|
| Where Are We Again? |
|
Date : 2nd May 2010
|
|
Leader : Phil Bedson |
|
|
Report by : Phil Bedson |
|
Photos © : Gail Bedson |
|
|
 |
|
| So where are we again?? | |
Seven people turned up to join Phil Bedson for a Map Reading Exercise walk from Spring Wood Picnic Site near Whalley. The group was given a laminated map section of the area before first having a brief tuition on map symbols and Grid References within the boundary of Spring Wood.
The next part of the day was to ascertain how much the participants had taken in by the commencement of the days walking. Phil led the group up the lane to Portfield before going over the stile at the junction to go over the fields to Read Old Bridge where a brief pause gave time for a potted history of the Civil War skirmish which took place in the vicinity. A kissing gate off to the right took us on to the small building near Coppy Plantation where Phil stopped the group to ask them where they were on their maps. The next part was led by a selected volunteer who Phil instructed to walk to a point on the map just past High House Farm. Another brief pause for another potted history of the Nowell family of Read Hall interceded this part of the walk but did not distract the first volunteer from their task and the destination was reached with consummate ease.
|
 |
left:
Potted Histories - Read Old Bridge... |
 |
|
|
right: ...and Read Hall |
The group stopped on the lane here * where the valley before them enabled Phil to point out various aspects including the contours of the land and distances. Peoples’ perception of distance is very varied. A nearby sheltered spot provided the group with a good spot for lunch.
The next volunteer was given the destination of the juncture of paths due west of Hodgeon Stone Plantation and proceeded to set off with confidence. Just past the riding stables however a wrong turn was nearly taken due to the age old problem of just following the track you’re on. After being corrected (it has to be said that Phil himself fell foul of this anomaly when first coming this way) the volunteer led the way quite confidently down through the trees to the footbridge at the path junction.
|
 |
left:
Hope this is the right way... |
 |
|
|
right: Pointing things out |
Once again those present were asked to point out where on the map they were before two more people were selected for the next part of the route up to a point just left of Lower Barn Farm. Once again the goal was reached without any problem which proved to some extent that people were listening! With everyone knowing exactly where we were the fifth ‘volunteer’ was selected to continue on to Lower Clerk Hill Farm via Wiswell Moor Farm. Just before the latter however Phil once again stopped the Group to look out over the valley and ask them to point out where they were standing when they had previously stopped just before lunch *. Surprisingly only one person got close!
|
 |
left:
Down to the woods... |
 |
|
|
right: ...and out the other side! |
Arrival at Lower Clerk was the cue for another volunteer to step up for the final leg of the walk back to Spring Wood. Once again confidence was quite evident and no real help was needed as the route around Clerk Hill was navigated and the subsequent descent to the car park was taken. A well pitched ice-cream van was enough to stop all but Phil in their tracks at the entrance to the car park and whilst these were consumed Phil closed the day by asking if there were any questions. All agreed it had been an enjoyable day and they were more confident using a map. With the prospect of a compass reading course later in the year all that remained was for the group to retire to the Dog Inn at Whalley and reflect on the days achievements.
|
 |
|
| Finding the way with ease | |
| EXPLORER 287 |
WEST PENNINE MOORS |
START POINT |
SD 740 360 |
| WALK LENGTH |
4.5 mls / 7.5 km |
TIME |
4 hrs 45m |
| MAX HEIGHT |
198 mtrs |
MIN HEIGHT |
81 mtrs |
| HEIGHT ASCENDED |
224 mtrs |
HEIGHT DESCENDED |
224 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.
|
