest to a new housing development and a small children’s playground, with benches, and our lunch stop.
Suitably refreshed, we now entered the grounds of Preston Golf Club, picked up the brook, following it to a lane that led to the Preston Private Hospital then turned down a path that arrived at the most dangerous and challenging part of the whole walk – crossing Eastway! However, RPH wasn’t far away.
Another wooded section took us to Sharoe Green Lane, again closely following the brook and the next part of the walk led us through an area that can be deliberately flooded to protect properties downstream. Finally, we arrived at Garstang Road, (A6).
The last part of the walk took us along Lytham Road, your scribes “Home Turf’, where there are many family connections and we then entered the canal on Woodplumpton Road and on to HaslamPark, noting how beautiful the park is looking these days.
Now it was bus passes at the ready and two ‘bus rides home to Longridge.
Many thanks to Janet & Jim for a pleasant walk and one that was just a little different.

Linda & Eddie Grange

The July Ramble

The Editor — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:30:00 +0000

Only four ramblers turned up on a beautiful Saturday morning at Chipping Village Hall, setting off through the village turning left to Chipping Lawn Farm where sheep are milked for cheese manufacture.
From here the group took the track to the north towards Park Gate, then on to a footpath to the left at Leagram Brook. The path led steadily uphill on to moorland with a scenic panorama, and then dropped down to meet a farm track and on to Lickhurst Farm.
Keeping a northerly course, the ramblers crossed a brook and climbed around a hill to view the end of this valley, the Long Knots, and the target of this ramble, Dinkling Green Farm. Lunch was taken before the farm, and on walking thru’ it appeared a holiday complex was growing amongst the buildings. The return route followed a minor road and on to the Little Bowland road, where a right turn led on Higher and then Lower Greystoneley. The Greystoneley Brook was then forded, and after a climb, Knot Barn and Knot Hill (an example of Tautology) were reached, and thence back to Chipping via Leagram Mill, Dairy Farm and Town End.
An enjoyable walk of 7miles in excellent weather.

J&J Sommerville

The June Ramble

The Editor — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:26:00 +0000

Only five ramblers assembled at the car park in Slaidburn on a day of uncertain weather. Setting off over the Hodder Bridge and taking the footpath on the right to Broadhead Farm, then west alongside Easington Brook to Harrop Hall, the group climbed up to Smallden Lane. Turning right, and using the next bridleway on the left this took the walkers to Higher Edge Farm. After walking thru’ the farm the route to Champion (a remote barn) and on to Holden Lane, was difficult because of tussocky grass very marshy ground as well as lacking a defined footpath. This part of the ramble took longer than expected.
After lunch overlooking the Gisburn Forest, the ramblers followed the lane over the B6478 and taking the track to Hammerton Mere, Rain Gill and or to Hammerton Hall. This picturesque part of the ramble followed the course of the River Hodder exiting from Stocks Reservoir. After Holmeshead Bridge the path led the ramblers back to Slaidburn and the car park. A tough walk of 9 miles in poor weather.

The May Ramble – Nicky Nook

The Editor — Sat, 09 May 2009 22:50:09 +0000

If a Prestonian had undertaken just one hike in their lifetime, it would probably be to Nicky Nook, such is the popularity of this fell. Not only is the walk popular, but it is also exceptionally scenic. Not even the carving of the M6 through the middle of it has diminished its attraction.

Starting from the car park in Garstang, six of us, two Spaniels plus three walkers from the Bolton section set off in pleasant conditions along the riverside path, over the Wyre footbridge onto a short stretch of quiet lanes then across fields, the motorway, railway and on to another lane. Shortly, we joined the beautiful track through Grizedale, climbing steadily up to the reservoir. From here, we took the steep ascent up to the summit of Nicky Nook and were met by a ferocious westerly gale that nearly had us off our feet. Here we found a convenient big hollow that provided a suitable, sheltered lunch stop.

On our way again, we first grabbed a passing lone hiker to take photographs and then started the steep decent down the fell. Then it was down Snowhill Lane towards Scorton, but instead of entering the village we took a path to the left that took us into a very pretty narrow steep sided valley with a brook at the bottom. Then it was back to familiar territory through fields and dense woodland, stopping to take photos of the group amidst a carpet of bluebells. From here, we recrossed the M6 and returned to Garstang just as the heavens opened.

Many thanks to Jim & Janet for a splendid local walk and for providing some new variations on an original theme.

Linda & Eddie Grange

The April Ramble – Wigglesworth

The Editor — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 22:42:47 +0000

This month’s walk, led by John Dixon, was, as usual, one of his Yorkshire adventures, but this time a little closer to home.

Starting from the Plough Hotel at Wigglesworth. (The Plough IS Wigglesworth, the place is so small), our party of five plus two from the Bolton section started walking up-hill past the hotel along a short stretch of road before we entered the fields. The layout of this walk consisted of a steady climb up a south facing slope followed by a decent further to the west. Consequently, we were able to take advantage of the pleasant sunshine that lasted throughout the walk.

Climbing steadily, crossing field after field, we were able to admire the excellent views opening up ahead, including Whernside in the distance and noting that the Ribble Way passed closely to the east of us. Naturally, we crossed many stiles of every variety and it was sad to note that some of these had been obscured by thoughtless farmers placing barbed wire across them. Arriving at the top of the hill, we stopped for lunch, having discarded much of our winter clothing on the way up as it was now tee shirt weather.

The second part of the walk was now downhill, with views to the south. We started walking along a farm track leading down to Tod Holes Lane where we came across a vintage farmer driving an equally vintage tractor with considerable verve. Obviously, he was very proud of the old girl.

The final part of the walk was along lanes and tracks leading back to the Ribble Valley road and down to Wigglesworth.

Many thanks to John for organizing a very pleasant walk before leaving us to take up his other life of cricket for the summer.

Eddie Grange