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| A Tree-mendous Walk |
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Date : 17th January 2010
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Leader : Pauline Hughes |
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Report by : Phil Bedson |
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Photos © : Phil Bedson |
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| The walkers | |
The third walk of Hyndburn Ramblers 2010 programme was attended by no fewer than 19 people , five of whom were about to experience their first walk with the group. Setting off near to the frozen Clowbridge Reservoir the lane downhill was very icy and the fact no-one slipped was a minor miracle. Turning off the lane we took a well defined path over the moorland, through a young plantation, and continued on to join Crown Point Road. With residual snow still lying around the landscape, progress continued along a specially made path running parallel to the road towards our destination – The Singing Ringing Tree. With the wind blowing this Panopticon, made of steel tubes, was indeed ‘singing’ and it was truly a haunting melody. Being one of four in the North East Lancashire area Panopticons were built to commemorate the new millennium and two of the other three will be visited by the group in the coming weeks.
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left:
The icy lane |
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right: The Singing Ringing Tree |
After a quick rest for drinks the route was distinctly downhill as we dropped down the edge of Dixon Hill to cross the A671 towards Dineley Farm. On joining the Burnley Way we turned left to follow the farm lane round to a small footbridge leading to a stile. After crossing a couple of fields care was taken as we tackled the train tracks before arriving at Walk Mill. A small path led behind a housing estate and joined a back road which we followed up to the rear entrance of Towneley Hall. We made our way along the bridleway and upon reaching the football pitches, unusually quiet for a Sunday, we turned up towards the Hall itself. Another icy path within some trees was encountered before we emerged near the car park and headed towards the War Memorial. The beautifully maintained garden in front of the memorial, and the benches within, was deemed a most suitable spot for lunch.
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left:
The War Memorial |
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right: Towneley Hall |
After lunch had been finished the group resumed by going around the hall and taking the woodland path that would lead us out of the grounds. Re-crossing the A671, a path up and then right led along the side of the railway before getting to a clearance atop a small hill where an unusual piece of art was stood. The domed brick structure was designed by local schoolchildren and the reliefs of local wildlife were beautifully carved into it. Another housing estate was passed through before a set of steps took us up to join a small lane that in turn led us up to the main A646 road. The path from here was relentlessly up and height was gained pretty quickly as the Singing Ringing Tree also came into view on the horizon. Skirting Burnley Golf Club we entered a large expanse of moor which was very boggy in parts and made our way around towards New Copy Farm. Following the stream up into a plantation it wasn’t long before we once again arrived at Crown Point Road.
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left:
The carved domed brick structure |
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right: Crossing towards New Copy with the Tree on the horizon |
Taking the gate opposite we followed the fence line uphill to rejoin the Burnley Way just as the sky darkened. With the threat of rain above us and some ankle deep snow beneath us we continued on down to the A682 where a quick stop was taken. As a very light rain began to fall on the wind the final leg from here took us along a good track to Higher Nutshaw and on to rejoin the road. Crossing back over to Clowbridge Reservoir, the rain had been brief, our way forward was easy as we took the path to circumnavigate the waters. There was just the little matter of re-ascending the icy lane we’d come down at the start which was again accomplished without a fall, although one person did come close! We arrived back at our vehicles in good spirits and everyone thanked the leader for a great days walking and looked forward to the next Panopticon.
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| A frozen Clowbridge | |
| OS EXPLORER |
SOUTH PENNINES OL21 |
START POINT |
SD 830 287 |
| WALK LENGTH |
9 mls / 15 km |
TIME |
3 hrs 45 m |
| MAX HEIGHT |
373.78 mtrs |
MIN HEIGHT |
130.26 mtrs |
| HEIGHT ASCENDED |
456.17 mtrs |
HEIGHT DESCENDED |
456.17 mtrs |
This map is for reference only and MUST NOT be used to do the walk.
Please use the correct OS map for all these walks.
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