Walk Reports - Summer 2021
Wednesday 21st July 2021
Monthly Long Walk: Owd Betts to Naden Valley
Ten walkers set off from the car park opposite the Owd Betts Inn on a very hot summers day and headed in the direction of Norden. After what seemed a long way walking through the fields with very little shade, we joined the Rochdale Way and made our way to the ruins of Paper House Mill, at the head of Naden Valley which was fortunately surrounded by tall trees that provided welcome shade.
Hot fields Owd Betts
At the bottom of the valley, we reached the site of Ashworth Hall and once across Ashworth Road we headed for Cheesden Valley and followed the brook as it meandered through the trees. Whilst this made for a cooler walk it meant that we had to cross the brook several times with only once having the benefit of a bridge.
Cross Cheesded Brook
A coffee break and early lunch were enjoyed in the shaded valley before arriving in Deeply Vale. Buckhurst was our final stop for refreshments where ice cream and lollies helped to cool or temperatures. We then headed back to the familiar sight of the ruins of Lumb Mill and the Owd Betts car park having covered 8 very hot miles.
Refreshments
Wednesday 23rd June 2021
Clowbridge Reservoir to the Singing Ringing Tree
Nine walkers assembled in Dunnockshaw, which is a village just outside Rawtenstall, and began the walk by joining the Burnley Way. The footpath skirts around the side of Nutshaw Hill from where we had good views over towards Clowbridge Reservoir. The reservoir was created by flooding the village of Gambleside of which there are still enough remains, on the site, to get a feel of village life.
Remains of a baptism font
The route eventually crosses Manchester Road and heads steeply up towards Crown Point Road eventually crossing Burney Golf Course before dropping down into Towneley Park where we enjoyed our morning coffee. The hall which dates back to the 14th century is now owned by Burnley Council who appear to take very good care of it.
Towneley Hall
After coffee we headed across the park into the attractive village of Cliviger, which is thought dates back to Saxon times and is on the upper reaches of the river Calder. Once through the village we re-joined the Burnley Way and climbed steeply back up to Crown Point, but this time headed for the Ringing Singing Tree which was designed by Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu in 2006. It is one of four panopticon sculptors to symbolise the renaissance in East Lancashire. The other three sculptors are, The Atom, near Pendle, The Halo in Rossendale and The Colourfields in Blackburn.
The Singing Ringing Tree
We spent some time listening to the sounds produces by the sculptor before making our way across the moors back to Clowbridge Reservoir having covered 10.5 historic miles.
You can view youtube videos of the west pennine way by clicking videos wpw
