It’s easy to miss this lime kiln, near the southern tip of Errwood Reservoir. Coal from a nearby pit fired the kiln, reducing limestone to lime, which was used both as a fertiliser and to make mortar.
Topic tags: Miscellaneous...
Tunstead Dickie’s skull
The mystery of Tunstead Dickie’s skull, as told by Clifford Rathbone in 1955. This mysterious artefact, accredited with ghostly properties, seems to have completely vanished.
Joe Brown’s Numbers
Joe Brown died last year, acknowledged as one of Britain’s finest mountaineers. In the early ’60s Joe created an orienteering course in and around the Goyt Valley, known as ‘Joe Brown’s Numbers’.
‘Goyt Valley Romance’ pdf
For anyone who’s tried in vain to track down Gerald Hancock’s ‘Goyt Valley Romance’, it’s now available to read in full on this website. Along with his slightly shorter first edition.
Wildside valley walk
Professional photographer Neil O’Connor has just posted a stunning video of a Goyt Valley walk from Pym Chair on YouTube. Just a pity about the grey-haired bloke that appears about half way through!
Fernilee footpath reopened
Great to see the footpath along the western shore of Fernilee has finally reopened. And the clearing of large swathes of densely-packed fir trees has revealed some well-hidden features.
Clearing the views
What a wonderful transformation the tree-felling has made to the views across Fernilee Reservoir. I think it’s the best thing that’s happened in the valley for a very long time.
Recording a brutal murder
Macclesfield’s Talking Newspaper brings to life the story of William Wood’s brutal murder on the road between Whaley Bridge and Disley in 1824. The culprits narrowly escaped capture in the town.
Fernilee footpath closed
The footpath along the western shoreline of Fernilee Reservoir has been closed for forestry work. It’s not likely to reopen before mid-November. So I’ve had to update a few of the walks on this website.
Muck-spreading at Burbage
The campaign to have the Burbage section of the old C&HPR track recognised as a public right of way seems to have upset the land-owners. Cow slurry has been sprayed along the route!
Threat of legal action
I’ve been threatened with legal and police action, unless I remove a walk that’s been on the site since 2011. Even though walkers have been going that way for donkeys’ years.
Drones above Curbar Edge
“Covid-19 is causing much ill-health. We cannot also let it bring about a historic shift in the relationship between the state and the people, in which the state’s power grows and people’s liberty diminishes.”
The Goytsclough murders
Two young men brutally murdered, and one who just managed to escape a similar fate. It’s hard to believe this happened in picturesque Goytsclough, and well within living memory.
Relief expedition on the way
An intriguing photo dated 27 February 1933 and titled ‘Goyt Valley Relief Expedition’ shows a number of horsemen carrying provisions to the valley from Buxton following a severe snowstorm.
Goyt Valley on ViewRanger
All the walks on this website are now available on the ViewRanger app. Which should make following them a lot easier for anyone with a smartphone. Well that’s the theory!
Lost in a snowstorm
“He left Macclesfield on Sunday at about four o’clock in the afternoon, and when found at six o’clock on Monday evening – 26 hours later – he was snow-blind, inarticulate, and frozen…”
Cat & Fiddle update
It seems the Cat & Fiddle Inn, perched high on the moors beside the Buxton to Macclesfield road, has been saved. Which after a couple of years standing derelict and forlorn, is wonderful news.
Taxal Church fades
Three ‘then and now’ fades show a more positive side to Taxal’s Rev Evans, including the installation of six new and recast bells, the rebuilding of the chancel, and the expansion of the graveyard.
Rev Evans bound over
He delivered another blow, when witness seized hold of the rector and asked him how he dare strike a member of the congregation. The second blow struck a man who went between them.
The pugilistic parson
Amidst great uproar, Mr Nall said that “the Rector would see whether he was a coward or not”. The Rector’s reply was that he would “take Mr. Nall by the neck and remove him”…
The remarkable rector
According to his 1922 obituary, Rev. Samuel Evans, rector at Taxal Church for 35 years, was ‘very brusque and had a staccato form of speech, which probably frightened children’.
Goyt Valley booklet
Published in the late 1970s, this pocket guide to the Goyt Valley contains some fascinating information, with topics ranging from rock formations to the Chilworth Gunpowder Mill.
25ml Goyt Valley walk
South Manchester’s Long Distance Walking Association recently held a 25-mile challenge through the Goyt Valley. My legs wouldn’t be up to it. But here’s the route for those built of sterner stuff.
Cat & Fiddle rescued (1918)
The Cat & Fiddle has stood empty for nearly two years. But it seems the pub has always had a chequered history. Some 100 years ago the Grimshawe sisters saved the day by accepting an offer from Mr Frood.
Walk improvements
I’ve been tidying up the walks featured on the website. And taking advantage of the recent, record-breaking sunshine to retake some of the photos previously shot in the depths of winter.
Whaley Bridge to Taxal
An easy walk from Whaley Bridge to Taxal provides easy access into the northern end of the Goyt Valley for anyone using public transport. I find this part of the valley wonderfully picturesque.
‘Gruesome’ memorial
‘…it was not in keeping with the spirit of the times that so public a reminder of such a gruesome event should exist, and that it acted as a deterrent to persons of a timid nature going there.’
Magic lantern slides
A couple of ‘magic-lantern’ slides taken in the valley around the 1920s. One of ladies crossing the stepping stones in Goyt’s Bridge. The other a group of children sharing a picnic.
10. The execution
‘…he observed, with a smile upon his countenance, “This is an easy way to get to Heaven.” He was then led towards the drop, which he surveyed with undiminished firmness.’
9. Judgement of death
When the concluding words of “the Lord have mercy on your soul” were pronounced, the prisoner looked fervently up to Heaven, and in a trembling voice said “Amen”.