W4{ s'ñ$ 4., wArKrrllG s 6:. vl """' c) o IN 1;¡ UNISOTU MARCS,2016 No.4l4 TODAY'S \ryALK

FROM Wharfemeadows Park in Otley a footpath follows the downstream, passing below meadows which suieep down from Farnley Hall, the long established home of ih. Fa*k.t family. The path later veers across a meadow to meet a lane near Leathley Bridge. We cross the tributary River Washburn and pass Leathley Lodge, joining Leathley Lane (86l6l) which meanders into Leathley village'

Notice the stocks near the Norman church of St. Oswald, also the lSth century almshouses which contained a school and hospital. Through Leathley, we take a footpath which re- crosses the Washburn and climbs near Farnley Lake to meet Famley Lane which passes the lodge and entrance to Farnley Hall. Fieldpaths take us up to Farnley and Farnley Church. There is a long view down Wharfedate to the viaduct and beyond.

The access driveway to Haddockstones Farm becomes a track to Haddockstones Plantation, a freldpath then continuing over Farnley Moor with enensive views along and across Wharfedale (from our highest point today of 680 ft.) including Otley Chevin, the'Guiseley gap' and llkley Moor.

Contouring fieldpaths aim for Clifton and we join the Six Dales Trail. We cross Newall Carr Road, taking the lane which descends through the timeless hamlet. Notice Chapel House, its foundation lone dated 1900. The Six Dales Trail aims for Newall but we continue down an enclosed footpath, wentually spilling into fields below with views over Otley. We pass through East Wood and emerge onto Weston Lane.

There will be the option of visiting Cockpit Farm tea room/garden at Weston before we descend through the parkland of Weston Hall, one of the homes of the Vavasour family. Returning intoOtley along Weston Lane we rejoin the Six Dales Trail and turn along Green Lane which becomes a brookside footpath and emerges near Otley Bridge. We return through Wharfe¡rleadorvs Park about 4.15 - 4.30 pm.

CO¡iTENTS PAGES 2-5 : THE LAST IVALK PAGE 6 : LAMBING TIM[, FROIU AN OLD NEWSHEE"I'' THE NEXT WALK 2

THE LAST WALK

HAREWOOD, RIVER WHARFE, EAST KES1VICK AND RIGTON MOOR (8% miles) SUNDAY, 2I" FEBRUARY, 2016

IT'S not often that the chosen car park for our walks is almost full before we arrive but that was the case on the last walkl The large lay-by at the junction of Hanogate Road and Wike Lane was almost taken by another walking group (and others), which, combined with some poor parking, left linle room for us but fortunately an 'overflow' space further along the lane amply accommodated the rest of us. VIhen assembled, we were actually a small group of 12. The other group set offjust before us, walking in the opposite direction.

The morning was dry and cloudy and quite mild for February but the main weather feature was a strong and occasionally very gusty wind, though the lay-by was reasonably sheltered by a wood.

Carefully crossing the busy Road (A6l) we entered Harewood Park through large, ornate gates and gathered for a brief introduction to the walk on the wide vehicle track beyond, from where there was a splendid view across the rolling acres of parkland which fell away from us towards the imposing façade of Harewood House, and to the distant hills and moors of Wharfedale. Capability Brown designed the parkland. The present Earl of Harewood's ancestor, Herrry Lascelles purchased the estate in 1738 and Edwin Lascelles completed the house in 1771.

We turned downhill along anothèr track by a lodge (partially demolished) and entered a broad belt of woodland just as a sudden gust roared through the tree canopy above us - setting the scene for the day! This tract<, a 'permissive way' would take us tluough the woodland, parallel to the Harrogate Road, to arrive in Harewood village. The track curved gently, sometimes frrm underfoot, sometimes soft and peaty as we came to a rutted section, but it was a pleasant saunter mostly sheltered from the wind - and peaceful, despite being within sight of the wall bounding Hanogate Road. There was evidence of emerging bluebells amongst the leaÊlitter of the wintry woodland floor.

Rising slightly, the track eventually curved towards Hanogate Road and wound its way between the trees, reaching a gate in the boundary wall beside which there was the forlorn ruin of a stone-built house, the date 1675 inscribed in the decorative, ogee door lintel, a house of character at one time, with its mullioned and arched windows but now a sad, roofless shell.

We spilled out onto the pathway by Harrogate Road as if leaving 'a secret garden' and rvalked up into Harewood by the imposing entrance to Harewood House. Noisy rooks fluttered in their rookery in the trees above, some nest-building with twigs carried in their beaks. We continued alon_e the pa.rement. passing the junction of Harervood Avenue (4659), the Harewood Arms and the little war-me¡norialgarden by the bus shelter. The garden was colourful with daffodils. We also passed the end of Church Lane where a signboard enticingly advertised the 'lvfuddy Boots Café' ñ¡¡rher along the lane at the village hall. 3

Resisting the obvious temptation at this stage of the walk, we kept on beside the main road, also passing stone-built cottages and a cul-de-sac of more modern houses.

Recrossing the Aól as Harewood Bank began to dip away, we strode down the opposite roadside verge with a grand view of Wharfedale unfolding towards Woodhatl and Linton. The darker,hazy shape of the North York Moors could be seen in the far distance. Through the tracery of woodland on the other side of the road we could clearly see the ruin of Harewood Castle which also rose above the trees.

The castle was rebuilt in 1367 by the-then Lord of Harewood, Sir William de Aldburgh on the site of a 12ü century fortress. Sir William de Aldburgh was a renowned warrior much involved in the wars against the Scots and had acquired the estate through marriage to Elizabeth heiress daughter of John, Lord Lisle, whose family had held the estate for many years. The castle's last resident, Robert R¡her, lived there until his death in 1637.

We had merged with the Ebor Way through Harewood and we would follow the trail downvalley to where we would meet Harewood Avenue again.

Fitts Lane, a vehicle track, led away from the road (as the road started curving down Harewood Bank) and we descended the valley slope enclosed between trees and bushes. Being more exposed here, the gusty wind soughed through the grove of trees at first bounding the track. Later, between hedgerows, the track levelled out in the broad valley bottom and we reached the riverside, turning along the riverside path with the wind behind us. The Wharfe ran fast, though surprisingly low considering very recent rain.

There was evidence of the flooding only two months earlier with undercut banks and flattened vegetation bent in the direction of the cunent. We also walked across srathes of sand as if we were on the beach. "We should have brought our buckets and spades!", someone shouted. Rolls of hay had been rolled against a hedge-line by the water, all lined up instead of being scattered across the field as others were that had escaped the flood. The riverside path took a huge curve through the broad flood plain and it became a single-file patl¡ raised upon a levee. There were many clumps or drifts of snowdrops flourishing along the riverbank in the flattened vegetation or amongst thickets of willows - a cheery entourage.- Across the river, we passed some of the buildingi ofNetherby which we estimated might have been built high enough to avoid the floods. To our right, beyond the flat flood-plain of water meadows, we could see the Stochon Farm 'hill climb' on the steep valley slope below Harewood Avenue.

Some walkers passed us in the opposite direction, battling against the wind, and we wondered how we would fare later in the walk.

It was about midday by norv and we were surprised to see the cloud parting occasionall.n- to reveal some brightness or even sunshine prompting thoughrs of lunch, but where cot¡ld we stop in such wild conditions?

Carthick Wood lay ahead, perhaps an ideal place (even though leafless),its squar trees providing some shelter ancl seating? 4

We climbed a stile in a wire fence bordering the wood, noting that the floodwater had indeed risen to the top of the stile steps, evidenced by a natural (perfect!) interwoven fence made up of grasses, etc. below that level. Another more dramatic result of the flooding was the footpath (or lack of it!) between the river and the wood. In places the narrow footpath disappeared over the edge of a 'cliff (formed by the undercutting of the high riverbank by the river) only to continue some distance away! Fortunately there were other connecting footpaths meandering within the wood and it was by one of these that we found a good lunch place, reæonably sheltered and with a scattering of logs on which to sit. We even enjoyed the fitful sunshine as we sat there and there was a view from the wood across the (hidden) river towards Bank Hill.

At92 ft.a.s.|., this was the lowest point of the walk.

After about halÊan-hour, and not feeling unduly cold, we resumed the walk, following the meandering path through the calm of the wood. Some parts of the woodland floor (later) were covered in a layer of silt and some trees had been toppled or had collected driftwood but we walked through it unhindered, emerging into large watermeadows grazed by sheep. The sun shone for a time and it was both warm and pleasant following the edge of the meadow beside a strip of scrub which separated us from the river. There were still occasionalgusts.

Eventually, we came to the end of the riverside section and started to climb back up the valley slope through nvo or three meadows, perhaps the most energetic part of the day's walh an ascent of 200 ft. It was a warrn plod but we rested before the final 'push', a chance to admire the wonderful view back along Wharfedale, across towards Sicklinghall and downvalley towards Woodhall. The river was mostly hidden by woodland. We completed the ascent, following a'groove' overhung by trees, and emerged onto Harewood Avenue (4659 Harewood-Collingham road) where we left the Ebor Way which was bound for Linton and Wetherby. Though still rather cloudy and gusty, the weather continued bright and dry and we crosæd the road to Cleavesty Lane. Passing Cleavesty Hall the lane crossed a brow between open fields and descended into East Keswick, joining Lumby Lane which in turn fell þ meet the village main street at an attractive corner of old stone property. We passed The Forge, a former blacksmiths premises, which had a large clock on the outside wall showing 1.35 pm.

We soon turned away from the main street, along lvfoor Lane. Snowdrops filled the roadside verges and there were crocus and daffodils too. We passed old and new property, including Moor Lane Farm where the lane was remarkably muddy. Our attention was distracted however by very forceful gusts of windl We were, by now, walking mostly into the wind which seemed to heighten as we left the comparative shelter of the village and headed along the open lane. The brightness had also disappeared, replaced with greyer cloud and drizzly spells which were quickly advancing our wa)'.

Wayside telephone cables whistled and moaned as we aimed along a farnl track, the access to Gateon House Farnl. The track gradually descended to cross Keswick Beck (a tributary of the River Wharfe) and it swung past small lakes used by anglers. Strangely, a section of this track (a public ri-r¡ht-oÊway) sucldenly became 'private' necessitati¡tg us usin-u a parallel but 5

rather muddy bridleway which rose through a bordering belt of trees, the only advantage being that while the wind raged in the canopy above, we were quite sheltered!

The bridleway emerged onto Gateon House Lane at its junction wirh the farm access track which became a right-of-way again. Stepping onto the lane, we had also joined the Leeds Country Way which would take us atl the way back to our cars,

We walked along to Gateon House Farm continuing beyond the farm along a narrowing track which became a footpath and rurned a corner. Under overgrown, over-arching hedgerows the path ascended steeply, soon turning onto a level track but within a short distance a path turned uphill again between trees and bushes. This was the short ascent of Rigton Moor and from the brow we passed through a gate into frelds - boggy fieldsl Taking a torn¡ous route to avoid the worst of the bogginess, we headed along a hedgeline towards Biggin Farm and soon joined a firm track which ran between trees and bushes and emerged in the farmyard. We passed the fa¡m buildings and continued ahead along a vehicle track, shettered at first by trees but becoming more open and exposed to the wind beyond a gate. We decided not to have our customary afternoon 'sit' but to have a short 'standing stop' instead at the gate. We were approaching the highest part of the walk and a colder wind was buffeting ul coupled with more frequent bouts of drlzzle. we were within a mile of the end of the walk.

After a short break we left the cover of the trees and launched ourselves into the wind, striking out along the straight, gradually-rising track with only low hedges on either side. The view, though, was far-reaching from this ridge - over the valleys of Keswick Beck and Gill Bech across to distant Harewood and East Keswick and beyond to Wharfedale!

We attained the highest point of 426 ft. by Wike Wood which provided welcome shelter but after passing through a gate the track became a narrow muddy path contained between vegetation on the edge of the wood and a hedge. But this patlh ied us out to Wike Lane, our fìnal obstacle being a large poolwhich served as a boot wash!

The last part of the walk was along the laneside verge, passing Lofthouse Farm, an easy return to our cars, particularly as we were relatively sheltered from the wind and drizzle. We never did see the other group on our circuit and most of them had gone from the lay-by by the time that we returned. It was about 3 pm., earlier than anticipated, but we had hadihcbeit of the day as the dnzzle was becoming more prevalent.

It certainly had been an invigorating and interesting walk and we had been fortunate to have had the sunshine in the middle part - just when it was needed!

JOKIIiG AP.{RT

. lts very easy to become addicted ro helter-skelters. lt's a downrvard spiral.

. I saw this btoke in a restaurant eating a televisiorr. He was having a set lunch. 6

. I used to be a deep sea diver but I couldn't stand the pressure.

. So I went into my kitchen and I saw a hunicane making a pot of tea. I thought, hmnr, there's a storm brewing.

LAMBING TIME

I know that I don't really need to remind our walkers about the fact that it's lambing time and dogs should be put on leads in the vicinity of sheep - so I won't! Steve

FROM AN OLD NE\ilSHEET

IN l386 a Staffordshire miller, Richard Smith, came up with a remarkable product which was to have a great impact on the sandwich industry and of course generations of NALGO walkers who each month dutifully follow their leader's request to "please bring a packed lunch". His invention was called "smith's Patent Germ Flour". Hardly a name to make one look forward to the lunch stop you might say and so in 1890 a competition was held (yes they *snappier" had them in those days too) to frnd a slogan with more "bite".

The winning entry came from a London student called Herbert Crrime. His intellect produced the suggestion of shortening the Latin pluase 'hominis vis' (which we all know, of course, means the strength of man), to Hovis.

Possibly the idea of the runner up would have been more appropriate in our case as we gobble away so contentedly. Would you believe he zuggested "Don't say brown .... say Yum Yum"?

Anyway, in honour of all this, perhaps it would be appropriate for us to mutter'hominis vis' to ourselves (instead of the more usual comments) as we toil up future undulations. .k Moore

THE NEXT IVALK

GIVE¡\¡ a clear day, you will remember the next walk for its fantastic viewsl

Srarting from the market town of Pocklington we revisit the Yorkshire \tolds, walking a circuit on its western edge rvith extensive views over the Vale of York and towards the River 7

Humber. The walk includes the attractive village of Millingon and the community of Kilnwick Percy with its estate of Kilnwick Hall, now the home of the Buddhist Madhyamaka

Kadampa Meditation Centre, with its parkland and lake in a tranquil setting. We hope to call at the World Peace Café there for our'afternoon tea' stop.

Apart from the possible muddy sections, the walk is generally easy underfoot and gradient- wise, however there is one sustained steep ascent of Cold Wold (Minster Way) which lasts about l5 minutes, though it is intended to have rest/viewing stops during this ascent! Note that this could be avoided by taking an alternative way along the lane to meet us later at a place where there are seats.

We walk parts of local trails as we do the circuit, including the Wolds Way, Minster Way, Chalklands Way, Wilberforce Way and the Pilgrimage of Gace Heritage Trail and *e sðe an ancient moat.

See the attached poster for details.

DATE suNDAY, l7'h APRIL, 2016

TIME Pleese meet 10.15 for l0.30am (we return about 4.lS pm)

PLACE Please park and mect in Pocklington. From the York-Hull road (41079) cnter Pocklington through Barmby Moor, turning right (41247) along George Street and Grape Lane. At mini round¡bout, continue forvard on Station Road, passing the old railway station on right end bus station on left. Rcaching roundabout turn right and right again (by Travis Perkins) to cnter free crr park behind old station. Park and meet here.

If full, return to free car park on station frontase (toilets nearby) or turn right at mini roundabout (into town)r parking on Railway street or lVlarket Place - all on route of the walk lVait for us passing!

Allow about 45 minutes from Seacroft, Leeds.

ITEMS FOR THE APRIL NEWSHEET by 6ü APRIL, please THIS NEWSHEET WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE LJNISON WEBSITE

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