Midge Walkers

Walk No.  170

Withnell, Brinscall Circular 9-07-23

We have started walks from Abbey Village before but never from this point. Today the 15 participants met at the site of the old Royal Hotel on Bolton Rd, now a building site and took the path westward, signposted Withnell Nature Reserve. Setting off at 1.45 p.m. we followed the course of the old rail track between the tree lined banking’s, soon passing under a high brick arched bridge. Continuing along the railway cutting in a south westerly direction, a second bridge structure was passed under, which was supporting Bury Lane leading into the centre of Withnell.

Our route continued by veering around the perimeter of a couple of ponds where fishing provided a pleasing pastime. Regaining the rail track, we passed a netball court on our left and in due course emerged on to School Lane where we turned left. Passing down to the corner of the street and crossing, we entered the playground and followed the path along the south side of the pond. The tree lined path continued through a gate and along-side a Goit to our left for a considerable distance, passing a couple of lakes on the right and arriving at another gate, where a bridge crossed the Goit. We turned in the opposite direction to rise up a stony, muddy path and pass along Trigg Lane. Following the contours of the lane brought us to a right angle and a bridge crossing another section of the former rail track. It was at this point we paused for our refreshment break.

Resuming our route and passing what could perhaps be described as a vehicle scrapyard and farm buildings on the left, we kept a northerly route between Bluebell Livery Stables and along a path on the left of what had been a training paddock, now displaying the foundations for a building. A gate allowed us to enter a field and keeping the hedge on our left, the first of a series of stiles allowed us to pass a couple of fields and enter the bottom corner of the garden of a private house. Blue Dye House was no ordinary house, apart from the expansive lake stretching from the rear patio to the boundary just beyond our position and well capable of accommodating a rowing boat.

Leaving the garden by another stile and turning left we crossed a combination of stiles crossing a track and entering a field and following the hedge line on our right. As we approached the properties a fence forced us to follow around it to leave by a gate and arrive at the end of Dick Lane. Another gate on the opposite side gave us access to a field

with an upward slope and our diagonal route aimed for a stile in the fence. Continuing straight across the next field brought us to another stile giving access to the next field, beyond which we emerged on to Harbour Lane and turned right.

Arriving at the crossroads we went straight across entering Sandy Lane passing the sports ground on the right. At the end of the lane we branched left in to Pike Lowe passing around the north side of the buildings of Pike Lowe Farm. Following the footpath across a series of fields, past Snapes Heights brought us to a somewhat complex stone stile to enter the area of the outbuildings of Crossfields Farm. It was around this point that the threatening black skies decided to force most of us to put on our rainwear. Passing around the large barn and following the left field boundary in to the next field, we continued through a gate and followed around the perimeter to exit by a stile on to Bury Lane where we turned right. After a short distance, the site of the Anglican Church of St Pauls appeared on the left containing the only graveyard in Withnell. Set into the front fence line is a Celtic Cross in memory of Private James Miller V.C. of The Kings Own Royal Lancashire Regiment who died from wounds sustained on July 30th 1916 aged 26, having given his life with a supreme devotion to duty. Private Miller was the great nephew of Marjorie Southworth’s mother.

Just beyond the churchyard, we turned right along a narrow track, following its varied contours and continuing to reach the foot-bridge we had passed under at the commencement of our journey. Turning right over the bridge and left down the top side of the rail cutting, we regained our starting point on Bolton Rd. We had covered a distance of 5.7 miles, taking approx. 3hours and added a completely new walk to our repertoire. The absence of stiles in the first half lulled us into a false sense of security which was more than made up for in the second half. Notwithstanding it was agreed that this had been an excellent addition and with the support of today’s turnout, continues to encourage the organisation of future events.