Author Archives: philcdav

Walking Group – August

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U3A Walk 3 August 2017

Short Walk ( Approx 5 miles) is from The Stocks At Parbold, 16 Alder Lane, WN8 7NN

Start Time 10.30 am.    This walk starts from The Stocks car park where we have permission to park. It follows the canal then climbs up Hillock Lane to give views above Parbold and surrounding country. It arrives in Newburgh after passing through a Christmas tree plantation then descends to the canal for the final leg into Parbold.

Longer Walk (Approx 6.8 miles) is from the lay-by opposite The Fairy Glen Parbold

Start Time 10.00 am.    The first part of this walk crosses fields and open countryside with some road sections. There is a short section which is overgrown but passable. It then heads towards Harrock Hill through some woods to where the ruins of an old windmill can be explored. En route, in clear conditions, there are pleasant views as far as The Lake District. It then returns to the lay-by via good paths. Please note the early start time so we can meet up for an optional meal at The Stocks with the short walk.

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Nordic Walking

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A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

On Monday evening, our circular walk from Lydiate Parish Hall to the Cheshire Lines footpath, took us over a field where the footpath had virtually disappeared from view, as a result of the rapid growth of crops, weeds and foliage, due to the summer sun and rain. Whilst we walkers just took it in our ‘stride’, it has become somewhat of a problem, with leaders equipping themselves with secateurs in order to cut the nettles and thorny shoots that creep across the footpaths. Having said all that, it is good to enjoy the country air and scenery on a fine sunny summers evening.

Happy Nordic Walking,

Ian

Day Riders Cycle Group

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Chester to Seacombe

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Today’s route 35 miles

This Monday’s ride (17/07/17) started from Maghull railway station. It was a lovely hot sunny day, with 7 riders taking part, all clad in cycle shorts. From Maghull, we took the crowded trains to Central station, then the Chester train to Chester, where our ride commenced. Today’s ride was planned and led by ‘DAG’.

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Inputting news to your U3A

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We currently have 4 communication outlets to our members.

  • Paper Monthly Programme
  • Paper Tri monthly Magazine
  • Online Website
  • Parish notices presented at the weekly coffee mornings

Group programme information and news can be submitted to the paper outlets via maghullandlydiateu3anewsletter@gmail.com

Website feed via the Group Leaders who should have website access.

If your in any doubt please submit your content to both.

 

Walking Group – Moel Famau

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Thursday July 6th saw the group walking Moel Famau from Cilcain. Leaving the Baptist Church car park around 9.30 we made very good time via Runcorn and the M56 to arrive in Cilcain car park at 10.50.

It was already warm as we left the village in bright sunshine and took the bridle path ascent.  Lunch at the summit and and a sit in the sun before descending via the steeper ‘stairs’ got us back to the village hall at 2.30 for very welcome tea and cake supplied by Sonja and Kate, courtesy of the village shop.  Thanks girls. If you are walking in the area give the shop a visit, the tea and cakes are excellent. Finally, thanks to Ian for help with the recce.

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Tech and Science underground

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On 28th June a group of 16 from the Technology and Science had a private tour of Georges Dock Building. Starting with the old control room dating back to 1934, whose access corridors and stairs are ’tiled and corniced’,  giving it a style not around in today’s buildings.
We then visited the ventilation towers themselves with glazed bricks and original massive vertical exhaust fans still in operation but only used intermittently now, as cars engines are much cleaner and lorries are no longer allowed. The original inlet fans have been replaced by modern horizontal units which pump air into the lower section of the tunnels length.
And finally down many stairs to the Tunnel itself, to walk along the windy service tunnel into one of the ‘refuge’ stations installed after the 1999 Mont Blanc Tunnel Fire, complete with its CCTV, toilets and communicators to the main Tunnel Police control room. Due to many of us having engineering backgrounds the tour was enhanced by the in-depth knowledge of our 2 guides Allison and Billy.

Canal Walking Group – June

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This walk was something of a landmark for us as it took us past the official midway point between Liverpool and Leeds at 63.625 miles between each city. The canal took a surprisingly winding route as we skirted low hills, former cotton towns like Riston, Oswaldtwistle and Accrington, crossed the M65 on the oddly named Dunkenhaigh Aqueduct and reached Clayton Le Moors, our destination for the day. The route was full of interest with plenty of wildlife in the form of ducks and Canada geese with their offspring by the score. The canal’s meandering form felt more like a gentle river than an industrial waterway with lovely vistas opening towards Pendle and the Pennine moors. Needless to say, it was not without its industrial archaeology, with sturdy stone bridges, the traces of stone quarries, relatively modest and grand stone mills, the remains of unusual brick coke ovens, canal workshops, stables and warehouses….all in a 7.5mile hike.