For the latest Stramblers walk, we met at the Sankey Valley Visitor Centre. We set off through the wooded Sankey Valley Park alongside what remains of the Sankey (St Helens) Canal. The path then meandered along Black Brook Basin, following the brook. It was a hot, sunny day but tall trees gave us plenty of shade from the sun. We met a few dog walkers and a peloton of cyclists before passing Black Brook Footbridge. We soon travelled under the East Lancs Road flyover and shortly after, also passed under the railway viaduct. The dam’s sluice came into view, but after the recent dry weather, there was only a trickle of water flowing down it. We then reached the dam itself. It is Merseyside’s largest inland body of water and was formed in 1720 by damming Blackbrook Valley to power industrial mills. It became a head water for the Sankey Canal and was developed in the 1960s for leisure – Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club and St Helens Angling Association still holding regular events there. Our walk followed its western shore. As the path kept a few yards in from the edge under trees, we were again shaded from the sun. We still had good views across the dam and saw a heron skimming the surface. At the northern end of the dam we came to the magnificent nineteen arched, brick built bridge. We stopped here for a drinks break and saw carp swimming and a great crested grebe nesting. As well as a footpath, part of this bridge contains the main water pipeline to carry water supplies from Rivington Reservoir to Prescot Reservoir. After our break we crossed the dam on Carr Mill Road and Judith offered a prize to the first to spot an otter and a bird. They turned out to be on a wind vane at Otterswift Farm! We turned off Carr Mill Road into a lane which took us to Birchley Road. A lovely cottage there had a datestone showing it was built in 1733. We were now unprotected from the sun with a half mile uphill walk ahead before we reached “Buttylicious” for a rest and drinks stop. Refreshed, we joined the far end of Carr Mill Road and turned off past Billinge Community Sports Centre. We walked through fields of barley before reaching the shade of a wood. A winding, undulating path took us through the wood, care being needed to avoid tripping on tree roots. We left the wood and reached the edge of the dam at the Dam Bar & Grill which we’d seen from the far bank. The roadway formed the top of the dam and as we walked along it, three model aeroplanes circled above. We then retraced our steps along the Black Brook Basin to the visitor centre.
A most enjoyable walk (over new ground for me). One place I’ll certainly be visiting again! Thanks to Sheila, Judith and Viv for organising, recce-ing and leading. See you all next time.