MANCHESTER AND and Salford SALFORD Local Group Newsletter and Walks (M & S Ramblers) No 43 December 2019

CHRISTMAS SOCIAL!!! MONDAY DECEMBER 16TH We are going to meet up at the Gold Royal Mail Post Box on the corner of Albert Square outside the Slug and Lettuce at 6.30. From there we will go across to the Windmill bar in the Christmas market for our first drink. Following that we will walk to the Paramount Wetherspoons, Oxford Road for food, drink and of course a quiz. If you prefer to meet us at the venue that's fine. Hopefully we'll see lots of familiar faces and maybe some new ones too. There is no need to book this event just come along on the night. Chris Quinn

Future Socials Nothing booked yet but here are some of our suggested events for next year. Tour of RHS gardens in Worsley Tour of the Refuge Building/Principal Hotel. Ramsbottom and the ELR railway Styal Mill Rochdale heritage walk Pia's geology walk part 3 Theatre trip to Oldham Coliseum Creative Manchester with Emma Fox Summer social A visit to a recycling plant ...and of course our Christmas social 2020

SALFORD TRAIL IMPROVEMENT WORK

1

A long time in the planning, and after various setbacks, one weekend in November saw the improvement of a footpath by the River Irwell near Clifton Junction. A small team of M&S Ramblers and a couple of contractors with super mini diggers managed to resurface over 300m of path. Well done to David Yates, for doggedly getting this project done. Thanks to the rest of the team as well for all their hard work. We think you will guess which photos were before and which after! See the comment below for the impact already.

‘We walked from Walkden to Littleton Road on Wednesday for the sole purpose of walking the regenerated path near to Pilkington tile works. An excellent job well done and the first time in about sixty years that I have been able to traverse it without doing a hop skip & jump, slip and slide. Well done and thank you. Roy Bullock.’

OTHER FOOTPATH WORK. Productive day working on 4 paths around Wythenshawe. Barry, Kate, Margaret.

WALK LEADERS COURSES A series of courses for current and potential walk leaders are being run by the Ramblers in different arears around the country. There are two arranged for our Area on January 24th and 25th and more will come on stream later. If you are interested you need to log onto the Ramblers Website as a member and go to https://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer-zone/support-and-development/walk-leadership/-wales

CARERS WALKS We have had two more walks both well attended. Thanks to all our volunteers.

September at Heaton Park. Despite constant rain both walks were enjoyed by all and a good lunch after in The Woodthorpe. We were joined for the first time by 16 Carers from Bury, all keen to come again.

In October we had walks based on Alexandra Park, Whalley Range and no rain! The short walk was led by Liz Jones who did a tour of the park and gave walkers lots of information.

The longer walk went down to the Fallowfield Loop, Hough End Fields and Clough, with some lovely trees in the remnants of the ancient field there. Some of the carers knew the area from playing cricket or other sports on the fields, but none of us had been in the clough before. A Hidden Gem which is part of Manchester Green Trail Walk 8. Then back for an excellent lunch at The Park café run by Coffee Cranks.

The walks are much appreciated by the Carers, those they support, and our volunteers really enjoy them. A video was made on our Heaton Park Walk for the Stepping Out Website Stepping Out Website and one Carer did a Blog of his experiences At the end of the year the Website will also feature a roundup of the year including an article featuring comments from some of our volunteers. Look out for it. We will be starting again in March 2020. If you want to help contact Margaret Manning.

WALKING ELSEWHERE- ITALY In September six of us went on a delightful walking holiday in Italy with InnTravel. We have been with them a few times before and always been impressed with the organisation, although they are probably not the cheapest. This time we were walking round two of the northern lakes in Italy, Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore. Although InnTravel don’t provide a guide they do furnish you with very detailed instructions for the walks each day and arrange both accommodation and luggage transfer. We stayed in three different hotels, each on the lakeside and walked from there each day. Some of the walks were circular ending up back at the hotel and others were linear and involved transport back by either bus or boat.

Lake Orta is the most westerly of the pre-Alpine lakes and the two sides of the lake are very different. The western shores are wild and rugged with the second highest mountain in Europe, Monta Rosa not far away. The eastern shores and foothills are gentler, backed by Monte Mottarone which divides Lake Orta from its larger neighbour Lake Maggiore. Lake Maggiore is Italy’s second largest lake and is distinctly Mediterranean with luxuriant gardens, elegant resorts and brightly painted villas. The lake’s northerly section expands into Switzerland and offers striking mountain scenery. The Italian part of the lake provides the boundary between the two regions of Italy, Piedmont and Lombardy. The lake also contains 11 islands, the most famous being the Borromean islands in the gulf between Stresa and Verbania.

The walking was very pleasant and not too strenuous although most days involved an ascent from the lakeside to mountain villages overlooking the lakes. One of the walks took us over the border into Italy and involved a lengthy boat trip back to the hotel we were staying in. The walking was largely through wooded areas providing some welcome shade, and provided lots of potential stops in small mountain villages for refreshments.

The food and wine was excellent influenced by both mountain and lake flavours and fresh water fish was widely available. Regional dishes included stewed meats, torta di pane (bread cake) and cheeses from the alpine pastures of Mottarone. Piedmont is home to some of the best vineyards in Italy and provided the full bodies reds of Barolo, Dolcetto d’Alba and Barbera d’Alba.

All in all a very enjoyable holiday and I would recommend both lakes but particularly Maggiore as a base from which to do some walking. Barry Windle

RECENT WALKS & SOCIALS

Castleton to Edale and Art trail. Long walk along the Great Ridge then down from Hollins Cross to do the Art Trail from Edale. Good walk Salle and the sun shone all day. Good to have several MWW members with us.

Short walk along the Kinder Art Trail and then back by the Pennine Way. The weather was very good and we enjoyed each of the art installations. The protest song Juke Box was a favourite for some.

A Monday short walk led by Peter around former industrial lands in the Lower Irwell valley in Salford.

Organ museum social. M&S Ramblers' socials take us to many interesting places, but you'd never expect to find this. In a pleasant, unassuming residential street in Eccles, just off the A57, the Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust occupies a 1907 building next to the Methodist church. The museum has a vast collection of organ pipes, stops and other paraphernalia, while the hall itself houses two magnificent theatre organs - a Wurlitzer and a Compton. The performance was from none other than Nigel Ogden, long time presenter of the Radio 2 programme "The Organist Entertains" which was broadcast for 49 years until being withdrawn in May last year .

Worsley to Astley Green mining museum. Amazing sunny day for our walk along the Bridgewater canal, from Worsley to Astley Green Mining Museum, and back again. Thanks Geoff for leading. Special thanks to the volunteers at Astley Green Mining Museum for showing us round, brewing up for us and making us very welcome. Pay it a visit if you haven't already been. https://www.facebook.com/TheRedRoseSteamSocietyLtd1/

Special post just for photos for Billy, the goat who has adopted Astley Green mining museum, mainly as a good source of food. He came from a local farm and didn't want to go back. Though having been made welcome by the volunteers at the museum he is going to an animal rescue centre at Wigan. Probably better for his waistline!

Shropshire weekend. M&S Ramblers escaped the worst of the weekend weather in , with walks up Adstone Hill, the and the . Accommodation at the YHA and The Bridges pub, which served Three Tuns beer from Bishop's Castle and was fab in every way. Two good walks each day with help from David and Veronica who have a house nearby, and gave us tea and cakes after Saturday’s walks.

Friday’s longer walk on Adstone Hill. Others will also have some. The sun came out soon after we started.

Short walk on Saturday. A steep climb up Corndon Hill followed by a pint in the local pub. Good day.

Saturday's long walk along the Stiperstones ridge, spot the climbers, good route and leading Kate Wilson. Then onto Veronica and David's cottage next to Mitchell Fold .

Sunday team photo. Short walk over Adstone Hill to Wentnor, with another pub visit. Thanks Carol for photos.

The Long Mynd. Steep pull uphill then lovely ridge walk to Pole bank, the highest point, stroll down and back along Adstone Hill. Good route and leading Linda Cross. Only a couple of heavy showers in the morning and several sunny spells in the afternoon.

Lovely walk through Philips Park, Prestwich with thanks to Rob Trueblood who took us along some great unknown paths!. Rob made us laugh, told us some interesting facts of the area and made the sun shine!

Godley to Woodley. Short & easy Monday morning walk

Building Stones of Manchester -Part 2. Thanks again to Pia for an interesting and enlightening look at the rocks that make up many of Manchester's buildings, especially the older ones. Part 3 next year as still not finished.

Good walk on parts of the Port Salford Greenway despite the heavy rain to start with. Lovely autumn colours, overfull brooks, muddy fields, happy walkers. Quick pub drink in Worsley.

Monton to Worsley. A great walk today before the AGM. Thanks to Rob for leading the walk and Mags for organising a good lunch and AGM with speaker Beth Sutcliffe from Moving.

In spite of difficulty with the trains and repair work along the canal we had a decent walk. Todmorden to Hebden Bridge. Pretty good weather too, with just a light shower

Worsley history social walk with Emma Fox. Saw the Hall and Church where the Dukes of Bridgewater, Earls of Ellesmere and Egertons, all linked families, spent their wealth. Then onto Worsley Delph where we saw the memorials to miners, including children and women, who created the wealth through the coal they dug and canals, under and over ground.

Worsley Delph is an old quarry and basin leading to an extensive network of underground canals which transported coal The new sculptures and interpretive features bring to life how this place would have been in the 18th and 19th centuries. The houses are quarrymen's cottages whose exact age isn't known. Worsley Green was until the early 1900s an industrial yard.

Rivington Village and Pike Stones. Sunny, icy, boggy. Reservoirs and moors. Great weather for a wintry ramble. Walk taken from a recent Issue of Walk magazine. We’ll keep an eye out for more local walks we can use.

You’re receiving this communication because we believe that it would be of interest to you as a member/supporter. If you’d rather not receive similar information in future, please let us know. You can email [email protected], change your preferences online at ramblers.org.uk/myaccount or call (0)20 3961 3300

Please register your email with national office, if they haven’t got it, so you can receive more regular information and newsletters with photos.

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays Partnership. The Ramblers has a three year agreement with them. We will receive a payment for holidays booked by our members. If you take a Ramblers Worldwide Holiday tell them you are a member of Manchester and Salford Ramblers, quote MR10

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. Train times are subject to change - please check. To comply with GDPR we have to remind members that photos taken on walks may be published in newsletters and social media. Please inform the walk leader on arrival if you don't want to be in photos.

Day Date Walk Description Meeting Place and time. Walk Leader All walks circular unless stated. Tues and Sat walks at 10.30 and contact Tuesdays and Saturdays walks 5 unless otherwise stated. details to 6 miles if length not given. Monday short walks start Monday walks 3 to 4 miles 11 am 2019 Tuesday Dec Annual Christmas walk at Tandle Victoria Station for 10.42 Chris Quinn 10 Hill Bring your Xmas hat! train to Mills Hill Station, 07791 452 798 (arrives 10.54) Park nearby Monday Dec 11am Corner Bury New Rd, Park Maggie Smith Short walk 16 Salford Trail, Moor Lane and Radford St 07879 465 047 (see Nov 18) Thursday Dec RA Festival of Winter Walks Heaton Park Metro Maggie Smith Boxing Day 26 12pm Heaton Park and nearby Park on streets nearby 07879 465 047 Saturday Dec RA Festival of Winter Walks Piccadilly Train Station for Salle Dare 28 Buxton to Whaley Bridge - hill Buxton train at 10.24 861 8491 walk. 8 miles. (arrives 11.25) Check Times 2020 Monday Jan 11am MGT Outside Whitworth Art Salle Dare Short walk 6 Whitworth Park, Platt Fields, Gallery, opposite MRI, 861 8491 Birchfields Park, Oxford Rd Victoria Park, Whitworth Park buses inc 42,44,140,V1,V2 Tuesday Jan Middleton, Wince Brook, towards Middleton Bus Station near Dave Lees 14 Oldham, Alkrington Arndale entrance Buses 643 6558 inc. 17,163,59 Monday Jan 11am 3miles Outside Withington Metro, Maggie Walker Short walk 20 Hough End Fields and Clough, Princess Rd. Buses 07947 195875 Fallowfield Loop, Chorlton Park, 101,102,103. Car Park at Southern Cemetery Hough End Leisure Centre Saturday Jan 11am 6 miles flat/easy Piccadilly for 10.39 train to Margaret 25 Hyde. Canal and river loop. Hyde Central Station arr. Manning 10.56 Check train times 07786 786811 Monday Feb 11am LINEAR to Castlefield (2 Lowry Theatre, Salford Mags Metcalf Short walk 3 miles) or RETURN via Ship Canal Quays 07947 864 534, (4+ miles)Bridgewater canal, Media City Metro. Bus 50 Castlefield and Ship Canal Tuesday Feb MGT Alliance pub, Rochdale Rd, John Melia 11 Boggart Hole Clough and area M9 8AJ, opposite Boggart 07840 176905 Hole Clough park. The stop after Moston Lane. Monday Feb 11am Outside Withington Metro, Maggie Walker Short walk 17 River Mersey at West Didsbury, Princess Rd 07947 195875 Chorlton Water Park, Southern Buses 101,102,103 Cemetery Car Park at Hough End Gym

Saturday Feb LINEAR 7.5 miles Mostly flat Piccadilly for 10.44 train to Andrew Read 29 Greater Manchester Ringway Bramhall Railway Station 07799 473 720 (GMR) - stage 4 - Bramhall to (arrives 11.04) Return from Middlewood. Bramhall, Poynton Middlewood Station. Trains Lake, Middlewood at 15.01 and 16.26 Train times may change Monday March 11am Piccadilly Station for 10.39 Steve Saxton Short walk 2 Circular walk round Hyde area train to Hyde Central 860 7857 Station (for 11am) Check train times Tuesday March Sale Water Park, Chorlton Water Sale Water Park Metro Liz Jones 10 Park and Mersey Valley 07503 214 355 Monday March 11am The Ship Inn, Rochdale Rd, Richard Short walk 16 Middleton. Canal and green M24 2RN near Hopwood Cleverley spaces Hall College Bus 17 from 702 1272 Shudehill Parking nearby Saturday March 11.30 walk Meet Victoria Station Wall Mags Metcalf Area AGM 21 Walk - Map for walk 07947 864 534 AGM 2pm at Cross Street Chapel Cross St Chapel for meeting Saturday March 8 miles 1200ft ascent Piccadilly Railway Station Kate Wilson 28 Disley via Bowstones, in and out for 10.08 train to Disley 07792 936 217 of Lyme Park (arrives 10.34) or Disley 860 7779 Station. Check train times as subject to change Monday April 11am LINEAR Piccadilly Station for 10.39 Steve Saxton Short walk 6 Hyde to Guide Bridge train to Hyde Central 860 7857 Station (for 11am). Return from Guide Bridge (if park at Hyde, it's 2 stops back on the train) Tuesday April MGT Clayton Hall Metro Mags Metcalf 14 Clayton. Debdale, Ashton Canal 07947 864 534

Monday April 11am The Ship Inn, Rochdale Rd, Richard Short walk 20 Middleton. Stakehill area M24 2RN near Hopwood Cleverley Hall College Bus 17 from 702 1272 Shudehill Parking nearby Saturday April Spirit of Kinder event at People's See M&S Ramblers website 25 History Museum, Manchester for details

Committee Committee Position, Name, e-mail Phone Position, Name, e-mail Phone Chair: Salle Dare 07523871475 Footpath Officers Manchester [email protected] Richard Cleverley 07593077422 [email protected] Maggie Walker 07947 195875 [email protected] Secretary: Mags Metcalf 839 3865 Footpath Officer Salford [email protected] David Yates 789 5209 [email protected] Treasurer: Sean Dunne Website Administrator: 0161 861 8390 [email protected] Alan Manning 07757902158 [email protected] Walks Co-ordinator: Social Secretary : Maggie Smith 794 3565 Chris Quinn [email protected] 633 9167 [email protected] Membership Secretary & Newsletter Editor: Publicity Officer : Bob Lenihan Margaret Manning 861 8390 [email protected] [email protected]