Midge Walkers

Walk No.  166

Houghton & Coupe Green 14-04-23

Following a week which had seen lots of sunshine, unfortunately the weather meter had run out as weekend arrived and things weren’t quite as bright and beautiful anymore. The last time we had started from this point alongside the playground on Gregson Lane, had been May 2018 (Walk No 119). The 13 assembled, which again included 2 new additions, Jim and Sister Rose joined us for the first time and were made welcome.  Setting off at 1.50 and passing the historic Arrowsmith House, dating back to 1628, which had housed the Roman Catholic priest, St Edmund Arrowsmith during his flight, when the Catholics were under persecution, during the reign of Charles I.

Turning at the main road and right at the Black Horse Pub into Bourne’s Row, brought us to skirt to the rear of an industrial site and continuing towards the rail line, we crossed into Oram Rd. This gave a gentle ascent to give extended views of Preston and the Bowland Moors. Arriving at a T junction we branched left into Hill House Lane descending back towards another rail crossing, beyond which we turned right at the side of a farm, passing through two metal gates along a grassy track to a stile. A cemetery on the right preceded a stream and a gate brought us to the front of St Joseph’s Catholic Church built in 1721.

Turning to the left and passing through a gate we walked forward for a short distance along a drive and then turned right through another gate to enter a field skirting along its edge to leave by a further gate, along a path to emerge onto Houghton Lane, where we turned left. Proceeding for a hundred yards or so we crossed to the opposite side of the road and followed a fingerpost sign along a narrow path between two hedges, at the end of which two consecutive stiles gave us access to a field to the left. Keeping the hedge line on our left we continued towards farm buildings at the end of the field and entered these via a gate. This area was signed as Hey Barn Kennels and Cattery and following between the buildings and out at the other side led us on to Fox Lane.

Taking the first road on the right, Coupe Green and passing the primary school brought us to the gates of the children’s playground where we turned in and took advantage of the seating for our refreshment break. It was whilst consuming this that a friendly local enquired if we were taking part in the “London Marathon” and needed a little help to get back on course?

Resuming our route brought us on to Carver Brow, passing a series of upgraded cottages, the last of which was Jolly Cottage beyond which a fingerpost sign pointed us over a stile to the left and after a short distance another led us into a field with a steep incline over a brow towards another stile. A path around a series of allotments brought us on to a track to the left bringing us back to the main Houghton Rd where we turned right.

Arriving back at the junction with Gregson Lane we turned left following the downward slope and over Black Brook, to rise up the following side and turn right into Shuttling Fields Lane. This twisting and undulating route, soon brought us to a stile on the left at the side of a bungalow with the name Peacehaven.  Once the first few of our number had climbed the stile, the owner of the bungalow came out unlocking the gate thus making access easier for the stragglers. (It doesn’t always pay to be over enthusiastic.)

Passing along the drive and a series of gates, we gained the friendship of a billy goat who happily joined the group, and whilst we passed through a gate demonstrated his abilities by climbing over a stile. After negotiating across 3 fields we passed through a gate on to a path leading us through a wooded area bringing us out on to Bank Head Lane where we turned left. Continuing to Alma Row on the right, we followed to emerge back on Gregson Lane adjacent to our stating point. We had avoided any really adverse weather and built up a fair head of steam. Three hours had passed since we set off and we had travelled 5.5 miles.

We had added a new walk to our inventory and added new members to our walking family. Once again we had enjoyed each other’s company and the joys of the great outdoors and look forward to our next outing in May.