Members present: Ken. Beetham, Virginia Castick, Martin Heaton, Alan(H) Jones, Alan(L) Jones, Iain McCallum, Lorna Marsland, Lester Payne, Alan Peck, Phil. Ramsbottom, Derek Seddon, Chris. Thickett, Frank Williams, Margaret Williams, Dave Wylie (17)

Guests present: Vincent Barvaux, Emilia Krajewska, Mike Radcliffe, David Swindlehurst, Vicki Warren (5)

A great turn out and the weather behaved itself for most of day. From the car park at Meerbrook we made our way along the road and across the fields to Park House farm where the leader missed the path causing the whole party to commit a trespass by walking through the farmyard and down the lane. The farmer was not too pleased! From the road we followed the path up onto the low ridge leading to the Gun. Along the way we stopped for a break before reaching the Trig Point at the dizzy height of 385 metres.

Below the Gun the track deteriorated into a swamp before we gained the road leading to Hollinhall. Lunch was on a sunny grassy bank above the River Dane. Crossing the river we made for Dane Bridge and the Ship Inn at Wiincle. Here we met Ken. A very fortunate meeting because Vincent had to drop out at this point suffering from a painful hip. Ken, very kindly, transported Vincent and Emilia back to their car at Meerbrook much to the meet leader's relief.

From the Ship we climbed up through the woods above the Dane to the Hanging Stone, then along the ridge leading to the Roaches. Following a short but very wet storm we reached the Roaches and the climbing fraternity including Ken Wilson. Below the Roaches we followed the Staffordshire Moorlands Walk back to the cars at Meerbrook. A select few retired to the Lazy Trout for drinks.

Distance about 12/13 miles.

Thanks for your support.

Route: Meerbrook(Car park) - Gun Hill - Gun End - Hollin hall - Danebridge - Roach End - Roaches - Meerbrook.

Map: OS Outdoor Leisure Sheet 24

Meet at 9.30am. for 9.45am.start at Meerbrook (Tittesworth Reservoir Car Park) GR 994604. May be approached from either A523 Macclesfield to Leek road - turn off near Rushton Spencer or from A53 Buxton to Leek road - turn off at Blackshaw Moor.

Refreshments are available at the "Ship Inn" at Wincle and at the "Lazy Trout Inn" at Meerbrook.

A fine walk around the hills at the southern end of the White Peak albeit in Staffordshire. Distance about 12/13 miles on good paths and tracks. The walk can easily be modified to suit the conditions. ETA at the Ship Inn is between 1pm and 1.30pm.