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1st May 1965 - Crowden & Chew Vallies

Travelled by bus to Glossop - endeavoured to obtain film, but the bus arrived to carry us to Tintwistle from where our ramble started.

Climbed up the approved path to above the quarry near Tintwistle where we completed (not very expertly) the dry stone walling job, most of which had been done by the wardens last week.

The following members boarded the 9.27am Glossop bus at Hollins Lane or Marple Bridge.

Mr Mills  Greta Oaks   Ann Eastman 
Mrs Mills   Ian Pollock  Rhona 
Mr Hinde  Robert Crabtree   Penny Hodgson 
F R Mason   Stephen Morris   Christine Duckworth 
T F Mason   Michael Robinson   Howard Hughes 
Susan Froggatt   Julie Flunder   Valerie Maxey 

Travelled by bus to Glossop - endeavoured to obtain film, but the bus arrived to carry us to Tintwistle from where our ramble started.

Climbed up the approved path to above the quarry near Tintwistle where we completed (not very expertly) the dry stone walling job, most of which had been done by the wardens last week.

WW1963-003 An image from 1963
WW1963-003 An image from 1963

Then we walked over the moorland, examined (without touching) wire hanging from a pylon, and then climbed to Tintwistle Knarr. Here the party stopped for a rest before continuing to Robinson's Spring, head of Black Gulley and to Lad's Leap, where we stopped for lunch and a play around.

Weather was dry, but generally dull and hazy - during occasional short sunny spells the hills looked fine.

After lunch we continued toward Crowden, dropping down by a very steep way to the range fence; here it was much warmer out of the wind. The sun broke through and the weather improved.

From here we walked and climbed along the steep rocky path to Laddow Rocks, where it was very windy. Rhona hung on to Mr Mason's rucksack up this long climb, making the going very difficult for him.

WW1963-004 An image from 1963
WW1963-004 An image from 1963

Unthinkingly we continued along the path beyond Laddow Rocks until Tony reminded us that we should have forked off for the reservoir and Chew Mount. To avoid retracing our steps, we struck across the peat bogs on a westerly heading to meet the path about half a mile short of the reservoir. We carried on past the reservoir, over the dam and down the track towards Greenfield, through the woods and into the village by about 4.50pm.

Caught the bus to Stalybridge at 5.10pm and, by a quick run, managed the 5.30pm bus to Marple where we arrived just after 6pm.

WW1963-005 An image from 1963
WW1963-005 An image from 1963

Had forgotten how pleasant and exciting the country is in Crowden Valley and the Chew Valley; resolved to explore these more thoroughly very soon.

Of course the new dam at the Chew valley is a shocking eyesore at present, but feel that it will actually improve the scene when completed. The filthy, untidy industrial mess lower down the valley could well do with submerging.

It is noted that, of the ten Willows youngsters in the group of 18 people, all were juniors (1st & 2nd year) and that very few senior members of the Scottish Holiday Group have bothered to get any practice at all during the year; a crop of blisters, some sore feet and aching limbs is anticipated during our stay in Scotland.

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