| Around Trevors' Backyard |
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Date : 11th October 2009
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Leader : Trevor Whittaker |
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Report by : Phil Bedson |
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Photos © : Phil Bedson |
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| What a backyard! | |
A walk from Great Harwood was on the cards for 10 members of Hyndburn Ramblers ably led by local lad Trevor Whittaker. Starting out from the far end of Allsprings Drive we took the track down to Squires Farm before entering a field to follow the boundary fence on our left down to a kissing gate. A fine drizzle had started to fall during these initial steps and an ideally situated bench was just the ticket for those who needed to ‘waterproof up’. We continued on, past a couple of large cows near the next stile, before striking off to our right across the field until we reached the edge above the River Calder. The path along the waters’ edge was then taken until we reached the road above Cock Bridge.
After crossing the bridge a good track took us through, past the Garden Centre, to emerge across from the entrance to Read Hall which, as it happened, was where we were heading.
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left:
Along the banks of the River Calder |
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right: Read Halls gates |
The way through here is quite peaceful and on occasion deer have been seen in the grounds by the lucky walker. Having passed through the grounds we followed the lane along the top of the village of Read where the rain stopped and the sun emerged. Taking a footpath off the road by way of some steps we crossed a couple of more fields and headed for New Hall Stables where a welcome water stop was declared and a few recycled toilets caught the eye.
The next field went quickly before we entered, by way of a wall stile, the trees of Shady Walks with the trees just turning into their autumnal colours.
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left:
Recycled Toilets |
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right: Entering Shady Walks |
The path then crossed a country lane to go through a gate and along the edge of another woodland before a couple of stiles took us to a lane. Just across this lane was our first major point of interest, and the high point of the day, Black Hill. Now that the sun was out the views up the Sabden Valley were amazing and this lesser known spot certainly got everyone’s approval.
The path down to the village of Sabden was straightforward enough and upon arrival at the village playground the picnic benches proved to be an ideal spot for lunch. After eating, a couple of members couldn’t resist having a go on the slide and the swings but it was as the group were leaving that a piece of equipment caught their eye – a death slide!! Of course this had to be tried out and whilst the others waited patiently the two 40-odd year old children had another play.
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left:
Across the Sabden Valley towards Pendle |
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right: The descent into Sabden |
The path out of Sabden went past Higher Whins and a new plantation before ascending up to join the track at Wiswell Moor Houses. After a brief pause for water the way from here was straight down the track to Clerk Hill where we followed the footpath around the cottage and downhill to emerge onto Whalley Golf Course. From here it is but metres before a little path takes you into Spring Wood where one member of the group couldn’t resist an ice-cream. Continuing on through the trees we went through a kissing gate and then under a bypass into another small wood. Upon entering a field we followed the clear path down to a stile onto a track and followed this into the small town of Whalley passing a house covered in red ivy which was quite striking in the low autumn sun. The high street of Whalley was then followed until a suitable spot for a break was found – namely The Dog Inn.
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left:
St Marys Church, Whalley |
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right: Red Ivy House |
Totally refreshed the group left Whalley on the final leg of their walk. Crossing the bridge over the River Calder our route for the next 10 minutes or so was distinctly uphill as we ascended the local rise of Whalley Nab. Looking back occasionally as we went it was quite astounding at how the view over Whalley opened up the higher we went in such a short space of time. Once everyone had reached the top and caught their breath we had just resumed walking when a shower of rain began to fall and most people waterproofed up again. Those who didn’t had the last laugh however as the shower lasted all of three minutes before the sun once again came out to play. The final mile went in a blur as the track we were on became Dean Lane and this was followed most of the way back. The last bit through Memorial Park was a joy in the autumnal sun and arriving back at the cars all agreed that Trevor knew his backyard well.
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| The way back over Whalley Nab | |
