Timbersbrook

 

Timbersbrook is a popular area for short walks and picnicing near Bosley just on Congleton Edge forming the boundary between that part of Cheshire and Biddulph here in Staffordshire.

It bisects the Gritstone Trail and the Cloud, a pleasant short walk 

While today it may seem unspoilt unlike much of this area from industrialization actually it has a industrial past like much of the adjacent Staffordshire Moorlands.

The tall chimney of the Silver Springs Bleaching and Dyeing Works could be seen for miles around before it was demolished by Blaster Bates in 1966. Today Timbersbrook Picnic Area is a peaceful spot where families can picnic on the edge of young woodland.

The towns of Leek, Congleton and Macclesfield were centres for silk production with many mills.

Water from Timbers Brook was once used to power the silk mill and the old Mill Pool is now a locally important breeding pond for toads.

Inspection!

 The old days, older than me actually, and at the opening of the New District in Bramhall, Stockport, Cheshire, as part of the local reorganization of scouts, they are inspected with the lad on the right looking a bit apprehensive.

Nobody wants children and young people to be apprehensive but given we do have a uniform I really don't see what's wrong with the odd inspection, handled sensitively, so everybody is looking smart and looking smart still matters in much of society.

In time of course much reorganization happened although parts were over time  reversed but looking at pictures of troops between the decades you can see the slide in standards.

Flashes

 

Areas of salt mining such as those in cheshire in time leave areas of water known as "Flashes" which can be used for sailing or as in the "Salt Pan" in Sandbach form an area where waders such as Scoters and Gulls can be spotted in the spring.

Most are held by various fishing societies.

In the background the Crewe-Manchester railway line can be seen.

Delemere Forest

 

Delemere Forest occupies a chunk of Mid Cheshire west of the Towns of Winsford and Northwich  towards Frodsham and originally was much wider.

It is a place I like to walk in and was where I did orientering when I was younger in school as it was not far by school minibus and our school was keen on physical activities so we all had proper hiking socks, boots and outdoor jackets to wear .

We were issued with a map - and we did learn to read an OS Map too - and a compass with instructions to fins our way about learning to use indentifying features and to be independant.

We also did regular hikes too outside of those I did when at home with my parents.

There are a number of set trails to follow clearly labelled you can break down into chunks to suit your abilities.

I just love it.