The walking group met yesterday in the village of Barley, Lancashire, set at the foot of Pendle Hill, an area renowned for the history of the “trials” of the Pendle Witches some 400 years ago. During an era of religious persecution and suspicion they were the convenient scapegoats of the day. One group stayed down in the valley and took a route around Black Moss Reservoirs and the Pendle Sculpture Trail, which has ten ceramic plaques representing each of the Pendle people who were hanged. The other group took to the hills, and took the steady climb through beautiful heathland, to the summit of the hill which is 1827 ft. (557 metres) above sea level.
Those on the valley walk, led by Brenda Mckenzie ,were treated to a quiz on the Sculpture trail and managed to find all the plaques. The full walk which was approx. 6 miles took in some beautiful scenery and was apparently enjoyed by all. This group got back to the Pendle Inn, where we had booked lunch, slightly before the hill climbers, and took advantage of the summer sun to have a cuppa outside.
Meanwhile the hill climbers took a moment of reflection at the top of the hill, and were rewarded for the climb by some amazing views. We enlisted another walker to be our cameraman to have a group photo at the trig point, which is a fixed triangulation station used in surveying.
Apparently there is a local saying ” If you can see Pendle Hill it’s about to rain, if you can’t its already started!”. Thankfully though yesterday we were treated to clear blue skies, a warm breeze and no rain! Having ascended the hill from the south, we took the stepped route back down. Though this route was very uneven we made good use of our walking poles to ensure a safe and fairly speedy descent back into the valley. Keith Graham, who led this walk, had chosen the correct route up, judging by the puffing and panting from those trying to walk up the hill via the steps. Once back down in the vaey, having completed the 7 mile route in 2 and 3/4 hrs., we had a quick stroll to the Pendle Inn, met up with the other group and had a very sociable lunch before returning home, tired but contented.
The next walk is on 6th July, when we will walk up Moel Famau in North Wales.http://www.moelfamau.co.uk/ Details on the noticeboard.
Marg Kendall