Seven people met up at Eastwood Park, Hasland for the first walk of 2022. Eastwood Park, once part of the Hasland House estate, was given to the local community in 1913 by Alderman Eastwood. 100 years later it was renovated using a grant of over £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.
The resent spell of unseasonably mild weather seemed to be coming to an end as the cool wind took the edge off the temperature. Most of us managed to eat our sandwiches outside sat around picnic benches in the park before starting our five mile walk.
Leaving the park via Hoole Street we turned left down Calow Lane, crossing over the A617 Hasland bypass. We crossed over Calow Brook before walking up Hady Lane to a footpath sign on our right. Crossing a stile here we walked down a driveway then a grassy path and steep steps before crossing another stream and joining Dingle Lane. This lane took us under a disused railway bridge before climbing steadily towards Calow, the spire of St Peter’s Church in view.
Arriving at the A632 we turned left and followed the main road. In the car park on the left we saw the temporary mobile clinic of the Galleri trial which has been in the news recently.
A partnership between the NHS, King’s College London and Cancer Research UK is taking blood samples for the Galleri trial to see if blood can be used to look for potential early signs of cancer. Two of our walkers have signed up to take part.
After passing the entrance to Chesterfield Royal Hospital we turned right along a rather wet footpath, passing the grounds of the Chesterfield & District Model Engineering Society. After crossing some of the holes of Tapton Park Golf Club we reached the recently re-opened Crow Lane.
Turning down the lane we reached Piccadilly Road which we crossed and entered the housing estate opposite. Footpaths were followed alongside the brown waters of the River Rother passing the old Markham & Co Broad Oaks works.
This site has been used in the past to construct landing craft and X-craft submarines for the D-Day landing and tunnelling equipment for the Channel Tunnel, now it has been converted to private housing.
Re-crossing the A632 we walked up Spital Lane before walking steeply up Valley Road and Alexandra Road East. Here I am waiting for the others at the top of the hill.
After walking down a wooded slope we reached the trackbed of the old railway running away from Horns Bridge and parallel with Spital Lane. We followed this track until it joined Hady Lane.
With rain starting to fall we re-traced our route down Hady Lane, up Calow Lane then Hoole Street to re-enter Eastwood Park and find our cars.
The next walk will be on Sunday 6th February. If anyone wishes to join us you will be most welcome, just bring a packed lunch and wear suitable clothing. We meet at the church gates at 12 noon.
Steve Franks