An early morning stroll over Black Hill

Photo by Ray Green. All rights reserved.

 

 

Recently I was asked to write a regular walking column in the Saddleworth Independent newspaper. The following article appeared in the January edition.

 

Start: Wessenden Head, A635

Distance: 7.5km (Approx)

With the season making its change from the rich golden colours of autumn to the dark blanket of winter, todays early morning walk onto Black Hill revealed the first snowfall of the season.

Setting out from Wessenden Head on the Greenfield/Holmfirth Road, I headed along the Kirkless Way towards Goodbent Lodge. This section of the route is often wet under foot, however, today the ground was firm after a night of hard frost. Upon reaching Nether Lane the route turns south, over a stile, prior to reaching the former Victorian hunting lodge. Descending the fields I heard the familiar sound of a heavy-lift helicopter drifting up the valley on the wind. Scanning eastwards, the double rota-blades of a military Chinook helicopter came into view above the trees that surround Digley Reservoir. This beast of burden flew slow and steady above the moor before disappearing from view behind Black Hill.

Continuing my descent I soon reached Black Pool Bridge, which spans Marsden Clough just below the convergence of Reap Hill Clough and Dean Clough. This picturesque spot marks the start of the climb over Good Bent, along a prominent track which leads to Stopes Moor. The numerous shooting butts which line the track are a clear indication that this is prime Grouse shooting land.

After crossing Issues Clough, I headed due south and made the slow lung-busting climb directly up Hart Hill before turning west along Issues Edge. Looking back down the valley, a wonderful vista unfolded across to Digley Reservoir as the early morning mist began to rise from the valley floor. Continuing south-west, my feet broke through the outer frozen layer of peat that was covered in a thin layer of fresh snow. After a short while, the summit trig point on Black Hill came into view and soon after I reached the white concrete pillar known as Soldiers Lump. It was from this point that, in the eighteenth century, a Royal Engineers party took triangulation measurements whilst conducting the first full mapping survey of Great Britain, which began in 1783.

Taking shelter behind the trig point, I savoured the warming contents of my flask whilst reminiscing about a previous journey across this peaty plateau when completing the Pennine Way. Unlike today, there was no stone flagged path providing an easy navigable route across what was a desolate black quagmire. Alfred Wainwright said of Black Hill, "It is not the only fell with a summit of peat, but no other shows such a desolate and hopeless quagmire to the sky”.

Continuing on along the Pennine Way, the stone path was slippery underfoot, beyond Black Dike Head, and care had to be taken on the long descent after the previous night’s frost. Beyond Dean Clough the short climb back to Wessenden Head marked the end of what had been a delightful early morning outing.

A nocturnal festive foray

Festive Owls at Pots & Pans

With Christmas Day looming, and following a month of exciting and successful Christmas themed runs - The annual Santa Run and the Christmas Handicap - followed by Howard's Christmas Eve morning, Ho Bloody Ho Run, the Owls held their own nocturnal Christmas Eve Dash.

With most people busy making last minute Christmas preparations, myself, Jo and Howard met at the Cross Keys Inn, Uppermill, for a nocturnal foray on the hills and moors of Saddleworth.

The planned route of running Hill Pits, Sykes Pillar, Alderman and Pots & Pans was shortened due to myself feeling under the weather and also as a result of having to get back home for my son. It was a cold night when we left the 'Keys' and made our way onto the hill via Pobgreen. Ascending the outgoing route of the Cross Keys Fell Race, we were met with a strong icy wind as we made our way to Shaw Rocks. Heading south, the gale force winds threatened to stop us dead in our tracks as Howard's head-torch dimmed to nothing more than the wattage of a candles flicker. However, with a clear sky above and a scattering of fresh snow on the ground, visibility was clear throughout the whole route. Passing the Oven Stones, our words were lost on the racing wind as we huddled close in conversation, on route to Alderman Hill.

Attaining the summit, we huddled behind rocks on Alderman to protect ourselves from the freezing wind as we enjoyed the view across the Chew Valley, which was covered under a blanket of stars.

Breaking cover, we made the short crossing of Board Hill Brow to reach the Saddleworth War Memorial at Pots & Pans. Taking shelter on the leeward side of the cenotaph, we enjoyed a wee dram and took a few photo's. Whilst others were busy preparing for Christmas amongst the twinkling lights of Sadleworth's Villages, we hardy few continued our nocturnal foray on the quiet windswept hills and made our descent of Primrose Hill to return to the Cross Keys, via Pobgreen.

Whilst the outing had been short, we had enjoyed a bracing run on the tops and what better way to see in Christmas than with good friends, enjoying a few laughs and doing what we love most. We finished the evening off with a quick festive pint in the Cross Keys Inn.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Night Running Around the Chew Valley

The following report is from the Night Running section of Saddleworth Runner's Club.

This week, eight Owl's set out from Bin Green for a night run above the Chew Valley. Arriving at our start point we watched the police (and possibly some Mountain Rescue?) searching the slopes of Alderman in the dark. Their torches scanning the rocky hillside as they ascended, with a search-dog out in front.

Dropping down through the woods we came across another empty Police vehicle parked on the track by the reservoir. Whilst the night sky was clear and a frosty chill hung in the air, we had to remove our cags and some warm layers of clothing, as we made way along the shores of Yeoman Hey Reservoir. Hand-railing Greenfield Brook, the cathedral-like ebony black walls of Ravenstones Brow towered high above our heads, with a bright moon seemingly perched on the rim of Raven Stones Rocks.

Heading up Birchen Clough, we enjoyed a nocturnal scramble on the rocks that have to be traversed when following this narrow path above the stream. Caught in the beams of our head-torches the fast flowing river and dramatic waterfalls were a spectacular sight.

Upon reaching calmer waters, we crossed the stream and turned north-west to make our way to the three-pinnacled tower of rock, known as the Trinacle. Now on the open moor we became exposed to a bitter cold wind and made the sensible decision to don cags. Earlier in the run I had swapped head-torches with Bruce, to try out his new Petzl Nao. Flitting along the precipitous edges, the beam clearly illuminated the route far better than my other torch. When glancing down into the vast open space of the valley below, the 'Intelligent Reactive Lighting Technology' instantly switched to full beam and I could clearly identify objects in the far distance. So far I was impressed but the real test would come when we made the rough steep descent of Ashway Gap.

With the banter free-flowing, throughout the whole group, we continued to Ashway Rocks, from where we could still see the blue lights of emergency vehicles flashing on the Holmfirth Road. The night-time search was clearly still underway upon Alderman Hill, and in the valley bottom below.

Dropping off from the rocks, we descended Ashway Gap. Finding a narrow trod, we made good progress over the rough ground and soon picked up the main path. Being a natural down-hiller I'm always looking for the thrill of a rapid descent. However, in recent years I've noticed that my eyesight no longer seems to be at its optimum operating level and, on night runs, I have become more cautious when in descent. However, with the new Nao strapped to my head my foot placement had become more precise again and I once again had the confidence to let go and move up through the gear ratio. Halfway down I again swapped torches with Bruce. Going back to my old trusty companion would be the real test. Within only a few metres, I had discovered the answer to my quest. Running with my old head-torch again was like having tunnel vision, and the ground wasn't illuminated as clearly as with the Nao. Try descending Ashway Gap at speed with one eye shut and the other looking through a Smarty tube and you will get the idea. I made my mind up there and then that I was having one of the Petzl Nao's. They're not cheap but if you're really into your night running these seem a great piece of kit. Anyway, I've already ordered one from Mountainfeet, in Marsden. Si, the shop's owner, has promised to bring it over for me next week, to the Janapar film night.

After reaching the valley floor we made our way back along Dove Stone Reservoir to return to Bin Green. Returning to the club, we enjoyed a few beers and plenty more banter and laughs, with the rest of the club.

Two Outings in One Day - Part Two: Blackstone Edge

 

Some people do business in the boardroom, others on the golf course. A friend and I had some running club business to discuss, so chose to conduct our meeting on the moors …

 

Howard and I are both members of Saddleworth Runner’s Club, which is a fell-running club whose headquarters are based at the Cross Key’s Inn, Uppermill. Howard is the club’s long-standing secretary and I the Chairman. With the club approaching the end of the administrative year and with the our AGM looming, there were various matters which needed our attention. With both of us having a passion for the outdoors, and a loathing of sitting at desks or in stuffy meeting rooms, where better place could there be to hold a meeting than on the open moors, whilst partaking in our first love – fell-running.

 

After enjoying a delightful, early morning walk in Tandle Hill Country Park, with my son and our dog, it was clear that the best part of the day had passed. Picking Howard up from his house, at about 10.45am, the weather had closed-in and the windscreen wipers on the car were working flat-out in order that we had a clear view of the road. Reaching the White House Pub, on the A58, above Littleborough, the wind speed had increased and upon opening the car doors we were met with a surge of rain, which swept straight through the vehicle. Gore-Tex until end-ex, would be the order of the day!

 

Initially heading east, along the Halifax Road, we hugged the right-hand verge as a few high-sided vehicles sped past, en-route to Rochdale. After about a kilometre, we left the road and followed Rishworth Drain, on ground more appealing to fell-runner’s. After crossing the Old Packhorse Road, we skirted below Flint Hill and descended a section of path, to the east of Thief Clough, which is always wet and boggy, even in the driest of weather. After the prolonged rain of the past weeks the ground was now more akin to swamp-land, and we had to carefully pick our way around the worst sections.

 

Reaching firmer ground, we crossed a small footbridge and turned west, along a good path which follows the course of another drain to Green Withens Reservoir. Passing the West Yorkshire Scouts Outdoor Pursuits Centre, we followed the reservoir access road south, before hand-railing the M62, for a short while, to meet up with the Pennine Way, where it crosses the motorway (see: http://www.saddleworthdiscoverywalks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-m62-pennine-way-footbridge.html )

 

The M62, trans-Pennine motorway is one of the busiest motorways in the country. However, today there was not a single vehicle to be seen, on either carriageway. Highway patrol vehicles, parked at junction 22, were a clear indication that the motorway had been closed. Behind their road blocks, long lines of static vehicles had built up in both directions, on the A672. We just hoped that no one had been seriously injured or worse.

 

Continuing north, we now followed Britain’s most popular long-distance footpath, the Pennine Way. As we climbed to higher ground, and emerged from the shelter that we had been afforded whilst on the Yorkshire side of the Pennines, we once again encountered gusting winds and driving rain. This section of footpath from around Longden End Brook to Sun End used to be in a bad state of repair and very boggy underfoot. However, a new stone slab path has now been laid, making forward progress very easy. Howard and I debated the merits of managed paths on open moorland and, whilst recognising their need, in order to prevent further erosion of this fragile environment, there is no doubt that they are an unpleasant sight.

Reaching the top of the climb, we traversed the geological ridge, which is Blackstone Edge, which once marked the former Lancashire/Yorkshire border. Passing the summit trig point, we flitted between the gritstone rocks as we made our descent back to the White House pub.

 

We had been out on the moors for a little over an hour and completed a circuit of just over 6 miles. Whilst others may shy away from venturing on to the high moors in inclement weather, we had embraced the opportunity. Being out on the hills instead of stuck in a dreary office would always be our preferred choice, whatever the weather. The only thing left to do now was conduct the rest of our business over a welcoming pint and delicious hot meal, in the White House.

Two Outings in One Day - Part One: Tandle Hill Park

With the passing of Halloween, November welcomes us for another month of enjoyable walks and outings. On this first day of November I had the pleasure of enjoying two separate outings in the countryside. Both in some enjoyable company. Whilst neither of the walks were actually within Saddleworth, each of them took in some beautiful scenery.

I was awakened early this morning with the sun's rays shining through the part-drawn curtain's and a gentle, fresh breeze blowing through the open window. My son came into my room and, proclaiming what a beautiful, autumnal morning it was, and asked if we could take our dog for a walk in Tandle Hill Country Park, in Royton. Having already planned to meet a friend, for an outing in the South Pennine hills, at around 11.00am, we jumped in the car and set out for a pre-breakfast stroll.

Walking through the  110 acre, Beech woodland, we waded through a deep carpet of crisp, fallen leaves as the suns rays streamed through the thinning, golden canopy. My son found a rope-swing, fastened to the limb of a large tree, and enjoyed the thrill of swinging back and forth over a steep ravine. 

The name Tandle Hill is said to mean 'Fire Hill' and was used as a meeting place by radicals, in the 19th century. In the time leading up to the Peterloo massacre, which took place on 16th August 1819, at St.Peter's Field, Manchester, Tandle Hill is said to have been used by protestors for practicing marching and drilling formations. After the appalling incidents of that fateful day, the beech woodland was planted, to prevent the area being used by protestors again, and it became a private game reserve and hunting park, of the  Thornham Estate. In 1861 the park was sold to Joseph Milne, whose wife later sold it Norris Bradbury, who was a local councillor. In 1919, Councillor Bradbury gave the park to the people of Royton, as a peace offering to mark the end of the First World War.

Moving on, we climbed to the parks highest point, where a war memorial, unveiled by the Duke of Derby, in 1921, commemorates the men of Royton who laid down their lives in the First World War. This lofty position offers commanding views over Scout Moor Wind Farm and across to Winter Hill. The summits of these distant peaks were obscured by low cloud and we recognised that we were enjoying the last of the days clear weather as the moisture laden vessels crept closer.



Continuing around our woodland circuit, we made our way back to the car and returned home for breakfast.

Tomorrow I'll post a write up of the day's second outing, which took in the lower reaches of the South Pennine hills.

 

JANAPAR - Tom Allen's story of his four year, round-the-world, cycle adventure

Round-the-world cyclist and adventurer, Tom Allen, will be showing his film-documentary, Janapar, which tells the story of his four year epic cycle adventure. The film will be screened at Saddleworth Cricket Club On Monday 18^th November. Doors and bar open at 7.00pm with the film starting at 7.30pm. There will be a charity raffle to raise funds for Dr.Kershaw’s Hospice, with some great prizes to be won, including signed copies of Tom’s book, Janapar, which accompanies the film. After the film screening there will be a question and answer session with Tom, followed by a book signing.

The following write-up is taken from a press-release for the film.

 

ABOUT TOM ALLEN

 

23-year-old Englishman Tom Allen is all set for a successful career in IT, but he finds himself persisted by the question of our time: isn’t there more to life than this? Leaving it all behind, Tom sets off on the ultimate quest for freedom.

 

For the next 12,000 miles, with neither maps nor guidebooks, Tom films the unfolding of his dream. Despite an unexceptional background and with no athletic talent, he cycles and camps his way across three continents. But the journey takes an unlikely detour when he falls in love with an Iranian-Armenian girl.

 

Struggling to keep his dream alive, Tom convinces Tenny to get on a bicycle and join him. But when things don’t go to plan, Tom is forced to continue riding alone. His decisions lead him to the depths of the Sahara desert, where - amid challenges unimaginable - he catches a glimpse of the answer he set out to find.

 

Filmed over four years with cinematic ambition, Janapar - named after the Armenian word for journey - is an honest and life-affirming tale of finding what you’re looking for when you least expect it.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

More than half a decade in the making, Janapar is the directorial debut for James Newton who worked closely with Tom Allen as he captured every aspect of life on the road. Cut from over 300 hours of material shot in 32 countries, the film is an unprecedented self-documentary with cinematic ambition, featuring an original score by award-winning composer Vincent Watts. Janapar’s World Premiere was held at the 20th Raindance Film Festival in London.

 

STATEMENTS

James Newton / Producer-Director

When I first met Tom, he was about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. But neither of us knew what that would come to mean. A complete newcomer to the world of filmmaking, Tom agreed to shoot his experience on a MiniDV video camera. He would send me the footage whenever possible, and I would offer him feedback.

Over the next four years his story unfolded. It soon became highly personal, and Tom began telling his tale with frankness and intensity. While freelancing as a producer-director for the BBC, I spent my weekends assembling vignettes of Tom’s adventures and his burgeoning romance, trying to figure out how this extremely intimate experience could be shaped into a single narrative. After reading early drafts of Tom’s book and after many months of development, I finally had a script.

Like a typical indie filmmaker I blagged my way into someone’s storage cupboard, borrowed some equipment and convinced the best editor I knew to spend two months in a dark room with only me, a cup of tea and Tom’s raw material for company.

The footage spanned four years and three continents. Far beyond a simple journey, it depicted entire chapters of its subject’s life. Wrestling with the film’s structure, it soon became clear that the story was theatrical in scope. It possessed the power to inspire and to change the way people thought about life. It deserved more than to be told in simple chronological sequence. Thankfully, the feature-length format provided the creative freedom to do the story justice.

Janapar has universal themes. It was beautifully filmed by Tom with an unusual level of honesty. He invested a great deal of trust in the lens, and we hope that this is reflected in the finished film.

Director Filmography

James Newton is a documentary and factual TV producer-director. His most recent project was a one-off documentary for BBC One about survivors of violent crime, presented by Kirsty Young and including exclusive interviews with James Bulger's mother. This 9pm special, transmitted on August 23rd 2012, was James’ first hour-long broadcast piece and became the most-watched program in the slot. It received ‘Pick of the week’ in the Daily Mail, ‘One to watch’ in the Telegraph, and attracted strong reviews across the press. Janapar is his first theatrical feature documentary.

Tom Allen / Camera & Co-Director

I met James whilst preparing to take a huge leap of faith, leaving everything I knew behind to set out into the unknown. He was a director looking for stories, and although I was initially reluctant, he soon convinced me to film mine. I had no previous experience, and my early attempts at capturing my experiences were less than successful. But when my journey began to stray from the original plan, I recognised that the story was growing more interesting by the day. At that point I decided to invest in the storytelling role wholeheartedly.

As a complete newcomer to filmmaking, the biggest challenge of all was to reconfigure my perception of the medium and start shooting for the edit. Laypeople such as myself typically have no concept of the filmmaking process, assuming that stories emerge more-or-less fully formed in front of the cameras. I also had to train myself to form an honest, uninhibited relationship with the lens. This took months of practice, far too many failed attempts, and some serious soul-searching.

 

The footage I sent to James from the second and third years of adventure, and the unexpected relationship I found in that time, now forms the main story thread of Janapar. James and I worked hard on the production throughout 2011 and 2012. I was writing a book concurrently with the script development, and we’ve now got a finished feature documentary on our hands, which we’re really proud of. Looking back, it’s funny to think that this five-year project only came to completion through a string of fortunate accidents entirely outside our control.

What people are saying about the film

"A profound, gripping adventure - a dramatic story about the things that matter most in life."

Oliver Steeds, Explorer & Investigative Journalist

 

"Tremendously moving, engaging, honest, and wonderful!!"

Roz Savage, Ocean Rower & National Geographic Adventurer Of The Year 2010

 

"So engrossed I almost missed my stop!"

Shane Winser, Expedition & Fieldwork Adviser, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

 

Thanks to Tom Allen for the photos and information © Tom Allen

 

Tickets can be ordered at www.janapar.ticketsource.co.uk . For further information contact Chris: saddleworthdiscoverywalks@gmail.com

A report from the Saddleworth Owl's

Nine Owls took flight tonight on what was a very pleasant and warm evening. Setting out from the Castleshaw Outdoor Education Centre we made our way along a narrow, sunken track which, after the recent d...eluge of rain, was more like a stream than a footpath. This ancient highway is aptly called, Waters Lane.

Upon reaching Huddersfield Road, we turned left and passed the Saddleworth Hotel on route to Bleak Hey Nook, where we had to stop and remove some layers as we began to feel the effects of such a warm, still night. Following the Standedge Trail we climbed onto Millstone Edge, via Rock Farm B & B. As we attained the trig point a wonderful vista unfolded, and to the East a large orange moon hung high in the clear sky above the twinkling lights of Huddersfield.

Moving on, we skipped from rock to rock as we traversed the gritstone edge. Our head-torches penetrating the darkness and illuminating the way, as a welcome breeze drifted up from the Castleshaw Valley, below.

Following the Oldham Way we crossed Castleshaw Moor, Hind Hill and then the upper slopes of Dowry Castle Hill. With our feet now truly wet and with legs caked in ivory black peat we found firmer ground as we headed along Moor Lane to the four lane ends junction, beyond Broadhead Noddle. Turning south-east we made for lower ground along Low Gate Lane and once again soon felt the effects of the balmy night as we left the cooling breeze upon the higher slopes of the valley rim.

Crossing the dam wall, between the upper and lower reservoirs, the Harvest Moon sat proudly just above the dark skyline of Millstone Edge, casting its bright lunar rays across the still waters of the upper reservoir. Content with the evenings run we skirted below the ancient Roman Fort, along Dirty Lane, to return to our cars for the short drive back to the nest, for a couple of pints with the rest of the club.