It’s not often that we do linear walks with the group but they can work well if good public transport links are available. Here’s what Graham had to say about the recent Barlow to Dronfield walk.
With David Blackburn unable to lead this walk due to family holiday commitments, Peter Carr and myself decided to cover it for him as it was somethihg different on the programme. Twenty two members and two well behaved dogs caught the Number 16 bus from Dronfield to Keepers Lane at Barlow. The first part of the walk was a short “historical” loop around Barlow taking in the Grade 2 listed Pinfold, The George V Coronation Tree, the Victorian Village Pump and St. Lawrence Church. Some snippets of historical interest were given at each of these including the amusing story of San Lorenzo, a Roman saint to whom the church is dedicated.
It was then down Smeltinghouse Lane to the Barlow Fishing Ponds Cafe where we had our refreshment break. We then walked through the ponds (with permission) heading towards Dobbin Lane. From here we descended to Brindwoodgate and then took the bridleway up to Cartledge Hall. At this point six of the group took the more direct path back to Dronfield while the rest carried on up to Holmesfield. After passing through the churchyard we walked through the estate and the play area, down Cowley Lane and then through Kitchen Wood and back to Pentland Road. We arrived back at the anticipated time of 1.15pm after a really enjoyable walk with sunny spells throughout.
The old pump at Barlow, which was a former name of the Peacock public house
The coronation tree at Barlow. It’s a Holm Oak