BAKEWELL, DERBYSHIRE

SUNDAY, 10TH JULY 2011

Coach Leader Leo & Jean Keenan

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

Moderate Leader: Leo & Jean Keenan Distance: 8 Miles

From Bakewell we make our way over the golf course with a steady climb through Manners Wood (about 100 metres) onto Carlton Pastures and New Piece Plantation, with views of Chatsworth House. From here we visit the village of Edensor and a lunch stop (with toilets) at Chatsworth House. We then return to Bakewell along the River Derwent via Carlton Pastures and Ball Cross Farm.

Leisurely Leader: Derek Lee Distance: 7 miles

After a few minutes walk through parkland and allotments to the edge of the town, we have a long, mostly easy, climb to the village of Over Haddon, 350 feet higher than Bakewell. Then a steep descent on the road to Lathkill Dale followed by a walk through the last mile of the Dale to Conksbury Bridge. There is a short steep climb from the bridge before we cross the open fields and drop down to Haddon Hall. From here overgrown footpaths and then a bridleway track bring us to the Monsal Trail for an easy last mile back to Bakewell. Altogether about 500 feet climbing today.

Easy Leader: Adelaide Houghton Distance: 5.5 miles

Leaving Bakewell we head northwards via an old pack-horse track to join the Monsal Trail, before descending to the attractive village of Ashford-in-the-Water. The final stretch back to Bakewell follows the River Wye. Apart from one short uphill section, the walk is easy going (in dry weather that is).

NOTES ON THE AREA

A busy cattle market, and the largest town in the National Park, Bakewell stands on the wooded banks of the Wye and is sheltered by hills on three sides. Bakewell is always busy. Its streets are never free of traffic and bustle, but if this is accepted from the outset there is every reason to enjoy the town. It is an exhilarating mixture of old and new, a tourist honeypot that still serves a working community. Very old buildings are surprisingly few considering the venerable history of Bakewell (it was granted a market and 15-day fair in 1254), but there are several fine 17th century structures, such as the Market Hall which now serves as the Peak National Park Information Centre, and the Town Hall. Up the steep road on the west side of the town stands an airy grass-covered knoll on which sits the parish church of All Saints. Like many Derbyshire churches it is broad and low, but with a spire as sharp as a 3H pencil. Inside there are fascinating fragments of Saxon and Norman stonework, and the famous monument to Sir John Manners and his wife Dorothy, who are supposed to have eloped together from Haddon Hall in 1558. Outside stands the shaft of a 9th century cross, beautifully and obscurely decorated with vine scrolls and figures. Close to the church is Cunningham Place and The Old House, a 16th century parsonage turned museum.

Monday is market day in Bakewell, when cattle and sheep wagons converge behind Bridge Street, and the Market Place is decked with awnings. Escaping the bleating and banter is easy; the River Wye runs alongside and it is possible in a few seconds to be out of the crowd and feeding ducks or trout along the river. Upstream is one of the oldest bridges in England, built in about 1300; impossible to appreciate if you are driving over it but a scene-stealer from water level where its five arches and solid breakwaters are visible. In the distance is Castle Hill, where the settlement of Bakewell began in 920 with the establishment of a Mercian fort.

The fame of the Bakewell pudding has spread far beyond the bounds of Derbyshire to become high on the list of favourite traditional British puddings. According to tradition, the recipe was the result of a mistake which emanated from the kitchen of the Rutland Arms Hotel in around 1860. The cook, flustered perhaps by the order to prepare a special strawberry tart for some important guests, put the jam in first and then poured in the egg mixture designed for the pastry on top. Far from being a disaster, the new invention was hailed as a culinary triumph and became a regular item on the menu. Incidentally, do not ask for a Bakewell Tart in the home of their origin - they are always known here as 'puddings'. And don't ask who has the original recipe, included in the will of the Rutland Arms cook - it is still the cause of local dispute and rivalry!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE;

Sunday, 31st July 2011. Coniston, Lake District.

Leaders: Strenuous, Jimmy Need, Moderate: Peter Denton, Leisurely: Norma Carmichael, Easy: Hazel Anderton & Ruth Melling.

Bookings for all rambles: Derek Lee. Coach pick-up times: Ormskirk bus station 8.40 am, Skelmersdale War Memorial 8.50 am, Skelmersdale Baths car park 9.00 am.

NOTE NEW PICK UP AT SKEM WAR MEMORIAL INSTEAD OF RAILWAY ROAD BUS STOP.

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.

MID MONTH WALKS

Please note that the remaining mid month walks planned for September and November have been cancelled.

SKELMERSDALE CHURCHES RAMBLING CLUB

Sunday, 13th August 2011. Tideswell, Peak District.

Coach leaves Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am, Skelmersdale War Memorial 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

Wednesday, 13th July 2011. 1.30 pm. Carr Mill for Carr Mill Dam circular. 5 miles.

Tuesday, 19th July 2011. 7.00 pm. Lathom from Vicarage Lane by Ruff Wood, Ormskirk. 4 miles.

Sunday, 31st July 2011. 1.30 pm. Wrightington from St John the Great Church, Church Lane. 5 miles.

SEFTON FOOTPATH GROUP

All walks are on Sundays, approx 5-6 miles and start at 1.30 pm. Contacts Carol , Clare .

Next Ramble: Sunday 10th July 2011. Aughton Village Hall, Winifred Lane, Aughton.

CLUB NOTES

WALKS PLANNING MEETING

Many thanks to all those who attended the Walks Planning Meeting last Wednesday. Between us we chose venues for the forthcoming year (Oct 2011 to September 2012) and we hope you will agree , when you see the list, that it a good selection of old favourites and new. Quite a few of the regular walk leaders were at the meeting and have volunteered their services already, but there are quite a number of Easy walks vacant, and, up to now, all the Strenuous walks. Please give some thought to leading one or more walks on the programme - we are always looking for new leaders and help is available from the more experienced to give you a start!

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.

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