Ranger Martin was a mine of information
ON a recent six-mile walk from Timbersbrook car park near Congleton, 19 East Cheshire Ramblers had the good fortune to be guided by Martin James, a Cheshire East ranger based at Tegg’s Nose Country Park.
He pointed out signs of wildlife along the way and was a mine of information, enhancing a most enjoyable walk.
Timbersbrook was once the dyeing centre for the Congleton silk industry, although it would be difficult to know this today now that the surrounding land has been allowed to return to nature.
On a bright sunny day the group followed the Gritstone Trail to the top of Bosley Cloud, where they were rewarded with magnificent views extending west to The Roaches and the Peak District in the east and Croker Hill and Shuttlingsloe to the north.
Along the way they were rewarded with juicy, deep purple bilberries ready for picking before descending to the opposite side of the Cloud and making their way along the track to the Bridestones.
The remains of what was once a magnificent neolithic burial chamber, the Bridestones were originally surrounded by tall portal stones, two of which remain today and are reminiscent of Stonehenge.
Indeed, one is struck by the huge scale of labour that was required to literally manhandle the stones into position some 3,000 years ago.
The group then followed the footpaths beside fields on the border between Cheshire and Staffordshire to the far side of Biddulph Park where they were afforded sweeping views out across the Cheshire Plain to Congleton as far as the ridge of the Staffordshire Way leading to Mow Cop.
The return to Timbersbrook Car Park was via Rainow Hill, which provided a fitting finale to a most enjoyable and interesting walk.
East Cheshire Ramblers are holding a series of three easy walks next month when prospective members will be able to meet the group and learn more about the joys of rambling in the great outdoors. For further information go to ramblerseast cheshire. org.uk.