KETTLEWELL, YORKSHIRE DALES

SUNDAY, 22ND AUGUST 2010

Coach Leader: Phil Walker

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: Rowland Nock Distance: 12 miles

From Kettlewell we head out towards Providence Pot following Dowber Gill Beck and then on to Hag Dyke. We will then pick up the main path onto Great Whernside (704m, height gain from Kettlewell 500m). From here we head north along the ridge via Black Dike End where we will descend Hem Gill Shaw to pick up the Starbotton road to Starbotton. From here we can walk the banks of the crystal clear River Wharfe back to Kettlewell for some well-earned tea and tiffin or maybe a half glass of beer.
Please note the walk will include some open access walking off footpaths on uneven ground. Please also bear in mind the ascent of Great Whernside involves a height gain of 500 metres but there are no other ascents after that. So, if you are up for a bit of adventure, please join me.

Moderate Leader: Phil Walker Distance: 6.5 miles

Two Dales are included in this energetic walk, which starts from Kettlewell and climbs across steep rugged moorland before dropping down into Littondale and the village of Arncliffe. We take time out here for lunch and, weather permitting, time to explore this lovely village and its medieval church, before easy riverside along the River Skirfare, once again climbing up to and over the shoulder of Knipe Scar and down into Kettlewell. The two steep climbs will be rewarded by magnificent views of both Wharfedale and Littondale.

Leisurely Leader: Sully Adam Distance: 6.5 miles

Starting from the bridge we follow the river for about 2 miles to reach the Fox & Hounds pub in Starbotton for lunch. Following is a little climb up a zig zag path, along the top, and back down into Kettlewell.

Easy Leader: Dianne Pennington & Irene Wilcock Distance : 5.5 miles

We start the walk from behind the garage-owned car park and walk to Town End Fields to pick up the Dalesway path and walk back through the village. We then start a gentle climb as we head for Starbotton. There are quite a few gated stiles on this stretch, but not too difficult to negotiate. We then head back on the Dalesway along the river.

NOTES ON THE AREA

Kettlewell is the hub of Upper Wharfedale, a junction of roads and a natural halting place. It stands on what was a major coaching route to Richmond, and the two Inns at the entrance to the village would service the weary travellers. Shops, tearooms and a third Inn add more life to a village being steadily engulfed by holiday homes. Kettlewell straddles its own beck which largely drains the slopes of Great Whernside, very much Kettlewell's mountain. These slopes bear the scars of a lead-mining industry long since replaced by tourism as a major source of employment.

In the 12th century, part of Kettlewell's manor was granted to the canons of Coverham Abbey across the hills to the north. Fountains Abbey and Bolton Priory also had estates here, so it was natural that a market was established in the 13th century and the village became a thriving community. Textiles and, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, lead-mining, revitalized village prosperity and Kettlewell's appearance today derives much from the past 200 years. The remains of the smelting mill, used from 1700 to 1886, can still be seen near the confluence of Cam and Dowber Becks half a mile above the village.

The main road touches only the southern end of the village, and a stroll through its quiet lanes and turnings reveals a number of 17th and 18th century houses, including the vicarage. The church, however, is late Victorian. This attractive 19 century building stands on the site of an earlier 12th century church from which only the "tub" font remains. A document of 1338, on display, refers to the days when the manor belonged to Coverham Abbey, near Leyburn. There are two interesting modern windows commemorating young men who died in the Second World War.

There are many stories relating to Kettlewell. According to one of these, in 1218 the local parson was found dead in the fields. Ralph, the Marshall, was suspected of the killing as he had seduced the parson's mistress and taken her off to Skipton. Perhaps she was attracted as much by Ralph's money as his other charms - parsons were never well paid and, during Elizabethan times, the Kettlewell parson kept an inn in his house to eke out his meagre salary of Â£5 per annum.

Starbotton is a compact village, surrounded by fells. In 1686 a torrential storm caused flooding and because the houses were so close together, most were destroyed and the bridge washed away Off the main road are some lovely corners with an old Quaker burial ground hidden away.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLES;

Sunday, 5th September 2010. Arnside, Cumbria.

Leaders: Moderate: Jean & Leo Keenan, Leisurely: Hazel Anderton & Ruth Melling, Easy: Sue Daniels.

Sunday, 26th September 2010. Ingleton, Yorkshire Dales

Leaders: Strenuous: Dag Griffiths, Moderate: Ruth Melling & Hazel Anderton, Leisurely: Suli Adam, Easy: Joan McGlinchey & Cynthia Prescott.

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, 11th September 2010. Church Stretton, Shropshire.

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, 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, 12th September 2010. Lydiate, Sandy 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.

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SKELMERSDALE RAMBLING CLUB