Summary

Summits Achieved

Preface

Shaun, Grizzly and Little Eric, came through the door to find Allen, Southey and Tetley singing Zadok the Priest.

"You have fine voices", stated Little Eric. "I guess that the rendition is because today was the Coronation of King Charles III."

"Yes pal", replied Tetley. "What a wonderful ceremony. Like Dad we were pleased to watch it."

"Dad said that he was only 2 years old when the late Queen was crowned, and obviously does not remember it, so it was special for him to watch" went on Southey.

"He did not join in with the singing, as he admits he is totally tone deaf", laughed Allen.

"We bring cakes and tea", said Shaun. "Also Dad has said he will take us for a walk tomorrow, so we need to come up with an idea."

"Well tea and cakes first", said Allen. "It makes me think better."

Southey meanwhile had got the mugs and plates, and helped Shaun pour the tea. "Thanks pal."

Grizzly said, "Little Eric and I have made a big sponge cake with icing, and the words, "Long Live the King."

"Wow, that's fantastic", exclaimed Tetley. "What ace bakers you are."

We all dug in, Allen saying, "it's absolutely scrumptious. Can I have another piece?"

"Of course, cake stuffer", laughed Little Eric.

Then our thoughts turned to walking. Grizzly saying, "how about the Crooklands and Endmoor area. I know we have walked there before, but there maybe paths that are new."

"Hmm, good idea", agreed Allen, picking up the iPad and opening the OS app and navigating to that location.

"Best if we start from the section of old road by the Lancaster Canal", said Shaun.

Tetley pointed, "we have not walked the lane past Longcroft. There is a footpath that goes under the M6 and then comes out on the A65."

"Ok so far", said Little Eric. "To get to Endmoor we then walk up by the Peasey Beck, which we have done before."

"From Endmoor it will be over the hill, but then take the footpaths south from Stubb Farm, then south east to Crooklands."

"That will be new too, and in fact will bring us past the house where Martyn and Sarah who own River Bela Cafe live", went on Grizzly.

"Right", said Allen draining his mug, "I'll go and see if Dad approves. "Please refill my mug for when I get back."

"OK tea belly", laughed Shaun.

Soon Allen returned with a smile on his face. "Dad likes our idea. The walk is on."

"Yippee" cheered Southey. "Roll on tomorrow."

---

 

15th October 2023
The forecast was for a sunny day, if rather autumnal, so Dad agreed to take us for a walk, and it was suggested repeating this. Allen said, "I know there are plenty of good pictures in our story, but in May it was rather cloudy. With the cloudless skies today we could perhaps substitute some shots."
"Good idea lad", replied Dad taking the camera out to the car.
Despite the wet weather the ground was not too boggy. There were good views from the top of the hill above Endmoor to the Lakeland Fells, and we thought about all the many days in the past we had had climbing them. "Wonderful memories", breathed Tetley. We encountered few walkers having for the most part the countryside to ourselves. At Crooklands we walked up the drive of Martyn and Sarah's house, to find them busy clearing their garage. Dad chatted with them for a while, which was nice. A lovely day. Dad however was really tired. He told us, "I'm coming down with a cold lads." He was not much better by the end of the coming week, and in fact discovered he had contracted Covid. So as Uncle Brian used to say, he was CTB - Confined to Barracks!

The Walk

We awoke to find that we were in for a dry day, the cloud dispersing as time went on

Once Dad was ready we quickly settled in the car, and off we went. To and north on the M6 to junction 36, turning right and at the next roundabout left towards Crooklands.

"Seeing the canal bridge coming up Shaun called out, "it's sharp right beyond the layby being immediately on the right by the Lancaster Canal.

As we made ready all was quiet apart from the wonderful sound of the birds singing in the trees. "How beautiful", whispered Little Eric.

Looking along the lane ahead the trees just fresh in leaf were beautiful too. "Will you take a picture please Dad?", asked Allen.

Dad ready and us safely tucked in the rucksack, Shaun said. "down the lane to the left."

Dad strode out past the house of Longcroft. "How lovely the verges are with the bluebells and other spring flowers", commented Grizzly.

Ahead we could see Elm Tree Farm with Black Yeats behind.

Southey was studying the map. "We follow the lane, ignoring the access to the farm going on to Black Yeats, where take the path left."

After a few minutes, Tetley called out, "here's the signpost."

The gate to the Crooklands path was stuck, so Dad climbed the metal railed section beside it. The field was a bit muddy to start, and away to the right the herd of cows were inquisitive.

Over the stone step stile at the top of the field the path led to the M6 underpass.

As we got to the far side, Shaun instructed, "go immediately left through that gate and then cross the large pasture a little way from the right boundary and on to the road."

"What a magnificent tree", pointed Grizzly.

The exit was via a tiny footbridge and gap stile, here viewed from the road side.

"Through the kissing gate opposite and along by the right boundary and through the next kissing gate into the churchyard of Preston Patrick Church" advised Southey.

"I have some notes", said Grizzly. "Until the 19th century, this locality was within the large rural parish of Heversham. However, there was a chapel on the site. In 1850 the architects Edmund Sharpe and E.G. Paley reported that the chapel appeared, from its architectural design, to have been built during the reign of Henry VII (1457–1509). The architects designed a new church. Building started in 1852 and the new church opened on 28 November of that year, with seating for 1,386 people. In 1892 the chancel was rebuilt. The church is constructed in limestone with limestone dressings in the nave, and sandstone  dressings in the chancel. The roof is of slate, with a stone ridge and copings. Fabric from the earlier church is incorporated in this church consisting of a window in the tower and niches in the chancel. The plan of the church consists of a west tower, a four-bay nave with a north aisle and a south porch, a single-bay chancel, and a vestry. The tower is square, and in four stages that are separated by string courses. The top stage contains bell openings in each face, and the tower has battlemented parapets. And you cane see at the southwest corner is a bell turret."

"Oh thank you pal", said Allen. "Always adding interest to our walk."

"Can we go in the church?", asked Grizzly.

"Yes lad", replied Dad.

However sadly we found that it was locked, and in October it was a Sunday and a service was on.

"Look at the bluebells", called out Tetley. "How beautiful."

"Our visit over, Shaun said, "exit the churchyard by that kissing gate then walk down to to the road at Crooklands, and turn right."

At the bottom this was gained via a kissing gate, footbridge and descending steps.

Allen called out, "across the road on that forecourt is the section of rail from the old tramway that served the gunpowder works at Gatebeck. Let's go and have a look to see is we can find it again."

Grizzly said, "the tramway operated from 1876, until 1936, when the Gatebeck Gunpowder Works closed."

Recrossing the road we walked past the Crooklands Hotel, Little Eric calling out, "there's the post box. A picture please Dad for my collection." Then looking closely he went on, "it dates from the reign of King George V."

Very soon Southey pointed, "that's our route."

Past some cottages...

...we reached Crooklands Mill Garage.

"I wonder if this building was once the bobbin mill?", mused Tetley. "And if the cottages were once where the mill workers lived?"

Later when we got home, Grizzly did some research, and told us, "yes the garage was indeed once the bobbin mill, and it is quite likely that the cottages were for the mill workers."

At the end of the yard we then followed the stiled path by the Peasey Beck.

Pointing Allen said, "that looks like the embankment that the tramway ran along."

Sheep were grazing, Southey pointing and laughing, "those are just asking to have their picture taken", as he knew this would wind Allen up.

He was not wrong. "Oh no...", he cried despairingly, as Dad lined up the shot.

After a final stile onto the road we turned left to Endmoor, on the way Tetley pointing, "look there's a pink bluebell."

Dad stopped to chat to gentleman in his garden. He told us, amongst the conversation, "my mother lives in the tall flats on Morecambe prom and I went to see her earlier today."

"Oh yes, Lakeland House", replied Dad, "I know them well."

It was a nice interlude, then walking on we came to the clock on the green by the A65.

The plaque told us -

This clock together with two bus shelters, three seats, 2000 bulb planting
and an archive of village activities were completed to mark the Third Millennium.
With thanks to: the Millennium committee, Cumbria County Council, South
Lakeland District Council, Preston Richard Parish Council, David Wilson,
L & W Wilson (Endmoor) Ltd, Stav Graham, John Leach, Chris Hodgson,
Ian Sheridan, Keith Richardson, and everybody who helped with fundraising

"Look there's a seat", called out Southey. Good place for our picture."

After a little rest, Southey pointed, "it's across the A65, then up the steep hill."

A steady climb that we have done a few times in the past. On reaching the brow, Shaun said, "we should drift right to descend to that gate onto the access to Stubb Farm."

There we went left through the yard passing the house. "Aww look", called out Tetley, "Teddy is waving to passers-by."

"And another for walkers coming the other direction", called out Little Eric.

"Look, that carving of an owl is beautiful", commented Grizzly.

Beyond the route was through a gate onto a waymarked concrete track, and then through another gate into a field. We passed a small reservoir surrounded by trees.

"If only we could get a picture", mused Southey.

As we approached the next gate, Allen called out, "there's a gate left to the reservoir, and it looks like there is a chance of a shot."

"Lovely reflections", commented Little Eric.

So then down the next field, where the grass was very wet, to climb the stone step stile on the corner onto a lane, and turn right, and then follow the direction of this signpost that has seen better days.

This took us past Old Hall and Carter House Farm.

"Those are unusual sheep", commented Tetley.

"So they are", agreed Dad getting the camera out.

"Humph", grumped Allen. "as if one picture was not enough."

Continuing on to a building, Shaun said, "the route is the left of the two gates."

"Darn", said Dad, "another one I cannot get open. I am getting plenty of gate climbing practice today."

Then on with the hedge on right to next gate, where Shaun said, "once through go sharp left by the hedge."

This led to another gate, and then on towards the farm, entering a walled track, and as directed through gate on left into the field.

"That's Martyn and Sarah's house, are you going to call?, asked Allen.

"No lad, they see enough of me, and anyway they are busy decorating today."

The gate on the right and drive took us onto the A65 where it was right towards the start.

Look pointed Shaun, "that's fine view of Preston Patrick Church. The gate where we entered the churchyard can be seen clearly."

By the road stands Preston Patrick Memorial Hall.

"That was where you did one of your teddy talks", remarked Grizzly.

"Yes lad. A long time ago now."

Soon we were at the car, and on our way home.

"Thank you Dad for a lovely walk", said Little Eric.

"Thank you lads for devising it."

back