EAST CHESHIRE RAMBLERS
DESPITE a heavy cloud cover, the East Cheshire Ramblers had a healthy attendance for this walk from Narlows Car Park at Thorpe in Derbyshire.
Led by Sylvia Hill, the group set out towards Parwich following part of the Limestone Way.
This 46-mile long path runs through the White Peak of Derbyshire but starts just over the border at Rocester in Staffordshire and finishes at Castleton.
After about two miles into the walk the group paused briefly at Tissington Hall.
The hall is a fine 17th century Jacobean mansion and is grade II listed.
A morning coffee stop was taken in the churchyard of St Peter’s Church in Parwich.
The present church was rebuilt in 1873 and incorporated into the building are some older parts including the original Norman doorway and chancel arch including a fine Saxon tympanum over the west doorway.
The tympanum depicts the lamb of God with a cross, a stag trampling on a serpent, a wolf and a pig.
From Parwich, the group ascended via a wooded slope and later skirted Balidon Quarry before descending through Ballidon Dale to reach the tiny village of Ballidon. The little church which stands isolated in a field on the edge of the village dates from the 12th century.
The building is now redundant with the last service being held there in 2003.
A series of field paths were followed generally southwest via Sitterlow Farm, Lea Cottage Farm and Woodeaves Farm and stopping on the way for lunch on a grassy slope.
The last leg of the walk was via Fenny Bentley with a brief afternoon break in the village churchyard.
This church dates from around 1300 and was heavily restored during Victorian times. To complete the walk involved a short ascent across fields to the start point.
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.