A little bit of context. In 1999 the Rotary Club of Dronfield set up a Community Millennium Project to benefit the residents of Dronfield and surrounding villages. They devised a circular walk and a group of volunteers from Rotary and local Footpath and Bridleway Societies made major improvements to footpaths, gates, stiles and bridges on the round walk - including meticulously way-marking the route. There are 26 linking footpaths which give ready access to many of the residential areas on the route.
We started from Greenhill and took the path across the Dore and Totley Golf Club to join the Rotary Walk
The Golf Club was founded in 1913. Although it is located in Bradway, it is the Dore and Totley Golf Club. Its name is derived from a time when playing golf in Sheffield was prohibited on Sundays. A dedicated group of golfers formed the club so that they could continue playing and they named it after two local railway stations (Dore & Totley) which, in those days, were just outside the city boundary.
We decided that we would go anti-clockwise round the walk ...
... which would take us initially to Birchitt Farm ...
... and then along to Mickley Lane and through Dunston Farm.
We soon had excellent views over the southern parts of Sheffield as we headed towards Holmesfield ...
... and then equally panoramic views over Cordwell valley ...
... as we headed towards Cartledge Hall which was built around 1585 and owned by the Burtons of Holmesfield and Dronfield - they were lead merchants in 16th & 17th centuries ...
and then Cowley (pronounce "coaley" - which is a reference to charcoal burning) Hall
We came across a number of stiles which opened out so that you could walk through - makes a change from clambering over.
Two of the Founder Members of the '10 Miles Before Lunch' walking group upping the pace so that we could ensure that we lived up to our name
I think these are Bird's Foot Trefoil
We crossed the Dronfield Bypass at Monkwood, an ancient woodland dating back to the 13th century when Lenton Priory and Louth Abbey had interests in it. Timber from here was used to make charcoal for the smelting of iron and lead.
We were now following part of the Chesterfield Round Walk with yet more splendid views
We headed down through fields of wheat (and wild poppies) to Unstone
Unstone was recorded in the Domesday Book as Onestune - and then became Unston until 1908 when the 'e' was added even though it is pronounced with a silent 'e'
Under the railway, along Halfacre Lane ...
... as we strode it out towards our lunch stop ...
... at Summerley Airstrip - just over 10 miles from our starting point
Some 20 years ago, local legend and MP, Harry Barnes, asked questions in Parliament about two aircraft accidents at this airstrip. Here is an extract from the Hansard record of 15 October 1990 (Volume 177, column 644 for those who are interested in such matters)
§ Mr. Harry Barnes
"To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for the air accidents investigation branch to investigate and report upon the two separate aircraft accidents at the Summerley Coal Aston airstrip in Derbyshire on 24 July; and if he will make a statement."
§ Mr. McLoughlin (the relevant Minister)
"The air investigation branch has completed its investigations into the two unconnected light aircraft accidents at Coal Aston airstrip, Derbyshire on 24 July 1990.
The first accident occurred when the pilot of a Cessna 150 aircraft landed with excessive speed and bounced heavily causing the nose landing gear to collapse. The second accident occurred when a Piper Tomahawk aircraft, operated by the United States Air Force Flying Club failed to accelerate to a safe flying speed within the reduced runway length used. There were no injuries sustained in either accident.
Full details of the AAIB investigations will be published in the next AAIB Bulletin on 7 November."
There was another accident at the airstrip on 3 July 1993. Whilst making an approach to land the pilot was distracted by his passenger who was very nervous (I wonder why - Ed). The pilot omitted to select the landing gear down and did a "wheels up" landing – thankfully all was ok.
As we headed off from Summerley we could see Norton Water Tower in the distance
We were now heading towards Coal Aston, via Troway and Moss Valley.
Moss Valley has a long history of quarrying and mining - most of which are now closed. It was also renowned for sickle and scythe production. I think this path was an old rail track
Then onto Coal Aston - its original name was Cold Aston: the cold eastern settlement. Its modern name is partly derived from the coal mining here in the 19th century ...
... and then onto the Bowshaw roundabout, Dronfield. Little is known about the early history of Dronfield. It is known to have been in existence before the 1086 Domesday Book and suffered after the Norman conquest when William the Conqueror sought to bring the North of England under control. Its name is thought to mean the open land where there are drones (male bees).
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Dronfield grew around various industries, the most widespread of which was coal mining with pits at Stubley being mentioned in the 16th century and a map of Hill Top in the 17th century shows some workings. Further mines were opened at Coal Aston in 1785 and Carr Lane in Dronfield Woodhouse in 1795.
The town also benefited from trade with the lead mining and grindstone industries in the Peak District. The wealth of the Rotherham family, who became the Lords of the Manor of Dronfield, was based on the lead trade. Notable buildings in the town include several 16th and 17th century houses.
We were now on the final leg of our epic walk, past Bowshaw House and back to the golf course with views across to Jordanthorpe and beyond.
An excellent inaugural walk for the "10 Miles before lunch" walking group. We plan to do more walks on an ad hoc basis - Sheffield Round Walk may be our next challenge.
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