EYAM, PEAK DISTRICT

SUNDAY, 30TH MARCH 2008

Coach Leader: Ruth Melling & Hazel Anderton

Coach Leaves at 5.00 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.

Recent passing away of one of our members.

It is with heavy heart we have to report the death of one of our best loved members, Cathy Wise. Cath supported the club for many years through lots of our walks and weekends away. She was a very popular member of the club and always had a kind word for everyone she met. She was very easy going and ever cheerful. We were all surprised and saddened to hear of her sudden death. She attended our last walk at Skipton and, like the rest of us, enjoyed a good day out. We shall all miss her and all the banter and laughter that surrounded her and her friends, sitting at the back of the coach. On a more personal note, we wish to pass on our condolences and sympathies to Cathy's family and to let them know how much we, too, are going to miss her.

TODAY'S WALKS

Strenuous Leader: Jimmy Need Distance: 10-11 miles

Today's walk starts with a gentle climb up to Mompesson's Well; we then make our way over Eyam Moor to Hazelford Hall. From here we make our way down the lovely valley with the summit of Bole Hill to our left and Smelting Hill to our right, names which, together with that of Leadmill Bridge, make clear the area's industrial past. Then, if you all behave yourselves, we will have a little detour?? After this, we do the last bit of the walk up a hill, but this is no ordinary hill, this is Sir William Hill. We then pass the Ladywash Mine, still extracting fluorspar from 800 ft down. We conclude today's walk with a nice little amble down to Eyam for well deserved refreshments.

Moderate PLUS Leader: Jackie Gudgeon Distance: 9 miles

Eyam - Riley Graves - Stoney Middleton - Coombs Dale - Middleton Moor - Castlegate Stud Farm - Foolow - Eyam.
From Eyam we will visit the Riley Graves en route to Stoney Middleton, before dropping down to Coombs Dale, out past what seems to be a large flooded quarry and through fields and stiles through Foolow and back to Eyam. Quite a bit of up and down through a very varied landscape. Will probably be muddy along the field paths.

Moderate Leader: Ruth Melling & Hazel Anderton Distance: 7-8 miles

Eyam - Sir William Hill - Eyam Moor - Stoke Ford - Bretton Clough - Eyam Edge - Eyam.
A pleasant walk, past the Llama farm, through fields, past streams on to the hill top with lovely views of Eyam and the surrounding district, and back into the very interesting village of Eyam.

Leisurely Leader: Ramlah Eaton Distance : 6 miles

Eyam - Darlton Quarry - Black Harry Lane - Rough Side - Coombs Dale - Stoney Middleton - Top Riley - Riley Graves - Eyam.
From the village we pass through a quarry and circle round via tracks, fields and stiles until we get to the pretty village of Stoney Middleton. Here we can take a bit of time to view the church, the Roman baths, and investigate the warm water of a small spring. Claimed to be a constant 63 deg F. it's a bit of a geological anomaly. From here we have a steep climb to do, up to a good view of the surrounding area. Then we shall go and see the famous Riley Graves, a tragic link to the Black Death that visited these parts over 300 years ago, Finally, we make our way down to the village again, and maybe visit the "Miners Arms" - other watering holes and cafes are also available.

Easy Leader: Adelaide Houghton Distance: 5.5 miles

Eyam - Foolow - Bretton - King William Hill - Eyam.
Starting at Eyam, we take road and field paths uphill to Foolow - plenty of stops. Then road walking to Bretton and King William Hill before dropping down through fields and minor roads back to Eyam. Field paths will be muddy.

NOTES ON THE AREA

Eyam is pronounced 'Eem' and has become known as "The Plague Village". It was in August 1665 that the village first suffered from the Bubonic Plague. The disease came to England via the trade routes from China, spreading quickly in London due to the bites of fleas which had previously lived on the bodies of infected black rats. It is thought that the disease came to Eyam in a parcel of cloth delivered from London to the local tailor, George Viccars, who lodged with Widow Cooper in one of the cottages by the church. After opening the parcel, George Viccars found the cloth damp, so he put it in front of the fire to dry. This was possibly his undoing; after developing a fever, then rashes on his body, he died on 7th September 1665. Others in the same house died within weeks and the disease then spread throughout the village

It was the rector, William Mompesson, together with his non-conformist friend and predecessor, Thomas Stanley, who united the village and persuaded the villagers to stay within the boundaries of the village to stop the disease from spreading throughout Derbyshire.

With the help of the Earl of Devonshire, who arranged for food and other needs to be left at the Boundary Stone, now known as Mompesson's Well, the epidemic was kept within Eyam. Coins, as payment, were left soaking in vinegar so that suppliers of goods knew that they would not be infected. In all 259 people died during 1665 and 1666, but without the heroism of the villagers of Eyam, the plague would have spread all over the county.

Eyam Church is dedicated to St Lawrence, having been used for worship since Saxon times. Inside the 850 year old church is a fascinating exhibition telling the story of the plague. In the churchyard is an 8th century Celtic cross decorated with carvings of angels. There is also a sundial from the late 18th century and many interesting headstones, including one to Harry Bagshaw, a famous Derbyshire cricketer.

Eyam Hall is a beautiful manor house, built in 1671, home of the Wright family. The present incumbents inherited the house in 1990 and two years later opened it to the public. Interested visitors will see history through the eyes of one family for over 320 years.

Foolow is a former lead mining village gathered attractively around the village green. It boasts a 14th century stone cross, a bull ring and a mere. At the edge of the green is a well with steps leading down. The Bulls Head Inn is the last surviving pub in the village - at one time there were five!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE.

Sunday 27th April 2008. Arnside, Cumbria.

Leaders: Strenuous: Jean Thomas, Moderate: Adelaide Houghton, Leisurely: Hazel Anderton & Ruth Melling, Easy: Philomena Walker.

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 12th April 2008. Downham, Lancashire.

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, 6th April 2008. 10.30 am. Arnside from promenade opposite Albion Public House. 8-9 miles.

Wednesday, 16th April 2008. 1.30 pm. Dalton from Beacon Country Park Visitor Centre, Dalton Lane, Upholland. 5 miles.

Wednesday, 23rd April 2008. 6.45 pm. Rainford from Wheatshead Inn on A570 between Ormskirk and St Helens. Please park on road in front -- NOT on pub car park. 4 miles.

Monday, 5th May 2008. May Day Bank Holiday. Coach to Grassington. Strenuous, Moderate and Easy walks. Pick up Burscough 8.30 am, Skelmersdale Baths 9.00 am. Tickets £10. Bookings on 01772 812034 or see Jackie on coach today.

CLUB NOTES

COACH BOOKING AND MEMBERSHIP

Please ensure that, before boarding your coach on the return journey, you complete your booking for the next ramble. It would be helpful if you could tell the coach booking officer if you do not intend to book for the next coach. Also, if you need to see Linda re paying membership subscriptions, please do this also before boarding the coach. Thanks.

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 on the way home 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.

LOST PROPERTY

Anorak left on the October coach - please see Linda.

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