SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE DALES

SUNDAY, 24TH FEBRUARY 2008

Coach Leader: Jim & Ramlah Eaton

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: Jackie Gudgeon .............. Distance: 11 miles

The strenuous party today will leave the coach at East Marton, about six miles before Skipton. We will start the walk along the Leeds Liverpool Canal for about one mile, then follow the Pennine Way over to Thornton-in-Craven and then to the top of Pinhaw Beacon (388 metres). This is the highest point of the walk, then we descend through Carleton-in-Craven, finishing off with another short stretch of the canal into Skipton. Fairly undulating walk, usual amounts of mud.

Moderate Leader: Jim & Ramlah Eaton ...... Distance: 8 miles

The highlight of this walk will be the gentle climb up Sharp Haw - a mini mountain in the midst of Flasby Fell. This is a very beautiful and scenic area with splendid views of Pendle, Boulsworth and Buckden Pike. Those of you in the know can point them out to us! We reach this area by carefully crossing a bypass out of town and then scuttling across the golf course (taking heed of the warning signs and cries of "Bloody ramblers!"). Leaving the muttering golfers behind us we then whiz down a lane and cross (care again) the busy Grassington-Skipton road. Finally reaching the glorious Flasby Fell area. After doing Sharp Haw and the panoramic views we will descend into a sheltered woodland area where we may pause for lunch. Then, via woodland trail, fields, stiles and country lanes we make it back to Skipton to partake of the surfeit of Pubs, Cafes and chippies. Great end to a great day.

Leisurely Leader: Philomena Walker ........... Distance : 7.5 miles

We start off with a bit of a steep climb up to the golf course - this is the steepest climb of the day . We continue over fields and stiles, plus mud, towards Sharp Haw but we pass this by, leaving the moderate walkers to ascend to the trig point. We will now walk through woods (there are amaizing views all round this area) before making our way back to Skipton. If we can find the path we may make a trip to Flasby.

Easy Leader: Sue Beeley ...................... Distance: 5 miles

Todays walk will take us to two lovely villages, Stirton and Thorlby. The scenery around is outstanding. On the return we will follow the canal path back into Skipton (save your bread for the swans). The terrain is mostly flat, however in some areas it can be quite muddy.

NOTES ON THE AREA

Originally a Saxon settlement, in Norman times Skipton was chosen as the site of a powerful Norman castle guarding strategic routes into the Aire Gap from the east. The medieval castle survives and, despite extensive 17th century rebuilding, is one of the finest examples of a castle of its period. The pattern of a typical Norman town can be seen, with the church by the castle at the head of the town and a High Street extending below both. There are old inns and shops, courtyards and alleyways, and a colourful street market (daily except Tuesday and Sunday). Many of the old medieval 'backs' which were converted into workshop areas or crammed with workers cottages around the old courtyards in the Industrial Revolution, are now attractive shopping arcades or precincts. As well as an excellent choice of pubs, cafes, restaurants, and shops, places to visit in Skipton include the medieval church with its tombs of the famous Clifford family of Craven and Westmorland, and the excellent Craven Museum occupying the top floor of the Victorian Town Hall. Here there are collections of natural and local history, geology, and material relating to the Dales lead-mining industry.

Many high street properties were rebuilt in the second half of the 17th century, and in the 1720's weavers and wool-combers built houses at the bottom end of the town. Thirty years later the Keighley-Kendal turnpike increased Skipton's importance as a wool trading centre, with a livestock market and, by the end of the century the Leeds-Liverpool Canal ensured the concentration of the worsted cloth industry in the town. The Old Springs branch of the canal was built in the 1770's through a deep ravine alongside Eller Beck at the back of Skipton Castle to carry limestone to the Bradford and Aire valley ironworks. The crushed stone was brought by rope-hauled tramway from a quarry at Haw Bank near Embsay, and gravity fed into waiting barges. The walk along the towpath behind the high castle walls, past a surviving water-wheel at High Mill, is beautiful and fascinating. It leads to Skipton Woods, an area of woodlands with lakes which are open to the public.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE.

Sunday 30th March 2008. Eyam, Peak District.

Leaders: Strenuous: Jimmy Need, Moderate: Ruth Melling & Hazel Anderton, Leisurely: Ramlah Eaton, Easy: Adelaide Houghton.

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 8th March 2008. Saltaire, Yorkshire.

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, 2nd March 2008. 10.30 am. Bleasdale from Beacon Fell Country Park Visitor Centre. 9 miles.

Wednesday, 12th March 2008. 1.30 pm. Croston Moss from Rufford Station. 6 miles.

Monday, 24th March 2008. 10.30 am. Haslingden Grane from Clough Head Information Centre on A6177 between Blackburn and Haslingden. 9 miles.

CLUB NOTES

WEEKEND AWAY

Philomena has booked YHA Conway for the mid April weekend away. Phil will be on the coach taking bookings today.

COACH FARES

A reminder about the increased coach fares. Starting with the ramble to Eyam on the 30th March 2008 (booking today) 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 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.

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SKELMERSDALE RAMBLING CLUB