Midge Walkers

Walk  No. 89

Walk around Fishwick Bottoms 13-03-16

Due to our leaders forthcoming holiday, an extra walk in March was arranged, on what was probably weather wise, the best day of the year so far. With a temperature of 13.5 C, 8 adults, 2 children and Molly the dog met in the car park of the Capital Centre at Walton le Dale. Crossing to the River side of the road, we turned right passing the Yew Tree and past a memorial erected to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee on June 1st 1887. Immediately next to this was what in years gone by had been the Police Station, now a private residence, and opposite this a plaque on the opposite side of the road records the home of Joseph Livesey, a notable name and founder of the Temperance Movement.

Continuing to Church Brow, where we turned left, took us past St Leonards Church with its bell tower housing a ring of 8 bells. The graveyard was somewhat unique housing both Protestant and Catholic burials.

A little further along, a path took us down towards the River, passing through Ribble Side Farm to follow a route along the bank. The view towards Preston clearly outlined the former Horrockses Mill and some other tall features of the town.

Crossing a series of fields, interlinked with stiles, we eventually emerged on to a stony drive leading us to Cuerdale Hall Farm, where we passed through a gate and returned towards the River bank with views of the Tickled Trout ahead. A further couple of fields and stiles found us emerging on to the side of the A59 where we turned right to cross the Brockholes Bridge to get us to the opposite side of the Ribble, and here we stopped for our coffee break.

Resuming our route along the Guild Wheel, past Fishwick Golf Course on our right, we were made aware of a site on the opposite bank pinpointed by a marker where a vast treasure trove had been discovered in years gone by and named as the Cuerdale Hord, and consisted of Gold, Silver and Jewellery.

Our return route followed the tarmac pathway and cycle rout of the guild wheel, which probably because of the good weather was certainly being put to good use by other adventurers. Emerging back on to London Rd at the side of the Bridge Inn soon brought us back to our starting position.

Once again this had been a couple of hours or so, well spent in the pursuit of improving our local knowledge, of honing our bodies to peak fitness and the fellowship we always enjoy.