This month Dave Johnstone, Secretary of the Norwest Fellwalking Club, celebrates his 50th year as a club member. The Norwest developed out of a rambling group at British Leyland and this is how Dave began his association with the club as a 15 year old apprentice. Based in the Preston and Leyland area, the club meets on Sundays every two or three weeks throughout the year with a programme of outings covering a big chunk of northern England with less frequent incursions into north Wales and Southern Scotland. The club caters both for independent walkers who prefer to follow their own routes, as well as those who enjoy being in led groups. This mix probably accounts for the club’s longevity as well as the service given by its officers. (In this regard special mention should be made to club treasurer Bob Singleton, who has been in that post as long as Dave has been secretary – 38 years!) [For further information and membership enquiries Tel: 01772 783745]
To mark Dave’s Golden Anniversary we describe a walk from Longridge, visiting the Corporation Arms, which over the past few years has been the venue of the club’s Christmas walk.
Summary:
Distance: 11 K or 7m
Ascent: 250m
Time: 3 – 3½ hours
Terrain: Mainly farmland and level, with one steep ascent over Longridge Fell. Prepare for mud after and during wet weather.
1. Longridge to Giles (4.6 Km or 2½ m: 1½ hours)
From car park turn right into Berry Lane and walk up the hill towards the Dog Inn, (now an Indian restaurant). Turn left at the T junction and keep ahead into Higher Road passing to the left of the White Bull. After 700 metres (10 mins) locate a footpath on the left leading into a field. (*1)
Follow an indistinct path down to wooden footbridge and then up to a pair of stiles crossing a tarmac drive.
Keep ahead to stone wall. Views of Bowland Fells open out before you. In corner cross a combination of wooden and stone stiles
and aim slightly left as way begins to drop. On reaching the hedge turn left and descend more sharply past an isolated stone post
to reach a stile at the base of the hill.
Turn right onto a broad track. Follow the track past large farm complex on left. Having negotiated a metal gate cross stone wall
into a large field. Keep close to the boundary on the left as far as the underfoot conditions allow and keeping ahead reach a gate
as the track bends to the left to bring you to the rear of a farm property. (Old Rhodes)
Bear right through yard and enter a large field by a pair of wooden gates.
After the second turn right following the hedge to purposeless stone squeeze stile.
The route crosses the next field diagonally left to a double wooden gate.
Keep ahead and after crossing a stile besides the next gate turn right in the direction of a waymark arrow.
Cross into the next field and turn right on meeting a farm track.
Follow track as it approaches a farm and then on a more substantial track bear left as it skirts the farm. The track leads down to a lane by Higher Birks.
Turn right and then left onto a footpath accessed by a small gate.
Keep ahead to reach an almost obscure stile in the corner of the field.
After crossing the next field pass through yard of White Fold Barn to the right of the property.
The right of way will quickly bring you to Bradley’s Farm.
Walk towards the farmhouse to locate, opposite, a small gate leading into a field.
Turn right and continue to a wooden bridge.
Keep ahead at a second bridge. Now approaching the edge of a conifer plantation, with a property down to the left, go through a metal gate onto a grassy track.
After a second metal gate keep ahead with fence on right. Part way along, without indication of waymark arrow, cross a wooden stile and enter plantation, now walking with fence on left.
Leave the plantation by another stile and keep ahead to reach a wooden gate.
Once through it bear right walking up to Dale House.
Pass through a wooden gate on left before entrance to yard and with Dale House on right walk up to stile.
From here a useful line of telegraph poles will lead down to a metal gate just before Giles.
2. Giles to Written Stone Farm (3 Km or 2 miles: 1 hour)
Thus far the route has run roughly parallel with line of the ridge. Now it has to be crossed. Walk towards the farm complex and in front on the house turn right up an almost hidden set of stone steps leading into an orchard.
Bear slightly right aiming for the corner of the enclosure where a pair of stiles leads onto the open fellside.
There is no clear path – the way is up but aiming right to take you over the escarpment. Once on top the wireless mast makes a good reference point to aim for.
This will bring you to a corner and a metal gate. Once across the gate turn right into Forty Acre Lane. Walk along the lane for 700m with Longridge Golf Course on you right. After 10mins look for footpath on left.
(If you reach the club house you have gone too far.) Heading down hill, with views of the Ribble Valley before you, cross two fields to reach Clitheroe Old Road.
Cross lane to enter a field by a stile. Now diagonally traverse this large field to its far right corner. Here cross an awkward stile by a metal gate (or if you prefer go through the gate) and continue along a grassy track with a hedge to your right. On reaching a more substantial farm track turn right and follow it as it brings you to the exceptionally tidy Cottom House Farm. Passing through the yard keep ahead and in a few minutes you will come to the much celebrated “Written Stone” with the farm to the right.
3. Written Stone Farm to car park (3 Km or 2 miles: 1 hour)
“Ralffe Radcliffe laid this stone to lye for ever AD 1655” runs the intriguing inscription on the stone.
The monument has given rise to all sorts of fanciful legends featuring ghosts and ghoulies and things that keep you awake at night. The truth is probably more prosaic, though sad, in that it was placed here after the deaths of several family members in a short space of time. After viewing it turn into the yard, almost as tidy as Cottom House, and walk past the handsome farmhouse.
Keep ahead, go through a gate onto a grassy track and then another to enter a field with a wall on your right.
After crossing a stile in the corner of the field. Ahead bear left of roofs just in sight over the brow of a rise. This line will bring you to a rather untidy corner, with a stile of sorts leading onto Knowle Green Road.
Turn right and walk past reservoir on right. The Corporation Arms is soon reached on the junction of Blackburn Road.
300m after the inn, turn right onto a bridleway
leading up past the west end of the reservoir. As the way becomes steeper, the track narrows and becomes more enclosed. On reaching a tarmac drive bear left and follow it as it brings you out onto Higher Lane, close by the internationally famous Heathcoats Restaurant. Turn left to retrace your earlier steps back to Longridge centre.
The Corporation Arms
If you find yourself ready for refreshment do not go past this excellent country inn. Walkers may be inclined to be put off by its touches of comfort and refinement, but they can be assured of a genuine welcome, (though it may be best to leave muddy boots at the door.)
The Corporation Arms has an extensive all day menu making it a popular destination for motorists. It also offers three cask ales kept in prime condition. All in all a most agreeable hostelry.