Golden Wonder
Sat May 16th
Car Share to Ashgate Hospice.
Members of the Longdendale and Glossopdale Footpath Society crossed the Pennines and headed to the environs of Chesterfield. Their rendezvous was at Ashgate west of the town centre. Having assembled and in warm sunlight the hike proceeded along Piper Lane.
The hedgerows of hawthorn were starting to bloom, bluebells thrived in the shade and the road margins were white with stitchwort. After Broomhall Farm the route changed direction and followed Westwick Lane to Westwick Hall. Where the track crosses streams by the waterside were the pungent ransoms, wild garlic.
The bridle way headed by Wood Farm to Frith Hall and by Bagthorpe Lane to the Royal Oak at Hollins. After a short section of walking along the road a right turn lead into the community at Wigley. From here a muddy path descended into woods alongside Birley Brook.
Lunch was enjoyed in the valley then on down the stream-way passing the three Linacre Reservoirs constructed to supply Chesterfield with drinking water. Sunshine and showers were the orders for the day.
Through beech woods, tree stumps sculpted into towers and turrets, all the time masses of bluebells. Finally out of the woods and by Woodnook Lane to Ashgate. The walk on the eastern fringe of the White Peak map complete.
David Frith
