Midge Walkers
Hurst Green – (The Tolkin Trail) – Saturday 14th June 2025
All the early arrivals to the War Memorial in Hurst Green availed themselves to an ice cream from Millies Tearoom. There was a disappointing turnout but grateful thanks to those that gave Rodney a ring to let him know about your no show. This is always a great help when deciding when to set off. This is a walk previously undertaken in April 2014, June 2018 and June 2023
We made off at 10.45 am passing The Shireburn Arms and made our way down to the river. This path was previously difficult to navigate due to the mud, but it has now been covered with pieces of old synthetic football pitch. We were to find out that the entire path is now properly made up. While walking along the River Ribble, we saw House Martins and Sand Martins diving into their nests on the opposite bank and we eventually arrived at a fisherman’s hut which we all squeezed into for our coffee break
When we got to the point where the River Calder branched off, we could see an impressive Grade 1 17th century Jacobean mansion, Hacking Hall, which at one time was owned by Sir Thomas (Judge) Walmsley. We walked along the riverbank but had to detour because of renovations at Winkley Farm. This was not a big inconvenience as we soon found the road that we climbed up. This led us to a former piggery, which was described as being the Rolls Royce of pig sty’s, but was now being turned into a very fine house. We climbed again up to the summit of a field to see splendid views of Stoneyhurst College in the distance. Our walk then was downhill to a bus shelter where we sat for lunch. We experienced a brief heavy shower, which soon passed, and the weather returned to being warm and sunny. We marvelled at the excellent views of Pendle Hill
Fed and watered, we set off down hill to the third of our rivers, the River Hodder and enjoyed the views of the ruined Cromwell’s Bridge, reported to be the route taken by Oliver Cromwell in 1648 leading his 8000 strong army to the Battle of Preston
Turning left and with the river on our right, we followed the tree lined path and climbed again where we found former college buildings which were now converted into private flats, one of which was somewhat unique as it is dug into the hillside, with two thirds being underground. We descended to the river, turned left and then we climbed 113 steps. (this was done in several stages), eventually arriving at the top and regrouping, we had a short stop to regain our composure. Setting of again, we shortly emerged onto a road where we turned left and again went uphill until we got to the first college gates where we stopped to sit on a wall for our final coffee break
Continuing uphill, we eventually came to the second gates where we turned in and followed the driveway, observing students playing croquet. We returned to Hurst Green Village and our cars after a 7.5 mile walk that took 4.5 hours. Although the turnout was low, all three of us agreed that those who did not participate missed a pleasant walk with favourable weather, nice views, and good company. If there is to be a longer walk next year, enough people would have to ask Rodney
Report by – John Waites
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