CASTLETON, DERBYSHIRE

SUNDAY, 25TH JULY 2010

Coach Leader: Peter Denton

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: Mark & Julia Gibbons Distance: 9 miles, Ascent 1050 ft

This walk across riverside pastureland and the High Peak follows ancient marching roads, passing battlefields and a Roman fort. We begin with a gentle walk beside Peakshole Water and the River Noe, passing the Roman fort of Navio, to reach Brough. Touching the outskirts of Hope, we climb gently to Aston before starting the ascent of Win Hill. The path is well defined and the ascent steady, soon reaching the level Great Ridge and the summit, Win Hill Pike (1518 ft). Both provide far reaching panoramic views - to Ladybower Reservoir and the Snake Pass, Mam Tor and to the White Peak beyond Castleton. The second part of the descent is steep - via Twitchill Farm, reaching a different part of Hope, and then we take gentle meadows back to Castleton on the opposite side of the A625 to our outward journey. If the weather is good, this walk is one of our favourites and highly recommended for strenuous and moderate regulars.

Moderate Leader: Peter Denton Distance : 7.5 miles

To Edale and Back. If you like hills you will love this walk; as the name suggests we will walk out of one valley, and then back into the valley. We start heading towards Back Tor and through Back Tor Nook down into Edale to cross Back Tor Bridge to walk along Edale road to Yemans Bridge, then past Hardenclough Farm, then up to Hollins Cross and down Hallowford Road into Castleton for a well earned boot rejection and some refreshments.

Leisurely Leader: Derek Lee Distance: 6.5 miles

We start with an easy walk on field tracks as far as Hope village, then turn north to climb the ridge as far as Hollins Cross. This is a long steady 700 ft climb but we'll have time for plenty of pauses on the way up. There are good views on both sides of the ridge. Then a descent to Mam Farm and a short climb on the remains of the old main road up to Blue John Cavern, ending with a pleasant walk on field paths past Treak Cliff and Speedwell Caverns back to Castleton.

Easy Leader: Adelaide Houghton Distance: approx 5 miles

A circular walk from Castleton car park, passing Losehill Hall and climbing gradually to Losehill Farm (Crimea). Then downhill into Hope village. Back via Hope Valley and Peakshole Water.

NOTES ON THE AREA

First recorded in 1196, Castleton is essentially a medieval mining town. Unlike most mining towns, it was planned, rather than being built by random extensions. Set out under the castle, it ceased to prosper when the castle lost its importance in the fourteenth century. Peveril Castle, which was built by William Peveril, William the Conqueror's local bailiff, dates from the 11th century. The rectangular keep is late Norman of about 1175. A dry ditch isolates the castle yard, which occupies nearly the whole of the summit, from the rest of the hill, By the seventeenth century the castle was in ruins.

Castleton is famed for its show caves: Speedwell Mine at the foot of Winnats Pass, Treak Cliff Cavern, Blue John mine, and Peak Cavern, whose entrance was once used for rope making. Blue John, which is a blue and yellow coloured fluorspar, is used in the manufacture of ornaments and jewelry which are sold in the local shops.

Mam Tor is composed of alternate layers of sandstone and shale, exposed in the great precipice. This is a highly unstable combination which has given rise to Mam Tor's other name, the Shivering Mountain. The summit is ringed by the massive ramparts of an Iron Age fort, cut into by the continually slipping cliff. A packhorse track skirts the north face of Mam Tor and then follows the ridge to Hollins Cross and down to Hope on the sourthern slopes of Lose Hill. Until 1633, when a chapel was built at Edale, funeral processions had to climb the ridge for burial at Hope.

Limestone and shale are the essential components of cement and Hope Cement Works, constructed in 1933, is strategically placed at the geological junction of the two. A branch line joins the works to the main railway line over concrete bridges which are quite out of character with the area. The quarry is gradually devouring the limestone to the south and, although providing much needed local employment, is quite a blot on the landscape.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE;

Sunday, 8th August 2010. Loggerheads, North Wales.

Leaders: Moderate: Jackie Gudgeon, Easy: Derek Lee,

As you can see, there are currently moderate and easy walks planned for this 'mid-month' ramble. Please make it known if you are willing to lead a strenuous or leisurely walk.

Sunday, 22nd August 2010. Kettlewell, Yorkshire Dales.

Leaders: Strenuous: Rowland Nock, Moderate: Philomena Walker, Leisurely: Suli Adam, Easy: Irene Wilcock and Dianne Pennington.

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, 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

Sunday, 1st August 2010. 10.30 am. The Wirral from West Kirby Station. By 9.20 am train from Ormskirk or car to West Kirby Leisure Centre car park.

Wedneday, 11th August 2010. 1.30 pm. Mere Brow from the Village Hall. 5 miles.

Saturday, 21st August 2010. 1.30 pm. Crawford village. 5 miles.

Monday, 30th August 2010. 10.30 am. Frodsham, from car park by recycling centre and station. 9 miles.

SEFTON & DISTRICT FOOTPATH GROUP

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

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

CLUB NOTES

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Membership became renewable at the AGM on the 9th June 2010. If you have not already done so, please be sure to pay your subs (£10) to Lin as soon as possible to protect your membership rights. Membership must be renewed by the end of September at the latest!

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. (Sorry, I won't be on the coach today! - Jackie)

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SKELMERSDALE RAMBLING CLUB