RIP David
VILLAGE LINK
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PILGRIMS' WAY
Follow the route of the Pilgrims 
from Whalley to Manchester.
For detailed information on this walk click
Pilgrims' Way
or click the picture.
Walk Reports
Wednesday 20th November 2024
Lead Mine Clough and Anglezarke Reservoir
Twelve hardy walkers left Rivington Higher Barn, on a cold and crispy morning and joined a section of the West Pennine Way (WPW) at the bottom of the car park. We followed the route into the picturesque, village of Rivington, where we turned right through a stile and headed for Dean Wood, continuing along the route to Alance Bridge. Once across the bridge we turned right, leaving the WPW, and followed a footpath into Lead Mines Clough. After crossing a footbridge, we joined a narrow path, that climbed steadily up to the memorial, erected in 1953 by Horwich Rotary Club in memory of the six airmen who were killed, on the 12th of November 1943 when their Wellington bomber crashed into the hillside. It was a poignant spot to enjoy our morning coffee whilst overlooking the valley in the morning sunshine.
Over looking reservoirs
Wellington memorial
Memorial stone
Once we had finished our coffee we headed away from the valley and climbed over a stile, where we turned right, and headed towards a wood, strangely named, The Flat. We continued to walk around the wood into Rushy Brow, eventually arriving at the Pike Stones. These large stones are thought to be the remains of the entrance to a Neolithic burial chamber some 4500, years ago.
Heading for the wood
Pike Stones
From the stones we continued to cross the snow-covered moor, down to Jepson’s Gate, where we turned right and continued along Moor Road, walking as far as Sidlow Fold Farm. After turning left, at the farm, we joined a footpath which took us down to a spot overlooking Anglezarke Reservoir, where we ate our lunch in the sunshine.
Heading for Anglezarke Reservoir
Lunch
At this point we where back on the WPW, which we followed for a short distance before joining a footpath on our right that took us around Yarrow Reservoir eventually re-joining another section of the WPW which we followed back into Rivington, having covered eight sunny miles.
Heading for Rivington
Monday 11th November 2024.
WPW Link Route, Edenfield to Rooley Moor Road.
On a glorious sunny autumnal morning thirteen walkers met in Exchange Street, Edenfield, to complete the second section of the West Pennine Way Link Route. We began by walking along Market Street to the Parish Church, where we finished the first section of the route. After turning right into East Street, we walked up the track to the first stile and headed across the fields to Sand Beds Lane. Once on the lane we climbed steadily up to Black Hill where we turned right onto the Rossendale Way, passing Cowpe Reservoir, in the valley below. After a long climb we arrived at Rooley Moor, that comes up from Cowpe, and it was at this point which we finished the second section of The Link Route. From here it was a short steep climb over the wet moors to the trig point at Top of Leach. By this time, it was almost 11.00am, which was good timing as it was here that we had planned to observe the two minutes silence on Armistice Day. After gathering around the trig point, the Tryst was said, followed by the sound of the Last Post and the Kohima was said. After a period of reflection admiring the three hundred- and sixty-degree views around the West Pennines, we sat down to enjoy our morning coffee.
View over the sunny moors
Waiting for 11.00am
Coffee stop
Continuing over the moors we headed for the wind turbines, where we got a wave from the engineer at the top of the structure. After turning right and walking for a short distance along the access road, we turned left onto Coal Road. The descent took us passed the gate leading to Paradise, (the name of an area on the way to Owd Betts), which has been part of previous walks.
Wind turbine
Further down the slope we took advantage of a collapsed wall to sit and eat our lunch in the sunshine, whilst having views overlooking Ashworth Reservoir.
Lunch
After lunch we walked down to Rochdale Road, which we crossed, and turned left down Bleakholt Road.
Descending to Turn
Crossing Rochdale Road
From here we joined familiar paths into Dearden Wood eventually joining Gin Croft Lane where we turned left and headed back into Edenfield having covered ten rewarding miles.
Dearden Wood