Southport Fell Walking Club

  Stuart has kindly drafted the following account – Thank you Stuart   All five walks followed much of the routes sent out to members, however there were a few small diversions, owing to the persistent drizzle during most of the day. Rushton Spencer - Dane Bridge – Luds Church chasm – the Roaches - Rock Hall – Churnet Way and Leek. Views from the Roaches across Staffordshire for the two groups who did climb them, were non-existent. In fact the valleys on either side of the Roaches were not even visible for most of the time. Neither did those groups who stayed on lower routes get any sighting of the top of Roaches Four out of five groups left the coach at Rushton Spencer to begin walking, whilst Martin began from just north of Leek. John and Debbie followed the Coombs and Churnet Valleys and returned to Leek. Pat and Steph led their group along the Stafford Way beside the Rudyard Reservoir and then over to the Tittersworth and so to Leek. Everyone finished walking (gratefully!) in Leek

It was a different walking day. Accompanied by members of the Fraser Family, Mark’s ashes were scattered on the slopes of the Kirkstone Pass. It was a sad yet happy occasion and we were sure Mark would have appreciated our acknowledgement of his cheerful and professional contribution to our Club. And the walks started from the top of the Pass. Stuart led straight up Pike How with the target of six Wainwrights and a total ascent of 3000 feet. They crossed the Threshwaite and Thornthwaite divide, along High Street, Kidsty Pike and down by Angle Tarn and Boredale Hause. 11 miles and 3000’. Martin also led his small group up Raven’s Edge and on to Stonycove Pike to descend steeply into Haweswater Gill and down to Hartsop and Patterdale. 8m and 1700’. From the Inn Mike and Gerry led their group down the Pass (through a group of very black cows!) across to Sykeside and along the Hartsop – Beckstones path to Glenridding. 8m Steph and Pat followed a very similar route tracing Kirks