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MANCHESTER AND

SALFORD Newsletter and Walks

No 42 September 2019

Manchester and Salford Local Group

(M & S Ramblers)

AGM Saturday 2nd November. Monton Unitarian Church Hall, Monton Green, Eccles M30 8AP

Meet at Dukes Drive car park at 11am for walk along Loop line and around Worsley Back at the Church Hall for 12.30pm for lunch

Meeting at 1.30pm close at 3.30/4 pm

Socials October 22ndGeology and stones. The walk and talk, 'Rocks of Modern Manchester' looking at the variety of materials used to build some of the magnificent buildings in the city. It is led by our own Pia and will be very interesting. .We will meet at 11am in St Peter's Square under the colonnade outside Central Library. November 26th Guided walk and talk through Worsley looking at the impact of the industrial revolution through canals and bridges. Then bringing it right up to date with a look at the site of the RHS gardens (hopefully one of our tours for 2020). This will be led by Emma Fox. December 16th Christmas Social.Meeting at the Market and the Paramount on Oxford Road. More details for November and December nearer the time.

Black Men Walking Another chance to see this excellent play. Some of us saw it at Royal Exchange a couple of years ago. Written by the son of two of our members and based on Walking group set up by Maxwell Ayamba, who many of us have heard speak at Kinder anniversary events. http://www.coliseum.org.uk/plays/black-men-walking In Oldham 24-26th October and touring. Walks for Carers. The grant for this project has been renewed so we are holding more walks this autumn and spring. If you want to help, or for more information contact Margaret Manning. Our Walk for Everyone day at Debdale Park in June was very successful. It was Hot! Hot! Hot! 70 walkers took part in 3 walks and all made it round. Good to be joined by Manhar, Yvonne and others from MOSAIC, some from the Carers’ walks, plus lots of new walkers and we had two articles in the Tameside Reporter. Thanks to all out M&S members who helped out.

Manchester Green Trail Many members will know of the Manchester Green Trail but some will not. It was originally developed by the team involved with Get Walking Keep Walking – the lottery funded project the Ramblers led in Manchester to encourage people to walk. But that was over ten years ago. The maps and directions were very out of date and often not clear. With support from Transport for Greater Manchester (TFGM) – Carragh Teague – we reconvened a group made up of Manchester City Council staff – mainly from the Parks Department which also oversees all green spaces, the Ramblers and TFGM. I undertook the co-ordination of the work and Ramblers volunteers took the old maps and directions and checked every route, not just once but several times. TFGM’s publicity department redrew the maps and leaflets and they are indeed very modern and refreshing. We kept text directions to a minimum, just where the map wasn’t clear. We are not printing the leaflets but having them available for downloading both from our website and also Manchester Active Website https://mcractive.com/walking - although it is not yet up and running. TFGM also redesigned the logo. We are having these made into waymarkers, discs for wooden posts and places where we can stick them or nail them; wrap around plastic sheets for metal lamp posts and similar metal structures. The Area has generously funded the waymarkers to replace the old Green Corridor ones The huge boards on some park entrances announcing the Green Corridor have to be replaced because they are out of date. The Council will produce a cover to contain the new information. We had our final discussion on the routes and now have to get the maps altered so they can be posted on the websites and we can announce them. We will have a blitz on the waymarking over the next few months when the waymarkers arrive – so anyone interested in helping out let me know. Manchester City Council wanted us to have a full launch during “Love your Parks Week” in early July. Unfortunately, it wasn’t well promoted so despite having Ramblers leaders for all 14 walks, most had no takers and a couple of walks had one or two people. We were very disappointed at this so we will have a formal launch in spring 2020 with just one well publicised walk where we will handle the publicity. We will be including regular walks along the trail as part of our walks programme and will try and get it regularly walked. It has been a long time coming but it has been worth it – and I hope it will encourage people to walk in their locality – we might need to find ways of promoting it locally, but that can wait till next year. Salle Dare The Spirit of Kinder Celebrations Every year the Kinder and High Peak Advisory Group have an event to both celebrate the Kinder Trespass, and also to look forward to the future and how we can protect the moors and open spaces. This year we had a very wet celebration in Castleton with banners and artwork designed by young people and leading to an Art Trail in the Peak District which ran till 14 September. In 2020, the 20th anniversary of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, we are putting in a bid to the People’s History Museum (PHM) for an exhibition. The PHM theme for 2020 is migration. We want to show how this links into Kinder and the CROW Act. We will also hold an event in the Engine Hall at the PHM on 25th April, with speakers from the Ramblers (Kate Ashbrook) and other organisations, so put that date in your diary. If you would be interested in getting involved in this do let me know. Salle Dare Big Welsh Walk. The Welsh Ramblers are inviting us to join this on 13th June 2020. There will be several walks of different lengths all from Chirk castle. More details later. More First Aid courses for walk leaders are being run by The Ramblers until December and are recommended by those who have done them. They are booking up fast. To book one click here Download the app what3words. Another recommendation from Ramblers members - it's an app that identifies locations across the world accurately through 3 words, rather than postcodes or grid references. We should all be able to use grid references, but experience of Ramblers on the walk leaders course was that emergency services can't always work from grid references. More regions' emergency services are rolling out the use of what3words, which is more accurate than postcodes in town and easier to communicate accurately over the phone on a windy hillside than a grid reference. https://what3words.com/ You can also register your phone to make 999 requests by text as a backup if there's not enough signal for a phone call. This is a backup only, as you can't guarantee the text will get through, but is better than nothing if you're in need! If you text the word register to 999, you'll then be sent instructions to allow you to complete your registration.

Walking Elsewhere. The Sgurr of Eigg We were on a short trip to the Small Isles – Eigg, Rum and Canna, and had glorious weather for the classic climb up on the Sgurr of Eigg. The Sgurr viewed from the quay at Galmisdale, is a sheer volcanic rock tower and provides a great walk with superb views. We followed the lane up through bluebell carpeted woods and across field paths to the substantial farmstead of Galmisdale House, with the Sgurr rising imposingly ahead and we continued on to a moorland path that took us over a shoulder of the ridge, with fine views to the small isle of Muck and to Col and Tiree beyond. Our way then climbed through a narrow rocky gully to a grassy col and then we scrambled up a natural staircase in the pitchstone that led to a good path that traversed impressively round the south side of the ridge. With a final pull we were on the summit, with its trig point and 360 views.

We could see the bulk of Ben More on the Isle of Mull to the south, to the east the mountains of the mainland from the Glencoe tops to the Knoydart Munros and up to the snow-capped Torridon hills. The Isle of Skye was directly north, Blà Bheinn and the Cuillin Ridge were cloud free and magnificent. The high hills of the Isle of Rum were just a short distance across the water and further out we could see to the isles of Outer Hebrides, South Uist, Eriskey, Barra and Mingulay– all set in deep blue waters, a cloudless sky and with the contrast of dark rock and green pasture. Eventually after enjoying our rocky perch and its magnificent views, we retraced out steps back to Galmisdale. Alan Manning.

The "art walk" Be Kinder which went from Penny Pot Cafe, Edale to the foot of Jacob's Ladder. This was curated by Jarvis Cocker to commemorate the mass trespass on Kinder, part of the National Trust’s People’s Landscapes project celebrating protest in the 200th anniversary year of Peterloo. The installations were in the Methodist Church in Barber Booth. Several of us walked it during the summer. RECENT WALKS & SOCIALS

Do you Recognise any of our members on this? Four were volunteers plus some of the carers who come on our carers walks. It was a Walking football session in Carers week. “Thank you Man City for a fabulous, laughter-filled, stress-busting day of walking football.” “Once in a while people need to step out of their carer shoes and into their boots - walking boots, football boots, Wellington boots, anything.”

Lovely short walk in the sunshine along the paths by the Manchester Ship Canal at Barton and over the new low level bridge. Stunning views.

8 hardy M&S Ramblers set off from Greenfield in the pouring rain. 2 did part of the canal, 2 did all the canal section and 4 of us went up on Lark Hill, Harrop Edge, down to Diggle with the canalside welcome of Grandpa Green's Ice Cream Parlour -though coffee of more interest that day! Then back to Greenfield. Telford's tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow canal was closed so we assumed no boats due. The rain didn't really stop all day but a good walk below the clouds so we got the views of Dobcross, Delph, Diggle

A select group of 6 set off from Blackrod station, crossing the fields to Haigh Hall and on to the Leeds & Liverpool canal. Then a descent of the 21 locks to Wigan. Interesting walk. It was a bit damp but not like Saturday's deluge!

Carer’s walks from Media City went really well. The sun shone. The shorter walk was just round the Quays. The longer one went out via Ordsall Hall to the river. We all ended up at Lime Bar for a lovely lunch. Thanks to all M&S volunteers. All the carers had a great time as did those they care for who came.

A good walk from Ashton-U-Lyne going through some surprisingly rural areas. Perfect timing, as the rain started just as we finished at the tram stop!.

A very pleasant walk from Denshaw to Newhey. A circuitous route across the moors with good views. A stop at the Rams Head was welcome. The weather was kind with just an odd spot of rain. This was the last walk that Malcolm Ferry did with our group before he became ill and sadly died.

Great walk in good weather at the Trafford Ecology Park - what a lovely surprise. Lots of work in progress. Well worth a return visit.

Another great social event organised by Chris to see Irlam Station. Little gem. Followed by a short walk across the Moss. Manchester Green Trail launch week of walks. Photos from some of the walks

Walk 1 from Chapel Street Park to Clayton Hall. Crossing through Chapel Street Park, Green Bank Park and Playing Fields, Nutsford Vale, Sunny Brow Park, Gorton Heritage Trail, Debdale Park and Reservoirs, former Stockport Branch Canal, Ashton Canal and Clayton Hall. Thanks to Pete and Friends of Nutsford Vale for their company and knowledge.

18th July Route 11 traversing a number of Wythenshawe's open spaces.

Route 5 Green Trail walk in Collyhurst

Walk 10 turned into a pleasant walk-and-talk and afternoon tea with these two stalwarts.

Route 13 Wednesday. Northenden to Fletcher Moss

Walk 14: Fletcher Moss to Levenshulme. Via Highfield Country Park on the eastern fringe of Levenshulme. Previously clay pits, then a landfill site and a bleach works.

Saltaire, Shipley Glen & Tram Lovely social day out. History of the village and mill, short walk, tram ride, views over the Glen to Bradford, relaxing with Llamas while watching cricket and David Hockney art at Salts Mill.

Evening walk in the hills of Oldham – lovely route.

Didsbury circular via Northenden Andrew Read lead his first ever walk for Manchester & Salford Ramblers and thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite the rain it was a really good walk. He also arranged hot drinks and cakes, along with the history talks and tour in the church and to Rose Hill listed building. We learnt lots about the Watkin Family who’d lived there from the wonderful Geoff, Chair of Friends of Rose Hill. The Watkin path on Snowden is named after Edward Watkin. He had a retirement home near the start of the path and commissioned the path, the first designated footpath in Britain, the first step to opening the countryside to walkers. The path was opened by Gladstone 1892 with over 2000 people there.

East Didsbury to Bramhall. Andrew again the leader for part of his GM Ringway walk. He was happy to be photographed in the stocks at Bramhall Hall. We saw the Micker Brook in spate!

Middleton. Another good walk round parts that most of us had never been to. Lots of old Mill Lodges, a weir, streams, plenty of woodland, meadows and views across Middleton, as well as Alkrington Hall. Well done the Rochdale Green Volunteers, including Dave and Carol, for looking after all these green spaces so well. We did well for sunshine in between light showers.

A pleasant stroll from the Guided Busway around the Ellenbrook area, mostly on the Loop Lines. Passed through Parr Fold park with one of the only 2 bandstands in Salford.

Stockport urban walk, in Woodbank Park and returning into the town via Hillgate. Woods, river, the famous former Strawberry recording studios, a Greek looking church, and the site of a tragic air crash. All enjoyed the walk, skilfully avoiding the heavy rain by arriving at the Vernon Park café at the optimum time. Ancient buildings, the famous Stringer Street steps (re-opened after a ten year battle with the council), woods, beaches, and the odd frog or two.... You’re receiving this communication because we believe that it would be of interest to you as a member/supporter. If you’d rather not receive similar information in future, please let us know. You can email ramblers@ramblers.org.uk, change your preferences online at ramblers.org.uk/myaccount or call (0)20 3961 3300 Please register your email with national office, if they haven’t got it, so you can receive more regular information and newsletters with photos. Ramblers Worldwide Holidays Partnership. The Ramblers has a three year agreement with them. We will receive a payment for holidays booked by our members. If you take a Ramblers Worldwide Holiday tell them you are a member of Manchester and Salford Ramblers, quote MR10

Committee Committee Position, Name, e-mail Phone Position, Name, e-mail Phone

Chair: Salle Dare salle_e_dare@yahoo.co.uk

07523871475 Footpath Officers Manchester Richard Cleverley rwcleverley@googlemail.com Maggie Walker maggiewalker101@gmail.com

07593077422 07947 195875

Secretary: Mags Metcalf sec.mandsramblers@gmail.com

839 3865 Footpath Officer Salford David Yates david.yates22@gmail.com

789 5209

Treasurer: Sean Dunne sean.a.dunne@btinternet.com

Website Administrator: Alan Manning amanning@ntlworld.com

0161 861 8390 07757902158

Walks Co-ordinator: Maggie Smith maggie.smith400@btinternet.com

794 3565

Social Secretary : Chris Quinn c20kew@googlemail.com

633 9167

Membership Secretary & Publicity Officer : Bob Lenihan r.lenihan@ntlworld.com

Newsletter Editor: Margaret Manning mmanning@ntlworld.com

861 8390