Goyt Valley miscellaneous

These posts don’t fit easily within the existing sections of the website – which is why I’ve called them miscellaneous. They’re a bit of a pick and mix collection – but interesting just the same. Simply click on the ‘Read more’ links to view any story. All contributions would be very gratefully received. To get in touch, simply use the site contact page.

Above: A rare photo of Mary and Genevieve Grimshawe pictured at the opening of Fernilee Village Hall.

Errwood lime kiln

Errwood lime kiln

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.

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Tunstead Dickie’s skull

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.

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Joe Brown’s Numbers

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’.

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‘Goyt Valley Romance’ pdf

‘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.

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Wildside valley walk

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!

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Fernilee footpath reopened

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.

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Clearing the views

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.

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Recording a brutal murder

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.

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Fernilee footpath closed

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.

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Muck-spreading at Burbage

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!

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Threat of legal action

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.

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Drones above Curbar Edge

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.”

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The Goytsclough murders

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.

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Relief expedition on the way

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.

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Goyt Valley on ViewRanger

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!

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Lost in a snowstorm

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…”

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Cat & Fiddle update

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.

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Taxal Church fades

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.

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Rev Evans bound over

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.

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The pugilistic parson

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”…

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