GLENRIDDING, LAKE DISTRICT

SUNDAY, 27TH JUNE 2010

Coach Leader: Jackie Gudgeon

Coach Leaves at 5.30 pm

Please read these coach notes carefully - they will help you to decide which walk will be the most suitable for you. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the leader for advice. For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others, please try not to join a walk which is beyond your capabilities.
Please respect the wishes of the walks leader and remain with the walk until the end. If you are struggling - inform the walk leader so that he/she can make a decision to shorten the walk, have more rest, etc.

TODAY'S WALKS

Strenuous Leader: Selwyn Williams Distance: 9 miles

During a recession, everybody could do with a raise, and that's what you can have today. Up one valley, past the old mine workings, and to the top of Raise from where you can see down through St John in the Vale to Blencathra in the distance; looking the other way and Helvellyn looms in front of you with views of Swirral Edge. Back down to Glenridding through another valley and there you have it. About nine miles long and up there and back in height!

Moderate Leader: Peter Denton Distance : 7 miles

A quite long steady climb out of Glenridding to reach Red Tarn which nestles in the shadow of Helvellyn, from where we can watch the brave and foolhardy on the ridges of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge. A short ascent from here to reach 'Hole in the Wall' , our highest point today. Descending back to Glenridding via Birkhouse Moor and possibly Lanty's Tarn. Wonderful views if the weather is kind.

Leisurely Leader: Philomena Walker Distance: 6.5 miles

A rocky road to Howtown followed by a leisurely sail back to Glenridding on one of the Ullswaters steamers (ticket £5.60).
Level walking with some uphill sections. We head down the lane towards Side Farm and enter through the gate to follow the track signed Howtown and Sandwick. We follow alongside a wall until it drops away where a short climb will give us a view of Norfolk Island - the best view of the day. We will continue along a path to silver Point where we will stop for lunch before continuing through woods. Descending from the woods to Scalehow Beck and crossing wooden footbridge to arrive at the tiny hamlet of Sandwick, via the lakeshore and Hallinghad Wood, we arrive at Howtown and make our way to the pier and the steamer back to Glenridding.

Easy Leader: Hazel Anderton & Cynthia Prescott Distance: 4 miles.

From the car park we go up through the village and make a slow steady climb beside the brook to the mine workings. We cross the bridge and walk back along the other side of the valley above the stream with lovely views across the lake and down the valley. We then make our way across fields and past woods to Lanty's Tarn, to return downhill back to Glenridding.

NOTES ON THE AREA

Glenridding is a small tourist village on Ullswater, though it grew in importance with the development of the Greenside Lead Mine. Lead ore was first discovered in the 1650's, the first levels were driven by Dutch adventurers in the 1690's and dressed ore was carried down to the Stoneycroft smelter at Keswick. Production at the mine, however, did not really begin until the late 18th century and the mine was not extensively worked until 1825 when the mining activity reached its height. Power was originally provided by waterwheels, with the water being supplied by the damming of nearby tarns. One of them, Keppel Cove, burst its banks in 1927 bringing disaster to the village below. Much the same happened four years later, when flood waters smashed through the concrete of High Dam. By the early 1960's it had become uneconomic to extract lead from the mine and it closed. At one stage, the mine was leased to the Atomic Energy Authority for the purpose of carrying out non-nuclear underground explosions. They were testing seismic instruments designed to detect underground atomic blasts. Most of the mine buildings are now gone, but a few remain and see service as a youth hostel and mountain huts.

Ullswater is second only to Windermere in length but far surpasses it for peace and solitude. Although a navigable highway, there are few motor-driven vessels on the lake, the speed boats and water skiers having been driven away by the 10 mph speed restriction imposed in 1983. There are two launches which sail the lake from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge, both run by the grandly named Ullswater Navigation and Transit Company Ltd. 'Lady of the Lake' was first launched in 1877 and her sister ship 'Raven' in 1889. Originally steam driven, today they are powered by diesel. At the northern end of the lake there is an underground pumping station which draws water off to feed the reservoir at Haweswater.

Patterdale has long been a popular valley in spite of having at one end a high mountain pass that, in winter, is often a barrier to anyone approaching from Troutbeck, Ambleside and Windermere. The so-called Lake Poets greatly loved the place, and its attractions brought not only the Wordsworths, but Sir Walter Scott, Sir Humphrey Davey, and others. It was at Gowbarrow Park that Dorothy Wordsworth noticed the daffodils that led to her brother William penning what is perhaps his best-remembered poem.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE;

Sunday, 11th July 2010. Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire Dales.

Currently there are moderate and leisurely walks confirmed for this 'mid-month' ramble. It looks like Strenuous and Easy walks leaders may be dependant on World Cup final which takes place on this day, but every effort will be made to provide a full programme of walks.

Sunday, 25th July 2010. Castleton, Derbyshire.

Leaders: Strenuous: Moderate: Peter Denton, Leisurely: Derek Lee, Easy: Adelaide Houghton.

Bookings Derek Lee. Coach pick-up times: Ormskirk bus station 8.40 am, Railway Road, Skelmersdale 8.50 am, Skelmersdale Baths car park 9.00 am.

Will walk leaders please let Jackie have details of their walks as far before the walk as possible. At least a week would be nice. Thanks. Those who have the technology can e-mail your notes - please use the address on the Contacts page.

SKELMERSDALE CHURCHES RAMBLING CLUB

Saturday 10th July 2010. Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.

Saturday, 14th August 2010. Llanberis, North Wales.

Coach leaves Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am, Railway Road Bus Stop 8.40 am, Skelmersdale Baths Car Park 8.50 am, Upholland Labour Club 9.00 am. Bookings: Jackie Gudgeon, Coach Fare £9 (non-members £10).

RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION WEST LANCS GROUP

Saturday, 26th June 2010. 1.30 pm. Orrell Water Park, Orrell. 5 miles.

Sunday, 4th July 2010. 10.30 am. Lune Valley and Aughton from Crook O' Lune car park. M6 Junction 34 then A683 towards Caton for 2 miles. 8 miles.

Wednesday, 14th July 2010. 1.30 pm. Banks from car park in village centre on Hoole Lane by St Stephens Club. 5 miles.

Tuesday, 20th July 2010. 7.00 pm. Maghull Station for evening stroll. 4 miles.

Sunday, 25th July 2010. 1.30 pm. Parbold from Bramble Way car park off A5209 by canal bridge. 5 miles.

SEFTON & DISTRICT FOOTPATH GROUP

Sunday, 11th July 2010. Moreton Station. Linear walk to West Kirby.

8th August 2010. Ruff Wood, Vicarage Lane, Ormskirk.

Walks are between 5 & 6 miles. Tel: Carol or Clare for more details.

CLUB NOTES

WEB SITE Please note that the Club's website has moved - it can now be found at www.skemramblers.org.uk. Email addresses for Committee Members are also now "...@skemramblers.org.uk"

COACH BOOKING Please ensure that, before boarding your coach on the return journey, you complete your booking for the next ramble. It would be helpful if you could tell the coach booking officer if you do not intend to book for the next coach.

PLEASE TRY TO BE BACK FROM YOUR CUP OF TEA OR PINT IN PLENTY OF TIME TO BOOK THE NEXT RAMBLE BEFORE BOARDING THE COACH. YOU WILL APPRECIATE THAT IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE OTHER PASSENGERS OR TO THE COACH DRIVER IF THE COACH IS LATE IN LEAVING. REMEMBER COACH FARE IS £10 (£12 NON MEMBERS).

Please make every effort to ensure that, when you leave the bus, you take all your possessions with you. Please check the luggage rack, under the seat, etc, not to mention the boot. Please try not to take anyone else's stuff. Thanks.

If anything is left behind on the bus when we get to Ormskirk, I usually take it home with me (being last to get off) so please ring me as soon as you notice if you are missing anything - Jackie.

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SKELMERSDALE RAMBLING CLUB