Pub Meet: Inn on the Wharf, Burnley. 7:30pm Thursday 9th September.
Our regular monthly pub meet for September will be at the Inn on the Wharf, Burnley. This is a regular informal get together on the second Thursday of every month at a variety of venues, where members can meet up in a friendly atmosphere to swap ideas and opinions.
This is also an ideal opportunity for prospective members and those interested in learning more of Burnley's own walking and climbing club, to come along for a chat. We are a mixed club of all ages and walking / climbing abilities and you'll receive a warm welcome.
Roy Hayhornthwaite
STOP PRESS: Big coaches all round for the rest of the year!
We are pleased to be able to let our members know that we have secured the use of large coaches for the four remaining monthly Coach Meets of 2010 (excluding the December Extra Trip to Kettlewell).
Please note however, that there will be only ONE coach on the October trip to Ashbourne in Derbyshire, so please book early to avoid disapointment.
Gill Young
Autumn Social: The Buck Inn, Paythorn. Saturday 9th October.
Tables have been reserved at the
The Buck Inn, Paythorne. The Inn has a reputation for good food and there is live entertainment in the Bar area at night. The reserved tables will either be in the Dining room or the bar area, depending on numbers and these will be ours for the night.
A menu will be available in the September newsletter or from myself, although if you do not wish to dine then you can still come along later to meet up with friends and enjoy the evening’s entertainment.
Marie Phelan
Hut Weekend: Rhoscolyn, Anglesey. 25th - 2th June.
The club stayed at the popular outdoor centre at Rhoscolyn on Anglesey for the last weekend in June. We received the usual warm welcome followed by three glorious days of sunshine, in fact we always seem to be lucky with the weather when we stay there.
We opted for the smaller part of the complex this year and it was very comfortable and really quite large enough for the smaller group. Looking through the log/route book I note that Gill and Steve walked the long walk on Saturday taking in Silver Bay and then through the countryside back over to Treaddur back along the cliffs. A long day out under clear blue skies.
Mark and Joe drove back to Ogwen and climbed Milestone buttress and Triffan, while Dennis, Elaine and Pauline walked an epic; up and around Holy Mountain - about 12 miles on a really hot day. The rest of us walked to Treaddur and back, apart from myself who turned back halfway to go for a ride on my bike around the island.
Sunday almost everyone spent walking. The countryside around there at this time is a mass of flowers honeysuckle (woodbine) in particular some of the party later in the afternoon made for the pub to watch England, I along with others spent the match time on the beach at Rhoscolyn bay it was wonderful. I have booked the larger part of the outdoor centre for next August Bank holiday and recommend members to join us for this weekend in this delightfully situated centre by the sea. It has everything you could ask for, excellent walking, super climbing, cycling on fairly level roads even sailing kayaking and fishing, what more could you ask for?
Join me on the next one,
Roy Haythornthwaite
Hut Secretary
Scottish Weekend - 12th - 14th February 2010, The Lodge Hotel, Newtonmore
The cost of the hotel for the weekend is £45 per person. This includes two nights en-suite accomodation, full Scottish breakfast and a 3-couse evening meal on the Saturday. This is an excellent price - cheaper than a hostel.
The cost of the coach would be £30 each, based on 40 people booking. We plan to leave the local area at around 4pm on the Friday and return from Newtonmore at around the same time on the Sunday.
On the Saturday, we would use the coach for access the mountains and possibly travelling to the Cairngorm mountain and Aviemore.
Newtonmore is an ideal area for 'Munro baggers', lower hill and valley walkers as well as those who just wish to have an easy 'tourist' weekend, coupled with comfortable accomodation, if the weather is bad.
So, bring along your family and freinds who may not particularly interested in walking but would just like a nice weekend away.
Annual Dinner Dance - 9th January 2010, 7pm - 12.30am, Nelson House, Nelson Square, Burnley
It's hard to believe, I know, but it's nearly that time again. The premier social event of the year.
We are staying with the same venue again this year for the same reasons as last year. Apart from two minor complaints, everyone who attended was more than happy with the venue, the fooD and the cost of drinks in particular.
We are offering a choice this year for all three courses so, along with your names, I need you decisions on your choice, as soon as possible. If you require a vegetarian option, again, let me know as soon as possible. Matt (the chef) is happy to make to order.
There will be the usual dancing, spot prizes and free raffle afterwards. You will also be able to book a table again if you want to make sure that you sit with your friends. We have brought the ‘sitting down’ time forward slightly this year to 7.15pm to allow a little more time for the meal to be server and, most importantly the speech by our Chairman, Steve Young.
The 2010 Syllabus is now available here; some events are yet to be confirmed as are a couple of YHA venues so please check back regularly.
Antony Lord
Rural Rossendale Walking Festival
Walkers can look forward to a series of six tasty, 'foodie walks' as part of the third Rural Rossendale Walking Festival.
Walks take place from Saturday 3rd October to Monday 5th October 2009 with a variety of walks for all ages and levels of fitness. There are short walks for short legs ranging from the Cheese Breeze, a 2 mile stroll around Cronkshaw Fold Farm to the more ambitious 12 mile Soup Loop which covers parts of the Rossendale Way.
The full programme of popular walks is as follows:
Wind Turbine and Whisky Trail, 7 miles, 3rd October.
Sarsaparilla Stroll, 4 miles, 3rd October.
The Fudge Trudge, 10 miles, 4th October.
The Cheese Breeze, 2 miles 4th October.
The Soup Loop, 12 miles, 4th October.
The Black Pudding Plod, 7 miles, 5th October.
Last year over one hundred walkers sampled local produce whilst taking in the best of the Rossendale countryside. Walk leader Wendy Davison said 'This year we are hoping to get more people to visit the area from further afield and make a full weekend of visiting the Valley and all it has to offer. People from outside of the area don't realise what a great place Rossendale is. With river-filled valleys and rugged hills defining the skyline; it really is a walkers paradise. There are plenty of high quality guest houses, B&B's and self-catering properties to choose from'.
The 'foodie walks' coincide with Rossendale Produce and Farmers Market which is held on the first Sunday of every month, so walkers can stock up on fresh, local produce too.
Stuart McDonald
Evening Walk, White Horse Pub, Helmshore @ 6:45pm 17th June 2009
Starting off from the White Horse Pub Car Park in Helmshore for 6:45pm, we head up Moor Lane onto Holcombe Moor via Robin Hood's Well (reputedly it never runs dry). Following a well worn path, we enter Buckden Woods and head down towards Strongstry, where we pick up a high level valley path that takes us back towards Irwell Vale passing the old Lumb Mill. Leaving Irwell Vale we head up through the woods via the river side to Ravenshore, and return to the White Horse for a well deserved choice of several real ales (and those delicious cashew nuts)!
With an estimated distance of 4 - 5 miles (approx 2 - 2.5 hours), for more details please contact Stuart on 01706 831281 or email me on stuart.mcdonald660@btinternet.com. Alternatively, just turn up on the night. As the route can be over uneven ground, suitable footwear / clothing are recommended.
Stuart McDonald
Next Coach Meet, Buttermere via Whinlatter Pass - 21st June 2009
Please note that the landlady in the pub in Hellifield has moved elsewhere and at present there is no replacement. For this month only, because it is a long trip and driver's hours need to be taken into consideration, there will be not be a pub stop on the return journey. To allow for an extra half hour on the fells, the coaches will not leave Buttermere until 6.00pm.
Remember that there is no official parking for coaches in Buttermere. We are allowed to park here due to the good nature and past custom of Mr and Mrs Stagg who own the farm and the cafe. Please make use of the cafe and help us maintain the good relationship that we have enjoyed over the years.
Other fells accessible from Buttermere. Grasmoor, Whiteside Pike, Red Pike, High Pike, Haystacks & Fleetwith Pike or just enjoy the scenery along the lakesides of Buttermere and Crummock Water
These routes are walking into the sun for most of the day so do not forget your suncream!
To book a place please ring Gill on 01282 702637 or email stephen.young14@tiscali.co.uk
April continued to be an excellent walking Month.
Following the Easter weekend the Monthly trip went to the beautiful Nidderdale and once again, despite a cool start, we were blessed with good weather. How many people forgot their sunscreen? Five of us left the coach at Grassington and were walking before 9.00 a.m. We followed the Dales way towards Kettlewell before heading uphill to Great Whernside. From here we followed the ridge meeting up with Antony lord's group who were doing the reverse route, we had fun crossing over the boggy, peat hag summit of Little whernside before dropping down to the Angram and Scar House reservoirs. The village of Middlesmoor is in a great spot looking right down the dale and it was only a short walk from here back to the coach.
The last weekend of April was spent in Snowdonia at Fronwydra Climbing Hut. Although the Club has stayed there on 3 previous occasions it was the first time for Gill and myself. On Saturday we realised what we had missed, the views up the valley to Crib Goch are superb and numerous mountains are on the doorstep. One of the smaller huts, only sleeping 12, it promotes cameraderie and there was a great atmosphere. Saturday saw the occupants split into 3 groups, Mick Hirst Victor and Garry Brown along with Gill and myself set off behind the hut for Elidwr Fawr, this was a long ascent but it was well worth it when we reached the rocky summit. We then took the ridge path over Foel Grach to Y Garn where the wind subsided long enough for us to have lunch in the sun. Soon both Glyders had been climbed and we had met Roy's party heading in the opposite direction and Frank & Elaine who had come over Tryffan and Bristly Ridge. Time for some photos on the Cantilever stone and then down to Pen-y-Pas. This was easier said than done, Marie had warned us of the lack of paths through the heather and she wasn't wrong. It probably took twice as long to descend than it would on a normal track but you have to take the rough with the smooth!
Sunday and Roy's party explored around the quarries and caves of Llanberis, Mick and Vic tried a ridge that took them onto Crib Goch and Gill and I joined the tourists on the Pyg track up Snowden. We did have a drink the night before but that had nothing to do with the fact that we did see Batwoman, Wonderwoman, Supergirl and the Bionic Woman heading for the Summit.
All in all April was a cracking month, let's hope that the rest of the summer continues in the same vein.
Steve & Gill Young
Club Visit to Moorhouses Brewery - Wednesday 20th May 2009
Having already visited the brewery a few years ago with my current employer's sports and social club, I was looking forward to a return visit hoping I wouldn't be disappointed. As soon as I walked through the door of the General Scarlett pub on Accrington Road (owned by the brewery, and used for their events base), and saw a pint was been of Premier Bitter was pulled even before I asked, the night got off to a good start. Also, there was a poster picture near the bar, welcoming the Burnley Mountaineering Club - a nice touch.
Greeted by our chairman, Steve Young, there were soon 17 thirsty club members awaiting the introductory film, to be followed by the obligatory tour of how the beer was made. We were fortunate to have the Sales Manager conducting the tour and the hour's tour went very quickly - an excellent tour, and never boring. We visited all the rooms associated with the brewing process, and were told that we were one of the last 50 groups seeing the buildings as they were now, ahead of a new brewery being built on ground that had been purchased adjacent to the current site. Current production was at full capacity (320 barrels a week), whereas the new site could produce around 1,000 barrels.
Returning to the pub after the 1 hour tour, we were greeted by another pint of Premier Bitter. Those that preferred a different pint of one of the five core brands could purchase one, at a very reasonable price. Soon after, our pie and peas turned up, and it nicely finished off a great evening. We all knew that before we left, we were also getting a presentation pack consisting of a bottle of each, of Black Cat and Pendle Witches Brew.
Sadly, I had to leave earlier than I would have liked (the first to go, rather than the last), but the wife had turned up - too soon - to drive me home.
Looking forward to the next event, I just hope the beer's as good…
Stuart McDonald
10 March 2009
Sunday Walk - White Horse Pub, Helmshore, 11:00am Sunday 5th April
Starting and finishing at the White Horse pub car park in Helmshore, departing for 11:00am, estimated distance 10 - 11 miles (approx 5 - 6 hours).
Walking from the pub, we head down to Ravenshore and onto Irwell Vale village, then following the old Stubbins to Accrington disused railway line for a short distance. From Stubbins, we walk through Chatterton picking up the Rossendale Way as we head up past the Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary then onto the edge of Scout Moor, where the 26 wind turbines now dominate the sky line.
Keeping on the Rossendale Way, we head for the halfway point of Waugh's Well allowing fine views down the valley. After a short break, we head back down towards Edenfield where we pick up the track back to Irwell Vale Halt crossing the line at the level crossing and heading back to the White Horse for some real ales and those lovely cashew nuts.
Suitable footwear and clothing for the time of year recommended. For more information, I can be contacted on my email : stuart.mcdonald660@btinternet.com, or just turn up on the day.
Our regular monthly pub meet for September will be at the Inn on the Wharf, Burnley. This is a regular informal get together on the second Thursday of every month at a variety of venues, where members can meet up in a friendly atmosphere to swap ideas and opinions.
We are pleased to be able to let our members know that we have secured the use of large coaches for the four remaining monthly Coach Meets of 2010 (excluding the December Extra Trip to Kettlewell).
Tables have been reserved at the
Having already visited the brewery a few years ago with my current employer's sports and social club, I was looking forward to a return visit hoping I wouldn't be disappointed. As soon as I walked through the door of the General Scarlett pub on Accrington Road (owned by the brewery, and used for their events base), and saw a pint was been of Premier Bitter was pulled even before I asked, the night got off to a good start. Also, there was a poster picture near the bar, welcoming the Burnley Mountaineering Club - a nice touch.