WALKING GROUP
In the English ecclesiastical calendar used until 1752, March was the first month of the year (the birth) and it’s easy to understand why as on this walk, the birds were singing and green shoots were appearing everywhere; nature is bringing the countryside back to life again.
We started at Tapton Lock Visitors Centre where we made use of the picnic tables to eat our sandwiches, this being the first time this year that it was warm enough to eat outside. Setting off in the sunshine, we walked along ChesterfieldCanal, then the River Rother to the site of the proposed, new canal marina. Here, displayed behind iron railings, we admired the posters outlining the plans for the new £310m Waterside Development which, if it gets built, will be a great asset to our town. Crossing Tapton Golf Course, then Tapton Hall Farm, we arrived in Brimington, where we had to do some road walking before rejoining the canal. At Wheeldon Mill Lock, three new lock gates have been fitted at a cost of £10,000 each, this is also where we saw Smokey, a young orphaned, cygnet (named by a council worker we spoke to), who has made her home here. Also seen on the walk, was a wren, a robin, a buzzard being mobbed by rooks and best of all, a kingfisher.
We passed various groups of people, walking dogs, controlling pushchairs with everyone, as us, enjoying the mild weather and looking forward to spring and hopefully a warm summer.
Colin Hand
The next walk, on Sunday 7th April, will be led by Helen and Eric from Ashford in the Water, towards the Magpie Mine and Sheldon.
These walks take place on the first Sunday of each month, are generally about 5 miles in length and are open to all. Please meet outside the church gates for 12 noon with a packed lunch. You don’t need to have a car as transport is arranged before we set off. If you would like to join us or know of an enjoyable walk please contact
Trish Law on 568279