A Walk on the Wet Side

The early stages of our walk took us along paths which were unfamiliar to many, past the conversion work at Tipperthwaite Barns, across the Giggleswick - Lancaster railway and Settle bypass. From here we climbed the bank which leads eventually to Craven Bank Lane via a series of styles which tested the limb movement span and agility of all of us. On the way we were unable to account for the reason behind the existence of the walled stand of trees, and we noted signs of old quarrying operations which are not shown on the maps.

Having crossed both the new main pipeline being installed by Yorkshire Water and its Giggleswick/Settle spur, via well organised but soggy crossing points, we reached Craven Bank Lane below High Rigg and the new Giggleswick Service Reservoir. This provided an excellent view of the original Giggleswick Tarn site and gave an opportunity to hear some of its history. Going on down the Lane we arrived at the Chapel Field of Giggleswick School. Here we heard the story of the Playing Field, both concerning its origin as a mini-tarn and the extensive work which was carried out in 1910/11 to provide the present facilities.

Close House was reached via Dallicar Lane and the other ancient pathways in this area, but the- information on the history of this group of farms and very old buildings was left for a later walk (p25). Passing under the bypass we noted the old cast iron beams still supporting the railway bridge at this point (Phoenix Foundry 1847). From here we crossed Carr Beck with its 2 old bridges and climbed back to Paley Green Lane and thence to Craven Ridge Lane.

Harold Foxcroft