Walking Group D

Sheffield U3A “D” Group Walks Programme - July to September 2010

Co-ordinator:  Jan Taylor   0114 2302511   lesleyjan@btinternet.com
All walks to start at 10 a.m. unless marked to the contrary
A message from David:

• Many thanks to members who have submitted walks.  We only require 1 leader this quarter; for the last walk in the programme!   Please contact David ASAP to volunteer.
• The next Walks Planning Meeting will be mid August for the Oct-Dec period.  Please submit your walk to David, preferably by the end of July.  Do use the form I have sent as a separate attachment if you wish.

Mobile Phones:

• It would seem to be very sensible for the leader/s to have access to a mobile phone.

SAY CHEESE - YOU ARE IN HARTINGTON

Today's walk started in Hartington, a major village on the central section of the River Dove once famous for it's world-renowned dairy in which glorious Stilton and Buxton Blue cheeses were made. 

Sadly, these cheeses are no longer made in the village as Nuttall's Creamery - which opened for business in 1870 - is no more. Along with the seven other dairies that locally produced and purveyed their cheeses, they have all gone - although the 'cheese factory' remains and is part of the Long Cleaton Dairy - and continues as a haven for tourists from all parts of the country.

And now to our walk.

Today's 'D' group quorum was few in number: two, the leader and another - perhaps reflecting that we are now well and truly in the holiday season and colleagues have gone off to 'foreign' parts for their summer break? However, we were ably supported by three 'visitors' who were keen to enjoy the summer sunshine together with the blissful countryside located in the upper reaches of the Dove and Manifold valleys.

So, off we go. Heading down the lane overlooking the duck pond close by the cheese factory, we then turn north over the meadows following a track leading to a footbridge over the meandering River Dove. Having crossed it we are now in Staffordshire and heading up towards the ridge upon which the one-street village of Sheen presides.

Although small, this agriculturally-based settlement is famous for it's St Luke's Church. Built originally in 1185, the church's 'weathered green' copper-covered short spire is a well known landmark in the area. Sheen is also mentioned in the Domesday Book where it is referred to as "The  Shining One" - I wonder if this is where the marketing people got the name for that much vaunted household polish?

Although not on our walk route today, Sheen Hill, the sugar loaf shaped mound sitting to the north of the village, is well worth a visit as from it's near 1300 feet  top it provides some spectacular views both up and down Dovedale.

Moving on and leaving the strangely named "The Palace Farm" behind us, we cross the road and follow the route towards Brund.

Before reaching this small hamlet, which in times past had its own mill (now residential), we cross an unusually carved style. This seems to be a feature of this area as the Manifold Way also retains some of its field boundaries and stiles in similar fashion.

Leaving Brund via the footpath to the north of the mill, the way is now clearly marked and in parts closely follows the River Manifold. Within a short distance and located to the north-east of Brund, is the neolithic Brund Low - a bowl barrow or burial ground. 

Continuing north we walk below Throstle's Nest and later, Ridge End Farm, before seeing a few miles distant our lunchtime break venue: Longnor.

Longnor, like Sheen - but even more so, sits high on the ridge overlooking the River Manifold to the west and Dove to the east. Although a pretty and at one time very influential market centre for the region, its ambitions were thwarted by the demise of turnpikes and its lack of a railway link. The latter-day presence of TV film crews, who use the village as a backdrop to the televised drama Peak Practice, has at least drawn some element of tourism to the village.

Having enjoyed our lunchtime break and satisfied the 'inner man' (and woman), it was time to move on.

Heading through the narrow streets to the side of St Bartholomew's Church, our route takes us up to the aptly-named 'Top o th' Edge. Across the valley can be viewed High Wheeldon Hill and Fox Hole Cave (see picture) before we descend into Dovedale. After a sort while we cross Beggar's Bridge and continue along a green lane before turnnig south-east towards the tiny hamlet of Crowdecote, nestling deep in the valley below High Needham Hill. Seemingly in an unusual location, the hamlet was originally on the turnpike route crossing Crowdy Cote Bridge and a Toll Cottage was located there. Toll Bar Cottage still exists and is located on the Derbyshire side of the bridge.

And while we're at it - here's another bit of local history (for what it's worth) .........Crowdecote is a corruption of Cruda's Cot. Cruda being a very influential Saxon landowner and a Cot is a form of shelter! Just think of a baby's cot.

So down the Dove we trek and next point worthy of note is Pilsbury Castle, or at least the remains of the Norman Motte and Bailey structure. With a history shrouded in mystery it was part of extensive estates granted to Henry de Ferrer by King William but uncertainty surrounds whether it was abandoned, destroyed or the family dispossessed following the de Ferrer's misplaced allegiance during the period known as 'The Anarchy'.

Still, well worth a visit if you like history.

Onward again and a short grind up the hill, across the 'wee' road, before continuing up toward Carder Low then once again descending to the ridge above Bank Top Farm. 

Then, staying west of Madge Dale, our home destination looms into view as just a short stretch down the valley - keeping south of Moat Hall - and we're back.

A short rest in the sunshine sitting around the village 'pump' and we were back again 'at one with the world'.

A most enjoyable walk in great company.

Ron Little.

Rain?......Yes, but the scones were lovely!

Most experienced walkers have either trecked along or heard about The Roaches, part of a gritstone escarpment marking the south-western edge of the White Peak but located in Staffordshire. The spectacular formation and line of rocks, along with Hen Cloud and Ramshaw Rocks, are a major attraction for anyone with a love of the outdoors.

A derivation of the French 'les roches' (The Roaches), the outcrop rises to over 1600 ft (in old money, that is) and some of its surreal shapes and names shroud the area in folklore and mystery.

From the tale of the 'old crone' known as Bess Bowyer, who lived in Rock Hall, and is said to have died of a broken heart when her beautiful young daughter was carried off one winters night by strange men never to be seen again - to the legend of Doxy's Pool, near Rock Cottage, which locals claim is inhabited by mermaids - the tales are many and varied.  However, Doxy's Pool is only one of a number of deep pools and lakes locally that have some sort of legend surrounding them.

Sadly, none of these colourful tales featured as part of our walk today as, like 'Brigadoon', by the time we got there The Roaches had vanished in the mist!

From the very outset in Tittesworth Reservoir car park as we kitted up to start our walk it rained heavily  and as the route had been reconnoitred just two days previously in similar conditions, it was clear that a thorough soaking was inevitable. So a speedy 'Council of Common Sense' was called and a motion to re-route our sojourn tabled - and agreed, without a hint of dissent. 

Within a couple of miles, having reached the top end of Whitty Lane and slithered from Homestead Farm into Upper Hulme, we turned north-west - our first deviation from the original planned walk - and waded our way uphill through the torrent of rain and farm sludge now engulfing the narrow lane.

As we progressed and began to climb, the new route taking us up to the west side of Hen Cloud loomed and we turned trudged toward the rocky outcrop with heavy heart. Common sense had momentarily left us - but it quickly returned as the rain had by now found its way inside our anoraks and was trickling down to the small of our backs. So we quickly reverted back downhill to the road - thence upward until the unction and turn for Roche Grange.

By now a stop for refreshment in the form of a coffee break was called for. But where could we sensibly stop and gain reasonable shelter on this wide-open, wind and rain lashed hillside?
Well, what better location than the grandeur of Roache Grange? So having found the very affable and welcoming gentleman farmer-owner (who was building a new hen house in one of his barns to combat the local foxes who had cleared him out of chickens and 'chicks'), we asked if the weather-protection and comfort of an outbuilding could be extended to our bedraggled group of six (see picture). His response could not have been more welcoming - and his invitation also came with the offer of a hot drink; although being well brought up 'Sheffielders' we courteously declined.

By now we were heading into the wind - and, of course, heavy rain - but as we reached the misleadingly named Rose Cottage a partial and short clearance of the mist occurred, sufficient to allow us a partial view of Five Clouds, the individual rocky outcrops that loom large some 200 feet below The Roaches - although 'les roches' were still hidden in mist. A few yards further on and they were gone, once again swallowed up in the dense low cloud and pouring rain.

Not far now as we approached The Lee, to be followed shortly afterwards by Meerbrook YHA and the misty outline of St Matthews Church with it's unusually tall lightning-conducting weather vane. Then past the Lazy Trout pub and a short 'stones throw' meander back across the roadway which cuts Tittesworth Reservoir into two - and back to the cars.

Did I hear you ask "But what about the scones?"
Well, as we were by now thoroughly soaked - both inside and out - the reassuring reward of a nice hot cup of tea (or coffee) in the Tittesworth Visitor Centre seemed a justifiable enjoyment. 
And, of course, you can't have a cup of tea without a cream scone. It just wouldn't be right, would it?

Ron Little

Moorland Picnic - 4 June 2009

Autumn, nay winter, came with a vengeance as some of the more valiant members of D group endeavoured to enjoy a moorland picnic above Callow Bank, overlooking Hathersage, on an evening when even the hardy sheep were looking for places to shelter.

Arranged by another 'hardy annual' and raconteur, David Williams, our picture shows that even a sharp draught from the arctic has little or no affect on this grizzly band of walkers - although it's just possible that the beverages being consumed by many who attended could have dimmed their awareness that within a couple of hours summer had been replaced by winter.

With music from George Formby and others, plus a quiz to get the grey matter working, it proved to be a great evening thanks to David and Margot's efforts - in spite of the change in temperature.