NEWS

SUNDAY 18th DECEMBER 2011
A bright and sunny but very chilly Reeth Green, was the starting point for Anna's walk in Arkengarthdale. Twenty one ramblers set off up Skelgate Lane then turned left past Riddings Farm on the track to Thirns. The views up Swaledale and back to Fremington Edge were superb with much snow in evidence. We had our coffee stop in the shelter of a wall then carried on, climbing gradually on the bridleway to Fore Gill Gate. We followed the line of Fore Gill on the upper path leading to Arkle Town, then crossed the cemetary descending steps to cross Arkle Beck via the Footbridge. We followed the Beck upstream to Langthwaite then climbed steeply up the tarmac road towards Booze. Halfway up the hill by a bench, we had our lunch stop overlooking Langthwaite village and on towards Calver Hill. After passing through the Hamlet we dropped down across frozen fields to cross Slei gill at Storthwaite Hall. From here, a bridleway zig-zagged up grassy slopes to the intake wall then climbed up through the ruins of the Fell End lead mine. A group photo was taken at the Fell End cairn with its magnificent views of Arkengarthdale, then we followed the path below the wall along Fremington Edge to the major path junction above The White House. We followed the well-worn track down to High Fremington then took the path back to Reeth Bridge across the Show field. A quarter of a mile on the road returned us to Reeth Green. Afternoon tea was in the cosy bar of the Buck Inn in Reeth with the benefit of a roaring open fire.
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SUNDAY 1st JANUARY 2012
New Year's Day saw twenty seven rather soggy ramblers gathered in the Station car park at Redmire for the start of Geoff's eleven mile walk in Wensleydale. The rain stayed with us for most of the day and mud was much in evidence making conditions underfoot range from unpleasant to treaturous. We set of East, crossing fields to enter Castle Bolten village, then walking past the castle we followed the track and bridleway forming the Oxclose Road. After a brief coffee stop by a stream, we reached Low Gate where we lost four of our number who had decided that six miles were enough, whilst the rest of us carried on towards Ivy Scar. At Oxclose Gate we lost another five walkers who decided that eight miles would suffice and the remaining eighteen passed below the Scar en-route to the Thackthwaite Beck waterfall above Woodhall. We dropped down to the Hamlet, crossing the minor road, then followed the footpath towards Lady Hill. We had our lunch stop in Woodhall Park then crossed a pathless area called Rabbit Warren to return to the road at The Straights. Crossing the road under Haw Bank we crossed Eller Beck on a new wooden bridge installed to replace the recently erected stone bridge which had been partially demolished by December's floods. After climbing Haw Bank we followed the footpath to Carperby with its attractively painted bus shelter. We left the Village through the perpetually muddy East End Farm, passing West Bolton Plantation then West Bolton Farm which is undergoing vast re-develpoment. After crossing Beldon Beck we returned to Castle Bolten then retraced our earlier route back to Redmire. Afternoon tea was in the Cafe/Bistro in Leyburn. Walk Gallery 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER 2012
The car park at Langthwaite was almost full when twenty nine ramblers set off on Ted's ten mile walk in Arkengarthdale. From the Village, we followed Arkle Beck to Scar House then crossed the bridge to follow the bridleway to Eskeleth Bridge where we crossed the Stang road. Crossing the Beck again via a footbridge we followed field paths to Whaw with our coffee stop en-route. We crossed the Beck for the fourth time on Whaw Bridge then climbed up to the minor road. Cutting a corner, we reached the Punchard Track then turned off Left to cross Whaw Moor and climb Whaw Edge to reach the track at Martin Vein. We followed this track through the disused mine workings as the mist came down to create an eerie scene. The mist turned to drizzle as we descended to the road just above Fore Gill Gate. A few yards on the tarmac took us to the "Gate" where we had our lunch beside a sheltering wall. From here we walked East beneath Cringley Hill towards the Arkengarthdale Road above Arkle Town. We turned right on the road and after about a kilometre we took the path down to West Raw Croft Farm. Below the Farm the power of the recent floods was demonstrated by collapsed walls and silted paths and fields. Crossing Arkle Beck once more, we followed it upstream back to Langthwaite. Apart from about half an hour of drizzle the weather was quite kind to us. It was cold and windy but a weak sun did its best to compensate. Afternoon tea was in the Buck Inn in Reeth.
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SUNDAY 29th JANUARY 2012
Twenty one ramblers gathered in Nun's Close car park for the start of John's circular walk around Richmond. We set off through the town dropping down to cross Green Bridge. Joining the Coast to Coast path, we passed through Earls Orchard then followed the south bank of the River Swale to pass under Station Bridge. We walked behind the Swimming Pool then followed the old railway track to cross The Swale again and follow it upstream to Easby Abbey. We had our coffee stop in the Gatehouse then set off uphill past the "Echo Stone" into Easby Village. Turning right past Easby House we followed a footpath down to the Brompton road which we crossed to re-join the old railway track. From here, we joined the bridleway passing Union House to reach the A6108 at Skeeby. We walked through the Village then took a footpath left passing above Gascoigne Farm then across muddy fields to Low Pastures. A good track tok us to Laneside Farm where we had our lunch stop joined by two friendly horses. Fortified, we crossed the Gilling Road and followed a new path to reach the grounds of Aske Hall, avoiding a section on the busy road. Passing through Parkland and newly cleared woods we reached Richmond Golf Club. We followed the public footpath through the Golf Course then crossed the minor road to enter Richmond Racecourse. We crossed Low Moor then entered The Gallowfields Trading estate. A series of narrow enclosed paths then dropped steeply down to reach Quaker Lane in The Town. It was a cold day, but quite bright with no wind and the ground sufficiently frozen to minimise the potential for mud! Afternoon tea was in the Edinburgh Wool Shop and Grayfriars Care Home.
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