Date : 27th/28th/29th May 2006

Day One started overcast and breezy with the promise of sunshine some time through the course of the day. We arrived at Denholme to rendezvous with the minibus in an exuberant mood and in plenty of time. After a little something to eat our transport arrived bang on time and we all piled on for the journey to our start point - Ilkley. In no time at all we had arrived at Rombaulds Moor Car Park and after a pause for the photo off we went.
Uphill to the White Well Information Centre was the first task as this is where the official route passes. Here we turned Eastwards to follow the path along the ridge and the fine views back over Ilkley and the valley it nestles in. Moorland was the main view for this first 4 miles or so and at times a good pace was had as we trudged on. A brief drink stop up near Lower Lanshaw was all that puntuated this part and before long we were at Weecher Reservoir. From Weecher we took some good tracks, including part of a gallop, and well trod field paths for around three miles to arrive at Shipley Glen. Now this is the official start point of the Millenium Way and the Info Centre here was where the route guidebook was acquired a little under 12 months previously. It was also marked with a large stone complete with plaque where the 10 of us were able to have a picture taken, but not until we had eaten.

The sun was trying its best to increase the ambient temperature with the wind having the opposite effect as we set off after lunch. The route was gentle and winding down to the River Aire and then onto the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Being down in the valley it was definitely getting warmer and layers started to be removed. Through various fields we went, both arable and sporting, and after risking life and limb crossing a particularly busy road we found ourselves on a nice track past Shipley Golf Course. After passing through a small hamlet we found ourselves crossing the Golf Course by way of following some large, white-painted rocks. We continued uphill through a wood and then over some more fields to arrive at Harden and just 3 more miles to go.
From Harden the route went via a particularly nice wood and a very large waterfall within. After a brief pause to have a look the lure of the finish was getting stronger and we continued apace. This part of the walk was deemed to be pretty up and down by some although tired legs played a part in this argument and after all, the pub was getting nearer to really care anyhow! Just an hour had passed from Harden when we arrived back at the cars in Denholme. We all agreed we'd had a good day over a couple of pints before making our way back home. Apart from a little spit-spot here and there we'd escaped any rain.

We gained an extra pair of legs for Day Two (and Three) and after parking up at Eastburn the minibus duly arrived 10 minutes early to lug the Group back to Denholme. At 16 and a half miles this was to be the longest of the three days and we were hoping to start well. After being dropped at our start point we soon hit the heights above Denholme with great views and a bitter wind to chill things down. A good track took us round to Thornton Moor Road where we joined up with one of our previous 3 day walks - The Bronte Way which we shared until just outside Oxenhope. Little ginnels and side streets took us around the village's southern and western edges and onto the climb up through fields to Penistone Hill. The car park was already filling up as it is a popular spot to visit Haworth and its sights from. Here we turned sharp West and onto Bronte Bridge and its hordes of tourists before the route turned North and East, up and down, through the fields to Oldfield. Shortly thereafter we had lunch.

Lunch was had on a grassy verge next to the path and was a pretty sheltered spot. Only after resuming the walk did we feel the chill of the wind again and the moorland we were crossing did not give any form of shelter. We joined a track at the far end of Keighley Moor Reservoir which gradually took us off the moor and we dropped down the valley. Our next port of call was to be the curiously named Goose Eye but first we had to negotiate fields and tracks down through Newsholme Dean. This was a most pleasant part of the day and the sun was even starting to warm us up. Arrival at Goose Eye couldn't come soon enough as this is the home of the Turkey Inn - a lovely little place which has it's own little brewery. After Turkey Bitter all round we sat on the benches opposite the pub with the sun beaming down quaffing our well earned pints. You wouldn't think we'd already done 13+ miles and had just three to go.
We resumed the walk with the steep climb out of Goose Eye being the penultimate one of the day. Crossing a few fields we then had about a kilometer of road walking before the gentle slope up Intake Lane. Taking a field path off here it was all downhill, in bright warm sunshine no less, to the Eastburn Arms and the cars where we unceremoniously whipped off the boots before imbibing. Again, there had been little sign of rain apart from the odd spit-spot.

The forecast for Day Three was for rain about the middle of the day although by the time the minibus (15 minutes early today) picked us up at Ilkley, everyone was in good spirits at having come this far and that was the last thing on our minds. After being dropped at Eastburn we soon picked up the path out but within 10 minutes we'd hit the first navigational glitch of the weekend. The Millenium Way must be one of the best waymarked routes I have ever walked but at this point things didn't tie up. After looking around for a while we concluded that we needed to cross the field as marked on the map and no diversion was in place. At the end of the next field we once again picked up the waymarkers and were obviously proven right in our choice. After crossing the level crossing and negotiating the by-pass, thankfully quiet with being early, we entered a bit of woodland and made our way through to cross the River Aire again via Silsden Bridge. From here we crossed a couple of fields and a couple of well maintained lawns to join a track. It was warming up a little so after shedding a layer we continued up a field to join the Leeds-Liverpool Canal again. Upon leaving the canal we went up a farm track and crossed a road to enter a field. This took us uphill to eventually lead us onto Silsden Golf Course. We just made it across the course when the rain came. Waterproofs were donned and we continued apace up a lane to High Brunthwaite where the rain stopped just under 10 minutes after commencement. If that was our lot, great!
Through some woodland with its flowering wild garlic bountiful, we continued to emerge at a wall stile into a field where we dropped down to the road, past some allotments, at the North end of Silsden. It was shortly after this, whilst ascending a rough field, that the heavens opened. It was around midday and right on cue. For the next mile or so it was heavy rain but then, just as quickly as it had started, it stopped. The sun started to shine and although the wind was still very breezy it became almost pleasant. It was also just at this point that, rather fortuitously, we came upon a well built wall that acted as a windbreak thus providing the perfect spot to have lunch. And it was facing the sun.

With no fewer than eight miles still to go we were soon back on the trail and, after yet another glitch which was quickly resolved, the pace was good. By the time we hit Parson's Lane everyone could sense that our time together was coming to an end and this helped the convivial mood throughout the Group. We crossed three roads as we skirted by Addingham, taking brief shelter in a bus stop as a sudden hailstorm engulfed us for about two minutes, then began the steady ascent up to Windgate Nick. We stopped at this end of the ridge and looked over the valley bathed in glorious sunshine. The path along the ridge back to White Wells is around 2 and a half miles long and it seemed it too. We had a brief stop at the Swastika Stone but the end was by now in sight (proverbially speaking) and for a couple of the group this seemed to spur an injection of pace. When White Wells became literally in sight Phil slowed down the pace to enable all to get together. Indeed, whilst waiting at a bench, a number of us burst into an impromptu singing of "On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At" and the final small incline up was all done in no time at all.

Arrival at the cafe at White Wells was the sign we had done it. Phil congratulated everyone as they climbed a few steps in front of the building then, much to everyone's surprise, presented them with the official badge to mark the weekend's achievement. All agreed that it had been a great weekend and you could almost hear the murmurings as to what 2007 's three day event will be.

Date : 21st May 2006

After ascending a particularly muddy field (see right) we stopped beneath some trees where a couple of us took the opportunity to put waterproof trousers on before heading on to Harthill Moor Farm. After crossing the lane and a couple of fields we came upon Robin Hood's Stride, a large rock outcrop, which our leader promptly led us to climb up to the top.

Date : 30th April 2006

We continued our descent after lunch and then walked up the valley for a couple of miles before climbing up to the Roman Hornby Road, the old packhorse route from Slaidburn across Salter Fell. After a couple of miles we took a path to the left which led us down to Croasdale Brook and past Croasdale House to pick up the path across seven fields and back to Slaidburn.

Walking along the Roman Road we could see the weather closing in and the splendid views of the outward journey were misting over…….If only we could make it back to the car park (or the pub) before the rain caught up with us…….alas no!.......just as we hit the road into Slaidburn, five minutes from the car park the rain started………and of course it wasn’t worth putting on our waterproofs at this late stage so we all got wet! Never mind it was a good excuse (as if we needed one!) to dry off in the Hark to Bounty!

Date : 23rd April 2006

Date : 09th April 2006

Date : 26th March 2006

Anyway, after the merriment we all packed up and made our way over the fields to Arncliffe village, entering the confines past its pretty little church and its lychgate. Past the stocks we went and it wasn't long before our next brief sojourn came into view - The Falcon. Now this ivy covered public house is quaint in more ways than one. After removing our boots about half the party entered the establishment to be confronted by what seemed to be somebody's house! Off to the left was a small room with limited seating (our full group would have been a squeeze in there) whilst off to the right was the kitchen complete with farmhouse style table and overhead hanging clothes drier. Facing us was a bar that must have been all of 6 foot in length, above which were the letters E and R with a crown in the middle. The most noticeable thing though was the absence of beer pumps on the bar and it was only as you approached that you realised why. The landlord had beside him a couple of small kegs which were tapped and, upon the request of three pints of bitter, proceeded to fill a white ceramic jug which he then used to fill up three pint glasses. A novelty if ever there was one.

Date : 19th March 2006

After our break the steep climbs ceased and enclosed lanes were our mode of passage. Upon passing Catherine House a brief stop was needed to view the strange little chimney attached to a barn. As it turned out one of our number had looked into this previously, by the tried and tested method of knocking on the owners door, and stated it was apparently a barn used for drying hay/grasses etc and the chimney vented the smoke away. The route then took us to the high point of the day on the Calderdale Way - a further 85m in height had been gained at this point. It was nearly all downhill from here. Keeping to the lanes we made our way down to the B6138 at Green Bank. Turning right and then carefully crossing the road a set of steep steps took us rapidly down to the 'clapper' bridge and a well earned lunchstop.

It was here in and around Cragg Vale that David Hartley and his mates became known as the Cragg Vale Coiners - use the link to find out more.

From Cragg Vale the watercourse becomes Cragg Brook and it was quite obvious that a mill-race had been constructed alongside because we were walking in the middle! After reaching the end of the race, which was by now some distance above the valley bottom, it had become a mill pond, and the scattered remains of mill buildings could be seen amongst the trees with the pond a defunct relic of times past. After a brief sojourn from the waters edge we rejoined just at the point where a water wheel housing was in situ although the wheel within was a smaller replica. Discussions took place throughout the group as to what times were like back when these mills would have been working full pelt.

Date : 26th February 2006

Date : 22nd January 2006

Starting from the Plantation Stret Car Park and heading north it was a bright start for the Group as we set off on a local walk. Upon reaching the Greyhound traffic lights we ventured onto the newly diverted path along the edge of Whinney Hill Quarry. This diversion was to replaced the original line of the path that succumbed to the excavation of the quarry and can still be envisaged in mid-air by those had previously walked it. rejoining the line of the original path to go over the motorway bridge and down a grassy track (using newly replaced stiles!) we continued along field paths to join the canal bank. The old swing bridge is a sad sight in it's state of disrepair so a diversion was made to cross the water at Clough Bank Bridge. The highly decorated canal barges and houseboats made a cheerful sight moored alongside the tow path and a quick stop a little further on was at the point where we were to leave the canal side.

	Shuttleworth Hall

Shuttleworth Hall was soon in view and is the type of building which makes your mind drift back a couple of centuries to when it was in its prime - now it has a farm shop too!! Here we were to meet a most unusual footpath obstruction in the form of four large black hens perched on top of a stile. After a little gentle 'shooing' the hens retreated noisily back into the field allowing us to finally climb over "their" stile. Once over the stile three spotted pigs became the next distraction as it was good to see the pigs out in the fresh air rather than in sheds (or sausages!!). The path continued downhill to cross Shorten Brook at the recently installed footbridge, thanks to both Lancashire County and Hyndburn Councils as its a lot better than the wooden plank that was previously in this location.

			We continued on to Altham Bridge where we passed a wood yard, with a much admired Wooden Man carving, before emerging onto the A678 and the trickery of crossing the road in one piece, to continue alongside the River Calder. After about 1km we veered off through Gooseleach Woods and the disused railway line before stopping for lunch atop a small hill that commanded good views of Hameldon and the surrounding area. And the sun was shining. After lunch we made our way through the village of Read to take the quiet back roads to go through the grounds of Read Hall. The mild weather giving displays of snowdrops in flower and daffodils in bud in the gardens and sheltered hedgerows along this part of the walk. The notorious A671 was then crossed with extreme care before descending the track past Cock Wood. It was here that a sharp eyed member of the Group spotted two red deer amongst the trees and
	The Wooden Man		everyone clamoured for a glance before we were spotted and the pair bounded off to lose themselves once more.		Path along the disused railway

A short stretch of road walking then took us to the minor road down towards Martholme Viaduct. It is hoped that one day this will reopen to walkers as it used to be an important link in the footpath network between Great Harwood and Read. We however had to turn away from the viaduct and follow the disused railway to Mill Lane where we turned down to Brownsills. Here the track was an easy walk to Clayton Hall Farm and it was also on this stretch that the advertised 10 miles was passed. Uh-oh!!

Martholme Viaduct

From Clayton Hall Farm the path took us through a couple of fields and onto a flagged path through woodlands to Burnley Road. One of the group told us the path was originally flagged so the ladies of this part of Clayton could walk to the local church without getting their finest spoilt by the mud. The church is long gone but the restored churchyard still bears witness to its location and those who worshipped there.
After walking a short way up the A678 we turned off the road, along a footpath, to proceed through the Moorfield Industrial Estate. The next part was very unpleasant indeed due to flytipping - all less than a mile from the local tip. What could be a lovely little link path has been ruined by the selfish actions of a few ingrates. From here we rejoined the path up to the motorway bridge and then retraced our steps back around the quarry and home.

*The extra distance by the way was around 2.7 miles but everybody enjoyed the beautiful winters day immensely so our leader was forgiven for her slight miscalculation - Ed

Date : 15th January 2006

On a pleasant afternoon 34 walkers, including one young child plus two dogs, set out from Rishton Library Car Park towards the canal bridge. Turning off onto the canal towpath, we followed the water up to the disused railway and on to Lower Cunliffe. Going uphill past the quarries we arrived at Blackburn Road, the old route from Whalley.

Crossing over the road down to Middle Mickle Hey Farm our route continued onto Parsonage Reservoir. Going on past the reservoir we eventually joined a country lane which we followed to the junction with York Rd and Rishton Rd. Taking the latter the walkers took the first stile on the left and continued through fields up to Blackburn Old Road.

After crossing the road we made our way to Dewhurst Farm, then turned downhill to Smallshaw Hey before crossing Lee Lane and back onto the disused railway. It was then just a short distance back along the canal to the car park. The walk was thoroughly enjoyed by all.