www.pdwc.org Vol: 24 Issue 3 7 March 2010 HATHERSAGE via Snake Pass Coaches leave Hathersage at 5.30pm FUTURE WALKS Coach Walks 8.30am start : 5.30pm return Sun 21 Mar Grasmere via Thirlmere A: Dave Thornton B+: Pete Stevens B: Jackie & Sheila C: Bill Manning Sun 18 April Hawes via Ribblehead A: Graham Hogg B+: Barry Mather B: Dorothy Dobson C: Roy Smith Thursday Car Walks 10.30am start Thurs 11 Mar Scorton B Walk with Sheila Marsh Meet in the village 7 miles / 11.3km climbing 78ft / 24m Park on the road near the Public Toilets just before the centre of Scorton. We follow woodland and field paths, farm tracks and some quiet country lanes. Thurs 8 April Dunsop Bridge B Walk with Dave Tilleray Meet at the village car park Sunday Car Walks 10.30am start Sun 4 Apr Mellor Brook B Walk with Dorothy Dobson Meet in cul-de-sac near the Fielden Arms Sun 4 Apr Bilsborrow C Walk with Bill Manning Meet at the village hall car park Sun 2 May Garstang B Walk with Chris Metcalfe Meet at the Riverside car park Sun 2 May Beacon Fell C Walk with Derek Lowe Meet at the Visitor Centre Parking at the Visitor Centre we begin our walk by going through the woods to reach and cross the outer ring road of Beacon Fell Country Park. We head downwards to reach another road where we turn right to follow the road until we reach Snape Rake Lane and take a bridleway on our right which leads to Boggy Wood. We pass right through the wood and, on reaching the road, we head for what used to be Bleasdale Post Office and Tea Rooms. These are now closed but we shall be having lunch around this area. After lunch we carry on past this building, climb some steps, and follow field paths until we arrive at Wickins Barn. Here we turn right and, after a short road walk, we take a footpath on our left to Sagar’s Farm where further footpaths bring us to the outer ring road. We continue through the woods and eventually arrive back at the Visitor Centre. Annual subscriptions became due on 28 February!!! Club Meal An enjoyable time was had by all those members who attended the Annual Club Meal held at the Derby Arms. Our thanks go to Tony and Colin for organising the meal and the entertainment. Please note – Walk details must be in 2 (TWO) weeks before each coach excursion Today’s Walks Today’s starting points: 1. A: Ashopton 2. B+, B, C: Hathersage Hagg Side & Derwent Edge with Dave Colbert Grade. A Distance 11 miles / 18km Climbing 2625 ft / 800m The Upper Derwent Valley is one of the finest in the Dark Peak, though the argument still rages as to whether the Ladybower and Derwent reservoirs add or detract from its sense of wildness. This walk effectively circles the long arm of Ladybower Reservoir, crossing the valley below the dam holding back millions of gallons of water in Derwent Reservoir. We start from the settlement of Ashopton, climbing Crook Hill before heading along the broad ridge of Hagg Side to Lockerbrook Coppice. Following a wooded descent to the National Park Visitor Centre we cross the valley below the aforementioned dam and pick up a track heading north alongside Derwent Reservoir which takes us almost to the Howden Dam. Here we face a lengthy but gradual climb onto Derwent Edge by way of Lost Lad to Back Tor. Rock scrambling is required to reach the trig point! Derwent Edge is then traversed southwards back to Ashopton past a series of weird rock sculptures, of which the finest is without doubt the famous Salt Cellar, but not forgetting the Cakes of Bread, the Wheel Stones and the Hurkling Stones. If clear, the views across to Kinder and Bleaklow from the Edge are exquisite. Eyam Moor with Barry Mather . Grade B+ Distance 10 miles / 16km Climbing 1400ft / 427m Leaving Hathersage we cross the River Derwent at Leadmill and then begin our ascent of Eyam Moor. From here we drop down to the plague village of Eyam. Here in 1665 the bubonic plage (Black Death) arrived in cloth from London carried by fleas. The villagers kept themselves in quarantine until the plague ended in November 1666 having killed 260 out of the 350 villagers. As you pass through the village watch out for rats as it is on their blood that the fleas feed. Leaving the village we pass a small enclosure named the Riley Graves, victims of the plague. Making our way to the River Derwent we follow it back to Hathersage. Derwent Valley with Dorothy Shackleton Grade B Distance 8 miles /12.9km Climbing 1100ft / 335m From the car park we begin by walking up Baulk Lane and going uphill northwards to just short of Cowclose Farm. We bear left here to pass Brookfield Manor and walk along the drive of North Lees Hall. Turning left here we follow a path to Greens House, on to Gatehouse and finally to Hurstclough Lane. From here we descend to Bamford Road and, crossing the River Derwent, follow the Derwent Valley Heritage Trail. We leave this path at Kettle House and shortly afterwards turn north to Mitchell Field where we turn left to Dale Bottom and Toothill Farm. A lane leads us to the church and back to Hathersage. The grave of “Little John”, “Robin Hood’s” lieutenant is in the churchyard. Hathersage Hull abaloo with Derek Lowe Grade C Distance 7 miles / 11.2km Climbing 500ft / 152m We begin our walk after breakfast heading for the railway which we cross to reach Nether Hall and on to Leadmill Bridge. We now follow the River Derwent, after which we head for Bamford Mills, eventually reaching Thornhill where we shall have lunch. We now go down Jane Lane and cross the golf course until we reach Coggers Lane. Then it’s back to Hathersage in good time for a look around and refreshments. I have booked the weather! Have a very nice day. Please help to keep the coaches clean by removing muddy boots. Please check that you have all your belongings and take newspapers etc. away with you. Thank you. .