Quarterly Newsletter No. 2. Winter 2017/18 www.dvwg.org.uk

WELCOME to DVWG’s new quarterly newsletter. We will aim to publish this newsletter on release of each quarter’s walk diary and will include walk previews, walk reviews, merchandise information and details of walkers who have reached mileage milestones. We are also open to suggestions to include in future publications so if you have anything you wish to see included then please email stevepennock99@gmail.com

In this issue…

DVWG NEWS Page 1

BLACK & LADDOW ROCKS Page 2

WALK PREVIEW Page 3

WALK REVIEWS Page 3

WALKS DIARY Page 4-5

About Us DEARNE Valley Walking Group was formed on April 13th 2009 by Terence Rowland, originally as a Facebook group, to show his family and friends about his walking exploits. This has since grown into an independent walking group. The walks we enjoy are open to everyone and we currently have approximately 50 active participants. DVWG organises walks and occasional social events mainly in South Yorkshire & Peak District on a regular basis for our members and their families. Some of our walks are further afield, eg. Snowdonia and the Lake District. We are a non-profit organisation but maintain a small kitty of donations to cover running and administrative costs. We have both an adult and junior section to the group, why not come along and walk with us? Since 2009, 223 adults and 75 children have walked with Dearne Valley Walking Group, walking a total of 21,860 miles in 312 walks.

News CONGRATULATIONS to Emily Kirk who has recently surpassed 750 miles walked with the group and to David Richardson who has recently completed 600 miles. Other people also passing recent milestones are Tricia MacDuff, Steve Pennock and Liz Davis who have recently completed their 500 miles with the group whilst Rhys Powell has walked over 400 miles with us. In the current walking season, Diana Walker, Liz Davis, David Richardson, Steve Pennock, Emma Powell and Julie Foster have all surpassed 100 miles to date.

-------------------------------- Our new Walk Diary includes a DVWG Turkish Social Evening at Pasha in Barnsley. Bookings are now being taken by Nick Powell. Reserve your place by emailing him on socials@dvwg.org.uk. More information is in the Diary section on page of this Newsletter.

-------------------------------- Our After Dark Walk on Friday 5th January is now FULLY BOOKED. If any places become available due to cancellations we will publicise this via our website and social media.

News LATEST MILEAGE TABLES We keep a record of miles walked by each walker with prizes awarded at milestone mileages (ie, 100, 250, 500, 1000 miles, etc) Latest standings for this season (at 02/12/17) being: 1 Liz Davis 124 miles 2 Diana Walker 123 miles 3 David Richardson 113 miles 4 Emma Powell 109 miles 5 Julie Foster 104 miles 6 Tricia MacDuff 91 miles 7 Karen Etches 77 miles 8 Sue Case 72 miles 9 Diane Marshall 65 miles 9 Gary Marshall 65 miles Latest Junior All-Time Mileage: 1 Emily Kirk 793 miles 2 Alex Bennett 534 miles 3 Rhys Powell 436 miles 4 Sophie Bradley 158 miles 5 Jack Wolniewicz 123 miles 6 D. Helm 84 miles 7 M. Helm 73 miles 8 Oliver Powell 58 miles 9 Rebekah Andrews 34 miles 10 Gracie Bradley 31 miles

Saturday 21st October 2017 – 10.7 miles

At 1909 feet above sea level, Black Hill is the highest peak in West Yorkshire and so nearly a mountain. It is certainly a bleak place to be in bad weather, as DVWG found out in October. Setting off from Crowden, the weather was surprisingly good as we tackled the tough ascent up onto the top of Laddow Rocks walking along the top of the hill along the Pennine Way. Along the way there were several small, tricky water crossings to make before the more significant crossing of Crowden Great Brook to continue on a paved path to the trig point at Black Hill. As expected, the wind was quite lively at Black Hill, as there is no protection from the elements, which prompted a quick, belated lunch break. We then turned and headed for home, starting along the moorland of the original Pennine Way Path, enter Brian or storm Brian to be precise. What followed over the next couple of hours was torrential rain and ferocious, constant wind. These were easily the most challenging conditions ever faced by DVWG on any group walk, even worse than the infamous 2011 Mount Snowdon trip. This resulted in most of us slipping, falling or sinking into bogs. Thankfully, we all made it back to Crowden without any serious incident or injury occurring, even if we were exhausted and saturated. Well done to the party of thirteen who completed this rather tough walk, which finished as a 10.7 miles affair, a consequence of zig zagging paths, avoiding bogs and the Pennine Way being re-routed where it has been paved. Finally a big hello to Audrey Brownridge who walked with us for the first time on this walk.

Walk Preview HIGH PEAK TRAIL – Saturday 7th April 2018

As part of Dearne Valley Walking Group’s training ahead of our Norfolk Coast Path Way in May 2018 we have scheduled to walk the full 17 ½ miles of the High Peak Trail which runs from Dowlow, near Buxton, to High Peak Junction at Cromford. The Trail follows the trackbed of the former Cromford & High Peak Railway which closed in 1967 as part of the infamous Beeching cuts. There are several visitor centres/picnic areas along the route which will enable us to break the walk up fairly easily for refreshment stops.

Walk Review

When we got there, we found that access to the monument was through a farm, the monument was managed by English Heritage and admission fees were £1, a few wisecracks about DVWG predictably followed. Arbor Low we found is Neolithic stone circle which is well worth a visit. After leaving the henge with no sacrifices made, we walked on a country lane to Parsley Hay, where there is a cycle hire and picnic area, a lunch stop followed. Following lunch it was time for a taster of part of the High Peak Trail between Parsley Hay and Sparklow, it is fair to say that the trail was very busy with mountain bike traffic, (as usual) as loads of people were taking advantage of the autumn sunshine. Hopefully this taster of the trail was enjoyable as DVWG are hoping to plan a walk of the full 17.5 miles of the trail next April as we prepare for the Norfolk Coast Path walks. We last completed this walk way back in early 2012. After leaving the trail we crossed a couple of fields to cross the busy A515 and walked a track known locally as Hutmoor Butts, which looked vaguely familiar before joining our final path, Cross Lane which took us back to Monyash for a well-deserved beer in the autumn sunshine at the Bulls Head. Watch out for the photos from this walk, they are well worth a look and capture what a lovely walk this was. Well done to the nineteen people who completed this 9.25 miles circuit of the White Peak, comprising of sixteen adults and three children. Finally a big welcome to three new faces to DVWG, Ian & Sam Hateley and Peter Bentley who walked for the first time.

Monyash & Arbor Low Walk Saturday 14th October (9.25m)

A lovely day’s autumn walking in the White Peak starting from one of the less touristy villages of the area, Monyash. After breakfast, coffees etc. for some, we set off from Monyash walking a couple of miles on the Limestone Way, whilst heading for Arbor Low, which when we were getting close there was some debate as to whether this monument was accessible by public rights of way

This walk will start at the Dowlow end much earlier than usual given the length of the walk and we will be arranging bus/coach travel to the start point and then to pick us up from the finish at Cromford. If you wish to join us on this walk then please let us know as soon as possible to assist us with booking the appropriate sized bus/coach. Then we can also let people know the cost of travel. Please contact David Kirk via Facebook, by email walk@dvwg.org.uk or on 07904 010347

Walk Diary Below is our diary of walks for up until our first walk of the New Year, which, as always, is our After Dark Walk on the first Friday of 2018! If you wish to walk with us and haven’t done so before then in the first instance please contact David Kirk on 07904 010347 or email walk@dvwg.or.uk. We look forward to seeing you on a walk soon…

Sunday 17th December 4 miles – 11am The Old Anchor, Main St, Fishlake, Doncaster DN7 5JJ

Fishlake Church Family Walk Not far from the previously trodden territory of Kirk Sandal and Kirk Bramwith, another village on the banks of the Don with a beautiful, ancient church is Fishlake. This walk is generally flat and goes around the village and on some of the local green lanes.

Saturday 23rd December 6.5 miles – 11am Hope Railway Station Station Road Hope S33 6RR

Win Hill Classic Walk (Anti-Meadowhall Walk!!) Commencing from Hope Railway Station alongside the River Noe to the village of Aston before climbing open moorland to the trig point on Win Hill where there are simply outstanding views of both the Hope and Derwent valleys not to mention Stanage Edge. Returning via Top Plantation and Twitchill Farm. This walk has long been a DVWG favourite, if you have not walked this route before please come along to see the beautiful views and avoid the Christmas madness.

Friday 5th January 2018 4.4 miles – 7pm Milton Arms Armroyd Ln, Elsecar, Barnsley S74 8ES

After Dark Walk 8 This walk takes us from Elsecar to Springwood via local footpaths and tracks. We then cross through Bellground Wood and Skiers Spring wood returning to Elsecar whre a fabulous pie & pea supper will be available at the Milton Arms. The supper places will need to be reserved – so please email our socials officer to book your place. socials@dvwg.org.uk

REMEMBER YOUR HEADTORCHES & FESTIVE LIGHTING!! YOU NEED TO BE SEEN! Sunday 7th January 2018 6 miles – 11am Car Park next to the Entrance lodge to Roche Abbey Near Maltby S66 8NW

Roche Abbey Amble along woodland tracks and across fields to discover historic South Yorkshire. View the 12th century Cistercian ruins of Roche Abbey and enjoy the beautiful Kings Wood on your way to Laughton-en-le-Morthern before returning via following the Doorstep Walk path via Castle Hill to return.

Saturday 13th January 2018 7.5 miles – 11am Womerlsey C of E Primary School, Main street, Womersley Doncaster, DN6 9BD

Womersley Wander A scenic walk in open countryside and along tracks, starting from the beautiful village of Womersley. The walk also encompasses the small villages of the Smeatons and Walden Stubbs.

Sunday 21st January 2018 4 miles – 11am Parking at the end of Fields End Road Highgate Barnsley S63 9AA (closest code)

Dearne & Billingley - Family Walk An easy and relatively short jaunt alongside railway lines and across open country, to form a circuit from the edge of Goldthorpe to Billingley Green and back.

Saturday 27th January 2018 9 miles – 10.30am Monsal Head Hotel Monsal Head Bakewell DE45 1NL

Monsal Dale Walk *EARLY START* This walk starts and finishes at Monsal Head takes in the Monsal Trail, Cressbrook Dale, Wardlow, the infamous "star gate" hill, Peters Stone, Foolow and Little Longstone. This walk is well worth the effort for a late winter walk in the White Peak.

Sunday 4th February 2018 2 miles – 11 am Newmillerdam Car Park Barnsley Rd Newmillerdam Wakefield WF2 6QQ

New Millerdam Gnome Roam (Toddler Walk) This pleasant trail, with recently installed wooden gnome statues, presents a short jaunt for our very youngest participants, so expect a slow pace! On made tracks and grassy paths, unless the weather is particularly unkind, it will be navigable with a reasonably sturdy buggy.

Saturday 10th February 8.8 miles – 11am The Spencer Arms 21 Church Street Cawthorne S75 4HL

Two Trails Walk A local walk with a new flavour. Starting from The Spencers Arms in Cawthorne, we descend into Cawthorne Park walking the Barnsley Boundary Walk until it merges with The Dearne Way at the Lower Lake in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park; we then follow the Dearne Way, returning to Cawthorne via Kexbrough. A lovely walk in some of the finest countryside which Barnsley has to offer.

Sunday 18th February 8.5 miles – 11am Carsington Waters Visitor Centre Ashbourne Derbyshire DE6 1ST

Carsington Waters A delightful walk round Carsington Water, one of Derbyshire’s most important tourist attractions. It is an area noted for its wildlife, with a Wildlife Centre and bird hides en-route. Severn Trent Water has planted half a million trees and shrubs in woodlands, copses and hedgerows; the result has been not only to enhance a beautiful landscapes, but to create many new habitats for wildlife. The walk also visits the attractive conservation villages of Carsington and Hopton. They are inseparably linked and lie in a wooded valley with Carsington Pasture rising steeply to one thousand feet to the west.

Sunday 25th February 4 miles – 11am Herdings/Leighton Road Tram Stop, Sheffield, S14 1SP (some street parking by Valley Park School)

Herdings Circular- Family Walk This is a very pleasant circular walk beginning at Herdings and taking a route towards Ridgeway. It is easily accessible by public transport with a great variety of views and terrain.

Walk Diary (continued) Saturday 3rd March 10.5 miles – 10.30am Fairholmes Visitor Centre Hope Valley S33 0AQ

Derwent-Howden Reservoirs *EARLY START* A circular walk around the Derwent and Howden Reservoirs in the beautiful Derwent Valley in the northern Peak District area. Lots to see on this walk.

Saturday 3rd March 6 miles – 11am The Hunstman Pub, Manchester Road Thurlstone, S36 9QW

The Huntsman Hobble Easy 6 mile walk through Thurlstone, Scout Dyke, Gunthwaite and Upper Denby..

Sunday 11th March 8 miles – 11am Street parking adjacent to St Lucius Church Butts Road Farnley Tyas HD4 6TZ

Farnley Tyas & Castle Hill Family Walk An extension of a previous family walk, this is a pleasant circuit of Farnley Tyas, culminating in an ascent to a prominent local landmark – the tower on Castle Hill. Please be aware that this rewarding walk does contain some challenging terrain. There are two stream crossings on stepping stones, some ill-maintained paths and some reasonably steep ascents, including Castle Hill itself.

Saturday 17th March 12 miles – 10am The Red Lion Epworth DN9 1EU

Epworth Circular *EARLY START* Leaving Epworth a series of paths leads us to the banks of the River Torne which we follow before joining the Peatlands Way. This we follow via Haxey Turbary Nature Reserve to Haxey and then return to Epworth.

Friday 23rd March Pasha Turkish Restaurant 41 Market St, Barnsley S70 1SN

Turkish Social Evening – Pasha- Barnsley Offering something a little different, this highly recommended restaurant is on the edge of Barnsley town centre. It is a fairly short walk from the transport interchange and a far shorter walk from the local hostelries, ensuring a typically lively DVWG outing is on the cards!

Sunday 25th March 4.5 miles – 11am Langsett Barn Car Park on the A616 Langsett S36 9FD

Hordon Road & Little Don (Langsett) Family Walk The Cut Gate path from Langsett to the Derwent Valley was recorded as far back as 1571 and it's the route by which most walkers know the area. However, there's much more to Langsett and this easy walk visits a beautiful moorland area which is little known by most visitors to the area.

Saturday 7th April 17.5 miles Wombwell Railway Station for minibus Time - TBC

High Peak Trail *EARLY START* 17 mile point to point walk following the High Peak Trail formally the High Peak Railway, which was the steepest railway line in England. At this stage it is intended to start in Dowlow and finish at the High Peak Junction in Cromford, covering the full 17.5 miles of the trail from end to end. This walk is being planned very early to gauge interest as we will need to arrange mini bus transport

Saturday 14th April 13 miles – 10am Meet : Little Wold Lane, South Cave, Brough, HU15 2AZ Start Point : Hessle Haven Car Park, Livingstone Road, Hessle, HU13 0BN

Hessle to South Cave *EARLY START* A Linear walk taking in the beautiful countryside surrounding Hessle & South Cave. This is the first stage of the Yorkshire Wolds walk and starts beneath the impressive span of the Humber Bridge. When we reach North Ferriby, however, we head inland and a gradual climb up to the very pretty little village of Welton we climb further onto the Yorkshire Wolds escarpment before dropping back to skirt the village of Brantingham, passing Brantingham church nestling alone in a beautiful wooded valley. It is then a steep climb back up to the escarpment, and a gradual descent to South Cave and the end of this stage. Car sharing required as the cars will need to be split between South Cave & Hessle.

Sunday 22nd April 7.9miles – 11am Eyam Museum Hawkhill Road Eyam Derbyshire S32 5QP

Eyam, Sir William Hill, Hucklow Edge & The Three Stags Heads This walk starts from the pretty plague village of Eyam and walks on the first half of the walk on low level paths through the village of Foolow and on to Wardlow Mires where there is the opportunity to visit the legendary Three Stags Head for a drink and/or lunch, which is an experience not to be missed. Following lunch we will cross Silly Dale to Hucklow Edge and after a small amount of road walking will reach the trig point of Sir William Hill before descending back to Eyam close to the Ladywash Mine.

Sunday 29th April Dearne Valley Country Park Pontefract Rd Barnsley, S71 1HS

Hoyle Mill & Cundy Cross Family Walk Starting from this pleasant green space on the outskirts of Barnsley Town Centre, this easy local walk takes in the Barnsley Canal and gives views of the old Barnsley Main Colliery site and Monk Bretton Priory.

Sat 5th – Mon 7th May 46 miles over 3 Days

Norfolk Coast Path Day 1 – Holme Next The Sea to Burnham Over Staithe Day 2 – Burnham Over Staithe to Cley Next The Sea Day 3 – Cley Next The Sea to Cromer Pier

Chairman – David Kirk Vice-Chairman – Steve Pennock Treasurer – Ian Starkey Socials Officer – Nick Powell Diaries Officer – Alison Hartley Juniors Officer – Emma Powell Committee Support – Liz Davis