Members:- Kate Harvey, Alan(L) Jones, Bob Kelly, Iain McCallum, Dave Shotton, Andy Stratford, Chris Thickett, Peter Walker, Dave Wylie, Peter McNulty.

Guests:- Sheila McNulty, Jo Stratford.

Saturday was a warm sunny autumn day with not a cloud in the sky, unfortunately the walk was on the Sunday when it was cloudy with a cooling wind. However, it could have been worse as the rain started as we arrived home after the walk, and as I write this two days later it is still raining.

Peter (W) and Alan chose to explore the Irwell Valley as far as Stubbins before ascending up to Holcombe Moor and re-uniting with other the walkers at Peel Tower.

The rest of the party commenced with the urban part of the walk before ascending through fields and tracks to reach Ashworth Valley with its industrial heritage and old mill looking like a film set.

Passing below the rock outcrop that had been the venue for an earlier evening club meet, Andy commented that he had a rope in his rucksack as training for Scotland! I am not sure if he was suggesting a quick route but no one responded.

From Owd Betts we followed the wall over Tom Hill and dropped down to Cheesden Brook passing the inappropriately named Paradise to reach the Coal Rd where a short break was taken. The party then pressed on to Whittle Pike from where the full extent of the Scout Moor wind farm can be seen with the access roads snaking over the hillside.

Two approaches were then taken to reach Waughs Well with my direct way taken by the majority of the group but the climb up to the well was not well received. Another break was now taken to allow the party to recover. Chris pointed out that the entire walk is located within about three miles of his house.

A steady section round under Cowpe led to the descent through Edenfield to Irwell Vale. We were told that a train was due on the East Lancs Railway so we waited to see it pass. Unfortunately it proved to be diesel powered not steam.

Following the climb up to Holcombe Moor past Robin Hoods Well the group decide to split with one party returning via the bridleway and the others over the moor via Ellen Strange grave with its carved stone. Pilgrims Cross and finally Peel Tower where Alan and Peter were waiting.

After the descent back to the village we then re-grouped briefly in the pub.

‘Round Ramsbottom Ramble.

Pleasant summers walk (unless the wind and rain blows in from the west) on the hills above Ramsbottom taking in some historical features giving a distance of about 16 miles.

Meet at the Hare and Hounds (SD 781153) junction of A676 and B6214 at 9.15 for 9.30 start.

We will start by dropping into the Irwell Valley and follow the river to Nuttall Park from where we ascend through fields and woods to reach Bury Old Road at(SD806160. After following the road for a short distance footpaths lead to the old mill at Lumb Bridge (SD824162). Several options are then available to reach the top of Whittle Pike (SD825189) but we will see the effects on the hillside of both the Scout Moor quarry and wind farm. The next objective is Waugh’s Well built in honour of the dialect poet Edwin Waugh and the site of Foe Edge Farm (SD828197) where he lived. The Rossendale Way is then followed before the descent back into the Irwell Valley passing the church in Edenfield (SD798198). From the railway at Irwell Vale (SD793201) we climb out of the valley towards Holcombe Moor passing Robin Hood’s Well(SD778195), the memorial stone to murder victim Ellen Strange, the Pilgrims Cross (SD771182), and finally the Peel Tower (SD775163) from where a descent through the woods leads back to the cars.

Refreshment can then be found in the Hare and Hounds which has a wide range of Real Ales.