New Year Cobweb Blower 2012

4 Rangers out: Ann, Ken, Laurence and Peter. 5 members of the public including Chris and Jenny, two of the regulars.

We left Herrington Country Park at 10.30, crossed Chester Road and walked around the south side of Penshaw Hill to Grimstone Banks. We discussed the local quarries and the origins of Penshaw Monument on the way. Climbing down Grimstone Banks, we passed the old Cox Green/Offerton School and crossed the dismantled Sunderland to Penshaw railway. In Copperas Gill we talked abut the Copperas factory, from which the gill takes its name. There are still ruins from these works to be found nearby. Some of the group spotted some large Puff Balls in the gill.

From Copperas Gill we followed the riverside to Cox Green. There was a pair of Teal on the opposite bank and Mallards and Cormorants were on the river.

We had an early bait stop at Cox Green, as this was the only decent spot we were likely to find.

At Cox Green, we talked about Keel Boats, shipbuilding, the ferry, the footbridge and the origins of Alice well. I have hears three differing stories about the name of the well. In the early 1800’s, there was an Alice Lambton Born and this may tie in with the date on the well of the late 1800’s: Lewis Carol had friends who were landowners in the area and they had a daughter, Alice, who inspired the character of Alice in Wonderland and the well could have been named after her, finally, the well was named after the wife of the man who built it. Take your choice! But please inform me if you can verify anything.

Continuing toward Victoria Bridge, we examined the old coal drops, the village of Low Lambton and the quarry tunnels, 6 of which I know the locations of.

Victoria Bridge was named as the last stone was laid on Queen Victoria’ Coronation day.

We walked as far as long Reach and turned up to Penshaw, still examining waggonways, then followed the dismantled railway before turning up to Penshaw Village, up Hill Lane and back by Penshaw Hill to the Country Park.

A very enjoyable walk, with mild to warm weather.