On a bright, sunny dry autumnal afternoon we were, once again, joined by Emily (Julie’s niece) and her Corgi cross dog, Maisie. Maisie, now being almost two years old, was well-behaved and calm, a distinct difference to the bouncy, energetic youngster she was six months ago. Deciding to walk in the Clowne area we got in the car and made our way there.
After parking, our leader Steve who spent the first thirty years of his life as a Clowne resident, led the group towards the market cross sporting big paper poppies. The cross has a stepped base or calvary of the medieval period surmounted by an 18th century socket stone and cross shaft. The latter replaced the original medieval components which were probably removed during the 16th or 17th century.
Turning left up a narrow jitty, Steve said this used to be next to the ‘bacon factory’ or slaughterhouse, now demolished. The jitty soon opened onto Ringer Lane. Outside No.48 was a big black spider in its enormous web and No. 85 had the same with the addition of a floating, black witch. Halloween had been celebrated two days before. This lane took us to the outskirts of Clowne, past an equestrian centre and then by a small stream.
At a crossing of lanes we continued in the same direction, passing a restored barn and farm on our left. The views opened up to green fields with the chimney of Steetley Dolomite in the foreground and the cooling towers of a power station on the River Trent in the far distance. We were now walking in the direction of Elmton but before we reached the village we turned up Oxcroft Lane on our right. This lane climbed steadily towards the highest point of our walk. Behind us we could see the small church of St Peter, rebuilt in 1772.
At the highest point of our walk, we turned right onto Border Lane, bordered on each side by hawthorn, holly, ivy and beech hedging. In places we passed other walkers, but much of the journey was peaceful and calming. Continuing downhill we returned to the crossing of tracks and crossed the stream we walked by earlier. In a field on our right we disturbed a number of white horses, they ran up a bank in the field to look back at us.
We were soon once more on the outskirts of Clowne, walking down Hollin Hill. At the bottom of the hill we climbed up a flight of wooden steps to reach the trackbed of an old railway.
The nineteenth century saw huge growth in the population of Clowne as a 1000 ft mine was sunk. Rows of Victorian terraced houses were built to house the mining families, the old school was built in 1895 and the high street in 1901. Two railways ran through the village, the Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast Railway, which became the Great Central, and the Midland Railway line. Both lines had their own station.
As we continued up the trackbed we read information boards about the local wildlife, the church of St. John the Baptist dating from the Norman period and also about the local railway.
Near the end of our walk, a black Labrador was very interested in Maisie, despite the owners calling him off, which meant Emily had to scoop her up out of his reach.
Soon we came upon the remains of the platform of the Clowne and Barlborough railway station. Leaving the trackbed we continued up a tarmac path, on our right was the Clowne South railway station including a mock up of the front of a train. Continuing through Clowne village, past the old infants school we returned to our cars.
If anyone wishes to join us on our next walk then meet us outside church at 12pm with a packed lunch on Sunday 7th December. You will be made very welcome.
Steve Franks & Evelyn Lowe