Snow drifts, mine stories and old hall
A COUPLE of days after the mini Beast from the East, a large group of East Cheshire Ramblers were not deterred from a walk in the Peak District.
Led by Ken Hobbs, the group met up in Bakewell on a dry and bright morning despite a cold wind, and set off westwards on the hill path towards Dirtlow Farm – but after all the snow melt a diversion was taken here as the path had been heavily churned up by horses.
The shelter of Arrock Plantation made a good spot for the morning break before the next leg towards Magpie Mine where en route the group had to walk through several deep snow drifts.
Magpie Mine has had quite a chequered history and dates from the 1740s. Flooding was a major problem in the early days of the mine but in 1824 a Newcomen type pumping station was brought into use. Lead production reached 800 tons in 1827, a record which stood until 1871.
The mine was dogged with disputes with miners from other nearby mines, particularly the Maypitt Mine as both were working the same lead vein. Underground fires were lit to smoke other miners out but this resulted in three fatalities and 24 Magpie miners were put on trial for murder.
The East Cheshire Ramblers now continued via Sheldon to reach Deep Dale and a sheltered spot at the foot of the valley was chosen for the lunch stop.
Crossing the A6, the walk was continued into Monsal Dale crossing the river, which today was in spate, via the footbridge below the weir. A gradual ascent took the group up to Monsal Head. Field paths were followed, taking in the attractive villages of Little Longstone and Great Longstone, before continuing via Mires Lane and the field path to Toll Bar House. A hilltop path was then taken for the return to Bakewell, passing the historic 17th century Holme Hall as the group neared the end of the walk.
For more details of East Cheshire Ramblers’ programme of weekend and midweek walks ranging from 4 to 15 miles in length, go to ramblerseastcheshire. org.uk.