Midge Walkers

Walk No.  159

Tardy Gate, Middleforth & Tram Rd  -  16th Oct ‘22

Following a week of fairly frequent rain, Sunday 16th promised to be quite bright, albeit a typically autumn day, but then again, what else can you expect for the middle of October.

Even so, 10 of our senior members and young Jack assembled in the car park at the end of Todd Lane South. Leaving at 2.00 p.m. along the path at the side of the River Lostock which skirts St Catherine’s Park, most of us crossed the reconstructed copy of an “Inglis” Bridge as used in World War 1. Jack and his grandma chose the more adventurous route of the stepping stones. (See photo) The path emerged on to Watkin Lane, where we turned right.

Crossing to the opposite side, soon brought us to the former Methodist Church site, now named United House and let out as individual office units. Continuing to Ward St and turning left, Rodney told us of the history of the extensive mill building on the left and of a bombing raid which had taken place on Sunday 27th October 1940, when 25 people, including 12 children were killed and houses numbered 48 to 68 destroyed.

Our route took us to a foot-bridge spanning the rail line and along a series of paths at the rear of the properties, to arrive at Croston Road where we turned left, crossing another rail bridge, and turning into School Lane on the right. Halfway along this route we passed under a bridge and continued to its junction with Coote Lane and turned left, crossing to take an inlet at the side of a property called Stanley Fold. Following the signage, took us down the side of the rail line fence and over 3 stiles, to arrive at Flag Lane and turn left.

A fingerpost pointed us to the right, down the side of Claytons poultry and egg merchants, over a footbridge and subsequently on to Bee Lane, which after crossing and following down a path opposite, brought us into a housing estate where we turned right. After a short distance, we cut through a ginnel to the left, following the road to Giller Drive, and turning right brought us to the main Leyland Road adjacent to Skew Bridge.

Doubling back over the bridge, we took the sign pointing down the side of the rail line and across a field, including the former site of Middleforth Hall Farm on to Factory Lane and made our way to seating at the side of the old Vernon’s cricket ground for our refreshment break and a share of Jack’s chocolates to boost our energy,

After the usual group photograph, we began our return via Factory Lane, passing the site of the old Vernon’s factory, soon to be the home of new housing, and making our way to Tram Road and turned right. Passing under the bridge which now supports the new road linking The Cawsey to Walton Park and the properties built on the site of the former gas works, led us to the path dropping us down on to Wateringpool Lane. Having turned right and passing under the bridge, we made our way to a left-hand turning leading towards new properties and a pond on the left. This led us around the outer perimeter of the estate and through a small section of woodland into an adjoining field.

Following a well-trodden path allowed us to exit the field between two garages bringing us into Glendale Avenue which we followed to its junction with Todd Lane North where we turned right.

Crossing Brownedge Road at the traffic lights, took us into the South part of Todd Lane and over the railway bridge, back to our original starting point. We had covered a distance of 5.5 miles and once again the consensus was this had been an enjoyable walk without any particular difficulties and covering areas not previously visited by some, which as has been previously said, gets increasingly more difficult.