Vol: 33 Issue 8

28th July 2019

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AUGUST 2019

28th JULY Coach BROUGHTON IN FURNESS Coach leaves at 17.30 hours Leaders A Great Burney and Blawith Fells Graham Hogg B+ Furness Feet Warmer Val Walmsley B The two river s or two valleys Judith and Stuart C Hot Stuff in Furness Alison and Lesley

8th August Thursday Car B Walk Downham with Sheila Marsh 7.5 miles ( 12.07 km) - undulating The walk goes through four lovely villages in the Ribble Valley. Starting from Downham we head uphill to the church and Assheton Arms before taking a left path to pastureland. At this point we have a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. We walk across more fields, cross the A59 and follow a tree lined path which passes the remains of Sawley Abbey as we descend into Sawley itself. We cross the river Ribble and continue along the road for a while before taking a track to Hill House Barn then head to Grindleton. We cross the river again to climb a steep slope as we approach Chatburn. We then go along more leafy paths, cross the A59 again to climb a steep limestone escarpment before reaching Downham.

11th August Sunday Car B Walk Coast with Judith 8 miles (12.87 km) with 400 ft (122 m) Total Ascent Park behind the railway station SatNav LA5 0HG (Grid reference 462788) for usual start time of 10.30am This area is accessed on the approach road from Milnthorpe. Before you go under the railway bridge and 50metres after the 30mph sign there is a rough track on the right hand side which leads to this parking area. The walk initially takes us along the sea shore , through Sandside via the old railway line which we will pick up again to lead us to Milnthorpe bridge and Dallam Park. Passing through Haverbrack we climb through the woods to the Fairy Steps and then down to Hazelslack. Dropping down to Arnside Moss we will return back to the sea shore and return to the start. This is a lovely walk with uninterrupted views across the estuary to the fells. The sea bird life along the coast is both pl entiful and varied. Dallam P ark should surprise you with its breeding herd of fallow deer. And then what might we find at the Fairy steps and who will climb without touching the sides?

11th August Sunday Car C Walk Wrea Green with Bill and Bob (the flower pot men!) 4½ miles (7.25 km) little climbing Meet on the village green in the opposite corner to the “The Grapes Pub” with on street parking, start time of 10.30 am. This is a gentle walk for a warm summer day through the pleasant countryside around Wrea Green. We initially follow the road to St Annes before joining a hedged lane signed as a public path, walking down the lane into fields which lead us to Bry ning Hall Lane. Turning left in the lane we follow the lane for half a mile to Bryning. Crossing the road we pick up a country lane leading to Green Valley Farm and then Prospect Farm and lunch. We now cross fields to take us to Hill farm and the lane alongside Ribb y Hall Village. The last of the walk is on the main road back leading to village centre, passing rows of attractive gardened terraces and thatched cottages on the way. 21st August Wednesday Strollers Walk - Penwortham with Bill and Marie Meet at Hurs t Grange car park (PR1 9XH) at our usual start time of 10.30am then afterwards at the Fleece Inn, Penwortham

25th August Sunday Coach HOLMFIRTH (via Longdendale) Return journey first drop off at Leyland Leaders A Black Black Hill Dave Colbert B+ First of the Winter Beer Val Walmsley B Spirits of the Rocks Judith and Stuart C Last of the Summer Wine Roy Smith

Today's Coach Walks Starting points: A: A5092 Kirkby Moor Rd B+: Gawthwaite B: Broughton C: Broughton

Grade A Great Burney and Blawith Fells with Graham Hogg 13.25 miles (21.5 km) with 2650 ft (800 m) Total Ascent We alight the coach on the A5092 Kirkby Moor road (at the entrance to the Burlington Slate Quarry). Heading north across open moorland we make for our first (and highest) summit of the day – Great Burney (298m) From here, we visit Little Burney (215m) and Subberthwaite Common before ascending Blawith Knott (248m). We follow a northeast heading for a while until reaching the tranquil setting of Beacon Tarn before climbing again to reach the summit of the Beacon itself (255m). Definitely time for a brew and photos on top – the dramatic views suddenly open up and we´ll enjoy a grand vista down the full length of Coniston Water. Turning west now our next top is Yew Bank from where we descend to Haveriggholme and Troughton Hall. The last main climb of the day will be up Cat Bank before following paths through the forestry plantation to Hawk Bridge. From here we head to Wallenrigg and Moss Side Farm before linking up with the disused railway line path which takes us all the way back into Broughton in Furness and some well deserved refreshments!

Grade B+ Furness Feet Warmer with Val Walmsley 12 miles (19 km) with 550ft (167m) Total Ascent Leaving Gawthwaite we join the going south to Broughton Beck and Newbiggin. From here we head north to Kirkby Slate Road going round Blade Moss in a westerly direction to the Stone Circle. We now approach Kirkby-in-Furness via Beck Side and Sand Side. Here we join the Cumbria Coastal Way on our way back looking westwards to Duddon Sands. An extra climb can be added over High Moor or Gunson Hill - time permitting.

Grade B The two rivers or two valleys walk with Judith and Stuart 9 miles (15 km) with 950 ft (290 m) Total Ascent We recced this walk one way round which left a hilly bit at the end of the walk. We will now try backwards way round so that the long descent is at the end of the walk. Please excuse any leadership errors. Initially we will walk through the Broughton Tower estate across to Manor Farm, here we will cross our first valley that of the river Lickle then up to Lower Bleansley, Middle Bleansley and then back across the valley to the Hagg and then on Lower Hawthwaite. In our recces this farm was described as the dirty farm by one lady and shit house corner by another. The walk then leads across to a sheepfold and on to the old school house now converted into a very desirable residence. From here we pass through Moss Side Farm past Brookside and into Burntstead wood. We then cross the 2nd valley bottom that of Galloper Pool across to Ringhouse farm and up to Thornthwaite and Woodland Hall. We then descend via Thornthwaite Latter Rigg recrossing the valley of Kirkby Pool across to West End farm and our return into Broughton in Furness. The views on this walk across to the Irish sea are fantastic and we might even see some deer – we saw five on our recce.

Grade C Hot Stuff in Furness with Alison and Lesley 6 miles (9.65 km) with 260 ft (80 m) Total Ascent We start our walk in Broughton in Furness (toilets available) and as our walk name suggests, we are hoping for hot weather. Heading North East, across the fields, we bypass Wall End and continue through the wood, turning left along the road. Rejoining the path on our right, we cross the moss to Thornthwaite Latter Rigg. Taking the lower path between Thornthwaite Latter Rigg and Latter Rigg, we will hopefully enjoy the view across the valley. A gradual climb towards Ringhouse Farm leads us to a small path North East into Row Ridding Wood. After a pleasant walk through the wood, we walk along the road in the direction of Rosthwaite and on through Buttstead Wood. Continuing South East along the road for a short while, we join the old railway line which we then follow back into Broughton in Furness.

PROPOSED HOLIDAY TO PEEBLES Monday 18th May 2020 (4 nights) returning 22nd May See leaflet being handed out on coach for full details

Please remove muddy boots before boarding the coach and check that you take all your belongings with you. Thank you

Please Note – Walk Details must be in one week before each coach excursi on