Geographical Outings, 1954
Although the British weather this summer has reached a new nadir, and complaints from all and sundry connected with holidays are legion, we have to report a highly successful season of activities, not the least of the reasons for which was the undoubtedly favourable weather.
Our first expeditions occurred in the Easter holidays, the by this time traditional Fourth and Fifth Form outings to the Lake District and the Ingleton region respectively. On the former, we visited Langdale and were just in time to see the famous Pikes, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell, before a low mist from Scafell obscured them from view. This year we essayed to walk by Rydal Water, over Red Bank and so to Grasmere village and were promptly rained on for our effrontery, but all agreed that the effort was worthwhile for the views of the lakes and surrounding peaks. The return to Windermere for tea, by way of Dunmail Raise, Vale of St. John's, Ullswater, Patterdale and Kirkstone Pass, was as impressive as ever, and whilst losing nothing by repetition, is always awe-inspiring to one viewing it for the first time.
The first essential towards the success of the Ingleton outing is good visibility, and under such conditions we began the walk from Clapham village, strolling for the first mile, puffing up Trow Gill, and after the visit to Gaping Ghyll, toiling up the steep grassy slope, eventually gaining Inglebroough summit. Even on a hot summer's day, I have never known it really warm on top, and so it was no wonder that shelter from the bitter wind was rapidly sought as we paused to eat our lunches. The great majority of the party were keen to complete the optional section of the walk later in the afternoon around Thornton Force waterfall and down the glen to Ingleton village where they arrived prepared to do full justice to a substantial meal, before departing for home.
During the short Whitsun break, we took the opportunity of paying a. visit to the historic city of York, this time with a group of the Third Form. Organised parties visited the Minster and the excellent Castle Museum, whilst several small groups visited other places of interest, such as the Railway Museum and St. Mary's Abbey ruins, a good number touring much of the city wall examining the gates en route. We were very fortunate in that our visit coincided with the final preparations for the York Cycle of Mystery Plays. In the open-air, with the background of the ruined nave of St. Mary's Abbey, minor dress-rehearsals were in progress all over the green turf which was the stage, whilst scores of workmen were still erecting scaffolding, to provide seating accommodation for the audiences. These incidents gave us a unique opportunity of observing medieval costume as well as making
A new and smaller-scale outing has been introduced this year, taking advantage of the cheap excursions organised by the Manchester Ramblers' Association in collaboration with the British Railways. These have been attended by members of the Sixth Form and the first had as destination Grassington and middle Wharfedale, where we visited Linton, Burnsall and Hebden with their attractive old-world buildings, and also had time to investigate the distinctive reef-knolls characteristic of Craven, for the collection of some excellent shell fossils. In September we went to Settle and walked over the green turf to Feizor and Austwick, north of which, on Norber plateau, we observed the glacial erratics and perched blocks, great glacier-transported blocks of stone now resting on limestone plinths. This was a most enjoyable outing, with excellent weather conditions, especially the invigorating breezes, and we were able to cover about twelve miles of fine, open country such as only the Northern Pennines can offer. Not until we reached Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station did the weather break. On October 24th we hope to make the last of our expeditions, thus bringing to an end a very successful and profitable season.
R. WELLS.