The Sunday Walking Group Newsletter APRIL 2017

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN Welcome to the SWG April Newsletter. April is the month of Easter, Spring flowers and rainy days, a time of renewal and growth, when blossoms open and new leaves appear. As the daylight hours get longer we also have the opportunity to lengthen our walks so this month we have included a few longer than average walks. We have some super socials and walks planned over the next few months including a train ride from Settle to Carlisle on Sunday 25th June arranged by Adrian, as part of the SWG’s 13th Year Birthday celebrations, and Scafell Pike weekend away from 21st - 23rd July organised by Maurice. People do amazing things to raise money for the causes they care about, and this year the SWG is raising money for Rosemere Cancer Foundation. Fund raising events include a night walk along the Salter Fell track from Hornby to Slaidburn which Rod is organising; a Car Boot Sale at Botany Bay is being planned by Derek during April or May and Easter Egg prize raffle during Easter Sunday’s walk. Spring has arrived and the weather has certainly started to improve so I hope to see many of you over the next few weeks. Happy walking! Derek Harper, Chairman.

FORTHCOMING WALKS All walks to start at 10.30am (unless otherwise stated)  Grading:  Easy  Hard walk with climbing

th SUNDAY 2nd APRIL EASTER SUNDAY 16 APRIL MERE SANDS WOOD AND RUFFORD GRASSINGTON, KILNSEY AND LINTON 8 Miles 10 Miles   Led by Derek Led by Rod The walk is flat and is a mix of woodland, towpath and little used Riverbank, woodland, some road walking on quiet roads lanes. and well defined tracks with a good stretch of open Meeting Place: Mere Sands Wood Visitor Centre Rd, moorland. Rufford, Meeting Place: Hebden Road National Car Park and Visitor L40 1TG Centre, Grassington GR003640. Pay and display Directions: From Preston take M6 south to J27. Exit J27 and take A5209 BD23 5LQ towards Wigan & . Continue on A5209. Then turn right onto Directions: From Preston take M6 south and leave at J31 then Lancaster Lane and follow B5246. Turn left onto Liverpool Road and follow at roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A59. Continue along the A59. Turn right onto Holmeswood Road B5246, Visitor centre is on the left. A59 towards Clitheroe and then the A65 (A59) Journey time from Preston approx. 34 mins Leeds/Grassington. At roundabout take the 1st exit onto Grassington Road - B6265. Continue on the B6160 and B6265 SUNDAY 23rd APRIL following signs to Grassington. On arrival in Grassington bear SCALEBER FORCE AND HUNTER BARK right by the Barclays banks onto Hebden Road. 7½ Miles Journey time from Preston approx. 1hr 15 mins  Led by Jinette SUNDAY 9th APRIL From Long Preston on mostly good tracks. Not very steep climbs. CRIMSWORTH DEAN, LUMB BRIDGE & HARDCASTLE Great views. CRAGS Meeting Place: Car park at Maypole Inn Long Preston (pub closed at 8 Miles the moment).  BD23 4PH Led by Maurice Directons: From Preston take M6 and leave at J31 then at roundabout take A great day in Calderdale West Yorkshire beckons. This exit onto A59 towards Clitheroe. Follow A59 to Gisburn. At roundabout turn walk starts from the intriguing historic hamlet of left onto A682. Follow this to A65. Turn left. The Maypole Inn is on the right Hepstonstall and visits a number of points of interest immediately after village green. such as the Lumb Bridge waterfall, Hardcastle Crags, Journey time from Preston approx. 45 mins and Gibson Mill. Along the way there is an attractive mix of woodland, moor and field paths. SUNDAY 30th APRIL Meeting place The Heptonstall Social & Bowling Club Car AND STATION Park 8½ Miles HX7 7LT  Directions: From Preston take M6 South. Keep left to continue Led by Derek on M61and then soon at J9 exit on to M65 and follow signs in There are no stiles at all on this flat route which gives views of the the direction of Blackburn etc. At junction 10, take the A671 exit West Pennine Hills. to Burnley/Clitheroe. Continue on A671. Take Brunshaw Rd, Meeting place: Martin Mere Visitor Centre, Fish Lane, Burscough. Red Lees Rd, The Long Causeway, Kebs Rd .Heptonstall Rd to L40 0TA Acres Ln in Heptonstall. As drivers’ approach Heptonstall up the Directions: From Preston take the M6 south to J27. Exit J27 and the A5209 hill, a clear P sign will guide you left along Valley View Road, towards Wigan & Parbold. At roundabout take 3rd exit onto Crow Orchard just before the cobbles begin. Please follow this sign rather than Road Continue on A5209. At roundabout take 1st exit onto course Lane being tempted to continue into the village by car. A5209. Go through roundabout. Turn right onto Back Lane. Turn left to stay Follow Valley View Road, then take left again at the junction on Back Lane. Continue onto Hollowford Lane. Continue to Carr Lane. (Acres Lane). Pass the playground on your left to arrive at Continue onto School Lane. At roundabout take 2nd exit onto Liverpool Road Heptonstall Social & Bowling Club at the end of the road. A59. Go through roundabout. Turn left onto Red Cat Lane. Continue onto Journey time from Preston approx. 60 mins Lane. Continue onto Fish Lane. Turn left, car park is on the left. Journey time from Preston approx. 37 mins SOCIALS Monday 10th April @ 8pm – SWG meeting at the Anchor Inn pub, Croston Rd, Lostock Hall, Preston, PR5 5LA Saturday 13th to Saturday 20th May – Jersey walking week away. Sunday 25th June - Settle to Carlisle train journey & walk Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd July – Weekend away walking at Scafell Pike. Contact us: Derek 07725 099 502 or Jinette 07896 787 677 Website www.thesundaywalkinggroup.com Email: [email protected] Facebook www.facebook.com/sundaywalking Please note that all walks are undertaken at your own risk. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times.