The Rossendale Rambler

In the 50's, the 1950's that is, I was employed in a large printing works in Leeds. I should say that my body was employed in the printing works but my spirit was on the moors and fells of my native Yorkshire where I spent every available period of relief from the daily grind. The reason for my introduction to the wild places of Yorkshire, particularly the Dales was the discovery of a writer on Yorkshire called Alfred J. Brown, whose books are now out of print and who died some years ago.

My passion for walking and the travels of AJ, as he was known to us, was shared by two other printers and on a number of occasions as we huddled together discussing our plans for the weekend or a bank holiday, we were often "advised" by the foreman to make our way from the Dales back to our places of work. Those of you who have worked on the shop floor in industry will be familiar with the wit and wisdom of the typical shop floor foreman, which is legendary.

The first of AJ's volumes I read was "Striding through Yorkshire" which was an account of his travels throughout Yorkshire, from the Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland borders, (remember this was the 1950's, and even earlier) to the Yorkshire coast. His style was so compelling that it was a book that I could not put down and besides being a "good read" was an excellent guide to the moors, fells, dales and wolds of that great county. AJ's ideal day was spent walking from one dale to another "ower’t tops", and then staying in a village inn where he ate beef and pickles, washed down by copious amounts of good Yorkshire ale. I couldn't wait to emulate the feats of my 'guru' and on Good Friday, 1955 I literally set out from my front door to walk the length and breadth of the Yorkshire dales. I had with me a friend, who was to die tragically in a climbing accident in the Lake District some years later, and who was from the south of England. I think we walked about 30 miles on the first day and my friend’s feet were a sight for sore eyes that evening.

The following year I completed the famous three peaks of Yorkshire, walking from Dent via Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen Y Ghent in a straight line, completing my walk at Stainforth Youth hostel, where I regaled anyone who cared to listen to me about my epic walk. Prior to commencing my walk I had spent the night in a farmhouse where the farmer charged me seven shillings (35p) for supper, bed and breakfast on condition I got up with him at some unearthly hour; suffice it to say I was on the hills before sunrise and spent a glorious spring day tramping the three peaks. AJ would have been proud of me !

Back to The Rossendale Rambler Contents Page

Back to The Rossendale Ramblers Home Page