SCORTON, LANCASHIRE
SUNDAY, 27TH JANUARY 2008
Coach Leader: Chris Cox
Coach Leaves at 4.30 pm
Please read these coach notes carefully - they will help you to decide which walk will be the most suitable for you. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the leader for advice. For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others, please try not to join a walk which is beyond your capabilities.TODAY'S WALKS
Strenuous Leader: Jean Thomas Distance: 10 miles
From Scorton village, we walk along Snowhill Lane, through Wyresdale Park to Foxhouses, past the Fisheries, coming out on to the lane at Street Bridge. We turn right to Bracken Lea and to a path which will lead us to Harrisend Fell and Grizedale Bridge. Up the lane now until we pass Grizedale Lea Reservoir and follow farm tracks to Burns Farm, then Higher Lane and back to Scorton.Moderate Leader: Chris Cox Distance: 8 miles
Scorton - Snowhill Lane - Nicky Nook - Fell End Farm - Harrisend Fell - Foxhouses Brook - Taylors Farm - Wyre Lake - Ashbournes - Scorton Lake - Scorton.I hope the rain has stopped for a few days before we go on this walk, otherwise expect wet and muddy going! We tackle the only hill I could find, Nicky Nook, but it's not a steep climb, just enough to get your heart going! The walk takes us over farm and fell land, and we cross the River Wyre a couple of times on the route. As always, the weather will decide how much fun we have.
Leisurely Leader: Derek Lee Distance : 7 miles
A short sharp 200 feet climb will take us out of the village and under the motorway. This is shortly followed by an easier 250 feet climb up the length of Grizedale valley. After a brief respite, another 200 feet climb to the east of Fell End to enjoy the views of Morecambe bay. For the second half of the walk it's downhill (nearly) all the way, coming close to the river near Wyre Lake then following easy footpaths back to Scorton.Easy Leader: Denise Holden Distance: approx. 5 miles
Starting from The Priory we will go up a steep incline up Snowhill Lane (sorry, but this is the only steep hill). The rest of the walk is pretty much flat, taking in extensive views of Wyresdale Lake, the Fylde Plain, and Morecambe Bay.NOTES ON THE AREA
Grizedale is covered in ancient semi-natural woodland. Birch, beech, sycamore and European larch cover the slopes, while alder and ash are found along the banks of Grizedale Brook. The woodland is carpeted with bluebells in springtime, and has numerous mosses and liverworts. An easy to follow bridlepath runs the full length of the valley. At the head of the valley is Grizedale Reservoir created in 1866 to provide drinking water for the Fylde. The reservoir is one of four managed by North West Water on the edge of their Bowland Estate. The reservoir and associated woodlands are rich in wildlife with birds such as Oystercatcher, Green Woodpecker, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, and Wood Warbler breeding locally.
At a height of 215 metres 'Nicky Nook' is one of the most popular and well known landmarks in Wyre. Heather, bilberry, lichens, mosses, rushes, bracken and rough grass make up this rich mosaic of upland heathland. Skylark, Curlew, Kestrels and Lapwings are some of the birds to be seen
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
NEXT RAMBLE.Sunday 24th February 2008. Skipton, Yorkshire.
Leaders: Strenuous: Jackie Gudgeon, Moderate: Sue Daniels, Leisurely: Philomena Walker, Easy: Sue Beeley.
Bookings Derek Lee. Cheques to Skelmersdale Rambling Club.
Coach pick-up times: Ormskirk bus station 8.40 am, Railway Road, Skelmersdale 8.50 am, Skelmersdale Baths car park 9.00 am.
Will walk leaders please let Jackie have details of their walks as far before the walk as possible. At least a week would be nice. Thanks. Those who have the technology can e-mail your notes- please use the address on the Contacts page.
SKELMERSDALE CHURCHES RAMBLING CLUB
Saturday, 9th February 2008. West Kirby, Wirral.
Coach leaves Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am, Railway Road Bus Stop 8.45 am, Skelmersdale Baths Car Park 8.50 am, Upholland Labour Club 9.00 am.
Bookings: Yvonne Turton.
RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION WEST LANCS GROUP
Sunday, 3rd February 2008. 10.30 am. Warpers Trail from Jumbles Information Centre, Waterfold Car Park, off Bradshaw Road, Bradshaw, Bolton. 9 miles.
Wednesday, 13th February 2008. 1.30 pm. Lydiate and the Cheshire Lines from Lydiate Village Hall. 5 miles.
Saturday, 23rd February 2008. 130 pm Mere Brow Village Institute. 5 miles.
CLUB NOTES
A NOTE FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN (LADY)Another good year of rambling slipped by and, hopefully another year of good walking beginning. Looking back at some of last year's walks, we really did visit some great places. Grasmere, Grassington, Bolton Abbey and Church Stretton amongst them. The Christrmas walk went quite well - who could forget the farm yard we went through, full of mad cows and slurry? They weren't there when we did the recce, honestly!
We had three generations of walkers out that day. Our daughter Anita, and her three daughters, who managed well. Anita used to come along when she was younger. There seemed to be more children on the bus in those days, and we even let dogs on board - ah me, fading memory! We do need to encourage a younger generation to follow in our footsteps in order to keep rambling alive. The Christmas walk was rounded off by a good meal in another great venue, found for us by Philomena.
We are now looking forward to visiting some more cracking good walking areas - Arnside, Amblesjde and Hebden Bridge amongst them. We look forward to seeing you on walks and on the bus. Cheers all.
Ramlah.
COACH FARES
Unfortunately, as we anticipated, it has become necessary to once again raise the coach fares to cover rising costs. Starting with the ramble to Eyam on the 30th March 2008 please be prepared to pay £9 (£11 for non members). We feel sure you will agree that this still represents excellent value for a good day out, and we look forward to your continued support.
RUCKSACKS
Please store rucksacks, poles etc in the coach luggage compartment. Rucksacks etc should not be brought into the coach, except (with the prior permission of the driver on the day) for those two or three people who are getting off the coach at places other than the main dropping off points. Please remember that the rucksack rule is for our comfort and safety on the coach. Most members find it easy enough to bring a smaller bag on to the coach containing those things which are needed 'on the coach', and this requires only a little bit of thought when packing in the morning. Thanks.
Please make every effort to ensure that, when you leave the bus, you take all your possessions with you. Please check the luggage rack, under the seat, etc, not to mention the boot. Please try not to take anyone else's stuff. Thanks.
© Skelmersdale Rambling Club 2006