Routes, Reservoirs and Rummage ramble

Published on 14th September 2006 in News

But such is Paul Mellors' interest in the South Pennines. Some might call them dour, even mind-bending, but it doesn't take much imagination to recollect these were the haunts of plaid-wrapped drovers from the north, of tough packmen and even pillagers.

The walk commenced close to the summit of the M62 at the GPO's wireless telegraph station at Windy Hill - if that is what it still is. In fact in an odd way the M62 was to be our companion for much of the day - sometimes like a distant, silent movie and sometimes close to hand at full throttle.

Early steps took us across the M62 footbridges - a Pennine Way facility insisted upon by former bicycling Minister for Transport Ernest Marples. Although we left the Pennine Way early, the characteristics of its early days were with us underfoot as we crossed Blackwood Edge over open moorland before the scene was relieved by field boundaries and distant Rishworth and a descent to the dam wall of Booth Wood Reservoir for the lunch break.

Afterwards, our flirtation with the M62 reached its height. Gone was the silent movie image, to be replaced by Dolby Stereo at full output. Yet in a peculiar way it offered some contrast. Them in their four-wheeled gas guzzlers and us on two feet as we made our way along several channels and tunnels intricately constructed alongside and under the M62 to link the footpath system with the amenity of Scammonden Water, created as the motorway was being built.

Gradually the din receded, to be replaced by silent yachts gliding along the surface of the reservoir. The amenity area of its westerly end was our final refreshment stop before the last fairly tough climb to Waterman's House. Its title conjures up a sylvan scene of something associated with water control and recording. Forget it! Here the eye recoils from hoarded clutter and junk in overdrive.

Reference has been made earlier in these columns about the eyesores created around the South Pennines at some of the remote farmsteads and dwellings but Waterman's House is top of the Premier League! So we escaped alongside Cupwith Reservoir to join the Kirklees Way and Colne Valley Circular Walk before descending to a restored Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Tunnel End, Marsden where the Canal Centre, following closure, has been revamped and reopened. This is the location of the longest canal tunnel in the century and the deepest underground, all amid a scheme earlier dubbed "The Impossible Restoration".

In the adjacent hostelry thirsts were deservedly slaked before the short towing path walk to Marsden Station, Church and coach. A seated panoramic view alongside much of our journey completed a worthy day.

G.A.T.