WALKS WITH NELLIE ~ BY SALLY MOSLEY ~ BRADWELL

This is not intended as a walk guide

As a change from my usual amble as ‘one woman and her dog’, for this walk I was joined by a friend who brought along Zep, a young retriever. He was gentle, calm and a good influence on naughty Nellie who was surprisingly on best behaviour for a change.

We met near the playing field on Town Lane in Bradwell, then walked up to the junction where there is a narrow pinch between houses as a road bends around to the Ye Olde Bowling Green Inn. Said to be one of the oldest pubs in the valley, it dates back to 1577 when there was just a small alehouse here with a slaughterhouse to the rear. I’ve been told that it is known to locals as simply ‘The Green’.

Instead of going up past the pub we went straight ahead at the junction along Mich Low Lane which after passing Michlow Orchard became an undulating path between fields before descending into dark woodland where moss covers a series of lumpy bumpy spoil heaps, now hidden beneath the trees.

Although there was a bit of a hum and occasional machine noise from the cement works, it was a mainly peaceful and tranquil route with the sound of birds singing in the trees or flitting about in the undergrowth.

We walked to the rear of some industrial buildings and caught sight of the iconic chimney which rises some 132 metres into the sky, a long established landmark of the Hope Valley.

Taking heed of warning signs and keeping to the bridlepath which was clearly signposted we made our way to Pindale, emerging at Pindale Cottage with its date stone of 1854. Centuries ago the main road from Castleton to Hope would have passed through Pindale as the valley below was marshland and bog. It later became a hive of industrial activity.

From here we headed directly uphill beside Black Rabbit Barn on a very stony track that seemed to ascend for ages but was most definitely worth it! Pin Dale Scrins on the Dirtlow Rake is a Scheduled Monument and SSSI of national importance as it contains rare plant life that has adapted to the metal rich soils found hereabouts. Worked from at least the 16th century, the scrins are where narrow veins of lead ore were worked close to the surface.

We emerged onto Pindale Road and followed this up toward Bradwell Moor. It was a very quiet lane which gave us the opportunity to have a catch-up natter as well as sharing distant views and interesting sights together.

Our industrial heritage walk continued around the perimeter of the cement works quarry as I took my friend to see the viewing platform where it is possible to look into the bowels of these limestone hills, peering down through millions of years of geology. This quarry is said to be Britain’s leading independent supplier of cement, concrete and aggregates, producing 1.5 million tonnes of cement annually. It must surely be the largest employer in the area and was established in 1929. Extracting limestone and shale laid down some 330 million years ago; the quarry is 170 metres deep and has 13 working faces like terraces or steps laid out into the side of the hill.

After returning to the lane we walked past Paradise Farm and Within House which are surrounded by fabulous old hay meadows. We then began our descent into Bradwell. The village is a muddle of quaint and quirky properties. Terraces of old miners cottages snuggle in beside beautifully built individual houses of varying architectural styles, tucked away alongside chapels, a church, meeting rooms and shops. There are lots of roses around doorways as well as fabulous gardens to nosey at.

All roads and paths seem to gravitate down to the main street, no doubt a hub of the village. We ended up, or should that be down, at Smithy Hill where a Presbyterian Chapel is said to date back in parts to 1666 that was built for the ‘Apostle of the Peak’, the Rev. William Bagshawe.

Bradwell is still a working village with a history of manufacture and enterprise dating back centuries. It is recorded that in the 19th century there were six factories in Bradwell producing ‘Bradders’ which were wide brimmed hats worn by lead miners. The last hatter died in 1899. It was also the home of the paragon umbrella invention and delicious Bradwell’s Ice Cream which sadly melted away in 2022.

Sally Mosley

FOOTNOTE BY NELLIE: I just might be in love again! Zep was the perfect gentleman, prancing and parading around me as we walked. Later he nibbled my ears and I even let him share my treats which is a sure sign of approval. Zep-a-dee-doo-dah, zep-a-dee-ay. My, oh, my, what a wonderful day. Slurps and burps to all the handsome dogs I’ve come across so far that have fallen for my canine charms, but Zep now takes the biscuit in more ways than one!