WALKS WITH NELLIE ~ BONSALL TO BRASSINGTON ~ BY SALLY MOSLEY

I couldn’t have asked for a better day to complete the third stage in my epic challenge. There was a hard frost, no rain and no mud!

Returning to Bonsall my walk with Nellie to Brassington was just over five miles in length, beginning at Fountain Square before heading up The Dale to just past the Ebenezer Chapel which has a date plaque of 1893. From here we ascended a narrow path to follow a stretch of the Limestone Way. This then led us through a long succession of fields with many old and interesting stiles as well as easily accessible little gates.

Bonsall Moor is pock-marked with old mine shafts and scattered with gorgeous small field barns. In late spring the traditional hay meadows thereabouts sprout a carpet of colourful wild flowers. Some of the lead mines had fascinating names such as Jacob’s Dream, Beans and Bacon, Old Eye, Fiery Dragon and Cod Beat.

We eventually emerged onto Wood Lane which forms the main road through Ible. This was probably an old packhorse route that kept to high ground before the Via Gellia was laid in the valley below around 1790–1793 by Philip Eyre Gell of Hopton Hall to connect his lead mines and stone quarries near Wirksworth with the Cromford Canal.

Nellie and I proceeded to walk through Ible, passing an impressive row of 12 troughs known as the Twelve Apostles. These have provided a welcome drink to horses and ponies passing through and Nellie was very grateful for a slurp. The village retains several traditional farms with animals kept in small stone barns and outbuildings.

We continued along, now following Grange Lane, descending to its end at Grange Mill where the old mill building and storage pond beyond can still be seen.

Dominating the nearby crossroads is the attractive Hollybush Inn which dates from the 18th century and is Grade II listed. This former coaching inn reputedly once held a lock-up for holding prisoners overnight when being transported from Derby to Manchester gaols. Opposite is another listed building. Now holiday lets, this was originally a cheese factory and a large cheese press can still be seen at its front.

Nellie and I crossed over to a bridlepath signposted for Middleton. For some distance this follows the route of the prehistoric portway that I have referred to on numerous occasions, and as I walked along, I felt that I was walking in the footsteps of my early forefathers. The Via Gellia was closed to traffic when I did this walk so it was eerily quiet in the deep and densely wooded valley down to our left which is being significantly thinned of decaying ash trees.

The Limestone Way now passed over the ridge top to our right not far from a cluster of strange shaped rocks. This part of the White Peak is known for its naturally formed and jagged limestone outcrops created by erosion. Also, for its limestone quarries.

The Ben Bennett company can trace its origins back to 1883. It began working the Grange Mill Quarry site in 1935 and since that time has been operated by six generations of the Bennett family. Next door is Longcliffe Quarry, founded in 1927 by John Shields. It too is still family-owned and managed by the founder's descendants.

It was absolutely wonderful as we now walked across several large fields of rich pasture. Being elevated I enjoyed fabulous far reaching views for miles around. The footpath brought us to the High Peak Trail which we crossed straight over. Away to our left Harboro Rocks with its trig point summit looked an impressive rocky eminence.

Nellie and I continued to follow the Limestone Way, now passing over a little knoll before going through a small farmyard and heading down its drive to emerge onto Manystones Lane. It was then not far to walk roadside to enter Brassington.

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Sally Mosley

FOOTNOTE BY NELLIE: I was just enjoying a lovely walk with mum when she stopped to chat to some other humans of a similar age and with similar interests. That was it for what seemed like ages as they put the world to rights. It was so boring!! Suddenly I was overcome with nausea which is not like me as I’ve a cast iron stomach. I started heaving and retching noisily. Conversation stopped as all eyes were on me. Eventually a long strand of grass half emerged that I’d eaten earlier. Not wanting to waste it I had a quick chew and swallowed it back down. Mum looked embarrassed. The other humans turned strangely green before quickly walking away. I must remember this new party trick for the future. With love from your ‘up-chuck’ drama queen! xx