Sixteen members went on the first walk. Following that numbers fluctuated between 4 and 24. By January 1985 husbands and friends joined members on a fairly regular basis. Brief details of each walk were recorded with the numbers taking part, details of the weather and state of the ground. The walks varied between 5 and 8 miles taking in most of Derbyshire – mainly the Peak District – and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
During the years four 80th birthdays were celebrated with the a lunch or tea en route. In April 1994 to celebrate walk 125 there was a special tea at Alstonefield Tea Rooms. In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 the April walks coincided with the Annual Cancer Walk which in these years went from Alstonefield, Biggin and Denstone.
In July 2000, older members were either not walking regularly or had moved away. Others were busy with other activities. So with 188 walks completed The Rambling Club ceased to exist. However, each summer The Dovedale Group organise a local walk followed by a cream tea.
During the years four 80th birthdays were celebrated with the a lunch or tea en route. In April 1994 to celebrate walk 125 there was a special tea at Alstonefield Tea Rooms. In 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 the April walks coincided with the Annual Cancer Walk which in these years went from Alstonefield, Biggin and Denstone.
In July 2000, older members were either not walking regularly or had moved away. Others were busy with other activities. So with 188 walks completed The Rambling Club ceased to exist. However, each summer The Dovedale Group organise a local walk followed by a cream tea.
A selection of entries from the record
kept of walks between 1983 and 2000.
Walk 1 Wednesday 27th July, 1983
Along Frognall Canal from the Wharf Shed past the lock to "Pottery Cottage", (craft shop) and return. Followed by tea at the Wharf Shed.
Hot, sunny day. (16 members)
Walk 6 Saturday 25th February 1984
From Ashbourne Church gates up Church Banks, across the fields to Mapleton old railway tunnel, along Tissington Trail to Haywood Farm, over fields to junction of Spend Lane and Mapleton Road (past the back of Hinchley Wood), then across the fields down to the River Dove, back along the river to Mapleton, followed the river down to Bentley Brook Bridge, across again to back of Cemetery and return along Mayfield Road to Ashbourne.
Dull, damp day with slight sleet showers, cold. (8 members)
Walk 20 Wednesday 29th May 1985
From Haywood Car Park along Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow Edge, over road to Birchers Edge, finishing at Robin Hood Car Park near Baslow. Did a sloght detour from Curbar Gap to look at Curbar Plague Graves. Did a ferry system with cars, having some at each end of walk.
Dry bright day, sunny and warm, ideal for walking. (11 including 2 husbands, 1 friend)
Walk 30 Saturday 3rd May 1986
From Milldale Car Park up road in Hopedale, up old lane to Stanshope, along road towards Ilam, up to Ilam Tops Farm, on to Air Cottage, along top of Dovedale on Staffordshire side of the river, down through wood to bottom of Hall Dale, across bridge at Ilam Rock, up the Dove to Milldale. The daffodils were out on Stanhope Lane.
Damp with drizzle but reasonably warm, pleasant for walking. (9 including 2 husbands and 1 daughter)
Along Frognall Canal from the Wharf Shed past the lock to "Pottery Cottage", (craft shop) and return. Followed by tea at the Wharf Shed.
Hot, sunny day. (16 members)
Walk 6 Saturday 25th February 1984
From Ashbourne Church gates up Church Banks, across the fields to Mapleton old railway tunnel, along Tissington Trail to Haywood Farm, over fields to junction of Spend Lane and Mapleton Road (past the back of Hinchley Wood), then across the fields down to the River Dove, back along the river to Mapleton, followed the river down to Bentley Brook Bridge, across again to back of Cemetery and return along Mayfield Road to Ashbourne.
Dull, damp day with slight sleet showers, cold. (8 members)
Walk 20 Wednesday 29th May 1985
From Haywood Car Park along Froggatt, Curbar and Baslow Edge, over road to Birchers Edge, finishing at Robin Hood Car Park near Baslow. Did a sloght detour from Curbar Gap to look at Curbar Plague Graves. Did a ferry system with cars, having some at each end of walk.
Dry bright day, sunny and warm, ideal for walking. (11 including 2 husbands, 1 friend)
Walk 30 Saturday 3rd May 1986
From Milldale Car Park up road in Hopedale, up old lane to Stanshope, along road towards Ilam, up to Ilam Tops Farm, on to Air Cottage, along top of Dovedale on Staffordshire side of the river, down through wood to bottom of Hall Dale, across bridge at Ilam Rock, up the Dove to Milldale. The daffodils were out on Stanhope Lane.
Damp with drizzle but reasonably warm, pleasant for walking. (9 including 2 husbands and 1 daughter)