Clays Cloggers
Last
amended 28/07/10
Clays Cloggers is a group of enthusiastic walkers from the
"Clays" group of villages - not just Wheatley, but Sturton le Steeple and
Bole and other places.
Members walk on circular routes throughout the year on various days of the month
and in different areas. Membership is free, but a nominal charge of £1
per walk is made to cover administrative expenses. Non-members are invited to
join the walks on an ad-hoc basis.
If you want to join them, or suggest suitable walks see the
contact details below.

This is Sam, the mascot of Clays
Cloggers.
He's a walking strawberry, and hopes to join us
in the strawberry
season
Summer
Schedule
2010
5th
August. A repeat of last year’s successful “Sail and Walk” event to
see the Chesterfield Canal from a different perspective. We
are going as far as Charlies Lock on the canal, from the Hop Pole,
leaving at 10am. It takes about 2 hrs to get there then a 1 hour comfort
and picnic stop + approx 2 hrs back to Hop Pole. The trip includes 5
locks. Picnic lunch. £8 per
person. Booking essential –
ring Eric Emmerson on 01427 880627 before 31st July.
Arrangements same as before, 12 alternating passengers on board each
way. Tea and coffee available at £1.
17th August.
Annual Fish & Chip Supper at the Boardroom, Manor Farmhouse, South
Wheatley. Members and partner only. Numbers limited so book early. £10 per
head includes F & C plus choice of sweet, coffee and free starter drink.
Bring your own plate, cutlery and glass plus your own meal drinks. Book with
Ted Pasley (01427 880916) or Gwynneth Anderson (01427) 880651. Volunteers
needed for set up. Usual (or unusual) entertainment.
25th
August. . Sturton-le-Steeple and Littleborough – a local
ramble to appreciate the locality in summer. Meet at Sturton church at 9.00
am. If anyone wishes they can return to the Sun Inn for the pensioners’
lunch.
Phone Carol or David Houghton on (01427) 881602 before Friday August 8th.
17th
September. With Arthur
Radford to Burton on Stather.
14th
October. With Derek
Turner. “The Paths of the Dukeries and some of their notorious Dukes”.
Pub
Lunch. Book with Derek on (01777) 702929
Other
future events for your diary: on October 20th (Derbyshire
with Alan Guest and Mick Burgin to Lose Hill, Mam Tor – 9 miles with steep
ascents and ridges), 17th November (Around Wentworth with
Peter Wright), 8th December (7 to 8 miles, Blyth, Hodsock
Heights, The Charity Pond and Blyth Leper Hospital). Lunch en-route. Book with
Andersons (01427 886651). Keep Walking!
RECENT WALK
REPORTS
Text Reports
21st July Arrival
to farmhouse biscuits the size of dinner plates, foaming mugs of coffee and a
clean convenient loo
set the exquisite form for the Cloggers Walking Group Howardian Hills
expedition. Verily, also, the heavens did not open as forecast during the six
hour relaxed ramble of 10 miles, although the A1 was inundated during our
return. Our walk covered the Howardian Hills area of outstanding natural beauty,
with superb views of the plain of York and beyond, rolling hills and stately
buildings of all shapes and sizes, with a history to match. A perfect full
walking day, augmented by good food and even better company!
30th
June. 6 miles around
Dunham and Trentside villages. Lunch at the White Swam. was a great success
for the 17 members taking part. A fantastic sunny day helped of course, as did
the lunch at the White Swan, Dunham bridge.
10th
June saw 12 members make a circular 5-mile walk around Collingham, taking in
the River Trent weir, and the local nature park.
19th May and nineteen Cloggers
chose the best day of the year so far to walk 7 miles around Southery and
Tupholme Abbey. Led by the Johnsons, it was an interesting flat stroll
incorporating the ruins of the ancient Abbey. A good pub lunch completed a successful
morning
21st April. Pyramid-like
High Wheeldon and the Scaly Dragons Back were conquered by 17 Cloggers, walking
eight miles up, down and around
some of the most dramatic challenges in the Peak District.
Superb weather, a relaxed hillside picnic in warm sunshine, crystal clear
views, excellent company with a hearty and joyful supper in a cosy old Inn on
our return journey. A day to cherish. See pictures below.
Wednesday
24th March: Teversal, Nottinghamshire. Led by Eva Collins was a walk of about 6.5 miles starting at the Teversal Trails Visitor Centre
on the B6014. A good turn out of 18 Cloggers assemble at the start of
March's walk around Teversal Heritage Trail near Mansfield. Led by Eva Collins we enjoyed spectacular views
including Hardwick Hall followed by good food at The Hardwick Inn.
February 23rd and
18 members joined in a very scenic and interesting walk around Babworth. Led by
Roy Sutcliffe we took in 6 miles of Retford Golf Club, Whisper Hills, Babworth
Church, The Old A1 (with no sign of Dick Turpin). An excellent lunch at the Golf
Club completed a vigorous morning.
The first event of
2010 was done in February, after weeks of cold winter
weather. 24 members walked around Langold Country park in
bright winter sunshine and very sticky mud. Six weeks of enforced confinement
indoors attracted a large number of walkers desperate
for some fresh air. A very pleasant lunch in The White Hart completed the
morning.
Our Walk on 18
November was very well organised by Arthur Radford. and most
interesting, on the West Bank of the Trent covering Dunham, Church Laneham and
Cottam. A brisk pace was maintained by 9 Cloggers (we had to, or we would have
drowned!!!!) followed by an excellent lunch and "drying out" in front
of a real fire in the White Swan at Dunham.
On
Thursday October 8th,
The Cloggers went on a trip especially designed to include “light walkers”
and to provide a contrasting day of interesting and rewarding strolls.
But light walkers soon turned into heavy, with Coffee
and full and ample cakes provided by the Methodist Chapel ladies who welcomed us
to Cawthorne, before we ambled across to the specially opened
Victorian
Jubilee
Museum
. What a
collection! An hour was not enough to cover the absolute fascination of half
remembered Hair Curlers, Patent medicines, Radios, and Baking powders,
contrasting with Pre-Raphaelite Art and Politicians bullet Proof Vests. Then a
cross village stroll for an excellent quality lunch.
Yorkshire
Sculpture
Park
, walking steadily around, through and into the arresting
sculptures. Sometimes viewing melancholic
and unwholesome exhibitions – in an outpost of the Tate Modern. An afternoon
was hardly enough, but a really good outing was enjoyed by walkers and
non-walkers alike.
24th September. A
six miler led by Arthur and Eric again. Through the scenic vales of the
Lincolnshire wolds again. 18 members enjoyed a fine day seeing the Humber
Bridge, (from a distance). Ending with a good pub lunch in Caistor.
27th August. A
walk close to home. 7 miles starting at Laughterton, and following the Trent
river bank to Torksey. Thence though green fields and woods to the ancient
village of Kettlethorpe and its historical church. Ending with lunch at the
Friendship Inn for all 9 walkers.
Friday 21st August - The Walking,
Floating, Walking Picnic -
In another very happy experiment, a party of 27 Cloggers and guests joined
the narrow boat Seth Ellis at Hop Pole Quay to float or alternately walk to
Hayton Wharf, have a (very) long pub meal or picnic, and then alternately
return. Sedate and gracious sailing, leisurely walking alongside, helping with
locks, and viewing the Canal from the boat all made a very good excursion,
especially for those who cannot walk distances. Some who could, walked in both
directions, and those who took part are now looking forward to a similar trip
next year.
Annual Dinner
on 18th August "The appetising aroma of Fish and Chips wafted across South Wheatley on the
evening of Tuesday 18th August.
It was the Clays Cloggers annual Fish and Chip supper, held - with great
success – in The Manor Boardroom. The
innovation of a mobile Fish and Chip Van, and a pair of hearty runners, ensured
a piping hot delivery for some 40 guests, who later enjoyed superb homemade
puddings. It was also the occasion for the Cloggers awards for outstanding
performance or service, and closed with a DVD spectacular of the groups walking
exploits over past years, featuring incidents such as the naked man of Winster,
the giant Bolsover Plate and many, many happy walks."
18th July. Cancelled due to inclement
weather
2nd
July. A nine-miler, led by Eva Collins. Starting and finishing by the Trent at
Fiskerton, near Southwell.
Done on the hottest day of the year. A few dropped out along the way, but a very
pleasurable experience in spite of the heat.
21st
May. New - and vastly interesting –were the wide hills and cliffs of the
Humber
Estuary. Cloggers met
early lashing rain, were comforted by walkers slippers issued at Alkborough
Tearoom, and then soft sunshine for a guided tour of the Church by the
(Methodist) Church Warden. Thence to Julian’s Bower, seeing the Trent and Ouse
form the Humber, and dramatic views of the Isle of Axholme and Sutton Bank. A 6
mile walk of surprises, assuredly led by indomitable Arthur Radford.
28th
May. A warm evening stroll around
Edwinstowe gave great appreciation of this popular village and its Sherwood
walking area. From the burial site of Saxon King Edwin, through idyllic Cricket,
Jousting and Fair grounds, we saw quirky pubs, mucky lock ups and grand halls.
Guided with research and quiet authority by Eva Collins, with relaxing supper at
old Forest Lodge Inn.
17th
June. Gainsborough’s heritage of gone or remaining buildings and features were
shown to 15 Cloggers in a windy and rainy November like evening. We felt for the
huddled poor Danish seafarers who made home the banks of the Trent, for
those drowned through drunken horse riders leaping on the Ferry, saw
where a barbers Apprentice Rose invented
machine wrapping, and much more. Our thanks to erudite and enthusiastic Thelma
Childs, a leading local historian.
24th
June A superb Walk of nine miles
around a Peak District Plateau, starting and returning to Winster, taking in
SSSI wild flower meadows, abandoned lead mines with small hamlets and villages.
The weather was sunny and hot, granting a classic languorous picnic, surrounded
by a profusion of wild flowers and orchids. A chance encounter with a (fully)
naked walker gave a lift to the final, tired descent and enlivened supper
anecdotes at the deservedly popular Hardwick Inn.
... and
pictures to prove it
Howardian
Hills Day Out





Pictures from a full day in North
Yorkshire
Dunham
Bridge and River Trent

June 30th with Arthur Radford along
the mighty Trent with views like this - heaven!
Southery
& Tupholme Abbey


Always lots of interest in local landmarks. Right: Mike's looking for a
letterbox
High
Sterndale, Derbyshire


21st January 2009. A record 24
members and guests joined Carol and David's 6 mile stroll around Nether Langwith
and the surrounding area. A beautiful winter's day provided excellent (if a
little muddy) conditions. Time for a leisurely, value-for-money lunch at the
finish in The Jug and Bottle pub.
26th December. Our
annual festive walk took place on Boxing Day as planned. John and Gwynneth led
us for a 5 mile stroll in superb weather around Wheatley Woods, Clayworth
Woodhouse and lots of strawberry fields, returning to "Foxlands", to
be royally refreshed and entertained by David and Carole Tasker. Another successful
day, with thanks to all who organised it.
Regretfully the walk
scheduled for December 4th was cancelled to to inclement weather
Staircases
into Heaven and wide-open skies gilded the homeward way of 16 Clays Cloggers on
Wednesday 19th November, walking around the soft and rolling hills of
Lowdham in South Nottinghamshire. Around 8 miles of gentle walking, lovely
views and a generous pensioner’s lunch for everyone gave the group a most
enjoyable and relaxed day in the golden autumn countryside. J.A.
October
23rd.
Our
latest walk was a 6 ½ mile ramble around the picturesque village of Navenby in
Lincolnshire. 15 members let by the Johnsons enjoyed spectacular views westward
(including three power stations) from the ridge north on Lincoln. Windy but
exhilarating.
August Events. The annual dinner, (well, an
excellent fish and chip supper at the Sun Inn, Wheatley) was attended by 36
members and friends. There followed a video presentation of some walks. Speaking
of which, our August walk (organised by Carol and David), was a 6-mile stroll
around Egmanton. Taking in the rolling countryside on a very warm summer day
proved a pleasurable experience for the 17 walkers who participated. A long
lunch in Laxton, and a gentle amble back to the cars ended the day.
Wednesday 16th July. Our shortest, but most
interesting walk. A tour of about 2 miles around Retford's Heritage Trail, led
by member Derek Turner. 22 members enjoyed a very interesting educational walk,
learning more about Retford than ever before. Architecture, churches, history,
industry - all formed part of Derek's well-researched commentary. The group
repaired to a local pub to be well fed and "watered".
June 19th. 27 stiles that challenged leg length or
girth, 6 hills giving magnificent views, a deep dramatic dale and a riverside
stroll in the sun, made a lovely day out in the Peak District for the June Clays
Cloggers. Thursday 18th gave both a sunny and clear break - in
otherwise fairly dreary weather, and a spring in the boots as a good and
satisfying 10 miles was walked by 13 energetic members. Supper in our own room
at the Hardwick Inn gave a very wholesome end to a cracking day. J.A.
15th May. A walk led by Carol &
David Houghton. 16 members attended and had a very sunny and pleasant walk.
Starting in Ingham village we covered 7.5 miles with Carol leading. Cows and
churches featured largely, with the pub a close second. Lots of tanned faces at
the end.
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