MANCHESTER AND and SALFORD Local Group Newsletter and Walks (M & S Ramblers) No 36 June 2018

SOCIALS JULY SUMMER GARDEN PARTY!!!! SUNDAY 22nd JULY 2pm Music, Raffle, Quiz. Cost £7.50 per head, includes a welcome drink and some light refreshments available but please bring your own 'tipple of choice' for the afternoon. 50 tickets available, last date to book Friday 22nd June.

Venue --- the home of Carol and Dave Lees, Middleton, North Manchester. To book and for more information contact Chris Quinn, [email protected] 07791452798

AUGUST Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, Walk and Social event see walks programme at end for details.

THE SPIRIT OF KINDER EVENT in Manchester on 21st April was brilliant. Well done to Salle for organsing it all. Inspiring speakers: Kate Ashbrook Ramblers Chair, Maxwell Ayamba, Projects Manager for Sheffield Environmental Movement, Jim Perrin, Rock Climber and Travel Writer, and Keith Warrender, Local Historian and Writer. Poems from Yvonne Witter ( Mosaic), David Toft (Vice-Chair of Hayfield Parish Council). The always excellent Manchester Community Choir gave a wonderful performance of songs which reflected the struggles of working people. We finished with a rousing chorus of The Manchester Rambler led by local folk singer Jack Parker.

Jim Perrin these photos by Keith Warrender Jack Parker

MASS TRESPASS is a short documentary about the Kinder Trespass of 1932. An event in the Peak District that helped pave the way for our right to roam on mountain and moorland throughout the UK. A shining example of how mass action and protest can bring about great change around the world. We saw it at the Spirit of Kinder event. Well worth watching. Featuring interviews with Roly Smith, Martin Porter, Mark Metcalf & Kate Ashbrook. https://vimeo.com/267620124

PAVING THE WAY AND GETTING WALKING As part of the national Ramblers campaign for towns and cities that are walking friendly, a Charter for Walkable Towns and Cities was launched shortly before the recent local council elections - see this link. M&S members succeeded in getting the Mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett and the Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham to sign up to the charter along with quite a number of Manchester City Councillors. 1

We will be following up this initiative to support the work being done by the Greater Manchester Area of the Ramblers to engage with Chris Boardman, the GM Mayor’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner. The Area held a successful workshop for members on the campaign in April, and jointly with the Living Streets organisation the Area hosted a roundtable discussion on promoting walking in GM, Chris Boardman attended along with most of the other members of his team and the Ramblers call for a unified voice for walking in GM was supported.

At the end of last year Chris Boardman launched his plan - Made to Move - follow this link to download a copy, and we want to do what we can to help achieve its objectives of making walking the natural choice for short journeys and is a safe, easy and pleasant way to get around for everyone in Greater Manchester. Members who want to know more about this campaign should email M&S member Alan Manning, who is leading for the Ramblers GM Area on this work. His email address is [email protected].

WALK WITH OUR CEO. On 4th May we had a good walk and talk with Vanessa Griffiths, the Ramblers CEO. She enjoyed walking some of The Salford Trail, the loop lines and all the history that our wonderful leader Rob told us, as did we all. We walked from Worsley Courthouse, the Salford Trail, the Loopline network and the Bridgewater Hotel. A good turn turnout in warm weather, we also enjoyed lunch at The Bridgewater pub. Thanks to Mags for organising such a good day.

WALKS FOR CARERS M&S Ramblers have been asked by The Ramblers Nationally to be involved in a pilot project of helping to run walks for carers, and those they care for. This project is known as Stepping Out with The Ramblers. It has already been trialled in Kent last year and has been very successful. See this article and video. https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-features/news/2017/october/17/breath-of-fresh-air-for-carers/

Sue Mott, who is a member of the Kent Ramblers and a sports journalist has spearheaded this initiative and gained funding from Sport for the Kent pilot last year and now has extra funding to expand the project to four areas this year. We are working with Manchester and Salford Carers’ Forums and are holding our first walk on June 19th from Salford Museum going through Peel Park, onto the river bank and including some of the Salford Trail. We have enough volunteers for this one and the one in September in Didsbury but if you are interested in being involved in future please let Mags know.

DATA PROTECTION If you haven’t already confirmed with The Ramblers office that you are happy to be contacted by email please do so. If not you will not be able to receive newsletters or other information from The Ramblers locally or nationally. Contact [email protected]

FOOTPATH WORK Salford report As the new boy on the block much of my first month has been spent digesting the vast amount of work my predecessors have done and getting to grips with the technical bits. My peers in other districts are being very helpful as is the Salford City Council (SCC) Footpath Officer, John Lindsay. One of my first tasks is to develop a system of PRoW recording which is concise and easy to access, thus allowing priorities to be identified.

Work on the Salford Trail continues. On Cadishead Moss it is almost complete; a virtually impassable section has been transformed by collaborative work between Ramblers and SCC. Horses can no longer churn up this footpath. Elsewhere, there is work to be done in the Lower ; I hope to be able to report on that later in the year.

The arduous but rewarding business of path clearing is increasingly successful. For example, a narrow path between a cemetery and an industrial estate, never an uplifting experience, especially when strewn with litter, has repeatedly been cleared; it appears the offenders are beginning to respect its value. Part of the Salford Trail, it is now a pleasant stroll. We have Rob Dean and his gang of path clearers to thank for this and many other transformations.

The AJ Bell stadium has already eaten into pleasant paths beside the Ship Canal in Barton but the new hangers at and developments adjacent to the stadium threaten further, more significant, changes to the PRoW network. I have met with those responsible for drawing up the proposed path diversions and will be discussing these with SCC and local members. Please watch out for the planning applications, to be published in early June on the SCC website. David Yates

Manchester There are two parts to our footpath work in Manchester. Firstly, inspecting paths and letting the Council know where there are problems that we cannot tackle and secondly clearing paths where there is overgrown vegetation. For this we rely on our members for support. If you would like to undertake to check a few paths near where you live – and there aren’t that many in Manchester – we can give you a map and come with you on the first couple of inspections. There is a short form to complete to let us know the state of the path. The Council are setting up a system for us where we can input the information directly but that won’t be ready for a couple of months yet.

Barry Windle leads our path clearing team and he is always looking for volunteers who can spare a couple of hours to cut back vegetation. We have all the necessary tools. If you would like to help with either of these please get in touch. You can e-mail me or give me a ring.

A mini path-clearing session on Paths M327a/327 and M180 cleared. Steps on 327 restored to their M138 in Chorlton pristine condition. Thanks to Maggie, Kate and Steve for turning out. Barry.

An exciting project that we are also working on is footpath 135. This is a really interesting route along Nico Ditch, which was constructed sometime between the end of Roman rule in Britain in the early 5th century and the Norman conquest in 1066. Its original purpose is unclear, but it may have been used as a defensive fortification or as an administrative boundary. Some years ago we cleared this path but local residents have put up barriers so it is not accessible and has become overgrown again. We can organise to clear it again but if the residents do not value it then they will block it again. We had a meeting with the council to discuss this and they suggested we involve the local councillors and try to turn this into a local amenity which will be valued by the local community. Richard is contacting the councillors with a view to taking this forward. When we get their support, we will need a working group one weekend to help clear the path. If you would like to help then let me know. We are also investigating possibility of getting some grant to improve the space by putting in appropriate plants. Salle Dare

WALKING ELSEWHERE Ben Lawers is the tenth highest mountain in the UK, rising to 3,984ft above the north shore of Loch Tay, Scotland. We parked in the Nature reserve car park on the flank of the mountain and followed the path that climbs gently by the Edramucky Burn. This part of the Ben Lawers Nature reserve is protected by a deer fence and heather and birch are re-establishing. Wood anemone and wood sorrel dotted the rough grasses and a cuckoo called from one of the trees. Eventually we emerged onto the open hillside with views across the Loch to the snow-capped peaks of Ben More and Stob Binnien. We soon reached a path junction as the bulk of Beinn Glas rose above us and we turned to follow the way that climbed up the bare hillside into the upper valley of the burn and onto a broad grassy col. To the west of the col, Meall Corranich, it’s steep ridge lined with snow and to the north the long valley of the Allt a Chobhair led down to Glen Lyon. But our route lay to the east, clambering round the rocky foot of the NW ridge of Beinn Glas, then winding round into the grass and snow patched corrie where we fund a sunny spot for our lunch.

Loch Tay below as we approach the final climb From the Summit. Looking SW over Beinn Glas

We continued on, the summit of Ben Lawers now in view high above us and we climbed steadily to a col with fine views down to the blue waters of Loch Tay and snow topped mountains beyond. We began to climb again in earnest, picking our way through steep rocky ground until the gradient eased and a good path zig-zagged to the final pull to the summit. This has all a mountain summit needs, a cairn, a trig point and magnificent views. It felt like we could see most of the mountains in Scotland.

Lochan Nan Cat and Loch Tay The view to the West, Ben Nevis on the sky line.

To the north the Cairngorms, and snow topped mountains beyond Glen Affric. To the west the mighty Ben Nevis and the Mamores. We could see the entrance to Glen Coe, surrounded by great hills and further away to the west we could pick out Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran and the Paps of Jura. Closer to us the snowy Ben More and the peaks round Ben Vorlich to the south and all the way down to Ben Lomand. We could see part of Loch Ericht and a very fine sweep of Loch Tay, with the mountain tarn, Lochan nan Cat beneath our feet in Ben Lawers north east corrie. We sat for a long time drinking in this vast panorama in the sunshine and the warmth of the afternoon, before eventually retracing our steps to end an excellent day in the Scottish Highlands. Alan Manning. RECENT LOCAL WALKS & SOCIALS

Fascinating tour by Jonathan Schofield - Interesting Interiors, including Chethams Library and the Cathedral

Cobden St. tip and other salubrious areas! Walk was a rather damp and muddy one. Still, with a mega recycling plant, a big tip and the site of some old pits what's not to enjoy? However it was good to be out and there were signs of Spring appearing. Thanks to Mags for leading.

These lovely sculptures can be found on Chat Moss - Walk 10 of The Salford Trail. Taken by Rob Dean.

Ashton Littlemoss and Hollinwood canal. A good turnout on a gloomy day... Interesting walk round Ashton on Monday. Thanks to Steve for leading and the local history.

Salford Trail section 2. Great TfGM walk - over 26 people turned out for walk 2 of The Salford Trail.

Didsbury to Sale Water Park. We enjoyed a blue sky and sunshine for the walk which was another well attended walk in TfGM winter walks week. Starting in East Didsbury the walk took us through Didsbury, Fletcher Moss Park and following the Mersey river to Chorlton Water Park for a lunch break. Our planned post walk drink at Jacksons Boat was scuppered by a large turnout for a family fun day at the pub. Thanks Phil Featherstone for leading.

Mossley circular. A wonderful 11km walk today from Mossley to Buckton Castle, along the Pennine bridleway to Hydegreen and Carrbrook and then back to Mossley through the Scout Tunnel. It was a varied and interesting walk with challenging hills. Expertly led by Rob, he introduced us to the enchanting fungi - Scarlet elf cup! The Scout Tunnel was a great experience and finale to a walk blessed with good weather.

Enjoyable and interesting tour around areas of Manchester and Salford once frequented by the "Scuttlers" (Fighting gangs). Manchester guide Emma Fox was most informative and gave us an insight into what life was like in those times.

City Centre pre Area AGM walk. A good turnout and pleasant weather. Thanks to Salle for leading.

An interesting walk from Healey Dell. Passing the Fairy Chapel then along the old Rochdale to railway line and visiting Whitworth. We climbed up to Manstone Edge and back to Healey Corner. Not a drop of rain in spite of the forecast! Thanks to Martin for leading.

Marple Ridge circular via Roman lakes and Brooks Bottom. Many thanks to Barry for this scenic and sociable walk. Wet in a good way: coffee, beer but no rain.

Ingleton weekend Saturday’s walk from Ingleton up Ingleborough, with return via Raven Scar.

Sunday's walk around the Ingleton waterfalls. Thanks to everyone for a great weekend.

Debdale Park and Reservoir. Haven't yet been able to find any information on the name Wright Robinson ! Thanks to Maggie for leading.

An interesting tour of the Moravian Settlement and Church in Droylsden. Moravians being some of the earliest Protestants. They built this self contained settlement in what was then countryside.

A small but merry band on the Stoodley Pike walk. The weather turned out much better than any of the forecasts. At Gaddings Dam (the one with the beach, but not in sight here) we met Calderdale Community Wardens looking for dubious characters, in fact they were lost! According to them on twitter we are lovely.

Moston meanderings took in the lake at Boggart Hole Clough, FC United, refreshments at Moston Miners' Club and lots of dappled woodland light. Thanks for the lovely walk Maggie.

Rob and others visited the new flood defence scheme, on the old Castle Irwell racecourse site as it is finally open! It is really very impressive. Now section 2 of The Salford Trail can be walked as originally intended.

Peel Green towards Irlam. Good walk on part of The Salford Trail. Here we crossed the on the (Free!) Hulme's Bridge ferry. The planned lunch in the Millenium Park didn't take place as it was closed! We crossed the canal again and walked back to Peel Green alongside the Ship Canal. Thanks to Maggie for leading.

Fascinating tour round , a grade 1 listed building, the home of the Roman Catholic bishop of Salford, and a hidden gem! The present Hall, built about 1550, is on the site of a previous house dating from 1300. In a niche on the stairs is the skull of St. Ambrose Barlow. Reputedly terrible things happen if the skull is ever removed from the house, giving it the name "The house of the screaming skull". The Hall is lovely and set in beautiful grounds. Hard to believe it's only 200yds from a motorway! Thanks to Chris for organising this and all socials.

Heaton Park and Area. Five parks and a forest. A five-mile green walk through North Manchester. A very interesting green route in TfGM May festival. Thanks Geoff.

Good walk trying out the new route for the Manchester Green Corridor/Trail, from Fletcher Moss to Chapel St Parks, via several other parks and green spaces. Thanks to Salle for designing new route on quieter roads, leading and extra information as well as sunshine! Another successful walk in TfGM May festival.

Salford Trail first anniversary walk. Also part of TfGM and Ramblers walking festivals, with our hidden gem of . Good walk (despite diversions), turnout and weather. Well done Mags.

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays Partnership. The Ramblers has a three year agreement with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. We will receive a payment for holidays booked by our members. So don’t forget if you take a Ramblers Worldwide Holiday tell them you are a member of Manchester and Salford Ramblers, quote MR10

OTHER WALKING GROUPS WHO ARE PART OF THE RAMBLERS The Manchester Weekend Walkers is a walking group that provides regular walks, socials and weekends away. The group is primarily for people of working age who enjoy walking at the weekend. As there is already a group for people in their 20s and 30s in Greater Manchester, we expect our membership to be mainly made up of people in their 40s and older but we welcome people of any age! http://www.mwwalkers.org.uk/home.htm

If in your 20s and 30s longer walks run by the Manchester and District walkers (MAD walkers) for people who live in and around the Greater Manchester area http://www.madwalkers.org.uk Longer walks in Area programme: http://www.manchester-ramblers.org.uk

Members can also go on walks with any other local group see their website links on Area website. http://www.manchester-ramblers.org.uk/

Also see our webpage on the National Website for walks and other information http://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/group-finder/areas/greater-manchester-and-high- peak/groups/manchester-and-salford-ramblers.aspx

Committee - Position, Name, e-mail Phone Footpath Officer Manchester 0759307 Chair: Salle Dare 0752387 Richard Cleverley 7422 [email protected] 1475 [email protected] Secretary: Mags Metcalf 839 3865 Footpath Officer Salford 789 5209 [email protected] David Yates [email protected] Treasurer: Sean Dunne Website Administrator 01942 [email protected] Geoff Jones 604262 Walk Co-ordinator: Maggie Smith 794 3565 [email protected] [email protected] Newsletter Editor Margaret Manning Membership Secretary & Publicity [email protected] 861 8390 Officer : Bob Lenihan Social Secretary Chris Quinn [email protected] [email protected] 633 9167 CURRENT WALKS PROGRAMME

Please watch the website http://www.manchesterandsalfordramblers.org.uk for any changes to the walks programme For information contact - Maggie Smith 07879 465 047 Mags Metcalf 07947 864 534 Please bring a packed lunch/drink on walks Day Date Walk Description Meeting Place and time. Walk leader and All walks circular unless Tues & Sat walks start at 10.30 contact details stated. Tuesday and unless otherwise stated. Saturday walks 5/6 miles Monday short walks start 11.00 if length not given. Evening walks at 6.30 Monday walks 3/4 miles. 2018 Mon June Canals and Philips Park Etihad Campus Metro stop Steve Saxton short 18 11am start 860 7857 Tues June Oldham centre and Oldham Oldham King St Metro Martin Riley evening 26 Edge Return from Oldham Central Metro 07908 081 959 6.30pm start Sat June Ramsbottom circular via East Lancashire Railway, St, Margaret Manning Longer 30 Holcombe Moor 7 miles Bury BL9 0EY. Meet 10.45 on 07786 786 811 walk 1300ft ascent platform for 11.05 steam train Bring Ramblers Membership card for discount Mon July Parks in Salford - Buile Hill Main Entrance to Buile Hill Park Pat Williamson short 2 and surroundings opposite Manor Rd on Eccles Old Rd 07596 446 838 11am start Bus 67, 100 Tues July Bollington area. White Car park at top of High St, Bollington Barry Windle 10 Nancy, Kerridge Hill SK10 5PF, Grid Ref 937775 07952 860 747 Sharp incline at start of Car share contact Barry or Maggie S 07879 465 047 walk Sat July Piethorne and Ogden Meet Car park on the left by Ogden Dave Lees Longer 14 Reservoirs near Reservoir or park at Bull's Head pub 643 6558 walk Littleborough Car share contact Maggie Smith 07879 465 047 7/8 miles Mon July Parks in Salford - Buile Hill, Main Entrance to Buile Hill Park Pat Williamson short 16 Light Oaks opposite Manor Rd on Eccles Old Rd 07596 446 838 11am start Bus 67, 100 Sat July Bramhall area including 10.30 Piccadilly Station for 10.46 Richard Cleverley 28 Bramhall Hall which could train. Arrives Bramhall Train Station 07593 077 422 be visited at the end of the at 11.02 walk Tues July 31 Manchester Centre looking Tiled map at Victoria Station Mags Metcalf evening at Peace and Justice sites 07947 864 534 6.30pm start Mon Aug Sale Water Park and Sale Water Park Metro station Maggie Walker short 6 Chorlton Ees (parking nearby at park and ride or 07947 195875 11am start Sale Water Park Visitor Centre) Sat Aug Yorkshire Sculpture Park Car Park at Sculpture Park Chris Quinn 11 Wakefield Walk and Car share available. Contact Chris 07791 452 798 Social event Quinn or Maggie Smith Maggie Smith 11am start 07879 465 047

Tues Aug 14 Section of Oldham Way Victoria Station Metro at 10.30am for Liz Jones Longer back to Velodrome via tram or Oldham King St Metro 11am 07503 214 355 walk Daisy Nook Country Park Lunch stop at Daisy Nook where you and Park Bridge can buy food and drink Vera Curtin 8 miles LINEAR Return from Velopark Metro Mon Aug Fairy Lane, Kenworthy Sale Water Park Metro station Maggie Walker short 20 Lane and Chorlton Water (parking nearby at park and ride or 07947 195875 Park Sale Water Park Visitor Centre) 11am start Sat Aug Salford Trail - Roe Green East Lancs Rd (A580) and Old Rob Dean 25 to Blackleach Country Park Clough Lane, Roe Green 07521 976 455 V1 or V2 bus from Oxford Rd or John Dalton St Tues Aug Cheadle Hulme area Piccadilly Station for 18,08 train to Phil Featherstone evening 28 Cheadle Hulme (Crewe train). 07753 682 575 6.30pm start Arrives CH at 18.25 Mon Sept Ellesmere Park, 3 Sisters Eccles Metro stop Veronica Yates short 3 nature reserve 789 5209 11am start Sat Sept Portland Basin Marina, Ashton under Lyne Metro stop Salle Dare 8 canals, Ashton Under Lyne 07523 871 475 Tues Sept Turton Tower, Bromley Victoria for 10.29 train to Bromley Peter Matthews 11 Cross Bolton Cross Train Station. Arrives 10.58 07914 640 293 Mon Sept Eccles green spaces Eccles Metro stop Veronica Yates short 17 11am start 789 5209 Tues Sept Twilight walk in Manchester Manchester Cathedral opposite the Pat Williamson evening 25 City centre. Pub afterwards river 07596 446 838 6.30pm start Sat Sept Haigh Hall Country Park, M61 to Junction 6, Horwich. A6 Geoff Jones 29 Wigan towards Blackrod then Aspull and 07801 261 571 Haigh. Parking £3 Car share can be arranged. Contact Maggie Smith 07879 465 047 Mon Oct Didsbury area and the East Didsbury Metro stop Phil Featherstone 1 River Mersey 07753 682 575 short 11am start w/e away Oct Possibly, Anglesey in See M&S Fri/Sun 5/6/7 Wales Ramblers' website Tues Oct via Wild Bank Victoria Station10.15 for 10.29 train Margaret 9 Hill 6miles 1000ft ascent to Stalybridge Manning 07786 786 811 Mon Oct Heaton Mersey, with the East Didsbury Metro stop Brian Candeland 15 accent on Mersey. 07814 786 826 short 11am start Sat Oct Drinkwater Park, Corner of Butterstile Lane and Maggie Smith 27 Forest Park, Philips Park, Rainsough Brow, Agecroft, Prestwich 07879 465 047 , Salford side 93 bus from stand L, Shudehill