Twisted Folk

I guess ‘come up north and walk some serious hills’ is a red-rag to me. My own background being brought up on the Pennines, prompting from Boff of Chumbawamba,a fell-runner and Reluctant Rambler and this image of walking the spine of England all coalesced and it was just a matter of when. I knew I would take in the highest points and drop down into the valleys East and West for gigs. When Shepley Festival came in I had my Northern point and Off The Tracks, Derby, a week later my finishing point, and when friends Graham and Vanya suggested their place at Rushton Spencer as a starting point and first gig I had my classic horseshoe -shaped route, up the west side and down the east. This is a gigging-tour, with walks and you are welcome to any part of it.. on top of Kinder-Scout in mist, a lunchtime pub, the short descent down The Heights of Abraham into Matlock..be great if you join us anywhere but especially be at the gigs.These are my thoughts on each day…

Tues 17th 5-6pm Meet, maps, greet, gig

Wed 18th Following the beautiful Dane Valley into the Peaks , calling at the moorland pub The Cat and Fiddle then over Shining Tor [great name] and along the high ridge above the Goyt Valley and down into the Hope Valley. A stunning first day. gig The navigation Inn, Buxworth

Thurs 19th A day when we need the weather.. up over Kinder Scout , scene of the mass trespass in the 1930′s. The real up land heart of England or soggy peat-bog [or both] , you decide. With Kinder low 633 metres the highest point of the whole 9 days this will be strenuous and you better have your waterproofs. Give it a try or just be there at The Globe in Glossop with a pint as we arrive.

Frid 20th Crossing Longdendale and over into the Chew valley begins the start of a pilgrimage into my home area, often driven but never walked. playing the Social Club of the famous Dobcross Brass Band, an honour.

Sat 21st Over Saddleworth Moor and into the Wessenden Valley, passed Meltham and into Holmfirth. Saddleworth moor has unfortunate connotations, though it never reminds me of that. It has a stark, often bleak beauty. This walk will have a special resonance for me and will touch on many of my earliest exploratory memories but this is a big landscape of dramatic moorland and ribbon-valleys so come judge for yourselves. Evening pint in The Nook.

Sun 22nd Meet outside the Picturedrome, scene of some excellent Oysterband nights and a gentle 2 hour walk to Shepley to gig in the afternoon. Try join us.
the evening of the 22nd at Shepley will be the planning/ talking through the 2nd half of the walk. Its the turning point and we head south and east.

Mon 23rd A walk into South Yorkshire, connecting some of my favourite places but a walk I have never done. From the strange tableland around Ingbirchworth and Thurlstone into the high moors of Bradfield and The Strines. Check us out at lunchtime at The Old Mustard Pot at Midhopestones jusy off the A616. Walk with us into Bradfield to meet the excellent Phil Beer, who has let us share his gig.

Tue 24th One of those iconic Sheffield walks.. up out of the Bradfield valley and alomg Stanage Edge with great views of the High peak out to the West and down to Hathersage. Will Phil walk ?? Will anyone be with me by this point? Hope so. See you in the Millstone.

Wed 25th A day that has been in my mind for some time. crossing the River Drwent over the stepping stones then up and out onto Eyam Moor. The story of Eyam, the plague village, has been in my conscience since childhood and the Derbyshire Dales always had an air of mystery for a Yorkshire kid brought up on coach tours to mines and caves in the area. Out to Monsal Head takes us into the real Dales and the lunchtime stop comes recommended. The Stables Bar I am told. Lets hope on this journey we find real pubs and not the half-closed, resentful 7-9.30 dining places we encountered in the Cotswolds. Surely we need another symbol for them on the OS maps. Any ideas? Join us for the afternoon walk down Monsal Dale following the River Wye into Bakewell..

Thurs 26th Over into Lathkill Dale [great name] to Youlgrave and then follow the Limestone Trail SE to Winster..a place resonant with tunes, processions, dances in my head. Lunch at the pub, which we think is called The Miner’s Standard… sounds promising, lets hope. Join us here and walk the Limestone Trail , finishing with a descent down the Heights of Abraham [stormed by General Wolfe in the seige of Quebec] into Matlock.

We have guests joining us along the way and some great talent supporting us at the gigs, we may even get them walking. See you out there. JJ