Natural England - Martin Doughty Memorial Walk – Sunday 11 October 2009
Martin Doughty Memorial Walk – Sunday 11 October 2009
21 August 2009
The memorial event will start at New Mills Town Hall at 10am, with the local walks, fell run and buses to Hayfield starting promptly at 10.30am, please don`t be late.
Sir Martin Doughty, the father of modern conservation and founding Chair of Natural England, died of cancer on 4th March 2009, aged 59
To celebrate Martin’s legacy, Natural England, The National Trust, Derbyshire County Council and the Peak District National Park Authority will be organising a commemorative event in the Peak District on Sunday 11th October 2009.
The 11 October would have been Martin`s 60th birthday and we are planning an informal family day out with walks for all abilities and a fell run on and around Kinder Scout. Fittingly, this was the scene of the 1932 Mass Trespass and the catalyst for the creation of our National Parks.
Details of the day are listed below. If you would like to join please contact us on Commemorative.walk@naturalengland.org.uk letting us know how many people will be attending and which walk you would like to join.
Programme for the day
| 9.30 – 10.00 | Congregate at New Mills Town Hall |
| 10.00 - 10.15 | Welcome and introduction to the day's events |
| 10.15 – 10.30 | Unveiling of a commemorative sundial by, Nick Hodgson Chief Executive Derbyshire County Council |
| 10.30 | Walks and run commence |
| 14.30 | Ceremony at Kinder Downfall for those walking routes 4 and 5. |
| 16.00 – 18.00 | Return to Royal Hotel Hayfield, for refreshments and opportunity to sample the specially named Martin`s White Hare Bitter. |
For those returning to New Mills there will also be an opportunity to sample another specially named beer `Martin`s Favourite New Mills Bitter` at the Beehive, Albion Rd, New Mills.
We would like to take to take the opportunity to say a special thanks to both Dave Botham, owner of the Beehive and the Ash family, owners of the Royal Hotel, for providing these specially named beers.
Buses will be running from Hayfield bus station to New Mills Town Hall and the train stations throughout the day.
The walks
In order to accommodate all abilities we are arranging five different walks.
Download a map of the routes. 
- Historic tour of New Mills (1 hour) and then a visit to Martin`s Wood (2 hours) - (easy)
- New Mills to Hayfield along Sett Valley Trail (3 miles) - (easy)
- Circular Reservoir walk from Hayfield (6 miles) - (moderate)
- Circular Summit walk from Hayfield (9 miles) - (strenuous)
- Linear walk from Snake Summit to Hayfield (9.5 miles) - (moderate)
1. Historic tour of New Mills (1 hour) and then a visit to Martin`s Wood (2 hours)
Barry Joyce , Conservation and Design Manager for Derbyshire County council and local historian Dr Derek Brumhead will be leading a 1 hour (approx) walk leaving from the Town Hall , along Market Street, with small detours to the Heritage Centre and then down to the bottom of the Torrs. It will then continue along the Millenium Walkway to the railway station where they will hand over to the Derbyshire County Council Rangers who will lead the party to 'Martin's Wood’, at Mousely Bottom then back to the Town Hall with the option of visiting in Goytside Meadows and other areas of interest.
Grade: Easy - some slopes and steep stairs; stout shoes recommended.
2. New Mills to Hayfield along Sett Valley Trail (3 miles)
Derbyshire County Council Rangers will be leading a walk (2 hrs approx) from New Mills to Hayfield along the historic Sett Valley trail. This bridleway, which is fairly flat, follows the route of the former railway branch line which closed in 1970. The walk will finish at the Royal Hotel Hayfield with regular buses returning to New Mills.
Grade: Easy - a few slopes and steps; stout shoes recommended
3. Circular Reservoir walk from Hayfield (6 miles)
Starting in the Royal Hotel car park and led by the Peak District Ranger Service the route goes up to Kinder Reservoir to the bottom of William Clough which was the route taken by the Mass Trespassers in 1932. The route then crosses moorland, passing an old shooting cabin before dropping down the Snake Path and back to the start of the walk alongside the banks of the River Sett.
Grade: Moderate - some steep slopes and uneven footing on open ground. Walking boots and warm waterproof clothing are essential
4. Circular Summit walk from Hayfield (9 miles)
Starting at the Royal Hotel car park, this walk will be led by the National Trust and Peak District NPA Rangers. The walk follows the route of the Mass Trespass up William Clough to the edge of the Kinder Plateau to join the Pennine Way and then onto Kinder Downfall where there will be a short commemorative ceremony at 14.30. The route then follows the western edge of the plateau to Redbrook and down a rough stony track before dropping down to Tunstead Clough Farm and back along the road to the start of the walk.
Grade: Strenuous - includes some steep ascents on rough ground; walking boots and warm clothing are essential
5. Linear walk from Snake Summit to Hayfield (9.5 miles)
This route starts with a 45 minute bus journey from New Mills Town Hall to Snake summit. From here rangers will lead groups past Moss Castle to the Pennine Way. The route then turns left to follow the path up to Kinder Downfall where there will be a short commemorative ceremony at 14.30. The route then follows the western edge of the plateau along the Pennine Way returning to Hayfield via Edale Cross.
Grade: Moderate – on a good footpath but includes some steep ascents on rough ground, walking boots and warm clothing are essential.
Martin's Run
Andy Howie from Hayfield races has very kindly arranged a fell run which will start at New Mills Town Hall at 10.30 and finish at the Royal Hotel, Hayfield. The 20km run will take in a wide variety of local scenery with some exceptional views across the Goyt and Sett Valleys and the Kinder massif. The run will be a social occasion with plenty of opportunities to pause and enjoy the view; those wishing to race will also be catered for with times being taken at the start and finish.
Please download the map for further information, including route details and kit requirements .
If you have any questions please contact Andy Howie, tel: 01663 742138 or email: andyhowie@talktalk.net
For information on local fell races visit the Hayfield Fell Races website http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/~temples/hc/
Accommodation
Limited accommodation is available on the evening of the 10 October at http://www.peakdistrict.org/index/losehill.htm with transport available to New Mills on the morning 11th. Please call Pat or Jane on 01433 620373/453 or email pat.smith@peakdistrict.gov.uk if you would like to book a room.
Additional accommodation can be found via the www.visitpeakdistrict.com website.
If you are staying in accommodation please make sure that you arrange a packed lunch as the opportunities to purchase food on the day will be limited.
Transport
Rail. There are regular trains from Manchester and Sheffield to New Mills. Both train stations – New Mills Central and New Mills Newtown - are about 15 minutes walk away from the Town Hall. Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for further information.
Buses. There are also bus services into the Peak District from many other towns and cities. You can find out more by visiting the website www.peakdistrict.org/index/visiting/publictransport.htm for further information
Car. There is limited parking around New Mills Town Hall so please ensure you allow plenty of time to find a suitable parking place. There is plenty of parking in and around Hayfield for those who will be arriving late or only joining us for the walks.
Being prepared
Food and clothing. Please come properly prepared for an autumnal day in the hills with suitable warm, waterproof clothing and footwear, your own food and enough water. Please note that opportunities to purchase food on the day will be limited.
Emergency procedures. The PDNPA Ranger service and Mountain Rescue will be providing guides and support on the day.
Contact us. If you have any questions about the event please contact us on Commemorative.walk@naturalengland.org.uk .
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Sir Martin Doughty (1949 – 2009)
Father of modern conservation remembered