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OS Grid ref: NY 31263 23073
Lat/Long: 54.598136, -03.065433
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The weather forecast was 0% rain when I left home to drive to
Cumbria. The drive was gloomy weather and when I arrived at
Wanthwhaite Bridge at St Johns in the Vale the forecast was up
to to 50% rain & drizzle had started. I decided to put on full
waterproofs before setting off west along the narrow lane to Yew
Tree Farm. Above the farm is the first gate and a stone building
on the right with a caravan & car attached adjacent. |
Road to Yew tree Farm |
St John's in the Vale Church. |
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The front windscreen had been smashed in. I continued up to St
John's Church but didn't go it this time as I visited last week.
I walked past the adjacent Youth Centre and up to the trees &
gate on the road. My first objective was to find a Memorial
Stone shown on the map. I headed up the hillside but couldnt see
anything obvious. I had a close look at a boulder on the way up.
There was a low rock cliff above me so I climbed up the side and
saw a tree with a stone nearby. It turned out this lump of stone
was the Memorial with lettering In memory of David Gerald
Pennycook who loved these fells Died 13 June 1964 aged 10 years.
An internet search revealed no details. |
David Gerald Pennycook Memorial. |
David Gerald Pennycook Memorial |
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My route traversed the NW side of High Rigg then a short descent
to the minor tarmac road and soon reached the holiday cottages
of Stone Cottage & Piper House. Further along I came to the road
coming in from Dale Bottom and Naddle. My way was straight on to
the end of the raod where I branched left to follow a path
upwards between the ferns. |
Stone Cottage & Piper House. |
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The drizzle continued and everything was wet. As I got higher
the wind increased and I started to look for shelter to have my
sandwiches. A large tree didn’t have any shelter so I continued
up to the high stile and over the wall. Still no shelter. I
headed up through a gap and to a small tarn. I peered into the
water and saw it was shallow and clear. |
Path on east side of High Rigg |
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The wind was now quite strong but I managed to find shelter
behind a boulder along Cowrake Head. I had my sandwiches then
rushed along the path to try and get warm. I was now descending
the same route as last week and it was here that I saw a young
couple walking up. Ther were the only walkers I saw all day.
When I got to the bottom I turned left to continue to Low Bridge
End Farm where the wind eased and I was able to take my
windproof top off. After the farm I turned right through a gate
to follow a path along the bank of St John’s Beck. |
SAt John's Beck.
River bank
stabilisation |
Environment Agency Benchmark |
Environment Agency Benchmark |
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I was on top of an artificial embankment presumably as a flood
defence. Part way along I noticed the familiar disk shape of an
Environment Agency Benchmark set in a stone at ground level. It
was a delightful path and took me to the picturesque Sosgill
Bridge. I didn’t cross over but headed north through open fields
of cows and sheep. |
Sosgill Bridge |
Sosgill Bridge. |
It was firm underfoot and eventually I reached the large Bridge
House which was empty and no cars parked. It was possible to see
some piles of books through the windows but no vehicles had been
for ages. Apparently it was the former home of John Richardson
the village schoolmaster and a dialect poet. He occupied it in
1886 and moved in with his wife and six children. He died in
1909 and his widow remained there until her death in 1919.
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They are both buried in the churchyard of St John's chapel. I
followed the house access track along the river abc towards
Wanthwaite Bridge. A maker pointed right into some woods and
deep grass. I decided to continue along the track to the gate
which had a ‘Private no Path’ sigh both signs. It was locked so
I climbed over and judging by wear on the wood spars many others
had done the same. A short way down the road was my car. |
Bridge House. |
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