WALKING FOR PLEASURE GROUP
Walks take place from April through to October and are
between 3 and 5 miles long. 
All walks are guided and accompanied by cardiac support nurse.
Details of the walks are published here and in the Newsletter
But may also be obtained from the secretary

Heart Concern Walks for 2005
 

WALKING GROUP By Hilda Preston Cardiac Nurse

On Sunday 14th August our group began walking from The Globe at Overton, the weather was good, ideal for walking.
Our route took us by the Old Hall towards Sunderland Point from which we had superb views over the estuary,
we then walked along the shore to Sambo’s Grave (see front cover), where local children had left little painted stones in tribute
to the little boy who had died so many years ago. From Sambo’s Grave our route took us to  Meadow Farm
long the road back to Overton.

Our September walk took place in the Beetham Area, it was wet and windy but off we set to Pye’s Bridge then to Hale
to visit the house once inhabited by John Taylor who in October 1880 was     sustained as the third President of
The Church of the Jesus Christ of    Latter–day Saints. We then walked through Underlaid Wood back to Beetham
Via the paper mill.

On the second Saturday in October we met at Leighton Moss and walked to Haweswater; Challan Hall then over the
Golf course back to Leighton Moss before visiting the Silverdale Hotel for refreshments.
 
The December walk that I had planned earlier in the year had to be changed, as when I checked the route the week before
I was sinking to my knees in mud! I thought this will not do! So it was back to the drawing board.
On our new route we left Wray Village and walked to the area by the river Roeburn to inspect the beautiful mosaic that
depicts the Wray flood of 1967, it is situated on the site of the houses that were demolished in the flood when felled trees
and water crashed down the course of the river. From there we walked by the old Bobbin Mill to Alcocks Farm where
we turned left to descend steeply to a stream in a beautiful wooded area, where we enjoyed our mulled wine and mince pies.
(see photograph on front page). We then joined the road near Wray Sawmills and descended the steep hill into Wray,
then across the fields towards Hornby. Our paths were still very muddy but we had a great time, which was concluded
with a social drink at the George and Dragon pub in Wray.

January 2005.

The severe gales on January 7th necessitated the cancellation of the walk planned for Sunday 8th January.
This was the first time that I considered conditions too severe for the walk to go ahead.
Although the Saturday of February 12th dawned wet and windy, conditions moderated by 10 am when we met at
Cowan Bridge. Our route took us from the car park behind the village stores, underneath the old railway bridge, along the
lane to join the footpath beside Leck Beck. We walked over very wet fields, through woods with buzzards soaring over-head,
to ascend a steep path alongside a delightful stream, to a raised path offering delightful views down the Lune Valley
towards Morecambe Bay.
The weather stayed good until we reached Leck Village then the rain came down during the final mile back to the car park.
We then drove to Hornby to enjoy a pub lunch at the Royal Oak.
 
Our Spring Walking Programme commenced on Saturday 12th March when we met at 2 pm in Low Sizergh by the
River Kent.The weather was excellent following the rain earlier in the week.
Our route took us over the fields towards a redundant bridge that once crossed the Lancaster to Kendal Canal, now
reclaimed as farming land. We walked north towards Larkrigg Spring before returning to the banks of the river.
We then rambled along footpaths through delightful woodland, carpeted with dog and wild garlic.
The river then gushes through dramatic rock formation before flowing more gently through pastureland before narrowing
again at our destination at Sedgewick Bridge.
Refreshments were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Hotel at Haversham.

On Saturday 9th April we had rain once again, however by 2 pm conditions were dry, windy and cold. Our walk started from Hazelslack Tower Farm on the Yealand/Storth road and our route took us along Dollywood Lane through puddles and mud before the fields along Leighton Beck. We then walked over outcrops of limestone to the shores of Hawes Water and on through the woods to Silverdale Moss and Black Dyke.
The views were lovely, Spring a month further on since our last walk as  primroses were in bloom.
We returned to Hazelslack Tower Farm the home of a very handsome, if noisy peacock.
We concluded our afternoon in the usual manner at the Silverdale Hotel.

On Saturday May 14th our group met at Glasson Dock from where  Judith and Michael Harrison guided our way on a
delightful ramble. Ideal conditions prevailed once again.
Our route took us along Marsh Lane to Crook Farm, passed Crook Cottage and Abbey Lighthouse Cottage to the remains
of Cockersands Abbey, where we were fortunate to be shown round by the local farmer.
At the dissolution in 1539 this Abbey was the third richest religious house in Lancashire but today only the
Chapter House remains standing.
We then retraced our steps to Crook Cottage where we turned right to wander over the fields towards Kendal Hill then
along Dobs Lane to Old Glasson.
We enjoyed a cup of tea at Michael and Judith's home and I wish to thank them both, on behalf of the group, for such a
pleasant afternoon.
 
 Sunday 9th July was a very hot day!
We met at the Smithy Inn at Holme and walked along the canal     towpath to Hilderstone where the larch trees were
originally planted to provide timber for use when repairing the canal in days gone by. We then ascended up and over the fields to cross over the M 6 into Burton, we then walked along Vicarage Lane to the bridleway then on Sandy Gap Farm and
Clawthorpe Hall. We returned to Holme by retracing our steps along the canal towpath to the Inn for  much needed rehydration.

Saturday 13 th August.
In anticipation of the access to Clough Pike being closed following the ’glorious 12th’ Jim Shepherd had plan B ready to
put into action.
We moved to Little Cragg Car Park, the weather was cold and windy as we walked via Skelbrow Barn towards Wisp
Ford Wood it became warmer and the skies cleared. We had wonderful views of the Lune Valley and the distant Lakeland hills. We continued via Belhill Farm to Udale Bridge where we joined the road towards Pott Yeats and eventually to Bains Cragg.
Many thanks to Jim for leading such a pleasant walk.
 
 Hilda Preston.