It’s make your mind up time if you want to join the great Whaley Bridge parish walk on Saturday 22 September At a fiver to enter, it is one of the cheapest charity walks in the area. Organisers claim it has the most beautiful route in the High Peak.
Whaley Bridge parish stretches almost to the Cat and Fiddle, on the outskirts of Buxton. The old parish walk used to take in the parish bounds, well over 20 miles. This year’s walk, from St James’ church, Taxal, is 21 kilometres (only just over 13 miles).
It starts at 10am, with walkers setting off in small groups and returning at their own pace. It’s very suitable for families (and dogs!)
The outward route is via Windgather Rocks and Cat’s Torr, heading towards the Cat and Fiddle. The route back is just as spectacular, but it’s mostly downhill, You’ll pass Errwood or Fernilee reservoirs in the Goyt Valley, on the return to St James’ for soup, a sandwich and a well-earned drink.
St James has a toilet, which remains a secret to many. Near the churchyard gate, it is open between sunrise and sunset, and used by many a walker for ‘blessed relief.’
If you fancy the walk, you can get entry/sponsor forms from either St James or Holy Trinity churches, or online at www.whaleybridge.org.uk or here
Information from Athene on 01663 733 755 or Eileen on 01663 734 153. Proceeds will go to support the parish magazine’s aim of a wider readership, with at least 10 per cent going to charities tackling poverty in the North West.