Walk Nelson Pit 26/12/2016

Paul and Pam D. led a walk from Nelson Pit Car Park at Higher Poynton through Lyme Park, over to Disley. A traditional Boxing Day walk . 24 people joined us for a cold clear day with just one 5 minute shower. A stop at the White Lion in Disley for food and drink then return.

Lyme Cage

Pub Night The Ardern Arms 24/12/2016

Father Christmas was pencilled in to host a Christmas eve pub night at the Ardern Arms in Stockport 20.30 hrs. Apologies were received from Father Chistmas, as he was rather busy.

Walk Hayfield 18/12/2016

John G. led a short Christmassy walk around Hayfield then afterwards to the George Pub.

Pub Night Food Friday and Bakers Vaults.

Campbell hosted Foodie Friday in Stockport Market then to The Bakers Vaults.

Meal 3 Tunnes 15/12/2016

Paul D. organised a meal at the Three Tunnes at Hazel Grove 20:00 15/12/2016.

Walk Ashford in the Water 11/12/2016

Mark C. led a walk from Ravenstor YHA hostel into Millers Dale, then SW then S to Brushfield. E then S to Deepdale then E skirting Great Shacklow wood to the old bridge at Ashford in the water. Lunch then N then W ploverfield to the pub at Monsall Head . Down to the footbridge then up to the viaduct NW along the Monsall trail then down to Cressbrook then west back to the hostel.

bridge at Ashford in the water

Xmas Party Ravenstor YHA 10/12/2016

Christmas meal at Ravenstor YHA. Then walk from the Hostel the next day.

Ravenstor YHA Hostel

Talk The Maiden and Diplomat 07/12/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:00hrs. Eric Millward gave a talk with computer photo projector about an edwardian scandal The Maiden and the Diplomat.

Walk Edale 04/12/2016

Brian T. led a walk from Edale over Lose hill , Castleton, Hollins Cross , return.

Pub night The Puss in Boots

Steve and Alison W. hosted a pub night at the Puss in Boots Stockport. Some members enjoyed a meal before .

Talk Exiting Wildlife 30/11/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20.00hrs. Tom Way, the professional wildlife photographer gave a talk with computer photo projector about his work.

Walk Crowden 27/11/2016

Steve H. led a walk from Crowden North along the Pennine way to the Trig point at Soldiers lump then South back to Crowden 8 miles. We were cold on the top and there was low cloud but we enjoyed some sun and warmth lower down . It was very muddy and we did a lot of bog hopping. We were interrupted by lots of fell runners on an orienteering course.

Pub Night The Joshua Bradley 25/11/2016

Colin and Helen hosted a pub night at the Joshua Bradley at Gee Cross.

Talk Great Forgers 23/11/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:00hrs 23/11/2016. Jim Williams the author of several books gave a talk with a computer projector on great forgers.

Walk Congleton 20/11/2016

John E. led a walk from Congleton railway station, East along cheshire ring canal walk until it meets the Gritstone trail, then South Congleton Edge to Mow Cop, then North West Cheshire Way to the canal, then Little Moreton Hall then back to the canal back to the railway.  12 miles. Twelve of us enjoyed mainly dry calm but misty day. After the walk some of us went into the Queens pub before going home.

Old Man of Mow

Old Man of Mow

Mow Cop Folly

Pub Night The Nursery 18/11/2016

Gill R. hosted a pub night at the Nursery at Green lane Heaton Norris.

Annual General Meeting 16/11/2016

A.G.M. at Hazel Grove Civic Hall at 20.00 Hrs.

Walk Ladybower 13/11/2016

Brian T. led a walk from Ladybower reservior bridge, North along the ridge then East to Strines reservoir then South to return. 17 of us had fine clear day with good views. The Autumn coulours were very special.

Pub night The Moor Top 11/11/2016

Harvey hosted a pub night 20:30 Hrs. 11/11/2016 at The Moor Top Pub at Heaton Moor Stockport.

Walk New Mills 10/11/2016

Gill J. led a Thursday walk around New Mills.

Talk Evita 09/11/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:00 Hrs. 09/11/2016. Hazel Griffiths gave a talk with computer photo projector about Eva Peron.

Walk Monyash 06/11/2016

Harvey led a walk from Monyash along the Limestone way to Chelmorton then Taddington with a stop at the Queens Arms pub then back to Monyash. In the morning we had light snow then drizzle then rain but in the afternoon we enjoyed a little sunshine.

Pub night The Flying Coach 04/11/2016

At 20.30hrs. 04/11/2016 Helen and Peter hosted a pub night at The Flying Coach on the A6 in Hazel Grove.

Talk Ski 02/11/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20.00 hrs. 02/11/2016 . Steve B. gave a talk with Slide projector of  ski resorts he and Sue had visited.

Walk Hope Valley 30/10/2016

Phil W. led a walk from Bamford over Bamford Moor to Ladybower Inn then back to Bamford.

Pub night The Fairway 28/10/2016

John H. Philamena and Lisa hosted a pub night at the Fairway pub at Higher Hillgate Stockport.

Talk British Wildlife 26/10/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:oo hrs 26/10/2016 Dave Brotton gave a talk with computer photo projector of his photos and skills in getting them of British Wildlife

Pub night Turners Vaults 21/10/2016

Chris and Heather hosted a pub night 20:00 hrs on 21/10/2016 at Turners vaults at little underbank Stockport.

Talk Puerto Montt to Santiago 19/10/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:00hrs Martin and Sue B. did a talk with computer photo projector on their trip through Chilean mountains.

Walk Aircraft Wrecks 2 16/10/2016

Chris H. led a second walk to the Aircraft wreck sites of the peak district.

Pub Night The Fiveways 14/10/2016

Sue and Pete H. hosted a night at the Fiveways pub Hazel Grove.

Walk Castleton 13/10/2016

Brian B. led a Thursday walk around Castleton.

Talk Spain and Austria 12/10/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall at 20:00hrs 12/10/2016. Harvey did a talk with computer photo projector about the quiet roads of Spain and Austria.

Walk Jumbles 09/10/2016

Jack led a walk around Jumbles Country Park and parts of the Witton Weavers Way.

Jack wrote,
This Sunday 18 of us plus 2 dogs set out from Jumbles Country Park. It was a beautiful day with ideal walking conditions (very little mud for Linda) We walked first of all alongside Jumbles Reservoir before ascending the dam side to Wayoh Reservoir which we walked most of the way round. A slight rise took us up to the h​​​​​​​​​​istoric Strawbury Duck pub for lunch. Suitably refreshed we now circumnavigated Turton and Entwistle Reservoir. After a short climb up to see the views we descended to TurtonTower for cream teas (minus the cream, they had run out.) It was then a short walk back along Jumbles Reservoir to the car park.

Pub Night Grove Ale House 07/10/2016

Claire hosted a pub night at the Grove Ale House on the A6 in Hazel Grove.

Talk Universe tour 05/10/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:00hrs 05/10/2016. Cary did a talk with computer photo projector, A brief tour of the universe.

Walk Cancelled 02/10/2016

Walk at Bollington was cancelled by Jane at the last minute .

Pub night The Bakers and food Friday 30/09/2016

John E. hosted food Friday at Stockport Market Place then into the Bakers Vaults pub. There were too many people and it was too noisey so we all moved across the market place to the Boars Head.

Talk In the Vikings wake 28/09/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall at 20:00hrs. Jim Krawiecki gave a talk with computer photo projector about his trips by kayak.

Weekend Idwal Cottage 23-25/09/2016

Sue W. arranged a weekend at Idwal cottage YHA near Bethesda. Sadly We had very high winds during the weekend which meant walks up the high tops of Snowdonia too dangerous.

Talk House minding 21/09/2016

At Hazel Grove Civic Hall 20:00hrs on 21/09/2016. Heather S. gave a talk with computer photo projector on her experiences doing house sitting in USA, UK, Spain, Singapore,  minding dogs, cats, guinee pigs, chickens and fish.

Walk Monyash 18/09/2016

Howard R. led a walk from Monyash down Lathkill and Bradford dales return.

Pub Night The Railway Handforth 16/09/2016

Joan Hosted a pub night 20:30hrs at the Railway pub at Handforth.

Walk Great Hucklow 15/09/2016

Nigel E. led a Thursday walk around Great Hucklow.

Nigel wrote,
 Nigel led a walk from Great Hucklow, near Bradwell in Derbyshire. From Great Hucklow, the walk climbed through woods and along a minor road where some interesting concrete 'lego' bricks had been employed to close off the road to traffic (see photo). The walk then passed the gliding club before crossing Abney Moor (photo 2) to visit Rebellion Knoll for great views down to Bradwell and across the Hope Valley. The walk then dropped down to the hamlet of Abney and a lunch stop was made in the shade of some trees. It was a rather hot day. The walk then continued down Abney Clough and up Bretton Clough to the hamlet of Bretton where a brief halt for refreshments was made at the Barrel Inn. From there the walk returned to the days starting point in Great Hucklow.

Martin B. wrote:-

Thursday 15 September 2016 – A Circuit from Great Hucklow with SWOG

This, believe it or not, was my first daytime walk with Stockport Walking and Outdoor Group (SWOG). The continuing brilliant weather drew me into the Peak District after being encouraged by Nigel and Chris during the previous night’s presentation of ‘Images of Snowdonia’ by Martin Block at Hazel Grove Civic Centre. (These Wednesday evening sessions are excellent – do feel free to attend – 8 pm – cost is just £1.)
The seven of us pictured above on Abney Moor met at Great Hucklow on another hot, sweaty, September morning. From L to R – Martin, Tracy, Alison, Chris, Sue, Pete and leader for the day Nigel.
We wandered up to Hucklow Edge through pleasantly shady woodland, at the entrance to which is this highly informative sign about a complex lead mining area. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

The area is now mainly agricultural, but the village was formerly a centre of the Derbyshire lead mining industry. The lead vein or rake outcrops to the surface to the west of the village and dives under the rocks of Hucklow Edge on the western side of the village where an adit, known as Milldam Mine, has recently been reopened by Glebe Mines Ltd and connects the various deep mines that had formerly been dug along the edge. This mine is being worked for fluorspar, which is frequently found associated with lead in the vein.
It was relatively cool under the cover of the trees.

We joined a lane that offers access to the nearby gliding club where aircraft were being catapulted into the sky. The World Gliding Championships were held here in 1954, and on 9 August 2011 the UK's longest ever paraglider flight apparently began here, ending over 250 km away in Suffolk.
Currently the road is blocked by giant Lego bricks being used to repair a landslide.

Chris established that they weren’t blocks of white chocolate, whilst Pete looked on, baffled by his mate’s extraordinary efforts to supplement his breakfast.

Somehow we found the energy to climb onto the plateau of Abney Moor, where a long break for self-timed photos and elevenses was much needed in the stifling heat.

A few metres further on was a conveniently shady bench (at SK 184 801). Duh!

After the ‘I didn’t think of continuing to the bench’ debacle, Nigel led us on to a promontory overlooking Bradwell and the nearby massive quarry.
“I wonder where we are now?” he pondered, scrutinising his map with a magnifying glass.

The answer was clear when everyone decided to turn around and re-join Sue and Alison, who had declined this part of the walk. “Rebellion Knoll.” (Check the map below!)
Soon we were back on a path towards Abney.

Not long afterwards we gained the shelter of woodland in Abney Clough, where Chris and Tracy found some welcome shade and demanded “lunch”.

After a lengthy break, we stumbled on towards another section of woodland that we hoped would protect us from the burning sun and the mewing buzzards.

Taken just a few minutes later, the picture below gives the impression that the season has changed in a matter of minutes!

At the foot of Abney Clough there’s a complex path junction where we turned sharp right to ascend slowly up Bretton Clough in a desperate bid to return to Great Hucklow before anybody expired.

Near the top of the hill an enticing lawn-like area induced a break for … “afternoon tea, anyone?”

It may be September, but there are still quite a few flowers for the insects to enjoy. I’ve already photographed most of them this summer, so I left the thistles to themselves today, but I couldn’t resist this Meadow Crane’s-bill.

We emerged at an old stone building with a viewpoint over the escarpment. There’s an orientation point that suggests to visitors what they may be able to see.

The intense heat haze meant that today’s view was relatively limited.

Hang on though, it’s only 2.55 pm! The pub closes at 3 pm. We rushed in, much to the dismay of the landlady who wanted to shut early. It was a fine place to rehydrate before tackling the (thankfully downhill) slope back to our starting point.

It took some persuasion to get everyone back onto their feet, but it didn’t take more than a few hours more to stumble down to Great Hucklow, where the welcoming sign looks as if someone has written something else then scribbled it out.

After five and a half hours in the heat of the Indian summer, we were all pretty exhausted after 13.5 km and 440 metres ascent. I felt at least as tired as I had done after the previous day’s rather longer stroll!
Here’s the route.

Thanks to Nigel for leading this excellent stroll, and apologies for any misinterpretations as to what actually happened, in the above ‘report’!