MANCHESTER AND
SALFORD
Newsletter and Walks
No 10 – Easter 2012
SOCIAL EVENTS
Manchester and Salford Ramblers invite
you to join us on the following exciting
social events during the summer months.
60’s Night
To be held at the Cord Bar, Dorsey Street
off Tib Street in the Northern Quarter on
Wednesday 16th May at 7.30 pm
£5.00 per person which will include lots of
music/quiz/raffle and nibbles
-------Wildflower and Fauna Walk
Lead by a Countryside Ranger (walk
approx 2 hrs)
Wednesday 20th June (meet at the
No.17 bus stop in Middleton Bus Station)
at 1.30 pm £2.00 per person
-------Annual quiz night
Chorlton Irish Club, 17 High Lane,
Chorlton, M21 9DJ
Friday 20th July at 8.00 pm Quizmaster –
Les Jones
Come on your own or as a team – great
prizes £4.00 per person
------Tickets for any of the above events can
be purchased beforehand by contacting
Chris Quinn, Mags Metcalf or Salle Dare –
contact details on the newsletter.
We hope to make a contribution to
nominated charities from the above
events
FOOTPATH WORK IN MANCHESTER.
Salle and other Ramblers Reps have had one
meeting with Manchester City Council which
seemed to go well. Salle is in the process of
Manchester and Salford
Local Group
(M & S Ramblers)
collating all the information from the survey
we did of all the rights of way in Manchester.
She has booked Friends Meeting House for
Saturday 28th April from 2 -5 so we can go
over the work we have done and perhaps
prioritise what we want done first and discuss
this with the Council.
Greater Manchester and High Peak AGM
We had a successful meeting with a visit from
CO regarding campaigns. John Ireland from
MAD walkers was elected Chairman and
everyone else on the Committee was reelected. Les Jones did a rendition of “The
Manchester Rambler”
which
everyone
enjoyed and joined in. Before the meeting
Manchester and Salford Ramblers organised
a talk and walk through the city taking in the
Manchester Irish heritage.
KINDER TRESPASS
As you know 2012 marks the 80th anniversary
of the Kinder Trespass and there will be a
week of celebrations.
The story of the 1932 Kinder Mass Trespass
Talk Friends Meeting House, Mount Street,
Manchester
19.30 Keith Warrender, author & publisher
Refreshments served from 19.00.
No booking required
There will be a celebratory walk on 25th April.
One group going from Edale, and the other
from Bowden Bridge Hayfield. Meeting at
Kinder Low. Starting at 10.30 am.
Booking required.
Walks also been organised in the Kinder area
on Sat 21st, Thursday 26th, Friday 27th and Sat
28th April
See website for further details
http://kindertrespass.com/documents/Kinder8
0-TrespassToTreasure.pdf
1
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER DO TODAY?
Like most ramblers we are optimists and any
hint of good news in a weather forecast is
seized upon. We have often walked all day in
horizontal rain looking forward to the vague
promise in the forecast of a sunny interval
later. Nevertheless good weather forecasts
are very helpful in planning walks and there
are now a number of sources of information
on the internet
Also help plan what to wear …No such thing
as bad weather just inappropriate clothing
The Met Office offers a range of Mountain
Area Weather Forecasts.
www.metoffice.gov.uk/mountainareaforcasts
They cover the mountain areas of Britain,
including the Peak District and gives more
focused information than general forecasts.
The forecasts cover temperature, likelihood of
rain, wind speeds and directions for valleys
and the hill tops and will give an indication of
expected visibility and extent of any hill fog.
Detailed forecasts are given for ‘today and
tomorrow’ and more general outlook forecasts
for that area for the following three days. The
forecasts are issued twice a day, usually very
early morning and late afternoon.
Another well used site is Mountain Weather
Information Services. www.mwis.org.uk
They issue forecasts for mountain areas, also
every day. There is a combined Peak District
and Yorkshire Dales forecast. Like the Met
Office forecasts they cover wind, temperature,
precipitation for valleys and tops and cloud
level. Met office data is used but the
interpretation is geared to the questions
walkers would ask – like what’s the chance of
views from the summit, how difficult will it be
to walk in that gale force wind! Detailed
forecasts are given for ‘tomorrow’ and the
following two days and are issued daily at
around 4.30 pm.
A favourite site of mine, even when I am not
visiting the area is the Lake District
Weatherline.
www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk
One of its best features is a winter time fell top
conditions report. From the beginning of
December to the end of February each day
two mountaineers take turns to walk to the top
of Helvellyn and their report of conditions on
the top appear in the following days forecast
usually along with a photograph – even if it is
only of the trig point in the mist!
There are other websites that use available
weather data and computer modelling to
produce automatic forecasts for mountain
areas these include sites like Myweather2.
http://www.myweather2.com/Hill-andMountain/United-Kingdom.aspx
This offers quite a range of locations of
interest to us for example forecasts for North
and South Pennines as well as the Peak
District, however this site does not add any
specific comments.
Finally one web site that I recently discovered
is a joint venture between the Norwegian met
office and the Norwegian equivalent of the
BBC. www.yr.no
This offers forecasts for anywhere in the world
and has a very extensive geographical data
base. One feature of the site is that it will also
search for other things like web cams –
although its idea of nearby is “interesting” - a
recent Hayfield search offered a web cam on
an office block in the centre of Stockport!
Alan Manning.
WALKING ELSEWHERE
The Ben
There was a little cloud about and it was cool,
but still sunny and pleasant as we set out to
tackle “The Ben”. From the Youth Hostel we
crossed the Waters of Nevis by the footbridge
and climbed steeply up the hillside. We met
the Pony Track, this - the main “tourist route”
climbs gradually round the flanks of Meall an
t-Suidhe to the broad saddle between it and
the Nevis massif. A good tarn, Lochan Meall
an t-Suidhe, looked inviting but as it is also
known as the Halfway Lochan, there was still
more to do.
From the Lochan the famous zig –zags begin;
we counted ten major bends as our way
climbed up the barren scree slopes. As we
climbed the ground began to have the odd
dusting of snow and the occasional patch of
ice, reminding us of the height and the
season. The views to the west and north were
superb, the long sea lochs and the dark
craggy hills made a fine sight.
With a final pull over a very hard snow patch
we were within striking distance of the
summit. The dramatic North Face of Ben
Nevis was glimpsed and then the jumble of
cairns and shelters with the ruined
observatory that mark the highest point in the
British Isles. The whole summit was still snow
covered and the 360⁰ panorama was
magnificent.
The nearby Aonoch Mor and Aonoch Beag
were dramatic crags topped with snow, in the
distance to the east the snow-capped
summits of the Cairngorms, the ridges and
tops of the Mamores spread out beneath our
feet and wave upon wave of peaks, lochs and
Islands stretched away to the north and west.
A pair of snow buntings added further interest
to the top before we eventually decided we
must leave and retrace our steps back down
the mountain.
We had a couple of flurries of snow on the
way up but the sun shore on our descent and
we finished off an excellent day in the best of
weather. We did this walk on 23 April 1981.
Alan Manning, with Margaret
We need articles for future editions good if
you can do short article about walks you have
enjoyed –it can be in the UK or a holiday
abroad. Also reports of walks you have done
with our group would be good.
Photos as well even better
THE WALKING PARTNERSHIP.
Our group M&S Ramblers has just joined this
new partnership and will be given money for
every one of our members who books a
holiday with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays so
please book your holiday with them if you can
and say you are a member of Manchester and
Salford Ramblers. See further info below.
Overall the partnership provides direct
financial contributions to local walking groups
to help with organising group walks,
encouraging people to get out walking,
helping to clear and improve footpaths,
providing equipment to help walkers etc.
Over the past 65 years, Ramblers Worldwide
Holidays has given many millions of pounds to
assist walking charities and conservation
projects in Britain and the countries they visit
on their worldwide holidays. Now our group
can benefit directly.
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays operate group
walking holidays in the UK and all around the
world. Each holiday is accompanied by a
qualified walks leader, so you can leave all
the organising to them and just enjoy meeting
like minded people and of course, some
fantastic walking. Holidays are graded in
terms of difficulty, and there is a full range
from sightseeing right up to hut-to-hut
mountain treks. Take a look at their website
on www.ramblersholidays.co.uk or give them
a call on 01707 33113 for more details or to
order a brochure.
Remember when you book to quote the name
of our group, and we will then receive a
contribution of £10 per person on UK
holidays, £20 per person on short haul
holidays, and £30 per person on long haul
holidays. This extra funding could really make
a difference to us!
For more details, visit The Walking
Partnership website at
www.thewalkingpartnership.org.uk.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY –
Best Foot Forward Walk & Talk Leaders
Breast Cancer Care wishes to support people
living with and after breast cancer to become
and remain physically active. Research has
shown that physical activity after breast
cancer can reduce cancer related fatigue and
lessen anxiety.
To achieve this Breast Cancer Care are
developing walking groups for low impact 30
minute weekly local health walks in
Manchester. These walks are for people who
have had a diagnosis of breast cancer, who
wish to meet people with similar experiences
and want to increase their physical activity.
Breast Cancer Care are looking for volunteers
who have experienced Breast Cancer or has
some-one close who has been diagnosed with
Breast Cancer to donate some of their time to
facilitate these walks. We ask volunteers to
commit to an average of two 30 minute walks
per month. We are currently recruiting for a
team of six volunteers to plan, promote and
lead the walks. Training and expenses will be
provided.
For further information please contact Lisa
Holland on 0114 263 6496 or Email:
lisa.holland@breastcancercare.org.uk
THE CIRCUIT OF KINDER PLATEAU
The circuit of Kinder plateau is a classic Peak
District walk which is featured in the March
2012 issue of The Great Outdoors magazine.
Good, clear weather is best to appreciate the
fantastic and ever-changing views and to aid
navigation – even following the edge of
Kinder, it is still possible to take a wrong
turning!
It is a walk that I have done several times,
mostly solo and just once with someone else.
It is not particularly strenuous, it is mostly
undulating although there is a steep climb at
the start and it can be very muddy in places.
But it is lengthy. Most information about the
walk states that it takes 8 to 10 hours,
although I have usually completed it solo in
about seven and a half hours. Therefore the
walk will start early at about 9:00 am. (I once
started it at about 7:00 am)
I plan to undertake the walk again this
summer, but have not yet fixed a date. It
might be on a Saturday or midweek, but it will
probably be at short notice in order to better
ensure good weather.
Walk statistics:
Start and Finish: Edale
Distance: 16 miles Ascent: approx. 3,200 feet
Time: 8 to 10 hours.
If you are a fairly strong walker and are up for
a challenge, and fancy joining me on this
walk, please register your interest by emailing
me at stewart.ramsden@gmail.com or ‘phone
me on 07714445118
GET THIS BY EMAIL, QUICKER, MORE
INFO, SAVES CASH We would like to have
as many members as possible on our email
list If you haven’t yet please phone us with
your email address
0161 839 3865 or email Margaret Metcalf at
margaretmetcalf58@hotmail.com
Committee - Position, Name,
Address and e-mail
Chair: Salle Dare, 33 Brundretts
Road, Manchester ,M21 9DA
salle_e_dare@yahoo.co.uk
Secretary: Mags Metcalf,
83 Blackburn Street,
Salford, M3 6AS
margaretmetcalf58@hotmail.com
Treasurer: Mike Lyons, 20 Darley
Ave, West Didsbury, M20 2YD
mikelyons@btinternet.com
Walk Co-ordinator: Maggie
Smith, 118 Manchester Road,
Swinton M27 5FQ
maggie.smith400@btinternet.com
Membership Secretary: Alan
Moffatt, 57 Winnie Street,
Moston M40 9LP
alan@moffatt6310.fsnet.co.uk
Footpath Officer Salford
Chris Clark, 15 Gleaves Road,
Eccles, Manchester M30 0FU.
clark.christine27@yahoo.co.uk
Footpath Officers – Manchester
Henry Rack, 15 Gildridge Road,
Whalley Range M16 8PS
hjrack@talktalk.net
Dave Barcroft, 40 Meadow Court,
Hackness Road Chorlton M21
davebarcroft@yahoo.co.uk
Peter Copping, 3 Regency House,
Whitworth St M1 3NR
psco@talk21.com
Website Administrator
Mary Heaney
phone
861 8491
839 3865
445 0826
794 3565
947 0273
788 8144
881 4305
860 4564
445 8701
mheaney4@gmail.com
Newsletter Editor
Margaret Manning
62 Grange Rd M21 9WX
mmanning@ntlworld.com
Social Secretary
Chris Quinn
20 IrkVale Drive, Chadderton
OL12TW
c20kew@googlemail.com
Get Walking Keep Walking
June Brassington
31 Prestbury Ave Altrincham
WA15 8HY
junebrassington@hotmail.com
861 8390
633 9167
928 5859
07903 430
285
Current Walks programme
We hope to see you on some of the walks. If you have any questions about the walk, please contact the leader or check
the website. www.manchesterandsalfordramblers.org.uk
There’s always a warm welcome for new walkers on our walks
However if you haven’t been on walks with us before and want to meet up with someone to travel to the
walk please contact Maggie Smith Walks Co-ordinator –see details above.
Also please watch the website for any changes to the walks programme.
For information contact - Mags Metcalf 07947 864 534 Please bring a packed lunch/drink on walks
Day
Date
Walk Description
All walks circular unless
stated. Short walks 5/6
miles. Long walks 10/12
Brindleheath Tip to Lumn’s
Lane Tip via the Slurry
Lagoons! Salford
Mankinholes, Todmorden
Meeting Place and time. All walks
start at 10.30 unless otherwise
stated.
Walk leader
and contact
details
Tuesday
April
10
w/e at
YH
April
14/15
Wednesd
ay
April
25
Walks from Hayfield and
Edale to celebrate the 80th
anniversary
80th
Kinder
Trespass
Tuesday
April
24 to
29
May 8
A range of walks, talks and
exhibitions
Saturday
May
12
May
19
Mersey Valley
May
26
Get Walking Day - short
walks
2 Walks stating at 1.30
1. Wythenshawe Park and
canal
2. Salford Quays Sculpture
Trail, Ship Canal to Mc
1. Meet Wythenshawe Hall
Salle Dare
861 8491
2. Meet Media City Metro,
Salford Quays
Mags Metcalf
07947 864 534
Entrance to Hopwood Campus,
Rochdale College, Middleton.
17 bus. Park on Rochdale Rd or turn
left into college drive then first left.
Piccadilly 9.45 train to Edale
Meet at Edale Station 10.30. Limited
parking in Edale
9.30 Piccadilly for 9.52 train to
Whaley Bridge or 10.40 Whaley
Bridge Station
Dave Lees
643 6558
9.52 train from Piccadilly arriving
10.13 at Hazel Grove or station car
park 10.30
Janet Cuff
431 7654
Saturday
Saturday
1.30 start
Children
welcome
Ashton and Rochdale Canals
via Mc City Stadium and
Phillips Park
Dunham Park - canals and
pubs
Tuesday
June
12
Middleton. Oaken Bank,
Hopwood and Boarshaw
Clough and Rochdale Canal
Saturday
June
16
Saturday
June
30
Longer walk
Kinder –
Woolpacks & Jacob’s Ladder
8 miles - strenuous
Whaley Bridge, Eccles Pike,
Bugsworth Basin and
Navigation Inn for lunch,
Peak Forest
Tuesday
July
10
Hazel Grove area Stockport
Pendleton Church, Broad Street,
Salford. Bus 8,12,26,36, 67
Maggie Smith
794 3565
Car share arrangement
Booked up –but
check with mags
to see if any late
cancellations
See Kinder
Trespass site
and our website
Meet 10.30 Bowden Bridge Hayfield
(train to New Mills and Bus) or
Moorland Centre, Edale (train to
Edale) We will try an organise car
share. Contact Salle if you can offer
or want a lift
See Kinder Trespass site for
commemorative walks and events
during this week
Piccadilly Station Approach/Ducie St
Chorlton Bus Station, Barlow Moor
Rd. Bus 85, 86
Navigation Rd tram stop, Altrincham
See Kinder
Trespass site
and our website
Alan Moffatt
947 0273
Les Jones
881 9503
Tony Clough
07818 107 843
Stewart
Ramsden
0771 444 5118
John Ireland
07966 490 216
Saturday
July
14
Crumpsall and Blackley
Saturday
July
28
Long walk 12 m - Wild Bank,
Godley - strenuous
Tuesday
August
14
Aug
25
Chadderton, Tandle Hill
Saturday
Long walk Bleaklow &
Wainstones
Strenuous moorland walk
taking in site of an aircrash.
Tuesday
Saturday
Sat
Sept
11
Sept
15
Sept
29
In case of bad weather a
shorter walk is arranged.
Sale Water Park
Irlam/Davyhulme including
ferry crossing
Blackleach Country Park,
Walkden M28
Abraham Moss Metrolink, Crumpsall
Bus 89, 149 from Mc and 151, 154,
53
Godley Train Station
10.18 train from Piccadilly arrives
Godley at 10.35
Mills Hill Train Station, Oldham Rd.,
Middleton
Meet at turning circle beyond factory.
at top of Shepley St, Old Glossop
Grid Ref: SK046949. Park on street.
Car share available – contact Maggie
Smith. Could meet train – 1 mile
from start. Phone Maggie or Stewart.
9.48 train from Piccadilly arrives
Glossop 10.18.
Sale Metro Station
Layby, just past Barton Airport,
Liverpool Rd (A57) Irlam
37 bus from Piccadilly to Blackleach
Country Park, Hilltop Rd. off Bolton
Rd. Walkden
Meet in car park
Richard
Cleverley
Stewart
Ramsden
0771 444 5118
Chris Quinn
633 9167
Stewart
Ramsden
0771 444 5118
Dave Barcroft
860 4564
Bob Lenihan
07704 671 664
Mags Metcalf
839 3865
This means that access should remain in places you love like Sherwood
Forest, the New Forest
Longer walks in the area programme
Interested in going on other longer walks? Manchester Associates Rambling Club offers members
walks of around 8 - 10 miles in Greater Manchester and the surrounding counties on 3 Sundays a
month, and runs a coach trip to areas like Cumbria, North Yorkshire, North Wales or Derbyshire
once a month. Membership is only £3.00 per year, so if you want to know more ring Simon
Cleverley on 0161 860 0350 or email Simon on spcleverley@gmail.com. We'll give you more
information about coach trips and the regular weekly walks in our newsletter.
If in your 20s and 30s longer walks also run by the Manchester and district walkers (MAD walkers)
a local group of the Ramblers for people who live in and around the greater Manchester area
http://www.madwalkers.org.uk/
Ramblers members can also go on walks with any other local group