Midge Walkers

Walk No.  184

Lostock Hall & Farrington 28-07-2024  

 With the previous week having seen signs of Summer with notably high  temperatures, Sunday the 28th was fortunately a little cooler. 9 members  assembled in the car park at the end of Todd Lane South ready for the off at  1.50pm. Walking alongside the River Lostock through St Catherines Park, we  emerged on to Watkins Lane and turned left towards the roundabout. After  crossing the road, we continued along Farrington Road to a turning on the  left leading us into Fowler Avenue. The new Lancashire Cricket project set to  accommodate up to 5,000 spectators was being worked on immediately  behind the properties on this former quiet lane, set to be completed in 2  years. This was another development which had sprung up since our last   visit.

 At the junction with Fowler Lane, we branched right, following the road to  cross a rail bridge where the Leyland Truck site could be viewed to the left,  continuing under an underpass to the road junction with Croston Road.  Crossing into Church Lane and passing the Anglican Church of St Pauls on  the right and the Whitfire Shaving and Sawdust site on the left, immediately  after which we passed through a gate leading us beside the former fishing  lodges which now were covered with algae and probably no longer suitable  for any angling club’s use. Reaching a junction on the path we took the  higher route leading to what we were told was the highest point in South  Ribble. Here a bench seat provided a suitable stopping point for our   refreshment break.

 Resuming our journey and reaching Lodge Lane, we turned right and  crossed the rail line to subsequently arrive at Penwortham Way where we  turned right. Walking along the grass verge we deviated along a path behind  the hedge, bringing us into Brook Lane and subsequently Chain House Lane.  Turning to the left and crossing the road, a path between No 42 and No 44  led us behind the properties and alongside what appeared to be deserted  greenhouses into an open field. Crossing a footbridge into the next field, at  the end of which a stile brought us into Moss Lane to pass Holme Farm  Dairies and then to Bee Lane where we turned right.

 Walking to the end brought us to a mini roundabout on Leyland Rd where we  crossed into The Cawsey. This road formerly leading to the Old Gas Works is  now lined with hundreds of new properties and building is still taking place.  At a bridge, a path down onto the Old Tram Rd allowed us to turn right and  continue along the tree lined route to emerge on to Todd Lane North.  Turning  to the right and continuing to the traffic lights at Brownedge Rd, we  crossed  into Todd Lane South, leading over the rail bridge to pause at  Townsway,  being the home of one of the walkers.

 The considerable warmth combined with the exertions of the afternoon  seemed to have contributed to a thirst which could only be satisfied by  copious quantities of cold drinks and sitting for a while in the hosts back  garden. Despite many exaggerations as to the distance covered the   organisers insisted on a figure of around 5.5 miles.  

 This had once again been an enjoyable afternoon in convivial company and  our thanks are duly recorded to the organisers.