Sunday, 6th August 2023
| Walk: | North end of Cuerden Valley Park, along footpaths and past the lake to Sheephill Lane, footpath to Lower Kem Mill, over the River Lostock to Blackthorn Croft, along Wood End Road to Glenmore and back to Clayton Green | ||
| Start Point: | Clayton Green Asda car park | Grid Reference: | SD 575 236 |
| Distance: | 4.6 miles | Ascent: | 283 feet |
| Time: | 2.5 hours | ||
| Weather: | Overcast but quite warm | ||
| Comments: | Returning to a previously walked route through woodland and along footpaths it was disappointing to find the whole area overgrown and in need of attention. North of Sheep Hill Lane had suffered from vandalism and the ponds and River Lostock were full of weeds, etc. South of Sheep Hill Lane was in better condition but the ruins at Kem Mill are disappearing into the long grass. | ||
South of Sheep Hill Lane the grass has just been cut, leaving a much better impression than the earlier part of the walk
The ruins of Kem Mill are all that remains of a Victorian print works that also incorporated its own bleach croft.
Visitors today can make out the footprints of many of the main buildings in the complex that sits beside the River Lostock
The first record of bleaching and dyeing on the site is in 1784.
By 1850, the mill was expanded with new buildings added along with an additional lodge (mill pond). Fourteen years later, more buildings were constructed and filter beds and settling tanks were added. The final changes took place nine years later.
Much of what remains in place today is concerned with the bleaching process,
which lies alongside the large lodge and the River Lostock.
Leaving Cuerden Valley behind . . .
the woodland provides a goodopportunity . . .
for Luna to get into the picture
This pond brings back memories of the grandchildren (who are now 23 and 28) feeding the ducks!
Another memory . . .
of where I lived from 1991 . . .
to 2016 . . .
and further back in time . . .
another reminder . . .
of where I used to live . . .
but changes are now being made . . .
by the present owners who came out for a chat!