This slideshow requires JavaScript.

9 members of the rambling group took to the moors above Burnley yesterday for an 8 mile ramble to the Singing Ringing Tree Panopticon. Parking at a very potholed lane we donned boots and gloves as the wind was very keen and we were about to start a climb.

Thankfully the rain of recent days was nowhere to be seen and the sun decided to show its face as we set off on the path across Clowbridge reservoir. From here we started a steady climb up to the higher moorland and it wasn’t long before the gloves were off and coats opened as heartbeats were raised because of the steep incline. Having stopped for a quick photo opportunity at the cross at the base of the memorial forest we continued along good paths to reach the intersection with the main road crossing the moors. Using the path at the side of the road we gained more height then recrossed the road to head onto the upper moorlands. From here it was a downhill stroll along the Pennine Bridleway to the memorial dedicated to Lady Mary Townley MBE. Having died in 2001 the memorial was erected in her memory as she was a tireless campaigner on equestrian, health and disabled issues. This proved to be the ideal spot for a lunch break as it was sheltered from the wind but afforded amazing views with two of the three Yorkshire Peaks being clearly visible in the far distance.

Fed and watered we continued on a downhill route, but as every rambler knows, what goes down also goes up and we started a slow steep steady climb from the valley bottom, past waterfalls and grazing sheep until we came to a very steep concrete path, that seemed to go on forever. We then encountered the most awkward stile on the walk to cries of “are we nearly there yet?”  as the last scramble up moorland loomed before us, with the object of the walk tantalisingly in view on the far horizon.

Reaching Crown Point we were somewhat disappointed as the Singing Ringing Tree was mostly silent due to the lack of prevailing wind! However if you put your ear to the various pipes you could hear the different notes.  Burnley’s Panopticon, ‘Singing Ringing Tree’, is a unique musical sculpture which overlooks Burnley from its position high above the town on Crown Point.

Constructed from pipes of galvanised steel stacked in layers, this Panopticon takes the form of a tree bending to the winds and harnesses the energy of those winds to produce a low, tuneful song. In June 2007, Singing Ringing Tree was named winner of a National Award for architectural excellence by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

We started on the ( mostly) downhill route back across the moors until we came to the Dunnockshaw Millennium Wood, part of the Forest of Burnley reforestation programme, where it was a short stroll back, once again across the reservoir path to reach our start point. From here it was a quick 2 minute drive to the Waggoners Arms for our usual liquid revivers before leaving for home at the end of yet another very successful ramble. Thanks to Gill for the recce and leading the walk.

As the colder weather is just around the corner we limit the rambles to lower level until the Spring but we still walk each month. New members are always welcome to join us.