Mark end of summer holidays with a walk Round the Hills
IN this column the other week, we asked for your suggestions of good places to go walking in and around Rossendale.
We clearly aren’t spoilt for choice.
Nominations put forward included a circular walk around Clowbridge Reservoir near Crawshawbooth, while getting into the Stacksteads Riverside Park was also mentioned on a few occasions.
The old railway line running from Stubbins behind Irwell Vale to Snig Hole was another idea, as was getting up on to Rooley Moor, near Waterfoot, with its bridle-path another option.
Of course, for upward walks, there’s the route from Helmshore to Holcombe Brook, while getting up on to the Tor at Helmshore also provides amazing views.
The same can be said for visiting the Halo above Haslingden - after all, the whole point of putting a UFO on top of a hill was to get us out into the countryside more.
There’s the reservoirs at Clough Head, the windfarms above Edenfield, the oftenforgotten but still amazing Sculpture trail along the banks of the Irwell - for a relatively small borough, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to getting out and about.
In short, so many places to wander, we just need more of the weather we’ve enjoyed this summer to be able to fit it all in.
But the email which stood out was from John Lowe, of Helmshore, who wrote to tell me about not just his favourite walk, but maybe the favourite walk of several hundred people.
On Sunday, September 2, the 51st Rossendale Round The Hills Walk takes place, an event it’s worth sharing the history of once again.
It was first walked in 1966, the idea of several Rawtenstall councillors at the time and undertaken by the former Rawtenstall Sports Council under the leadership of Walter Whittaker.
Since 2005 it has been the responsibility of the Rotary Club of Rossendale to organise the event.
John did the first walk as a 12-year-old with his father, and throughout the 50 years since, the aim of the communal walk has been the same - to provide a free, organised walk, enabling as many people as possible to enjoy Rossendale’s glorious countryside.
The walk is 18 miles with the option of a slightly shorter - 15 miles - route back to Marl Pits from Compston’s Cross, for those who wish to avoid Cowpe Lowe.
Once you’ve done that, you even get a certificate of appreciation for completing the walk!
John wrote: “Last year for the Jubilee Walk we had almost 800 participants and although we don’t expect quite so many this year, we’re sure it will be well supported.
“It is fully way marked, a map and route instructions are provided and the way is marshalled throughout.
“Rescue and first aid support are provided by Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue team, who fully risk assess the route.
“It is not a sponsored walk, as such, although individuals and groups can use the event to raise funds for their own particular charities.
“In return for their hard work in organising the walk, Rossendale Rotary would appreciate, via the buckets available at Marl Pits, donations for local charities.”
The start and finish is at Marl Pits Sports Pavilion, Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall and registration is from 8am until 10.30am on the Sunday morning.
Pre-registration can be done at this link https:// tinyurl.com/ rossendalewalk which takes you to the page needed.
As a way to mark the end of the summer holidays, I can’t think of a better way to spend a day!