Author Archives: philcdav

Tech and Science underground

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On 28th June a group of 16 from the Technology and Science had a private tour of Georges Dock Building. Starting with the old control room dating back to 1934, whose access corridors and stairs are ’tiled and corniced’,  giving it a style not around in today’s buildings.
We then visited the ventilation towers themselves with glazed bricks and original massive vertical exhaust fans still in operation but only used intermittently now, as cars engines are much cleaner and lorries are no longer allowed. The original inlet fans have been replaced by modern horizontal units which pump air into the lower section of the tunnels length.
And finally down many stairs to the Tunnel itself, to walk along the windy service tunnel into one of the ‘refuge’ stations installed after the 1999 Mont Blanc Tunnel Fire, complete with its CCTV, toilets and communicators to the main Tunnel Police control room. Due to many of us having engineering backgrounds the tour was enhanced by the in-depth knowledge of our 2 guides Allison and Billy.

Canal Walking Group – June

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This walk was something of a landmark for us as it took us past the official midway point between Liverpool and Leeds at 63.625 miles between each city. The canal took a surprisingly winding route as we skirted low hills, former cotton towns like Riston, Oswaldtwistle and Accrington, crossed the M65 on the oddly named Dunkenhaigh Aqueduct and reached Clayton Le Moors, our destination for the day. The route was full of interest with plenty of wildlife in the form of ducks and Canada geese with their offspring by the score. The canal’s meandering form felt more like a gentle river than an industrial waterway with lovely vistas opening towards Pendle and the Pennine moors. Needless to say, it was not without its industrial archaeology, with sturdy stone bridges, the traces of stone quarries, relatively modest and grand stone mills, the remains of unusual brick coke ovens, canal workshops, stables and warehouses….all in a 7.5mile hike.

 

DAY RIDERS CYCLE GROUP

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BANKS BIKE RIDE

CYCLE RIDE TO BANKS

Last Monday (19-06-17), eight Day Riders met at Aughton Station, on an incredibly sunny day.   The ride was planned and led by Alan Carr.  We cycled via Clieves Hills to Barton, thence across country to the start of the Coastal Road. Picking up the cycle track alongside the Coastal Road the riders headed for Southport and on to Crossens.  The Botanic Gardens Cafe provided a welcome, and for Phil (Hot Pants) Hughes a memorable, cuppa.  Whilst Phil was buying the teas, the whole tray tipped up and he was drenched from the waist down with scalding hot tea. The waitress apologised and gave him an ice cold drink pack in order to soothe the burning to his mid section, whilst we drank our tea. Steam could be seen coming from him and there was strange looks in his direction from old ladies sitting close by.  After our break we cycled through lovely Churchtown, whilst poor Phil cycled frantically to Southport train station, in order to catch the first train home. We wish him well and hope he recovers in time for next Monday’s bike ride.

The remaining riders returned to Ormskirk along quiet lanes to Scarisbrick and then after taking in the wonderful scarecrow collection in Halsall it was back over Clieves Hills to Aughton having covered 30 miles.

Ian Gent & Alan Carr

NORDIC WALKING

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vector-silhouette-people-nordic-walking-46726155[1]SWANAGE & PURBECK WALKING FESTIVAL 2017

I have recently received the following e-mail from John Challis, at the U3A Nordic Walking Group friends, Purbeck, Dorset;

“Thanks very much for your reply. I’m sorry it has not been acknowledged earlier. Sounds a to be a really thriving group, and again your input in the early stages was most helpful in setting up the Purbeck (Nordic Walking) U3A group.
Are any of you coming to the Purbeck Nordic Walking Festival here in Swanage Fri 15-Sun 17 September? It was a very successful one last year, and is likely to attract even more walkers this year.
There are great coastal and inland heath and moorland routes. If there were people coming it would be good to do a U3A group walk either on the Thur before or the Mon after the festival, or both! Would really enjoy taking you and others on a couple or routes here! ”

Kind regards

John Challis 07966 500820

If anyone is interested in taking part, please contact John Challis directly.

Ian

DAY RIDERS CYCLE GROUP

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NEW SEFTON CIRCULAR CYCLE ROUTE

This Monday (12/06/17), we set off from Old Racecourse Road, Maghull with 9 riders. Using the Old Cheshire Lines and Liverpool Canal paths and then through Rimrose Valley.  We then made our way to Crosby sea front and on to Formby. From there we took the path alongside the railway line, crossing onto Fishermans Path.  From there we joined part of the newly opened Sefton Circular cycle route, through the pine woods ending up at the Mecycle Café in Ainsdale, where we stopped for tea.

NEW SEFTON CYCLE ROUTE MAP 002The new Sefton Circular cycle route covers 24 miles, 20 miles of which is traffic free and was officially launched on Sunday, May 21.  The launch of the route coincides with ‘2017 the year of Sefton’s Coast’ a celebration campaign to recognise, promote and enjoy the superb Sefton Coastline; the Sefton Circular route takes in many miles of the coastal path, before heading inland along the Cheshire Lines towards Maghull and eventually the Leeds Liverpool canal, bringing you back to Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre via Rimrose Valley.

 

IMG_2599-300x224[1]One of our riders was able to use the repair facilities at the Mecycle Café/Shop, whilst we took a break, in order to have his cycle repaired, due to minor damage sustained to the gears whilst riding through the woods.

From Ainsdale, some of the group made their own way back home using different routes.

Ian

 

Table Games Group

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We finally have a date for moving upstairs at the Town Hall.

From July 1 st 2017 we will have access to ‘the Venue’ and all future meetings will be held there UNLESS the room is required by the management.

Our first meeting will be on July 10th as the room is already booked for July 3rd.

The general consensus is that we wont have a summer break so we should only miss the August Bank Holiday Monday before our Christmas break.

Look forward to seeing old and new members – Phil Davidson