A Walk at Stanley

Today's walk at Stanley was led by local historian Terry Hall and took us along the old GNR railway route likely to become the next section of Route 672. Deep cuttings, enormous embankments and wild undergrowth were the order of the day and several sections seemed unlikely to ever become cycle routes were seen. In some places the railway land has been sold off and some by-passing will be necessary.
We viewed the glow worm area - very different from our own at Mickleover, being in a deep cutting with much vegetation having grown with the recent heavy rain.
Terry explained how the area was originally very different, open cast coal mining and slag heaps abounded, but now you would would not know, as the land has been re-instated as rolling pasture.
We also visited the chuchyard to view the memorial to the crew of a Wellington bomber which crashed nearby in 1942 killing all on board.
By then it was lunchtime and we retired to the White Hart for a pint and some food, before returning home.
Our thanks to Terry Hall and local wildlife expert Roger Brown for an excellent guided tour of the district. It was a most interesting outing.
We look forward to seeing them again as the Great Northern Greenway creeps inexorably in their direction.
Pictures above -
Lower -Terry points out the likely route of R672 to the enthralled gathering.
Middle - Joy checks out the adult play equipment on the recreation ground.
Top - Beneath one of the high clearance bridges, the group contemplate the tropical rain forest vegetation ahead.