This gallery contains 12 photos.
FRESHFIELD & FORMBY WALK – 02/03/2017 Long Walk Today’s long walk, led by myself, commenced at Freshfield Station. Nine walkers took part. Distance 8.5 mile walk, mainly on the flat , on woodland paths, the beach and sand dunes. The weather … Continue reading
Thursday 2nd March, leaving from Maghull Station at 9:30 to Sandhills and onward to Formby or Freshfield depending on your choice of walk. Both will return to the Railway Pub at Formby.
The long walk will be approx. 8.5 miles and will start at Freshfield station.
The shorter walk will be about 5 miles and will start at Formby station.
Please note both walks will go through the nature reserve at Formby point. At the moment the reserve is partially closed due to the aftermath of storm Doris. Some trees are unsafe. We will not walk through heavily wooded areas but all walkers undertake the walk at their own risk and will be required to sign the waiver form prior to the walk. Footwear appropriate for sand and muddy paths is essential.
Todays walks started from the Windmill Pub and Restaurant, Parbold, where we posed for a group photograph, before separating into two groups for the long and short walks. The weather forecast was not good, with high winds and rain, which would deter most people from venturing out.
LONG WALK
There were 7 walkers in this group led by myself. The walk was 9 miles long and took 3 hrs 15 mins to complete, including a lunch break. It included some uphill walking, stiles, steps and plenty of mud.
From the windmill we turned right to the ‘T” junction by the Stocks Pub, then crossed the main road and into Bradshaw Lane. We soon found that the footpaths were all very muddy. Having reached the Leeds to Liverpool canal, we turned right along the towpath (also muddy) to Appley Bridge, where we left the canal and walked uphill on the B5375. We then took a footpath, with splendid views of Ashurst Beacon, to Fairy Glen, a local beauty spot, following Sprodley Brook. After crossing a footbridge, a small waterfall could be seen, before climbing the steep stone steps through the glen to the A5209. We then crossed the road and took a footpath uphill past the Boar’s Den Tumulus, an ancient barrow, or burial ground to High Moor, where we had ate our sandwiches by the Rigbye Arms, before descending on a footpath back down to the A5209, near to the entrance to Parbold Hall and what used to be the Wigan Tree Pub, now Miller & Carter restaurant. This is a popular viewpoint with fine views over the Douglas Valley towards Ashurst Beacon. We then descended Parbold Hill for a short distance to view the Parbold Bottle, or beacon. The beacon was erected in 1832 by local dignitaries, to celebrate the passing of the reform act. Many people pass this site, which had good views looking overlooking Parbold Village, without even knowing of it’s existence. It is tucked away just off the main road on the Millennium footpath. After leaving the beacon, we climbed back up the hill and joined the narrow footpath below the summit of Parbold Hill, past the old quarry and right along Wood Lane. Having crossed the railway line on an unmanned crossing, we returned to the Windmill Pub along the canal towpath and joined the other walking group, who were just finishing their meal, for a well earned pint by the roaring log fire.
Ian
SHORT WALK
This walk was led by Sue. It went really well and everyone enjoyed it, helped by the rain keeping away as well! There was a total of 9 walkers on the walk, which started and finished at the Windmill Pub, Parbold. Route distance was 4 miles which took 2 hrs to complete.
From Parbold, we took canal path to Newburgh, then followed paths, which were very muddy in parts, over to Hillock Lane, passed Priors Wood Hall and Down Lane, then back over fields to the canal towpath to finish back at the Windmill. There were plenty of panoramic views to be had, overlooking the surrounding land. At one point we able to see Blackpool Tower quite clearly.
After returning to Parbold, we enjoyed a lovely meal and a drink at the Windmill Pub & Restaurant before heading off home
Thursday 2nd February. Please meet at Windmill Pub, Parbold for a 10:30 start.
2 walks available, 4-5 miles or 8-9 miles. Both include rough terrain and stiles so good walking footwear is essential. Those taking the short walk can have lunch at the pub after the walk. Unfortunately the kitchen closes at 2pm so those taking the longer walk will need to bring a packed lunch.
Contact Marg Kendall for more info.
Following a very successful first walk of the year last week, several walkers asked me to repost the programme. Details of each upcoming walk will be put onto the noticeboard at the coffee morning approx. 3 weeks before the walk. Leaders will be available on the Tuesday a week preceding the walk to give more information.
2017 Walk Programme
The first walk of the 2017 season took place this morning. 23 walkers and 2 dogs set out on a cold crispy morning to walk the Lydiate loop. 12 walkers opted for the longer route (approx 7 miles) led by Alan Carr, who walked from Lydiate to Maghull along the `Cheshire lines footpath, circling back to the canal at Melling, and continuing the loop back to our starting point. The remaining 11 ( and the 2 dogs) opted for the slightly shorter 5 mile route led by Judith Jones, taking the same route but missing out the loop to Melling. Continue reading
To all of our good friends in the Walking Group:-
The gifts you gave us at the Fiveways today were certainly unexpected and greatly appreciated. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have been the Leader of the walks for the last six years, plotting the routes, printing the maps and contacting the pubs. (If anybody ever opens my phone there are more pub names listed than people.) In that time we were in the main blessed with good weather, sadly not today, and who can forget the time at Coniston when the rain came down in torrents but afterwards we all got toasty warm around a great roaring fire at the Crown Hotel. Our main thanks go to you the loyal walkers. Without you and your support there would be no group. With best wishes for the future.
Cheerio and have a good Christmas
Bill and Ann Langham
WALKING GROUP – ORMSKIRK WALK – 8th DECEMBER 2016
The last walk before Christmas took place today (08/12/16), and was led by Ian Gent. The weather was dull, misty and wet but warm for the time of year. The group met at Ormskirk Rail Station, where the walk was to start. There was 16 people on the walk, who braved the wet weather and muddy conditions.
The route took us across Wigan Road, down St Helens Road to Chapel Street (past the Cricketers Arms) to Brook Lane, passing the cricket ground on our left. We then went through a narrow tunnel with a very low roof under the railway line and turned left on a pathway along side the railway, to Black Moss Lane. Here we turned right into Prescot Road and left into Long Lane. At Christ Church we crossed the main road and walked up a track to the reservoir. Our circular route took us around the reservoir along rather muddy paths, stopping off for a coffee break along the way at a seat, where extensive views over the river Mersey estuary can be had, on a nice day, but not on this occasion. After leaving the reservoir path, we descended towards Ormskirk via Red Gate Farm, and made our way back to Ormskirk, passing a shop selling large metal animal statues en-route. After saying goodbye to the animals, we headed for the Toby Carvery for our Christmas meal.
On arrival at the restaurant, Bill Langham was presented with a gift from the group by Margaret Schumacher, who also presented Ann Langham with a bunch of flowers. Bill, has been the leader of the Walking Group for many years but has had to relinquish his leadership for health reasons. Margaret Kendal has now taken on the role of Walking Group Leader. After a very nice carvery meal, good company and conversation, we all departed for home.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
The walks for 2017 have already been planned and will be advertised.
The new walk programme for 2017 is below. The walks will take place on the 1st Thursday of each month commencing on 5th January.Some walks will require transport to the start point by cars. The walk leader will be available at the coffee morning on the week preceding the walk to give information on the walk and how to obtain a lift if one is required. Walks will also be published on the noticeboard and announced at the Coffee mornings.
Please note: the first walk of the new year will take place prior to the coffee mornings recommencing after the Christmas break. This walk will be on 5th January. Start point is the Running Horses Pub, Lydiate for a 10:30 departure. There is an option to do either a 5 or 8 mile walk. Continue reading
A walk leaders meeting will be held on Tuesday 29th November, at 11:15 in the coffee room, to finalise the new walk programme for 2017. All walks will now take place on 1st Thursday of each month to prevent clashes with the Architecture group.
It is proposed to organise a selection of walks to suit all abilities, with a short walk being up a maximum of 5 miles and a longer walk up to 10 miles. Walks will start from the same point and walkers can decide which they wish to attempt. Walkers will be responsible for their own choice depending on their individual fitness levels.. Continue reading