CYHA News

Look Out! Bridge Out!

Another cracking Bank Holiday weather-wise. 20 eager walkers dashed straight from work on the Friday night to the charming village of Slaidburn in Lancashire, some just in time to stagger across to the local pub.

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and we decided to bag Dunsop Head. It all started out well with beautiful scenery and lush, verdant valleys until we came to the bridge crossing the mighty Croasdale Brook - or at least where the bridge was supposed to be. The violent deluges which have plagued our summer had resulted in the bridge being washed away. We could see it's tattered remains on the far bank. Much discussion followed as to whether there was a safe place to cross & how far it would be to go round. Too far. We'd just have to make the best of it. After all it wasn't that deep - only about half an inch higher than my boots! Eventually after much slithering and cussing we all made it to the far side safe and sound. Relieved, we squelched up to an abandoned farmhouse for a spot of lunch and to wring out our socks. The rest of the walk was thankfully uneventful apart from the stunning views in all directions from Dunsop Head, and ended (as did so many of our walks on this weekend) in the village tearooms with a huge slice of homemade cake.

An Evening in Aladdin's Cave

Many thanks to John & Rose for inviting us into their home and thanks to Lynn for arranging it. The house in question is one of the most ancient in Kelvedon (and even in Essex if you consider the single-aisled hall at the back). The building has had a varied history from loom shed to hotel to home, and to its current status as part home and part Aladdin's cave. The front part of the house is almost impossibly stuffed with wonderful jewels, carvings and fabrics sourced from all over the globe. All these wonderful things are sold in aid of Tearfund as Fair Trade to support small community traders in developing countries. Many of us invested in some of the objects on offer, the culmination of a super evening.

Ali

Out of Essex

Thanks to James for arranging a very pleasant day out, cycling to Hanningfield Reservoir. We had an excellent lunch sitting on the veranda at the waterfront restaurant, gazing across the sunny reservoir surrounded by woodland nature reserve. We thought it seemed more like Africa than Essex, expecting to see elephant coming to drink at the water's edge.

Southend Sunset

Eight of us, mainly from south Essex, met at Old Leigh to walk along the promenade towards Southend at sunset. When we arrived, it looked like the plug had been pulled out of the Thames with mud everywhere. We walked as far as Chalkwell before turning round and heading back to Leigh for a drink in the Crooked Billet.

Jim

The Garden of England

Driving over the M20 in the fog on Sunday morning seemed more like a high alpine pass than the North Downs, but by the time we were out walking there were fine views over the Kent countryside. The section of the North Downs way from Thurnham to Hollingbourne is one of the best, with a good "view to effort" ratio. And we timed it perfectly to be in the pub (the unusually-named "Dirty Habit") during the only shower of the day. Thanks to Tom for leading us.

Weekend at Woody's

We had a great weekend at Woody's Top hostel, walking and cycling in the Lincolnshire Wolds, and dispelling the myth that Lincolnshire is entirely flat!

A Forest without Trees

Where is the Forest of Bowland?

On being told we're going to the Forest of Bowland for the August Bank Holiday weekend, most people's reaction was "where's that?". The Forest of Bowland, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (A.O.N.B), is in the Lancashire Pennines, bordering the Yorkshire Dales, shortly before you get to the Lake District. It occupies most of the north east of Lancashire and is an attractive alternative to the overcrowded Lake District.

And don't think the Forest consists of trees. It is made up of barren gritstone fells, deep valleys and vast tracts of heather-covered peat moorland. The name 'forest' is used in its traditional sense of 'a royal hunting ground', and much of the land still belongs to the Crown. In the past wild boar, deer, wolves, wild cats and game roamed the forest. The origins of the name Bowland most likely came from the long-standing connection of the region with archery - the 'land of the bow'. For many centuries much of Bowland belonged to Yorkshire and at one time formed part of Northumbria. But in 1974, when the boundaries changed, it became part of Lancashire. Apparently this still causes controversy in Slaidburn between the younger Lancastrians and the older residents who consider themselves to be Yorkshire folk.

Slaidburn Hostel - a historic village inn

Slaidburn is a charming and secluded village, on the edge of the Forest of Bowland. This small hostel was once the 17th Century Black Bull Inn in the centre of the village and provides a good base for walks avoiding the bank holiday crowds. This year it celebrates 70 years as a hostel. Although the hostel is no longer a pub, there is still a pub just a few yards from the front door - the unusually-named "Hark to Bounty" - good food, good beer, and flexible closing time!

Hark to Bounty

The inn is reputed to date back to the 1300s, although most of the existing fabric of the building dates from the 16th century. The inn was known as The Dog until 1875, when the squire of the village, who was also the Rector, had a pack of hounds. One day whilst out hunting, he and his party called at the inn for refreshments. Their drinking was disturbed by a loud and prolonged baying from the pack outside. High above the noise of the other hounds could be heard the squire's favourite dog, which prompted him to call out .... "Hark to Bounty!" (you can visit www.hark-to-bounty.co.uk to listen to a dog howling!)

Pendle Witch Country

On the far side of Clitheroe, the countryside is dominated by the distinctive profile of Pendle Hill, 1,831 ft high. The area became associated with witchcraft after a group of local women were hanged as witches in 1612. Now every opportunity is taken to play on the witch theme, with witches pubs, teashops and gift shops. Even the footpath to Pendle Hill is marked with a witch symbol.

Bank Holiday Monday was beautifully sunny, so we just had to climb the hill (along with much of the population of Lancashire). The steep climb was well rewarded with splendid views all around; a panorama of the hills of the Forest of Bowland stretching out in front of us, from the Yorkshire Dales, with the three peaks of Yorkshire clearly visible, to the coast and a small blip which I'm assured was the Blackpool Tower.

After a lazy lunch on the summit, we returned via Newchurch-in-Pendle to the busy village of Barley where we rounded off the trip in the traditional way in the pubs and teashops.

Dave P

Saffron Walden Hostel Garden: Battle of the Weeds

A bit like Snow White's dwarves, Dave and I lifted our tools and "hi-ho-ed" down the hill to Saffron Walden youth hostel. Today was the Heritage Open Day, and we had promised to do a bit of work in the garden whilst the public were shown round the historic building.

Within a couple of minutes of our arrival in brilliant sunshine, Jim arrived and the sun disappeared behind a bank of grey cloud (I'm sure the two were not connected). We knuckled down to digging and weeding whilst Jim got his big loppers out to give the tress a much needed haircut. A little later John came to join us, followed by a surprise visit from Dave's parents, who after a tour of the house, got their trowels out and mucked in. Between the six of us we decimated the weeds and doubled the size of the compost heap by dint of sheer hard work. We were rewarded by a sense of satisfaction, lots of tea, and cakes left over from the official opening of YHA Wells the previous weekend.

The day draws to an end and we pack up our tools as at last the sun comes out. Still, it's been a lovely day and a job well done, with just a short trundle back up the hill with our wheelbarrow.

Many thanks to all the helpers and thanks to Mike the warden and Dave the YHA area manager for their kind hospitality.

Ali