Ski Club of Manchester Midsummer walk — Saturday 28th June 2025

Reporter: Chris Fildes

Leaders: Helen and Brian Richardson

We set off from the Ryles Arms at 10.30am for a walk of 9.85 miles and 1819 ft of ascent.

I lost Freddie shortly after setting off, so turned back to find him sitting by a stile.

Heading eastwards, climbing steadily above Rossendale Brook, we took the track by the Hanging Gate Inn, over moorland descending by Oaken Clough to Greenaway Bridge.

We followed the path through fields high above Wildboarclough, crossing numerous styles, with coloured Frisbie’s displayed! (We didn’t crack the colour code), then down to the road.

Northeast, just along the road is Wildboarclough village. Crag Inn now closed could be seen, Cottages, Crag Hall and Mill beyond.

In 1989 the village was devastated by a 25ft high surge of water that killed a motorist and claimed hundreds of livestock, destroying bridges and telephones lines. The area now has significant flood defences and ongoing support.

We turned sharp southwest following the road for ½ a mile and crossed a footbridge over Clough Brook, taking a path through Giant Rhubarb, up thro’ woods by Underbank Farm, (losing Freddie again), to Blaze Farm which is a popular with families! Was that a crocodile basking by the pond? (Never smile at a crocodile)! The geese and goats survived!

Lunch and homemade ice cream all round, supplied by Helen!

We retraced our steps slightly, returning to the road and through Hammerton Knowl Farm then the long gradual ascent through ‘Hazels’ and over Cessbank Common, where we stopped for lunch, to admire the view of course!

Then down Wythenshaw Lane taking the footpath by ‘High Lee’ and the short cut behind ‘The Hanging Gate Inn’, down to the road, turning southeast along the Gritstone Trail, and back to The Ryles Arms for a well-earned drink or two… phew!!

It was a perfect walk Helen, thanks for organising the wall-to-wall sunshine too.

The ice creams to celebrate your special birthday were much appreciated!

(Sadly, this turned out to be Freddie’s last valiant outing with the club, as he passed away a few weeks later. Fossie and I will miss him so very much).