A heavy shower of rain thankfully soon cleared ahead of our walk. Our starting point was the Ash Inn at Mow Cop, and the planned 4 mile walk led by Jill Jones was to be followed by the group's AGM and then a lunchtime buffet at this venue. 29 walkers met for the walk, including a newcomer to the group, and then additional members joined in for the meeting afterwards.
Crossing over the road from the pub car park, we took the narrow pathway up and over to Chapel Bank, and then along additional hilly roads to reach the car park below Mow Cop Castle, with its surrounding views. We followed footpaths around this area and then we descended to pass by the hillside memorial relating to the air crash that took place on the 20th October 1998. This was a pilot's test flight, but when it was returning to base flying at a low level, it crashed into the rising ground of Mow Cop. The names of the French Instructor and the Spanish student who both died in the crash are named on the plaque.
Reaching Congleton Road we crossed into Church Lane and then via lanes and fields into Newpool Road, Knypersley. We continued uphill to reach Tower Hill Road, and turned right onto this narrow section, to a stile on the left. There were to be more stiles to follow (19 in total!) but they were mainly in a good state of repair. Reaching Holly Lane, we then took the fieldpath onto High Street, Harriseahead, and then a further footpath going uphill to Fords Lane at the rear of the Ash Inn.
A lovely local walk, on what became a pleasant morning, ahead of the social meeting.
Gillian Gibbons