An overnight flurry of snow ensured that, for the third year in a row, Hyndburn Ramblers Mince Pie Walk would be a white winter wonderland. The early driving conditions weren’t easy but the small convoy of cars that left Accrington arrived at Healey Dell safe and sound albeit around 10 minutes later than normal. With our leader David meeting us there the 13 who made the journey were given their mince pies at the start point with some consuming theirs immediately.

The route set off along the road before a steady climb up to the hamlet of Nar End. There are a lot of these small groups of houses in this area and this is a lovely example. Passing along the lane through Nar End the group took a stile into a field and followed the path through to the disused reservoirs. We made our way along the first, lower, reservoir which is now drained and headed up the steps to the go along the dam of the second, higher, body of water. Now the previous year three of the ladies in the group decided to relive their childhoods by sliding down the embankment on their backsides and David was not going to let them pass without a reprise (although stopping where he was enabled two of group to continue walking and talking and making their way, wrongly, around the reservoir! They had to be called back.) So it was that 5 grown ramblers proceeded to slide down a reservoir embankment either in a line or one at a time – more than once I hasten to add – amidst calls to make it an annual tradition! (Obviously dependant on weather conditions) It also has to be said that waterproof trousers are an ideal sledge replacement.

After this spectacle and with the group once again reunited we made our way along the lane and over the fields towards Rydings Farm enduring a mini snowball fight from those still excited about playing in the snow. It was at Rydings were we once again met up with the farmer who was feeding his cattle in the sheds like he’d been doing the previous year and the kindly gent took time out to answer questions about farm life in the snow and the beasts themselves. We gave our best wishes for the holidays and were then on our way to Wardle passing a large flock of geese in the fields which took to the air quite spectacularly. In Wardle we stopped to look at the tree in the village centre and those at the back were promptly ambushed with snowballs by a couple of local boys. The ensuing snowball fight lasted through the village. As we ascended the lane out to Wardle Fold David called a well deserved break where chocolate fingers and shortbread were handed around whilst another member offered everyone some cognac for their coffee.

We resumed along the tracks to the edge of Shore village before turning uphill towards Shore Hall. The group stopped here to look at the early 17thC building and a couple even took up the offer on the gate to enter the garden and have a seat on the bench. There was even an early sighting of Santa…

We continued on up the track from here and joined up with the Pennine Bridleway As it wound its way round Dobbin Hill and down towards Watergrove reservoir. After passing through the Millenium plantation we arrived at the waters’ edge and made our way round to the Visitor Centre where lunch was declared. Being the last walk before Christmas the ‘mince pie walk’ has turned into a mini celebration lunch and this year was no exception. As well as everybodys normal packed lunches other goodies were passed around – sausage rolls, homemade cinnamon swirls and tomato soup as well as the aforementioned chocolate fingers and shortbread. Tea and coffee were also enhanced by cognac and whisky and hot chocolate was enhanced by marshmallows. One thing you don’t see very often on a Ramblers walk has to be the luxurious vodka jellies which were also passed around!!

With full bellies and red noses the walk resumed by taking the paths around the northern edge of the reservoir and down its western edge to the corner of the dam. There were lots of people around enjoying this beautiful day and a lot were towing a sledge behind them. We left the reservoir behind us and headed towards the white hulk of Brown Wardle Hill although no amount of persuasion would make David take us up (although it must be said it was just one person for the climb up and the rest against because the pub was beckoning). The group made their way through Lobden Golf Club and started the descent down the track towards the centre of ‘old’ Whitworth and the Red Lion. This was also a very icy track and resulted in two of the group having a slip up – literally. At least the Red Lion was just a couple of minutes away for medication and recovery.

Everyone was nice and warm but the walk wasn’t quite over as we needed to get back to the cars. As the drivers were reluctant to return for the others we all resumed the journey down to cross the main road and drop down to join the disused railway. The pace seemed to quicken slightly along this straight path and indeed there didn’t seem to be anyone who stopped to look at the artworks dispersed along its length. By the time we arrived at the viaduct the rest had paused to regroup. The steps down to the road below could only be described as treacherous and by the time half had negotiated them the rest had found an alternative bypass. With the light starting to fade all that remained was the short road walk back to the cars. All that was left was for everyone to thank David for leading this barmy bunch of walkers on a wonderful Christmas journey.

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.

Click on an image to enlarge, click again to reduce

      
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