This slideshow requires JavaScript.

On one of the hottest days of the year, seventeen walkers met at Ormskirk Railway Station. Several people had pulled out of the walk because of the heat and Brenda had decided we would only do half the walk for the same reason. She gave us a short explanation of the name of the walk – horses being imported through Liverpool Docks in 1914 to help in the War effort. Lord Lathom had offered the use of Lathom Park as a depot and the horses were taken by train to Ormskirk and walked to Lathom Park. We left the station on a tarmac shared path (walkers and cyclists) following the disused Ormskirk to Skelmersdale railway track, with trees either side keeping us in the shade. As the path veered off to the right, we carried on along a narrower footpath which took us to some steep wooden steps. Climbing these took us up to Dark Lane, where a sign told us we’d been on “The Smith Way”. The path was designated in the names of Peter and Margaret Smith who had been active campaigners for footpaths in the area. Continuing along Dark Lane, we still had shade from trees although these were becoming more spread out. We now had open fields in view. After passing a pair of cottages on our left, we turned on to Lathom Lane. With fields on both sides and no pavement here, we had to be aware of cars heading for Ormskirk Golf Club. We then stopped for a drinks break while Brenda outlined an addition she and Margaret had checked out on the recce. This was a “triangular loop” which led us along a narrow footpath, where all the shorts and skirts wearers had to watch out for nettles and brambles. (No incidents reported). We didn’t see any Giant Hogweed! The path came out on to Sandy Lane, where we turned right and came back further along Lathom Lane. We backtracked to the point where we’d had our drinks break and set off through fields along the quaintly named “Lady’s Walk”. I think this is a reference to Lady Lathom, who died when a horse drawn carriage overturned after the horses bolted. The full walk passes Lady Alice’s Drive, named after her. We lost the shade here as there were no trees or bushes lining the fields. Margaret gave us some information on some of the crops – protein beans for cattle feed. The path began to rise slowly and after we passed the gas pumping station, it became a little steeper. We reached Crosshall Brow after going through some trees and after walking along the Brow for about twenty yards, we took a footpath through more fields to reach Ruff Wood. The wood covers 19 acres and was donated to the council in 1912 by a local benefactor. We didn’t do the whole 19 acres, but having walked the best part of a mile in hot sunshine, we were glad of the shade the trees gave us. Skirting the edge of the wood, we soon came out on to Ruff Lane. Trees lining the road again kept us shaded. Ruff Lane took us into the town centre after about half a mile and we stopped in Victoria Park Gardens for a group photo and an update from Brenda on future walks. The group split here with some going into town for lunch and the rest catching the train back to Maghull.
Thanks to Brenda and Margaret for organising and recce-ing, especially the planning that kept us in the shade for most of the walk. Looking forward to the next one.