Undeterred by the warnings of cold, rain and paths like mud baths three fearless groups of SPAG members braved the wintry conditions and, guided by Andrew Gill, ventured out onto the moors above Bacup.

I was lucky to be walking in Thursday’s group when the weather remained dry. We set off from Bankside Lane, a road which rises steeply up from the centre of Bacup. Still ascending we strode up a track following in the footsteps of James Marshall Mather, the local Methodist Minister who wrote books entitled ‘Rambles Round Rossendale’ in the late 19th century.

The land levels out at the top and beyond the stout iron railings we could see the council playing fields, a bright and breezy location for local recreation.
A short time later we were rewarded with wonderful views down to Sow Clough, a deep valley so named because of the wild pigs which once lived here.

We discovered a pair of old gateposts, one lying on the ground, one upright both with holes drilled completely through to hold long lengths of wood across the gap.

Looking upstream a pretty 20 foot waterfall cascades down the valley whilst immediately below us two streams meet and rush down to meet the Irwell on its journey to Manchester and beyond.

Heading away from Sow Clough the track is very well defined with steep banks on each side possibly used for herding animals.

From the top of the hill we could look across to Mitchell Field Nook Farm, the site of a SPAG archaeological dig led by Catherine Rousseau last year.

Newchurch Old Road
The track joins this ancient thoroughfare the original route between Newchurch and Bacup.

After walking through a disused local stone quarry (or delph) we made our way down Newchurch Old Road back to Bankside Lane.

Our thanks go to Andrew Gill our Events Organiser for being our guide on the three walks arranged in groups of six to be Covid compliant.

Written by Barbara Smith