Rambling in the Rain with the Pendle Walkers

The club’s story began when, in 1892, a Colne reverend – Thomas Arthur Leonard, decided to take a group of the town’s young men to the Lake District to experience the beauty of nature.

The trip was a great success and led to the formation of the Co-operative Holidays Association (CHA) in 1907, 18 years before the famous Ramblers Association was formed. Over a century later, and the club is still walking – around Pendle, into the Ribble Valley, across the border into the Yorkshire Dales and Calderdale and back to the Lake District, where the first walk was held. They head out each Saturday and Tuesday for the longer walks (eight-13 miles) and each Tuesday for the shorter walks (five miles). As well as hosting the Tuesday strollers, a group that meets every Tuesday at Colne Asda for shorter, slower walks.

“I expected the walk to be called off due to the bad weather. Of course, I had underestimated the hardy Lancastrian Pendle Walkers”

As a keen walker, I should have already been a regular member of the Pendle Walkers, but I was a bit nervous about walking in a group. I’m not the type who steams ahead, occasionally checking their watch to see how many miles they’ve forged. Instead, you’d more likely find me dawdling as I try to decide on the best place for a spot of lunch. With all this in mind, I decided to skip past the longer walks, which I’m told are for people who like to get their miles in while still having a bit of a natter, and decided on a short five-mile hike around Noggarth above Nelson.

The walk took place on a rainy Tuesday morning, and, as I was driving to Northern Life’s offices with my windscreen wipers on full whack, I expected the walk to be called off due to the bad weather. Of course, I had underestimated the hardy Lancastrian Pendle Walkers, who certainly believe in Wainwright’s old adage – “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just unsuitable clothing.”

“Just bring your waterproofs!” Tony Helmn, the walk’s leader, advised as I hurried back into my car from the office, soaked already, to drive to the meeting point – the car park in Nelson’s Victoria Park. It was easy to spot the Pendle Walkers as I arrived, a group of nine hardy ramblers in walking boots and waterproofs. “We’d usually have around 20 walkers,” Tony explains as we set off across the B6249 and continue through Victoria Park along Pendle Water’s banks.

“The small stream that had trickled down the rocky path was nothing compared to the lagoon that had built up behind the stone stile”

The weather has deterred some, it seems. After a short stroll through the park, we head back on ourselves slightly, turning up Lower Parrock Road and crossing Barrowford Road at the pedestrian crossing, down a path next to a huge newly built estate. “This used to be all trees,” Tony reminisces sadly. Luckily, it’s not too far before the path becomes lined with beautiful elms and birch trees. We’re climbing up and away from the town of Nelson. It’s a forgiving slope, and as I am chatting to Tony, we walk at a comfortable pace, stopping occasionally for those who need more time to make their way up or avoid the muddy stream that has emerged down the bank.

We end up on Wheatley Lane Road, and Tony leads us to a stile next to All Souls RCC Cemetery. He hitches himself up, then stops. A pause. “We may need to go another way.” The small stream that had trickled down the rocky path was nothing compared to the lagoon that had built up behind the stone stile. Another member leans over, lowering their walking pole into the murky swamp-like water. It covers almost half. The water would be up to our knees.

Luckily, Tony has lived in Nelson his whole life and has been a member of Pendle Walkers since 1985. We’re on his home turf, so he knows plenty of routes. We head further along the road before turning just before the junction of Carr Hall Road, which heads back down to Nelson. I’m told the huge trees that line Carr Hall Road were planted to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. We don’t head down but up. Along Sandyhall Lane, Nelson comes into view as we rise higher and higher. Photos never do nature justice; it’s hard to explain the magical feeling of looking down over empty fields at houses that now look like tiny specks in the distance.

We reach Noggarth Tea Gardens, a beautiful spot for a brew that looks out over Pendle Hill. But it’s not time for lunch quite yet, and Tony leads us onwards down a path to the right of the cafe, over a stile and into a field with mud that quelches and sucks your boots into it. You can’t deny that view, though. Pendle Hill’s familiar slope and straight ahead a prominent round lump in the ground on top of which sits a stone tower.

“That’s Blacko Tower,” Tony explains, “Or Stansfield Tower, as a man called Jonathan Stansfield built it in the 19th century.” No one was quite sure why he built it. “One story said he built it so he could see into the Ribble Valley and wave to his lover, but you can’t imagine that would work – apart from anything, he was ancient when the tower was completed; you can’t imagine his eyesight would have been anywhere near good enough!” Tony laughs.

“We followed the dog walker, skirting bogs that would steal our boots from off our feet”

After walking along the ridge with Pendle Hill to our left and Nelson down to our right for a mile or so, we came across an abandoned farmhouse with a stunning view of the valley below. The ground was treacherously boggy, leaving Tony once again to go ahead, sacrificing his boots to the mud for the good of the group. A dog walker called out a warning. It was far too muddy to proceed. Another detour was required.

We followed the dog walker, skirting bogs that would steal our boots from off our feet, down the field that led away from the farmhouse and over a small bridge. “Nothing but downhill now!” Tony called. “He always says that!” Another member laughed. “Then he realises he’s forgotten another hill.”

This time, it seems Tony is correct. We’re heading down into Barrowford along Pastor Lane, passing Booths the supermarket and into Barrowford Memorial Park, where we sit down for a well-earned break and some lunch. We sit for half an hour or so, watching the ducks on the pond and chatting. Some members have attended these walks weekly for years; others are relatively new, and I’d never have guessed which. Everyone chats to everyone; it’s a remarkably friendly group.

“Everyone chats to everyone; it’s a remarkably friendly group”

“We all love a chat,” Tony smiles. “And it keeps us active. It’s something I love to do.” After the break, we headed down through the park along Pendle Water. The rain has washed away the path in parts, and there are signs to keep well back from the edge. Nevertheless, we follow it back to the car park. It’s been six miles, including the detours. The other walkers don’t seem fazed, discussing their plans to play bridge or attend a dance class. I am caked in mud, soaked and tired, but have thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

If you would like to join a walking group but are unsure whether you’d be able to keep up or are worried about being welcomed, I would definitely recommend the five-mile walks with the Pendle Walkers. Tony ensured everyone was safe and happy on our walk and that no one was left behind. “People can start with us, then go on to the longer walks if they’d like to,” Tony explains. “Our members tend to be over sixty, but we do have a few that are younger.”

If you want to get involved, contact cha.pendlewalkers@gmail.com for a list of walks and times.

NorthernLife March/April/May 24