“Wildboarclough Potter”

22nd, February, 2018: Thursday’s Potter.

This image has nothing to do with Jim’s outing, other than it was roughly in the area of his lead, and a picture including the great man himself.

'It is fairly rare that we start our runs from a new venue but today was the exception, the place of departure being the Vicarage Car Park in Wildboarclough. There are few signs left of any quarry-working but presumably it was stone that that was extracted for local building including the old calico works further up the clough and maybe Crag Hall itself. The quarry is close to a rather grand walled residence named on maps as the Vicarage though no longer having that purpose. it would be interesting to know a little more about this quiet, almost ignored part of the Clough. 

That being so, twelve runners, including two guests (Gill and Mark) set off led by Gentleman Jim in cold but dry conditions on what was to prove (in the words of one of our more experienced campaigners) 'a tough but interesting route'. Winding up field paths and lanes to the Forest Chapel, then down Toot Hill and following the stony paths leading to the Heronry, the group soon found itself looking up towards the majestic, imposing might of Shutlingloe. Not everyone felt joyous about this and soon the group became a long line, each individual thinking their own thoughts. Thankfully not all were shared with the leader. At the summit it was noticed that two potters, in an attempt to second-guess their leader had gone round Shutlingsloe, assuming the way back was along the Clough, but no, things were a little more complicated that that! Down the slope onto Piggford Moor went the leader and buoyed by tremendous long views the group headed over to Lower Nabbs and then down to the Crag Inn. A minor sting in the tail involving the short climb up the tarmac path towards Banktop was quickly replaced by the downward finish to the Clough and the car park. 

So that was that. No sign of the two wayward potters but their cars had gone. The others expressed content, either at the glories of a scenic morning's adventure, or simply that it was all over at last, and those with time to spare and tales to tell repaired to the Peak View café for well-deserved refreshments'. 

Jim Kelly