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Train
Walks 2008
Below are reports and photos of selected train walks from
2008, with the most recent appearing first. Please click on
the appropriate links to view these.
6 December - Settle to Threshfield via
Malham Tarn
8 November - Cullingworth to Clayton
via Bronte Way & Great Northern Trail
30 August - Ribblehead to Bentham via
the Scars of Whernside
23 August - Haworth Circular via Top
Withins
9 August - Lazonby Circular via Raven
Beck
2 August - Garsdale to Kirkby Stephen
via Mallerstang & Nine Standards
19 July - Gargrave to Barnoldswick via
Priest Holme Bridge & Higher Clough
22 March - Clapham to Bentham via Ingleborough
& Ellerbeck
19 January - Skipton Circular via Carleton
and Elslack
12 January - Skipton to Steeton via
Lothersdale
6 December - Settle to Threshfield
via Malham Tarn
This strenuous walk from Settle was one of the more spectacular
walks for a long time. 11 hardy souls set off, not really
knowing what they would find. The lanes out of the town were
bad enough, covered in slippery ice. However we made it to
the moors and the deep snow. The views as you will see were
terrific. However wading though the snow took its toll on
the walkers and it took an hour longer than planned to reach
Malham Tarn. The leaders then suggested we return along the
minor roads to Settle. This was quickly accepted. The walking
was now much easier and the views, different, but just as
good. Arrived safely in Settle before darkness. Thanks to
Diane & Bill for good, sensible leadership.
Photos and report by Dave Sherborne
8 November - Cullingworth to Clayton
via Bronte Way & Great Northern Trail
Great
Northern Trail website - please click here to view
Photos by Eric Bottomley
On Saturday November 8th 2008, Friends of DalesRail led a
guided walk along the trail.
We have the distinction of being the first recognised walking
group to organise a walk from Cullingworth, where the trail
begins, to the final stretch which ends at the site of the
long-gone Queensbury Station. The most recent addition crosses
the Thornton Viaduct, giving extensive views down the valley
towards Bradford. We used existing rights of way to link the
three sections now open for recreational use.
This walk was listed in our programme and web-site as well
as in the Bradford Telegraph and Argus (T & A), thanks
to the support of Mike Priestley, their recently retired journalist
and feature writer.
The result was that 28 people set out on the trail - it would
have been 32 but for a mishap in timing on connecting public
transport. 28 people finished the walk at Clayton although
the leader mysteriously disappeared at Hewenden Viaduct only
to reappear, as if by magic, in Thornton Road ready to lead
the party over Thornton Viaduct and eventually to the end
of the walk. This was due to the onset of the dreaded virus
that hit quite a few people in FODR. It was a strategic move
to conserve energy for the final romp into Clayton! Many thanks
to Angela Kay who moved up a notch from back-up to leader
and to Glennys who became temporary back-up.
The official opening of the Thornton stretch of the trail
over Thornton Viaduct took place at the end of November when
all the staff and pupils at Thornton Primary School came out
to take part in the ceremony. The ribbon was cut and a speech
made by Alan Whitaker, son of the last Station Master at Thornton.
Alan grew up in the Station Master's house and witnessed the
demise of that particular line. He was a journalist with Bradford
T & A some years ago. A keen naturalist, he along with
the late Bob Cryer MP , had a deep concern for the preservation
of the ground the line occupied.
This was a different concept of walking from the train and
I knew it was achievable. However, it was a great act of faith
for the brave souls who put their trust in the organiser,
especially as I abandoned them on the bus down to Bradford!
Any rumours being spread around that I only organised that
walk so that for the first time in nearly 35 years of walking
from the line, I could be the first one home are just not
true!
Many thanks to all who supported the walk and a Happy New
Year to all our members.
Report by Joyce Broughton
30 August - Ribblehead to Bentham
via the Scars of Whernside
Photos 1-5 by Eric Bottomley. Photo
6 by Penny Smith
23 August - Haworth Circular via
Top Withins
Photos by Eric Bottomley
9 August - Lazonby Circular via Raven
Beck
Photos by Penny Smith
2 August - Garsdale to Kirkby Stephen
via Mallerstang & Nine Standards
Photos by John Wood
19 July - Gargrave to Barnoldswick
via Priest Holme Bridge & Higher Clough
Sporting waterproofs the As set off from Gargrave heading
for Lancashire...would we be stopped at the border? Slippery
stiles & fiddly gates successfully negotiated as sun turned
to heavy rain then back to sun & so on with unerring regularity
every ten minutes throughout the morning. Morning refreshments
taken during a dry spell near Stainton Hall then onwards to
Horton (not in Ribblesdale) & across fields on little
used paths with few waymarks. The afternoon brought a welcome
upturn in the weather, mostly dry & warm with good views
across to Pendle Hill & Weets Hill; depsite requests for
an added loop our leader declined the offer & headed for
Barnoldswick along a fine edge with Pen-Y-Ghent visible in
the far distance. Thanks to David & Carola for a very
good walk in a little used area with fine views between the
showers & the added bonus of an early bus to Skipton.
Photos &
report by Ian Hull
22 March - Clapham to Bentham via
Ingleborough & Ellerbeck
Photos by Tony Smare
19 January - Skipton Circular via
Carleton and Elslack
Photos by
Eric Bottomley
12 January - Skipton to Steeton via
Lothersdale
15 "A" walkers set off from Skipton , our leader
wisely following the road to Carleton as the tide was in &
nobody had brought snorkels & flippers for the waterlogged
fields around Skipton .
A couple of greasy climbs to Carleton Park brought us to morning
coffee near Burnt Hill & clearer views as sun replaced
rain . Thick mud averted eyes downwards over fields to a steep
down & up around Lotherdale ; then across a tangle of
paths towards Gill .
After lunch leaving lckornshaw lovely views on the Pennine
Way passing Winman's Pinnacle to Lund's Tower ; finally along
country lanes & squelchy fields to hospitable Steeton
Hall with it's gastronomic delights & real ale .
Prizes surely should have been awarded to Diane T for the
muddiest trousers & jacket ( there were several contenders
) , to our cheery leader & backer up for an excellent
walk & horse / dog taming skills , plus a wooden spoon
sent to the local weatherman for once again getting his forecast
hopelessly wrong !
Photos &
report by Ian Hull
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