CARTMEL, CUMBRIA

SUNDAY, 16TH DECEMBER 2007

MAY WE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Coach Leader: Jim & Ramlah Eaton

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

Moderate Leader: Jim & Ramlah Distance: About 5 miles

The coach will park at Cartmel race course. We have a short walk from there to the loo, which is in the village. When we get organised we will leave the village behind us, passing the church and heading for a footpath to Pit Farm. Crossing fields along the route known as the Cistercian Way (the Cistercian monks must have passed this way once upon a time), we come to a slight climb to about the 200m mark, then we make our way towards the famous local landmark - the Hospice Tower. Here we rest for a while and have a brew. Feeling refreshed we will carry on a bit farther, until we have had enough and then by some miraculous map reading we shall leg it back to the coach, get changed, and take the village by storm. Merry Christmas everyone!

Easy Leader: Philomena Walker Distance: 4 miles

We set off at a gallop across the race course, through the woods and out on to some nice country lanes. Trip through a pine wood and out the other side to join the Cistercian Way back into Cartmel, in time for lunch at the Kings Inn at 2.30 pm.

NOTES ON THE AREA

Cartmel is on the southern fringes of the Lake District, between the mountains and the sea. The village huddles around a massive priory church, which was part of a monastery founded in 1188 by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke. When the monasteries were dissolved by Henry VIII in 1536-1540 the priory was saved because it doubled as the parish church.

The rest of the monastery fell into ruins, except for the gatehouse which now forms an attractive entrance to the village square. It was built at about 1330 as a fortified tower for the priory. At the dissolution it was being used as a courthouse; from 1625 to 1790 it was used as a school, and is now a craft shop. The nearby obelisk is 18th century.

There are second hand bookshops and craft galleries around and near the square, several village pubs and a couple of cafes and speciality food shops. Cartmel Racecourse holds meetings at spring and summer bank holidays.

The priory's most unusual feature is the tower. For some reason, when the tower was heightened in the 15th century, it was built on a diagonal, giving the church a distinctive appearance. Inside there are intricate carvings dating from 1450 on the tip-up seats of the choir stalls. In 1618 the church was re-roofed and the screen carved. The archway of the north door has elaborate dog-toothed moulding.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE.

Sunday, 6th January 2007. Barley, Lancashire.

Leaders: Strenuous: Selwyn Williams, Moderate: Jim & Ramlah Eaton , Leisurely: Joan McGlinchey, Easy:

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 January 2008. Glasson Dock, 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

Wednesday, 26th December 2007. 1.00 pm. Parbold shops car park. 5 miles.

Sunday, 30th December 2007. 10.30 am. Rivingtom from Great House Barn Information Centre. 8 miles.

Tuesday, 1st January 2008. 1.00 pm. Village Hall, Winifred Lane, Aughton. 5 miles.

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SKELMERSDALE RAMBLING CLUB