Red Moss Tramways, Middlebrook, Horwich

OS extract from circa 1900, Gibbs farm on the left side and the old loco works at the top.
Note From Dad : the old tramways exist now it would make sense to explore more of this area on these old tramways,
The Harriers’ first cross country course interestingly enough crossed the infamous Red Moss heath long before any talk of a super tip or even the M61 motorway.  Taken from 
http://www.horwichrmiharriers.co.uk/history.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Moss,_Greater_Manchester?oldid=0

http://nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2677
“In 1886 a problem arose with Park Hall or Arley Main Colliery, Blackrod. This had been worked for upwards of 20 years by Ridgeway & Co under Roger Leigh’s estate. By November 1885 the seams were becoming exhausted and Ridgeways gave notice determining the lease. Wigan Coal & Iron Co then decided to take over the colliery in order to continue working the pumps until an aqueduct had been constructed to convey Ridgeway’s water through Scot Lane workings to Aspull Pumping Pit. The make of water at Ridgeways was 210,000 gallons per day. They had worked to a fault under Red Moss at Horwich. This moss has been described as ‘notorious’. The waterway from Ridgeways to Scot Lane No5 to connect with that from Scot Lane to Aspull pumps was made under an agreement between Wigan Coal & Iron Co and Elias Dorning, part owner of Park Hall Estate. ” taken from 
http://nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2677
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horwich
http://toolserver.org/~rhaworth/os/coor_g.php?pagename=Red_Moss,_Greater_Manchester&params=SD635104_region%3AGB_scale%3A25000

some other links for red moss
Red Moss Links
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/109497
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1006538.pdf
http://www.horwich.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=32
http://www.blackrod.org.uk/page9.html
http://www.motorwayarchive.ihtservices.co.uk/m61horpre.htm


http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/archive/1996/01/26/Lancashire+Archive/6212977.Archaeologists/
http://www.horwichheritage.co.uk/heritagecentre.htm
http://www.bolton.org.uk/middlebrook.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Site_of_Special_Scientific_Interest  red moss is a SSSI please be careful !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_Trust_for_Lancashire,_Manchester_and_North_Merseyside Red Moss is managed by this organisation 
Jakes Blogs  for red moss 

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/red%20moss

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragonfly
http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/
http://www.bournestreampartnership.org.uk/dragonflies.htm
http://www.uksafari.com/dragonflies.htm

short video -carefully moving along the path we disturbed around 30/40 dragonfly’s

Bull Rush
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typha
info taken from site re eating 

Typha has a wide variety of parts that are edible to humans. The rhizomes, underground lateral stems, are a pleasant nutritious and energy-rich food source that when processed into flour contains 266 kcal per 100 g.^[2] They are generally harvested from late autumn to early spring. These are starchy, but also fibrous, so the starch must be scraped or sucked from the tough fibers. The bases of the leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, in late spring when they are young and tender.^[4] In early summer the sheath can be removed from the developing green flower spike which can than be boiled and eaten like corn on the cob.^[5] In mid-summer, once the male flowers are mature,^[6] the pollen can be collected and used as a flour supplement or thickener.^[7] Typha has also recently been suggested as a source of oil.^{[clarification needed]} However, the plant’s airborne seeds have also been known to create skin irritation and can trigger asthma.

Starch grains have been found on grinding stones widely across Europe from 30,000 BP suggesting that Typha plants were a widely usedUpper Paleolithic food.^[2]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bull+rush&hl=en&rlz=1C1AVSW_enGB374GB377&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=7K49ToTcFJK2hAfRvuSHAg&ved=0CEYQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=666
http://www.truewayssurvival.com/forums/showthread.php?7424-Tips-with-Bull-Rush-and-coastal-cooking
Note from Dad the roots don’t taste too bad though it does depend on the state of the bog some just smell so vile that everything smells -clothes require several washes , eating things becomes a mind over matter thing at this stage. the above Bull rush sits next to a old tip , we wouldn’t consider eating anything from a SSSI site and or a tip !

Rivington pike

Two lads

one of the dragonflys

Picture from one of the  old tramways looking towards Wilderswood/Montcliffe Quarries  -we found small bits of coal around this area !

there are three tramways this is the 3rd one

top tramway

can you see me ?
Note from Dad:
Jake has a emergency whistle,phone and torch to maintain contact , Jake is fully aware of his surroundings and the dangers of straying off these central bits, I am never far away and Jake has GPS and  RFID tracking on him. this is a lowland area, but has risks even in warm light conditions, Jake has high performance clothing on with  Walsh PB trainers for grip with waterproof socks, we use this routes like this for low level training , this route is tough for a 7 year old. having tussock grass needing precise running – deviate or loose your grip and into a deep bog you will go, brambles etc  some of the undergrowth is a fight to get through, you have to minimize your impact on this environment , the paths are well used in some areas  and other areas are more sensitive so we avoid these .

middle tramway -small pieces of coal found

old tramway Reebok stadium tower left to old tip

along one of the tramways

one of the paths you can use to cross the moss

towards the old loco works on the  top tramway

see first photo the first old tramway

looking across Red moss – we listened to the birds

Wilderswood to Two Lads to Winter Hill mast Brickworks to River Douglas

>

on the way from wilderswood

the Pike

The mast in the mist -two lads is to the left

 http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=2069
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnabar_moth
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/wildlifegarden/atoz/c/cinnabarmoth.aspx
http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/nature/pictures/large-insects.asp?pic=117
cinnabar month

on the way to Two lads

wet -switched to waterproof Hat

on top of the two lads

 http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/Two%20lads

on the way to the mast

 http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/winter%20hill%20mast

we came across a wall next to this 3 bell pits

on of the bell pits

on the mast road

on the way down from the mast

the old brickworks

the old brickworks at the back of the mast

a old sink – they used to make these here

very interesting moss

very wet between the mast and River Douglas

This route was very wet today – this goes from the mast to Rivington Pike

nearly into the deep bog !

crossing a stream

I wanted to take this home -dad wouldn’t let me !

River Douglas 
https://jakeofwinterhill.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/img028661.jpg


http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/12/rivington-pike-rivington-horwich-bell.html

http://prestonwalkies.blogspot.com/2010/04/quick-walk-up-winter-hill-from-belmont.html

http://www.bolton.org.uk/winterhill.html

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/cy/ymchwil/cynllunio/33512.aspx

quick break!

This is the water tunnel next to Brown Hill 

another rest !

 Lower Rivington reservoir

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Rivington_Reservoir

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Rivington_Reservoir

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/jed/rivington_reservoirs.htm

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/environment/landscape/landscapecharacass/charcarea9.asp

http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/localhistory/journey/underground/reservoir/history.shtml

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/Two%20lads

http://www.about-rivington.co.uk/acatalog/Rivington_Pike.html

http://www.angelfire.com/in/rivington/

http://www.bolton.org.uk/pike.html

http://www.rivingtonboardingkennels.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivington_Pike

http://nwex.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6595

if you wanted to know what it looked like at the top of the Pike !

http://www.d.lane.btinternet.co.uk/winterpike.html

http://www.about-rivington.co.uk/acatalog/Rivington_Pike_Folklore.html

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/Rivington%20Pike

http://justramblingon.co.uk/history-pages/two-lads-hill/

http://www.about-rivington.co.uk/acatalog/Two_Lads_Cairns.html

Rivington Pike links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivington_Pike

http://www.about-rivington.co.uk/acatalog/Rivington_Pike.html

Two Lads links

http://www.about-rivington.co.uk/acatalog/Two_Lads_Cairns.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Pennine_Moors

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Hill_(North_West_England)

http://www.daveweb.co.uk/whvol2.pdf

Route taken,

http://www.sanoodi.com/routes/wilderswood-two-lads-winter-hill-r-douglas-311352/

• Average speed: 3.4 mph
• Max speed: 6.9 mph
• Pace: 17:25 min/mi
• Altitude gain: 207.0 m
• Altitude loss: 212.0 m
• route is 3.1 miles long

 

NEW CHAPEL LANE to BOTTOM O’TH’ MOOR to WALLSUCHES to ARCON , Horwich -circular walk -4c to -8c

http://www.sanoodi.com/routes/new-chapel-lane-bottom-o-th-moor-wallsuches-304274/
2.8 miles in -4C to -8C

new chapel lane -they cancelled the candle lit service -as the road is snow bound,
note from dad -we parked here to start the walk
http://genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Horwich/
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Horwich/NewChapel.shtml
http://www.horwich.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=80
http://www.horwich.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=34

the sheep are following me   !

one sheep is here

I’m stroking  the sheep

moor end  – BOTTOM O’TH’ MOOR

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Horwich/BottomothMoorPrimitiveMethodist.shtml

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1908/nov/24/licensing-bill

http://www.genuki.co.uk/cgi-bin/churches?CCC=LAN,GR=SD620086,DIST=3,PLACE=Aspull

on the ice path at WALLSUCHES

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/Wallsuches

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/12/walker-fold-to-burnt-edge-to-montcliffe.html

Wallsuches –Between Montserrat and Horwich is Wallsuches, and it is thought that the name is derived from ‘wella’, the Old English for water, and ‘soc’, Old English for soak. It was here that the Ridgeway family moved their bleaching croft, from the centre of Bolton, to a site by the stream called Pearl Brook in the late 18th century. Bottom o’th’Moor is just above Wallsuches.
http://www.bolton.org.uk/wallsuches.html

arcon village
what date is this ? can you see ?

arcon village
http://www.redrow.co.uk/developments/arcon-village/
housing development on old bleach works site


http://www.ss-osands.org.uk/ssosands/beep/horwich/wall%20and%20ridge.htm

arcon village

http://www.horwich.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=80

wilderswood -mist and fog and the reason why we didn’t go any higher
http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/wilderswood?updated-max=2010-12-12T17:54:00Z&max-results=20

golden windows at WALLSUCHES

Ridgemont in the sunset

this is  a nice view

me in the snow

me and Evie in the snow drift
note from dad: Both Evie and Jake are in cold weather high performance clothing,
the temperature was at this point -8C , outside clothing was now becoming frozen solid,- gloves and hats ,
another layer protected them keeping them safe,

Fiddlers ferry power station can be seen on left  red moss on right

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiddlers_Ferry_Power_Station

http://www.ukqaa.org.uk/PowerStation.html

snow angel !

note from dad -looking down the hill New chapel lane

note from dad- up the hill  – we saw 3 cars get stuck on this hill it is steeper than it looks and does not have a clear run up it,
no pavement – one of the reason’s  for the Hi vis jackets for Jake and Evie,
take care and use Cold weather tyres – (winter tyres) and the reason why we got up here!
http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/car-tyres/#winter
http://www.kwik-fit.com/winter-tyres-faq.asp

Jakes/Evie’s  clothing safety margins
each has cold weather high performance clothing,
Jake 5 layers on core , 3 on legs/feet , 3 on head
Evie 5 layers on core , 3 on legs/feet , 3 on head
both have hi vis clothing + multiple reflective strips found on each layer,
Both Children are used to very low temperature’s ,distance
don’t under estimate how tiring the snow and ice can be on children
http://www.boltonmrt.org.uk/go.php?page=main

Photo walk , Historic Horwich ,Fleet street, Horwich Parish Church and School,2.54 Miles

http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-kingdom/horwich/803129216514438017

the route taken

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/historyben/profiles/4878432.Horwich_profiled___a_look_at_your_area/

Horwich

HORWICH, a chapelry, in the parish of Deane, union of Bolton, hundred of Salford, S. division of the county of Lancaster, 4 miles (W. N. W.) from Bolton, on the road to Chorley and Preston; containing 3773 inhabitants. The ancient forest of Horwich, sloping down the sides of Rivington Pike, long since disappeared. It was sixteen miles in circumference; and from its capacious dimensions, and its abundant supply of timber for buildings and for fuel, it became a manufacturing station at a very early period: as remote as the reign of Henry VIII. we read of yarn spun in Horwich. The chapelry is situated for the most part in a luxuriant valley, gradually rising through the village towards Bolton, and is separated from Anderton by the river Douglas; it comprises 3230 acres. The population is chiefly engaged in extensive bleaching-works and cotton-mills. The bleach-works of Messrs. Joseph Ridgway and Company were commenced about 1781; and the print-works of Messrs. Chippendale and Company, employing 500 persons, about the same time. Of three cotton-mills, the two largest belong to Messrs. W. and W. Bennett, and Peter Gaskell, Esq. A good stonequarry is wrought. Here is a station of the Bolton and Preston railway. The living is a perpetual curacy, with a net income of £240; patron, the Vicar of Deane. The present chapel, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, was erected by the Church Commissioners in 1831, at an expense of £5848, in lieu of the old chapel; it is in the early English style, with a square tower, and contains a monument by Westmacott, which cost £1500, to the late Joseph Ridgway, Esq., who was a large proprietor of land here. There are three places of worship for dissenters. Attached to the chapel are, an infants’, a Sunday, and a national school. Two heaps of stones on Wildersmoore Hill are intended, it is said, to record the death of two boys in the snow, on going to the grammar school at Rivington

taken from http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51048

http://www.horwichmethodistmission.org.uk/

St Johns Methodist church Horwich

stone houses often found on the main streets

from the second world war people – removed railings as part of the war effort  these are the tail tail signs of this ,the loco works and the local industry produced anything from Tanks to planes in the second world war

turn right to public right of way

go up the steps

the path goes straight ahead

turn right behind lever park school

http://www.leverpark.bolton.sch.uk/

the path has recently been cleared and goes between the lever park school and the golf course

http://www.theinternetgolfclub.com/golfclubs/horwich-golf-club.asp

Old railway sleeper at end of  the path

up the hill

take the left of the two paths – near to stone wall

the Winter Hill mast , two lads in front of the mast – style of stone wall found around this part of Horwich

The pike

Wilderswood is seen below the Pike

two of my Blogs

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/10/two-lads-to-winter-hill-to-rivington.html

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/spooky-wilderswood-in-dark-at-4-to-6-c.html

a old stile-there is a old line of a hedge to the right

keep to the right hand path -towards the buildings in distance

Montcliffe quarries can be seen , Winter Hill mast on left hand side

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/08/montcliffe.html

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/09/burnt-edge-colliery-and-hedgehog.html

this route takes you past the quarries you can see above

looking back towards blackrod

path leads to lane – right is a old farm -stone is used for the roof turn left

route is to the left towards fleet street

Historic fleet street

1777 – some of the houses are dated at

stone drain -blocked by leaves

go past the Monkey puzzle tree

down the lane, to the right is the Ridgmont  cemetery behind the wall

one house with slate and one with a  tile roof

Stocks park (see below why)

Stocks ! enough said !

some of the club houses see below!

what does the plaque say ?

In 1777, the Ridgway family leased the Wallsuches site and within a few years their bleachworks employed the majority of people from Horwich as well as from Blackrod and Adlington. The town grew rapidly from 300 people when the Ridgways arrived to 3,500 in 1831. From the family home at Ridgmont, the Ridgways chaired many local bodies for the benefit of the community. They built Holy Trinity Parish Church and School and helped with the provision of workers’ housing. The latter was through the lease of Chapel Field on which employees who joined a building club were allowed to build their own houses. The streets running off Church Street are still known as the Club houses

taken from

http://www.horwich.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=36&Itemid=36

http://www.about-horwich.co.uk/horwich/Horwich_Parish_Church.html

http://holytrinityhorwich.com/default.aspx

an old door way

Old post office -1807

Horwich School

old cellars

bay window houses -club houses ?

old police station -now a vets

CC horwich bridge

Bridge Inn

Horwich Conservative Club 1887

entrance to Horwich Old station park

VR post Box

Gorton Cottage home of Formerly the home of the prominent industrialist and benefactor Andrew Peak (1810 to 1889)

taken from http://www.horwich.gov.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=80

2 windows at the front and ….

four windows at the back!!

lamp posts

reminder of the past loco works

http://www.horwichstation.org.uk/history

http://www.horwichstation.org.uk/maps

kildonian house surgery building 1902

plague on a terrace set of house’s

http://www.about-horwich.co.uk/horwich/Cottage_Hospital.html

http://www.about-horwich.co.uk/horwich/Cottage_Hospital.html

old and new street signs !

gate posts on Chorley new Road …

On Chorley new road there are three old houses with advertisements did you see them ?