I joined them for the Sheffield Round Walk, a walk along Curbar and Frogatt Edges, and a merry jaunt around Youlgreave - or even Youlgrave.
Here are a few photos from these walks
We started in Endcliffe Park ...
... and came across this array of feathers - very strange
On to Porter Clough ...
... with Mike telling us of his worldwide adventures
... Chris was enthralled ....
... and Eric simply couldn't believe Mike had done all that
Down Limb Valley to Ecclesall Woods
... then on past Dore Station
... to Beauchief Abbey ...
... where Chris was set upon (in a friendly, ankle-sucking way) by a couple of puppies ...
... but he got his own back with some serious tummy tickling
Lunch in Graves Park was followed by
a trip past Newfield School
A walk through Chelsea Park - which I confess I didn't know existed; but then I have only lived in Sheffield for 29 years!!
Back to Endcliffe Park and a welcome pint in the Lescar
My second walk with the guys was ably led by Martin who took us from Longshaw to White Edge then along Curbar Edge and Frogatt Edge before returning to Longshaw.
Andy "bagging" Trigpoint S2132 - ranked 1798 in the Triggy Charts
Stuart thought that ranking was a bit high, Steve and Simon seemed to agree
Some views from the Edges
Mike, with that faraway, global traveller look - pining for Chile again no doubt
Pace quickens as we near the end of the walk
Decision time on which pub to visit
Decision made - and a good choice - cheers
My final walk with the guys in August was around Youlgreave - or, even, Youlgrave. Even the people who live there must be confused. The signposts consistently say "Youlgreave" - as do the bus stops. However the Parish notice boards use "Youlgrave". The two churches don't agree - one uses Youlgreave whilst the other one uses Youlgrave.
Some quick research revealed that the origins of the village's name are uncertain but it is likely that it has reference to mining, which is a local industry. Most favoured contenders are “Ye Olde Grebe” which means “the old mine’s (rake). Or from Giolgrave, meaning “yellow grove”. Yellow refers to the colour of the ore. Grove may not be to do with trees but from “groover” which was another name for a miner.
For those that are confused by the spelling of the village name, here is a list of spellings of the name as compiled by local historian and former teacher at the village school, Mr J W Shimwell.
Giolgrave | Yolgrave | Jalgrave | Hyolgrave | Hyolegrave |
Yolgreff | Yoleg | Yolegreve | Yolegrave | Youlgraue |
Welegreve | Yoelgreve | Oelgreve | Yelegreve | Yeolegreve |
Yolgreave | Yolgreve | Yollegreve | Jol've | Zolgrelf |
Yollgreve | Yoligrewe | Yollegrewe | Youlgreve | Zolgreff |
Youlgrave | Yolgreyva | Yolgreyve | Yeolgreave | |
Youlgreave | Yellegrave | Yollogreve | Yollograve | |
Yeollgreave | Youldgreave | Yograve | Isgrave | Yalgrove |
Yolegreue | Jolegreue | lolegrave | Jholegreve | Yelegrave |
Yellegrave | Iolgrave | Yholgreve | Yelgreve | Zolgreve |
Just to further compound the confusion, locals affectionately call the village "Pommie".
No swimming today
The River Bradford - its source is near Middleton-by-Youlgreave and after passing below Youlgreave it joins the River Lathkill at Alport. Less than 2 miles in length, its waters are very clear due to the limestone rock over which it flows.
Its width has been enhanced by a number of weirs which also encourage white-throated dippers to breed in the pounds created. The valley is known as Bradford Dale
Some debate about our precise location. The "Prof" and I left it to the experts
Some young pheasants
Martin thought he had found a "dead cert" for the 3.30 at Kempton ...
... Steve agreed
Youlgreave Fountain doesn’t look anything like a fountain. It is a round stone structure near the post office on the main street. The Fountain is, or rather was, a collecting tank. It was built in 1829 for the village’s private water supply. Before this time the villagers relied on springs and river water.
The stone tank is 9 feet (3 m) high and was built to hold 1,500 gallons (6,800 litres) of water. Only villagers who paid six pence (2.5p) a year could use the Fountain. It was locked up overnight so it would be full by 6 am. Then the water-keeper unlocked the tap for the waiting queue of villagers. Buckets filled so slowly that women used to bring their knitting to pass the time. Water was eventually piped into the houses but the Fountain was left standing. One villager recalls that there wasn’t a lad in Youlgreave who hadn’t sat on the top with his mates – ‘perched up there like a row of pigeons’
The Church of All Saints dates back to about the 13th or 14th century. Many modifications have been made and much restoration was carried out around 1870. It has a broad and tall perpendicular tower, with angle buttresses, battlements and eight pinnacles. The most ancient monument in the church is the stone effigy of a cross-legged knight, holding a heart in his clasped hands and girt with a cross-hilted sword.
