RIBCHESTER, LANCASHIRE
SUNDAY, 29TH JANUARY 2012
Coach Leader : Leo & Jean Keenan
COACH LEAVES AT 4.30 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: Approx. 9 miles
We set off from the village to the River Ribble and follow the bank on the opposite side to the Ribble Way, later crossing over by secure method of a bridge (no stepping stones here). Up to Hurst Green (toilet stop available), passing to the left of Stoneyhurst College and up to Deer House Wood. We then return across fields to our start, passing Stydd Manor with the old alms house and little chapel.Here is a puzzle, using each letter as the first letter of a word, work out the song in question -
M M G M T N Q L I F C T B
Moderate Leader: Leo & Jean Keenan Distance: 8 miles
The walk is a steady climb from Ribchester towards Longridge Fell, going through Duddel Wood and Manor House Farm. We then go along Huntingdon Hall Road, through fields to Goodshaw Farm, along the Old Clitheroe Road with views of the Ribble Valley, towards the New Drop Inn. From here we descend back to Ribchester through sheep grazed fields. The walk could be very muddy with plenty of stiles.Leisurely Leader: Cynthia Pescott & Margaret Black Distance: 7.5 miles
This lovely walk takes us through fields to Ribchester Bridge then heads up to a good view overlooking the river and the countryside. We then head down to Clough Bank and Dinkley Suspension Bridge and walk back along the other side of the river, through Marles Wood and up to the lane that leads back to Ribchester Bridge. We head back over fields to Stone Bridge and go near to the Roman Bathhouse and have beautiful river views in Ribchester itself. There are lots of footbridges and lots of stiles and some steep downhill steps. Not a lot of uphill walking. Most of the walk is on good paths, tracks or lanes.When this walk was first reccied Joan McGlinchey broke her ankle on a muddy Ribble Way and had to be rescued. Margaret & Cynthia tried to find a new route that was not muddy but this seemed impossible in Ribchester. One field gate was muddy where cattle had collected, so there were muddy boots on part of this walk, but this could not be avoided. At the end of January the ground could be harder!
Easy Leader: Hazel Anderton & Ruth Melling Distance: 5 miles
Today's walk takes us through the town and then to the north of Ribchester and includes a circular route around Duddel Hill (with the mast at the top). We go along lanes, cross fields and through some woodland. There are no steep climbs and the mud situation is not too bad, but there are a lot of stiles.NOTES ON THE AREA
Ribchester itself is well worth seeing, the interesting bits being off to the left of the main road towards the river; Church, Roman remains, Museum of Childhood, Tea Shop, pubs, and old houses. The 13th century church is sited alongside the River Ribble at a place where there was a ford. Crossing the river was a hazardous occupation - in 1246 the rector, whose name was Drogo, was drowned together with his horse. The Assize record shows that the horse's hide was valued at 19 pence, and this amount was duly paid to the sheriff. In the church a fragment of a medieval wall painting shows St Christopher, patron saint of travellers, with the Christ Child. In the 13th century the prominent steps in the churchyard probably supported a cross. Now there is a 17th or 18th century sundial, with an inscription that asks the question: "I am a shadow - so art thou. I mark time - dost thou?" Near the church a small museum houses Roman artefacts. These include a replica of a fine bronze ceremonial helmet, discovered by a schoolboy in 1796, the original is in the British Museum.
On the way out of town, at the end of a lane edged by leafy hedgerows, is the hamlet of Stydd. Here are the almshouses endowed in 1726 by John Sherburn for six Catholic ladies, widows or spinsters. The unusual facade includes some Roman pillars. Today the almshouses are administered by the diocese of Salford. Further up the lane is Stydd Church. Built by the Knights Hospitallers of St John in Jerusalem, the Chapel of the Saviour is all that remains of a small monastery complete with dormitory, refectory and cloisters. In 1338 when it was considered that the monastery no longer served any useful purpose, it was dissolved. The chapel was transferred to the parish of Ribchester in 1545 and today services are held monthly. It is the oldest church building in the valley. The north door is the work of 12th century masons. The interior is simple - a stone flagged nave and an aged oak screen dividing it from the chancel, some massive beams and a panelled pulpit.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
NEXT RAMBLE;Sunday, 26th February 2012. Kendal, Cumbria.
Leaders: Strenuous: Dag Griffiths, Moderate: Cynthia & Dave Prescott, Leisurely: Norma Carmichael, Easy: Sue Daniels.
Bookings: Derek Lee. Coach pick-up times: Ormskirk bus station 8.40 am, War Memorial, 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 please. Thanks. E-mail: please use the address on the Contacts page.
SKELMERSDALE CHURCHES RAMBLING CLUB
Saturday, 11th February 2012. Barley, Lancashire.
Coach leaves Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am, War Memorial 8.40 am, Skelmersdale Baths Car Park 8.50 am, Upholland Labour Club 9.00 am. Bookings: Jackie Gudgeon. Coach Fare £10 (non-members £11).
RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION WEST LANCS GROUP
Sunday, 5th February 2012. 10.30 am. Brockholes and the River Ribble from the Capitol Centre, Walton-le-Dale, Preston. Meet by Waitrose. No dogs please. 9 miles.
Wednesday, 15th February 2012. 1.30 pm. Mark Square car park, Tarleton for Bretherton Snowdrops. 5 miles.
Sunday, 26th February 2012. Halsall, from Memorial Playing Field. A5147 half a mile north of Halsall Church. 5 miles.
Saturday, 3rd March 2012. 10.30 am. Garstang from Discovery centre on High Street car park. 9 miles.
SEFTON FOOTPATH GROUP
All walks are on Sundays, approx 5-6 miles and start at 1.30 pm. Contacts Carol, Clare.
Next Ramble: 12th February 2012. Burscough, Platts Lane.
CLUB NOTES
MEMBERSHIP CARD Note there is an error on the new membership card which states Pateley Bridge is in Cumbria. It is of course in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.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.
© Skelmersdale Rambling Club 2012