MANCHESTER AND and SALFORD Local Group Newsletter and Walks (M & S Ramblers) No 33 September 2017

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD AGM Saturday 4th November Monton Unitarian Church Hall, Monton Green, Monton M30 8AP. Parking at Dukes Drive car . Bus 33 from Piccadilly, tram to Eccles and 68, 33 bus to Monton Green. Walk at 11.30 am, Lunch 1.00 pm, Meeting 1.45 pm, finish 3.30 pm. More details on website.

SOCIALS We still have some interesting events for you for the rest of 2017 and are already making plans for 2018.

2017 Wednesday 18th October at 1.30pm. A guided tour of the beautifully restored Art Deco Plaza Theatre. This will include tea or coffee in the cafe after the tour. Details nearer the date. November to be arranged. Monday 18th December our Christmas Social. As usual we will meet 6.30pm under the Santa at the Town Hall and partake of a mulled wine at the Christmas Market. Then down to the Paramount Wetherspoons, Oxford Road where the mezzanine is exclusively for our group. Food, drink, quiz

2018 Below are some ideas for events and visits next year. If you have any other suggestions please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Bridgewater Hall, Moravian Settlement, Whitworth Gallery, , The Organ Museum, The Cheese Experience in Settle, Our Summer Social will be in Stockport Christmas Social 2018!!!

Hopefully there is something there for everyone but if you have any other suggestions please let me know. More details from Chris Quinn

WINTER WALKS PROGRAMME at end of newsletter, includes walks in various walking festivals. Always check website for details and any unavoidable changes.

THE OPENING OF THE SALFORD TRAIL

There was an article in last email newsletter but thought worth adding this take on it from Maggie Smith. Plus some more photos. ‘We had thousands of leaflets for each section of our Trail; we'd distributed them; we had way markers in place; we'd informed interested parties - health groups, Ramblers, supporting organisations; we'd arranged a guest speaker to open it, a plaque , a marquee, a loud speaker. Was it all in place? What could go wrong?

1 The big day dawned, Tuesday 30th May 2017. A considerable crowd by Metro Station where the Trail starts. There were loads of Ramblers; people from the Council including the Mayor; our MP; the CEO of Transport for , Dr Lamonte, and our new Ramblers' President, writer and Radio 6 DJ, Stuart Maconie, who we'd asked to open the Trail.

He gave us a stirring speech about the right to roam and unveiled the beautiful, metal plaque. Salle Dare, our Manchester and Salford Ramblers' Chair spoke about setting up The Salford Trail and the work that our member, Roy Bullock, had done over many years to establish this long distance path and get it on the Ordnance Survey map.

Then Mags Metcalf led a short walk back along the Trail to Centre. What happened, of course, after all we are in Salford: it rained. Not just rain, a deluge. Oh well, at least it kept off for the speeches. Undeterred, off we went to swim a short section of the newly constituted 50+ mile Salford Trail’ http://www.manchesterandsalfordramblers.org.uk/SalfordTrail.htm

HMRC We have attended some wellbeing and fitness sessions at HMRC this year where employees have been able to access information from various organisations. We were able to promote the benefits of walking, joining the Ramblers, The Green Corridor and The Salford Trail. It was very popular, we enjoyed it. We have been invited back in November to more sessions. If anyone wants to help out at these events please contact me. Mags

SALFORD NHS Workforce Walking Challenge Good effort by Manchester and Salford Ramblers Walks of 2, 4 and 7 miles offered, a good turnout of over 80 people.

Well done to David, Veronica, Mags, Maggie, Roy and Geoff for leading walks and all those who covered back marking duties.

PATH CLEARING AND INSPECTION. July. The Salford path clearing team were out on part of the Salford Trail which runs from the A6 to the A580. We had cleared this path once already in March but nature soon takes over! We could really do with more volunteers to help us. You don't have to be a member of Ramblers to join the team. Rob Dean

Manchester Unpassable path cleared in Burnage, see below. Also cut back brambles and nettles on a very overgrown path behind the Armitage Centre, Fallowfield. Thanks to all who helped. Barry Windle.

Before After

HELP NEEDED Salle and Geoff had a meeting with TfGM about getting the Manchester Green Corridor back on the internet. Carragh Teague from TfGM said that if we could check the routes before Christmas, she may be able to squeeze some money out of the TfGM budget to have the leaflets re-designed (at the moment they are on foolscap paper and need re-formatting onto A4). SO Volunteers are needed to check these routes before Christmas! Please reply by October 22nd

RECENT LOCAL WALKS & SOCIALS

Jumbles We were very lucky with the weather as the expected downpours did not appear. Even the visibility was pretty good. An enjoyable walk with lunch just below 1000 feet.

The geology walk in Lyme Park. There were some old fossils and a few erratics! Oh! And some geology too. Nice one Salle.

Brinnington to Levenshulme Short but very warm walk via Vale, North Reddish, Houldsworth Golf Course, Highfields Country Park & the Fallowfield Loop. Saw Tame Viaduct with 16 arches & was built in 1875.

Marple. Pleasant walk from Marple Station along the canal to historic Chadkirk Chapel and back via the River Goyt. Apparently Agatha Christie passed through Marple station and took the name for her "Miss Marple" novels. For details of the Chapel opening times, weekends all year, go to Stockport Council website

Wigan social Well done Chris for organising and finding the interesting parts of for us to see. Not just Wigan Pier! Photos of Wigan Pier, the memorial to Winstanley of the Wigan Diggers, (festival held on the Wiend second weekend in September) and the head sculpture in The Wiend, the area dates back to Roman times and has mediaeval buildings. Also saw lovely Church hidden away. Good quiz as well!

Prestwich Clough lovely evening walk

Littleborough Fantastic. Weather super.great crowd. Rob, the leader did a smashing job, giving us lots of information, lovely walk with great views.

Edale Circular Thanks Kate. Brilliant walk, delighted to be climbing and ridge walking.

Port Salford Greenway and Circular – on the Salford trail. An excellent walk in great weather. Thanks to David for leading and for the local knowledge.

V1 to V2 Leigh. Many thanks to Geoff for guiding, local history & archaeology, once a major coal mining area.

Clarion House Great day out and interesting walk to the iconic Clarion House near Pendle. A film is being made as it is the last of the Clarion Houses. www.clarionhouse.org.uk

Stalybridge. Great mixed walk. Weather also mixed. Many thanks to Mags (and Rob) for reccying and leading. Lovely pint in the Station buffet at the end too.

Canals from City Centre to Philips Park Lovely walk thanks Maggie W. And the rain kept off, always a bonus.

Buxton to Whalley Bridge Smashing walk in true Salle style! Great company and lovely weather - we actually saw the sun!

Salford Quays Heritage Trail Spectacular sunset on the evening walk, thanks Richard. SIGNS AND OTHER STRANGE OR INTERESTING THINGS SEEN ON WALKS

Buxton Buxton Clough

Manchester canals Salford Quays Heritage Trail

Littleborough Chadkirk Chapel Leigh

The Group Committee Position, Name, e-mail Phone Position, Name, e-mail Phone Chair: Salle Dare 07523 871475 Footpath Officer :Richard Cleverley 07593077422 [email protected] [email protected] Secretary: Mags Metcalf 839 3865 Website Administrator: 01942 604262 [email protected] Geoff Jones 07801 261571 [email protected] Treasurer: Mike Lyons 445 0826 Newsletter Editor: 861 8390 [email protected] Margaret Manning [email protected] Walks Co-ordinator: 794 3565 Social Secretary : 633 9167 Maggie Smith Chris Quinn [email protected] [email protected] Membership Secretary & Publicity Officer : Bob Lenihan [email protected]

RAMBLERS WORLDWIDE HOLIDAYS PARTNERSHIP The Ramblers has entered into 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 and quote MR10 OTHER WALKING GROUPS WHO ARE PART OF THE RAMBLERS The Manchester Weekend Walkers http://www.mwwalkers.org.uk/home.htm For 20 and 30year olds Manchester and District walkers (MAD walkers) http://www.madwalkers.org.uk Longer walks and other group walks in Area programme: http://www.manchester-ramblers.org.uk CURRENT WALKS PROGRAMME

Please watch the website http://www.manchesterandsalfordramblers.org.uk for any changes to the walks programme For information contact - Mags Metcalf 07947 864 534. All walks 5/6 miles unless otherwise stated. Please bring a packed lunch/drink on walks. We are provisionally introducing a programme of shorter (2-4 mile) walks which will start at 11.00.

Day Date Walk description Meeting place and time. Walk leader All walks circular Tues & Sat start at 10.30 unless and contact unless stated otherwise stated. Monday walks details start at 11 am 2017 w/e Oct YH the Sill, Hadrian's See M&S away 6/7/8 Wall Ramblers web Tuesday Oct 10 Railway Irlam Station M44 5AB David and Station Train from Oxford Rd. Bus 67 from Veronica Yates Shudehill 0161 789 5209

Monday Oct 16 High spots of The Height Medical Centre, King St/ Peter Height , Salford Rd, Salford. M6 7NQ Matthews short 11am start Bus 32 - 38 from Piccadilly, 8, 12 07914 640 293 from Shudehill

Tuesday Oct 24 The Sam 1pm Carpark front of St. Leonards Dave Lees TfGM Trail Church, off Long St. , Middleton 0161 643 6558

Thursday Oct 26 Leaflet 1 of Salford Salford Trail plaque at Mags Metcalf Trail Salford Quays Salford Quays Metro stop 07947 864 534 Linear to Salford Museum Return from Salford Museum, Peel TfGM Linear Park bus 8,67, 36,37,38, V1, V2 Saturday Oct 28 Littleborough/ Victoria Station for 9.56 train to Barry Windle TfGM Walsden Littleborough 07952 860 747 long 7/8 miles Saturday Nov 4 M&S Ramblers AGM Monton Unitarian Church Hall, Maggie Smith Monton Green. Park on Dukes Drive 07879 465 047 AGM or Green. 11.30 for walk; 1.00 lunch; 1.45 meeting. Bus 33, 68, 2 . N/B 22 no longer runs

Tuesday Nov 14 , Victoria Station for 10.33 train or Salle Dare and the Manchester , Kearsley Train Station 07523 871 475 Linear Bolton and Bury Return from Radcliffe Metro Canal Linear Monday Nov 20 11am start Dane Rd. Metro Pat Williamson Sale area Return Sale Metro or short walk 07596 446 838 short Linear or circular down canal to back to Dane Rd Saturday Nov 25 Middlewood Trail Piccadilly Station for 9.49 train to Margaret and Middlewood Manning Canal 07786 786 811 Tuesday Dec 12 Tandle Hill Victoria Station for 10.26 train to Chris Quinn Annual Christmas Mills Hill Station. Arrives 10.37 07791 452 798 walk Parking nearby

Day Date Walk description Meeting place and time. Walk leader All walks circular Tues & Sat start at 10.30 unless and contact unless stated otherwise stated. Monday walks details start at 11 am Monday Dec 18 Ellenbrook circular Start of Busway at Ellenbrook Geoff Jones Boothstown V1 or V2 bus 07801 261 571 short 11am start Ramblers Dec 23 Ramblers Winter 26th Dec Maggie See Area W W to Walk Festival 6th Jan Salle Websites Festival 7 Jan Boxing Dec 26 and Heaton Park Metro Maggie Smith Day area 07879 465 047 12 pm start 2018 Saturday Jan 6 Manchester Centre Royal Exchange Theatre to HOME Salle Dare buildings 07523 871 475 Tuesday Jan 9 A load of old halls! Entrance to Wardley Cemetery , Rob Dean Worsley near flyover on A6, . 07521 976 455 Bus 36, 37, 38 from Piccadilly Monday Jan 15 Worsley Park at Dukes Drive, Monton Green Veronica Yates short 11am start Bus 33, 68, 2 07941 094 078 Saturday Jan 27 R Irwell, through Bury Metro at 10.30 Salle Dare Burrs CP to 07523 871 475 Summerseat to Bury Tuesday Feb 13 Cobden St. tip and Pendleton Church (St Thomas'), Peter other salubrious Ford Lane, near Salford Precinct Matthews areas! 07914 640 293 Monday Feb 19 Littlemoss and Ashton West Metro stop Steve Saxton TfGM Hollinwood Canal 0161 860 7857 short TfGM walk week 11am start Saturday Feb 24 East Didsbury to East Didsbury Metro stop Return Phil TfGM Chorlton Water Park from CWP Featherstone Linear TfGM walk week Linear 07753 682 575 Tuesday March circular Victoria Station for 10.57 train to Kate Wilson 13 Mossley 07792 936 217 Monday March to Stretford Metro Brian short 19 Linear Return Urmston Town Centre on bus Cartwright 11am start 07721 020 607 Area March Manchester Centre Manchester Cathedral for walk Mags Metcalf AGM 24 11.30 for walk AGM Central Meth Hall , St 07947 864 534 Easter March Healey Dell, Railway Station, then bus Martin Riley Saturday 31 Rochdale 464 (Accrington) to junction A671 07908 081 959 and B6377, Shawclough Rd Tuesday April 10 Marple Ridge, Goyt Ridge Quarry car park near Romper Barry Windle Valley Inn. SK6 7ES. Car share available. 07952 860 747 Phone Barry or Maggie Smith Monday April 16 Debdale reservoirs Debdale Park, Hyde Rd entrance Maggie Walker circuit. 11 am Bus 201,203 from Piccadilly 07947 195 875 short Debdale car park,Wall Way