Shirland Fri. 28 Feb. 2025

Shirland

Friday 28 February 2025

5.7 miles Leader John M.

Weather 10°C. Sunny

No on walk 21 + 2 Dogs

From 'Diary walks'

After a brief introduction and safety talk by our leader, we set off from the Red Lion car park in Shirland and walked out of the village towards Dog Lane. The Lane, a farm track really, had quite a bit of surplus water and mud along it, so much so, that some, instead, made use of a nearby fallow field for a short way. After about a half mile we turned south, the full sun blazing brightly before us and made our way past, Park Lane and Sebastopol farms. We stopped in the field before, Shirland Lodge Farm, for our morning break. John pointing out that the farmhouse here dates back to the 17 c and unusually, for the period, was built with bricks, instead of stone, it is a listed building.

With our relaxing break over, we passed by the Lodge, then to cross over the busy B6025. Still heading south, we walked beside the sewage farm, turning right into Meadows Lane Industrial Estate. Keeping ahead, we reached Alfreton Town Cemetery. Here we turned right to walk through it and eventually along town streets to reach the imposing parish church of St. Martin. We stopped to admire the lovely beds of Snowdrops and then walked around the west end of the church, into grassy fields. Now to follow a long diagonal path, beside Pond Wood, whilst hearing the church clock striking twelve as we did so. We crossed over Alfreton Brook by way of a sturdy concrete bridge, going on towards Shirland Golf Course. Now with less than a mile to go, we passed by the golf course to our left and Lower and Upper Delves to the right. We followed the good surfaced track back into Shirland using the tower of the parish church of St. Leonards, built circa 12c., as our landmark guide back to the Red Lion car park. Thanks to them for the use of the car park. A few of us did venture in afterwards for some light refreshment. Thank you to John for organising and leading the walk on this splendid day. Long may it shine!

Ten pictures by John M.