17/09/2025 Stroller - Worden Park

 

September
Start: 10:30am


Worden Park, Leyland with Barry Hayhurst
2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing

Meet at the car park opposite the Eagle and Child public house, Church Road, Leyland, PR25 3AA for the usual start time of 10.30am. 
Pre-order refreshments at the Eagle and Child prior to the Stroller.



14/09/2025 Coach - Llangollen

 

September
Start: 8:00am with 17:30 (5:30pm) return


A Walk – Froncysyllte to Llangollen via Y Foel and Vivod Mountain. with Katie Clenshaw
11.2 miles / 18 km with 2200 ft / 665 m Total Ascent

Spectacular though Creigiau Eglwyseg, World's End and Castell Dinas Bran are, I decided to try something different this time, so we are heading for the steep wooded slopes to the south of the Vale of Llangollen and the heathery moors of Y Foel and Vivod Mountain.

We leave the coach at Froncysyllte, the village just south of the renowned Pontcysyllte aqueduct, which we can visit if we arrive in good time (adds 2 km approx).

We start by climbing steeply up Methodist Hill in Froncysyllte, before heading through woodland to a narrow ridge above Pen-y-Craig limestone quarry. We continue along a footpath/road along the top edge of north facing slopeswith fabulous views of the Vale of Llangollen and hills to the north. We then follow the Llwybr Ceiriog Trail, until we reach the road near Careg y Big (a standing stone). We continue west along the road for just over 2km before taking the footpath to the remains of Biddulph Tower at the top of Y Foel (1712ft, 522m). From here we make our way north west through the heather (the path comes and goes), to reach the North Berwyn Way which we follow to the top of Vivod Mountain (1834ft, 559m). Here, we can either retrace our steps or loop round on a track back to the North Berwyn Way, which takes us all the way to Llangollen.
Note - The North Berwyn Way is a good path, except for a short, steep section at the end which is covered with a layer of loose gravel. The other option is to go through Cae Madog Wood, which is easier but more road walking and brambles, and a small quarry exposing the fragile rocks. 


B+ Walk – Froncysyllte, Canal & Chirk Castlewith Val Walmsley
10 Miles / 17km with 1235ft / 376m Total Ascent


From Trevor Cross Pont Cysillte aqueduct over R. Dee & follow Offah's Dyke Path to tunnel under canal.
Take path west towards Chirk Castle on Offah's Dyke to join Llwybr Ceiriog Trail to Ty'n Celyn from where route via Ty'ndwr Hall Activity Centre & Pen-y-Coed to reach Llangollen.


B Walk – Canal, Abbey & Castle with Barbara & Alan Gilbert
8 miles (12.87km) with 1300ft (396m) Total Ascent


Leaving Llangollen we cross the bridge spanning the river Dee heading towards the Llangollen Canal. Here we turn left making our way to Horseshoe Falls. We then take a path to Llantysilio Church (with an option to have a look inside the church). We then make our way signposted to Velvet Hill, which we skirt before dropping to the road and Vale Crucis Abbey where we can stop for lunch (there are toilets here). Passing through a Caravan Park by the Abbey to cross a bridge and up a flight of steps to continue along a track before climbing up to the 13th Century ruin of Castell Dinas Bran with spectacular views. After descending back to a signpost which takes us back into Llangollen for some well earned refreshments.


C Walk – Llangollen with Barbara Malloy and Sylvia Rymer
5.5Miles / 8.8 km with 350ft / 106m Total Ascent


We leave Llangollen along the canal and head northwards to the Horseshoe Falls and Llantysilio church. We then retrace our steps to Pentrefelin bridge. Taking a footpath that climbs gently uphill we join the Clwydian Way and walk south-eastwards towards Castell Dinas Bran and then descend to Llangollen.

11/09/2025 Thursday Car - Harrock Hill & Fairy Glen

 

September
Start: 10:30am


Harrock Hill & Fairy Glen with Sue Banister
7½ Miles / 12km Undulating.

Meet at Alder Lane Playing Fields car park, Bramble Way, Parbold (Sat Nav: WN8 7HZ ), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

We set off alongside the canal then head up through Fairy Glen to meet and cross the A5209.

Passing the Boars Den barrow, a Bronze age burial mound, we cross fields to High Moor Lane and continue on past Pine covert, Wrights covert and Dwerry House to start the gentle climb to the windmill ruin on Harrock Hill.

It’s then south past Harrock Hall then Bowling Green House Farm to bring us out near Christ Church on Parbold Hill.

A path then takes us down over the railway line and through meadows and the playing fields back to the car park.



01/09/2025 Committee Meeting

 

September
Start: 7:00pm to 9:00pm


Committee meetings are held on Mondays.
Start at 7:00pm and finish at 9:00pm.

All members are welcome.

We meet at the Over 60s Club, Priory Lane, Penwortham.

Preston PR1 0AR.


31/08/2025 Sunday Car - Calf head and Ogden Reservoirs

 

August
Start: 10:30am

Calf head and Ogden Reservoirs with Bob Tognarelli

6 Miles / 9.6 km Moderate Climbing

Meet at the Clough Head Cafe and Tourist Information Centre car park, Grane Road, BB4 4AT ready for the usual start time of 10:30 am.


No details available.

20/08/2025 Stroller - Hurst Green

 

August
Start: 10:30am


Hurst Green with Jean Gabbatt
2 ½ miles / 4km with Little Climbing

This circular walk (2½ miles/4 km) follows roads, paths and fields with views of Stonyhurst College. The terrain is mainly flat and even, but with a few inclines.

Meet outside the main door of The Shireburn Arms, Hurst Green (Sat Nav: BB7 9QJ ).

We have permission to use the car park as this is our lunch venue at 12.30pm.


17/08/2025 Coach - Caldbeck

 

August
Start: 8:00am with 17:30 (5:30pm) return


A Walk – Great Lingy Hill & Great Sca Fell with Dave Colbert
11.25 Miles / 19km with 2625ft / 800m Total Ascent


The Caldbeck Fells are predominantly grassy hills comprising an extensive tract of upland known colloquially as ‘the Back o’Skidda’, a remote area reminiscent of the North Pennines. From Caldbeck, we follow the Cumbria Way southwards to Nether Row before tackling High Pike (658m/2,159ft) and a traversing an ill-defined ridge over a number of minor undulations including Hare Stones, Great Lingy Hill and Iron Crag, the latter the most recent elevation in England to be added to its various lists of 2,000 footers. On a clear day there are excellent views across the Solway Firth to the hills of Galloway and the Southern Uplands. Once across a boggy col, we climb directly to the featureless summit of Knott, which at 710m/2,329ft is the highest of the Caldbeck Fells. A broad ridge leads to the flat-topped outlier of Great Sca Fell and then Brae Fell (both Wainwright tops for those interested), from where a long descent takes us to a ford across Dale Beck, which may require the removal of boots! It’s then back to Caldbeck by way of Fell Side and various lanes and tracks.


B+ Walk – High Pike with Sue Banister
10 Miles / 17km with 1837ft /560m Total Ascent


We leave the coach at Caldbeck and head west along Whelpo Beck to a footbridge. We then go generally south to Little Fellside and join a path taking us on the steady climb to the summit of High Pike at 2159ft (658m).
We will hopefully have good views of the Solway Firth and Scottish Border hills to the north and the Lakeland hills to the south.
Our descent takes us via Low Pike to the disused mine at Birket then down towards Wood Hall, Hudscales and Townhead back to Caldbeck.


B Walk – Calderbeck South Circular with Stuart Arnold
8 Miles / 12.8km with 1100ft / 335m Total Ascent


Leaving the coach we join the Cumbria way heading east through Parson's Park. Coming out of the wood we drop down a steep path to join a route which takes us to Hesket Market. Passing through the village we join a field path which takes us to Wood Hall. Here the start of the climb begins as we climb up to Stony bank and a path that traverses round the fellside to join a path which descends to Nether Row.
We then cross fields to Potts Hill and begin our return to Caldbeck through fields via Wath and Townhead.


C Walk – Title with Judith Kirby and Christine McGrath
Miles / km with ft / m Total Ascent


No details available.


14/08/2025 Thursday Car - Dunsop Bridge

 

August
Start: 10:30am


The Centre of the UK with Stuart Arnold
9 Miles / 15km with 900ft / 274m Total Ascent

We will start our walk from the car park in Dunsop Bridge which is expensive so parking on the road may be acceptable (Sat Nav: BB7 3BB), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

We will start our walk from the car park in Dunsop Bridge which is expensive so parking on the road may be acceptable.

We follow the river hodder down to Burholme Bridge which we cross and go up the road 1/4ml and go into New Laund farm and then up and over the hill and down to Fair Oak Farm. We then pass the telephone box reported to be at the centre of the UK.
We then pass through Dinkling Green Farm through Higher Fence Wood and Whitemore around the edge of Mellor  Knoll down to Harden Farm and back to the start.
In view of the distance from Preston Stuart will be offering lifts to anyone who would like to join him for this excellent walk in some of our most beautiful countryside.

03/08/2025 Sunday Car - Longton

 

August
Start: 10:30am


Hutton/Longton circular with Chris Furlong
7 Miles / 11.2 km Flat Walking

Meet at Hutton Village Hall car park, Moor Lane, Hutton (Sat Nav: PR4 5FE), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.


With lunch this walk should take us approximately 4 hours. reasonable footpaths and modern gates. As much of the walk is by the river and brooks, there may be some muddy paths in places. From the car park we walk along Liverpool road and cross to a public footpath, marked to the Ribble.
After passing through two gates we walk until we reach and cross Ratten lane, after crossing Ratten lane we go down a secluded footpath and after going through stiles and gates reach the River Ribble, where we shall sit on the bank and have lunch. If we are lucky the tide might be in and we can watch the boats go by.
We will then walk along the river until we reach a disused water treatment unit and follow a raised path until we reach a series of gates, we follow the Ribble Way signs and cross over a stream via a small bridge. After going through several gates, we will find ourselves in a large field, we go over a stile at the end of the field which brings us to Grange Lane, we cross a small field to Back Lane, we proceed along Back Lane then find a secluded somewhat overgrown footpath and cross a stile and two bridges walking along Longton Brook. We then reach Liverpool Road and back to the car park.


Peter Stevens 1949-2025

As some of you may already know Peter Stevens passed away on the morning of the 28th of July peacefully at St. Catherine's Hospice. Peter was 76 years old. 

Peter joined the walking club in 1967 at the tender age of 18. He joined the committee a few years later and has been active in several roles ever since. As well as being a prolific walk leader of all grades, life member Peter started the Footprints newsletter in 1990 and was the creator and webmaster for the PDWC website since 2007. For nine years he co-hosted with Stephen Watson the annual 'Grand Night Out' event for the club, utilising his computer skills to create the popular slide show and all the related graphics for the event. 

He was the beloved husband of Lesley, much loved dad to Matthew, James and Caroline, cherished granddad to Katelyn, James and Adam, brother in law to Paul. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Funeral Service and Committal at Charnock Richard Crematorium on Tuesday 12th August 2025 at 2.30pm. Family flowers only.

Donations if desired to 'St Catherine's Hospice and Rosemere Cancer Foundation' c/o the family.

https://peter-stevens-1949-2025.muchloved.com/