Sunday 30th January 2011 - Ramsbottom, East Lancashire

On Sunday, 30 January, our walks are based at Ramsbottom in East Lancashire.

The coach will leave school as usual at 8.00 am prompt.  There will be a brief stop at Birch Services on the M62 on the outward journey.
All walks start and finish at Ramsbottom, where there are toilet facilities and opportunities for refreshment after the walks.
We aim to leave for the return journey at 5.00pm and weather and traffic permitting, we hope to be back in Formby at approx 7.00pm

The cost of travel will be £10.00 for adults, £12.00 for guests and £5.00 for Leaders, children and students in full time education.  

NB  -  ANY MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT YET PAID THEIR MEMBERSHIP FEE AND DO NOT INCLUDE IT WITH THEIR JANUARY RETURN, WILL BE CHARGED THE GUEST FEE FOR THE COACH OF £12 !!   THIS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE MEMBERSHIP FEE IS PAID

‘A’ Walk Distance: 12 miles Ascent: 2400 ft Leaders: Ken Bryning Bob Scurr	At the time of going to press (Jan 6th), the recce for this walk had been delayed due to bad weather but don’t worry! The ‘plan’ is to do a high level circuit of the moors above Ramsbottom, which should provide great views given a fair day. We leave Ramsbottom via the Haslingdon Way (starting roughly SD781 167 – OL West Pennine Moors) and head North/ North West towards Musbury Heights overlooking the Ogden and Calf Hey reservoirs. The return is via a circumnavigation of Holcombe Moor one of the West Pennine moorland areas and a military firing range!! Earmuffs, high-vis vests and running shoes not provided. Military operations permitting we hope to finish at Peel Tower overlooking Holcombe and Ramsbottom.
‘B+’ Walk Distance: 10½ miles Ascent: 1500 ft Leaders: Dave Purdy Glennis Poole	This walk explores the country to the east of Ramsbottom, starting by passing through Nuttal Park, then climbing towards Harden Moor which we can either cross directly or by-pass, depending on conditions. Crossing the A680 we head for Paradise and then skirt around Whittle Pike using Fecit Lane, the Coal Road and the Rossendale Way. Descending gradually south west we pass through Edenfield to join the Irwell Valley Trail back into Ramsbottom.
‘B’ Walk Distance: 8½ miles Ascent: 1200 ft Leaders: Janet Purdy Ray Webb	Starting from the railway station, we walk north to Stubbins along the river bank and then north west to Holcombe Moor. Turning south, the route then takes us to the Peel Tower where we should get excellent views before continuing south via Redisher Farm and Tower Farm before following the River Irwell back to Ramsbottom.
‘C’ Walk Distance: 6½ miles Ascent: 650 ft Leaders: Barry Whitby Peter Houghton	From the coach we make our through Nuttall Park to Brooksbottom. From here we continue through woodland to Woodheys. Now heading in a north westerly direction we make our way across to the Redisher Wood Nature Resserve. After our coffee stop the days main climb begins as we zig-zag our way up to the high moor road. We continue along this road through Holcombe village to reach the edges of the moor. At Higher Tops farm we start our descent via OX HEY farm to the outskirts of Stubbins. Just a short section of Irwell Sculpture Trail remains to complete the walk.