1957 to 1959 (and photos from 1960)
Extracted from exercise books I & II these reports run from 7th December 1957 until 19th May 1959, when the account stops, literally mid-word. The rambles clearly continued as photographs were still being taken in 1960 but there have been no written records found. Photographs from other walks are used to break up the text where none can be identified for a specific walk.
Hope Station to Hayfield
On this occasion it was decided to try a ‘green' route for a change from the rocks and moorland - it was difficult to find a route that filled this requirement fully.
Between twenty and thirty youngsters assembled under the leadership of Mr and Mrs Mason to ramble a route from Hope Station to Hayfield. Our way led through Hope village and then away from the road on to the path to Lose Hill and along the ridge to Back Tor and Mam Tor, where we had lunch. Although no-one had noticed the cold there was, in fact, quite thick ice on all the puddles on Mam Tor.
- Details
- Hits: 1624
Edale to Hayfield
A walk was planned for this weekend during the mid-week but, as the weather again became artic on Thursday and Friday, a note was sent round all classes telling children to listen to the weather forecasts and not to gather if snow, ice or low cloud were forecast.
On the Saturday morning the weather was truly artic, but bright and clear - so it was decided to go ahead as planned. The following sixteen children gathered at Marple Station and just caught the 8.58 train for Edale. Mr Leather kindly held the train for a few minutes so that the group could board it on arrival of Mr Mason, who was unavoidably delayed.
- Details
- Hits: 1594
Kinder Scout from Edale
The twenty seven youngsters listed below gathered at Marple Station or joined the train at New Mills for a scramble around Kinder Scout from Edale. Adults with the party were Mr and Mrs Mason and Mr Baker.
The route followed was from Edale, a short distance along Grindsbrook before leaving the main path to climb up a small stream to Nether Tor and across to Blackden Edge, and to follow the rocky outcrops round Blackden Rind, Seal Stones and Seal Edge to The Edge before dropping down to Hayfield Reservoir, and then follow the track to Hayfield by 4.13.
- Details
- Hits: 1561
Whaley Bridge & Goyt Valley
After some discussion it was planned on this occasion to re-visit the Goyt Valley. The intention was to have a ridge walk from Whaley Bridge, returning to the same place via the Goyt Valley.
On arrival at Whaley Bridge the party of 22 was increased by a few more regulars from High Lane and Disley, who had awaited our arrival for an hour. The route followed was by the small reservoir and approved school, and through the woods and fields in the valley to the Fernilee dam. The east bank of the reservoir was walked almost to the suspension bridge, where a lunch stop was made for about 40 minutes.
- Details
- Hits: 1669
Bleaklow Moor to the Snake Inn
For this walk it was decided to break entirely new ground and a route was planned by Tony Mason to start from Woodhead, over Bleaklow Moor to the Snake Inn, and then alternatively to Edale or to Hayfield. Mr Leather (Station Master at Marple railway station) made arrangements for the Manchester-Lincoln train, on which three compartments were reserved, to make a special stop at Woodhead. The following 34 children - many of them really young men and girls - assembled at Marple Station at 8.15 with Mr and Mrs Mason.
- Details
- Hits: 1686
Manifold Valley Protest Meeting
A large party of boys and girls of the Willows School gathered from Marple, Newtown and Disley areas to board the special train at New Mills (Newtown) Station. With the party were Mr and Mrs Mason and Mr and Mrs Baker - the youngsters totalled 44.
The special train was about ¾hr late at New Mills and did not arrive at Alsop-en-le-Dale until 12.30, leaving very little time to reach the Manifold Valley. The group gathered itself together at the station (Alsop) and followed the road to Dove Dale - then leaving the direct route for Whetton Mill, moved about 1 mile along Dove Dale to the Dove Hole Caves, where a stop was made for lunch.
- Details
- Hits: 1541
