Members: Alan(H) Jones, Alan(L) Jones, Bob Kelly, Iain McCallum, Lorna Marsland, Alan Peck, Phil Ramsbottom, Peter Scholefield, Peter Walker, Keith Williams, Dave Wylie.

Guests: Katharine Bagshaw, Laura Collier, Ding Koy, Kate Harvey, Chris. Marsland, Julia Partington.

On a rather cool but dry day sixteen members and guests set off from our starting point near Bamford Station along Saltergate Lane, the old salt way from Cheshire to Sheffield, towards Stanage Edge. Soon we left the lane and continued up the side of Bamford Golf Course - along the way marked path with its notice "This is not a public right of way". A rather cheeky notice given that the right of way runs across the Golf Course to the lane above. By various paths and lanes we eventually reached the Long Causeway leading to Stanage Edge. Just below the Edge we re-grouped and stopped for our elevenses. Below our perch was the Buck Stone. In the old packhorse days this stone was an important staging post and it provided a refuge for the men and their ponies.

Snow and ice still lay on the path along the Edge but it did not hinder our progress and we made good time towards the Trig Point. There were few climbers about on the Edge. No doubt this was due to the cold windy conditions. Near the Trig Point we clambered down the rocks and onto the path leading to Higgor Tor (434m). At this point, Alan(L) Jones and Peter Walker left the group and made their own way down to Hathersage. But at Higgor Tor we gained another member, Alan(H) Jones and his dog. Our next objective was Carl Wark, the Iron Age Fort. (Nowadays some experts think that the fort is actually post-Roman.)

From there we followed the path down hill to the bridge at Burbage Brook. Across the bridge we re-grouped before continuing south along the Brook and then across the road into the Longshaw Estate. Here we shed another member of the group, Kate leaving us to make her own way back to Bamford. The rest of us carried on through the woodland to the Lodge where we stopped for lunch. (Originally, this splendid building was used by the Duke of Rutland as a shooting lodge, but it is now owned by the National Trust).

After lunch we made our way through the estate to Padley Gorge and then down to the bottom of the Gorge near to the now disused Bole Hill quarry. (Most of the stone used in the construction of the dams and reservoirs in the Derwent Valley was transported by rail from this quarry. It must have been a real hive of industry at that time).

Along the valley we headed for the River Derwent and Leadmill Bridge. By this time the sun was out and it was now quite warm. On our way we passed Padley Chapel and the ruins of the Hall. (In July 1587, two catholic priests were seized here. They were taken to Derby where they were tried and executed. The anniversary of this sad event is now remembered in July by a service in the Chapel).

Nearing Leadmill Bridge we met Frank and Margaret Williams and family walking through the field near the river bank. We stopped for chat with them and then pressed on, crossing the river at the bridge. Once across the bridge we followed the path along the river bank towards Shatton. Close to the stepping stones across the river we stopped for a drink and a chat. We then continued along the river to Shatton and so back to our starting point near Bamford Station.

Everyone seemed to have enjoyed our walk in the Peak blessed with a touch of Spring weather. It was good to have the company of so many aspirant members on this meet.

Thank you all for your support.

Route: Bamford - Long Causeway - Stanage Edge - Higger Tor - Carl Wark - Burbage - Longshaw Lodge - Grindleford Station - Leadmill Bridge - Bamford.

Map: Explorer OL1 & OL24 Dark Peak Area & White Peak Areas.

Meet at 9.30am for a 9.45am start - Park in the dead end road off the A6013 just south of Bamford Station (SK206825). Park at Bamford Station if you prefer.

A good tramp around the eastern side of the Peak District on good paths and tracks.

Distance: About 12 miles. The walk can be modified to suit the conditions.