Sunny Hollow and the New Dam Walking with my sister and my brother

 Sunny Hollow and the New Dam Walking with my sister and my brother

08/07/24

What a treat, a local walk with Mary and Peter.

Starting from the High Street Dodworth we head down Polyfoxes towards Dodworth Bottom. A lovely start to the day not too hot, not too cold and sunny.

Up Snow Hill and through Intake Crescent we emerge into the countryside opposite Stainborough Low.

This is all familiar ground for us and we even remembered where our childhood friends lived on the way through Intake Crescent. Time has passed though and the landscape has changed beyond recognition from the landscape of our childhood. No mines or pit heaps to be seen.

Whats left of Sunny Hollow, no dam, no bankings and industrial buildings bordering the hollow haven't improved the outlook at all. If I am honest I would say it is worse today than 60 years ago but, rose tinted glasses alert, afterall this was our playground. 

Three kids walking through childhood memories.

  We ascend the bank toward the lane leading to the stables and continue past the quarry toward the Dam Fields.

We pass over the disused railway and into Falthwaite Bottoms. A good farmer passes us in his tractor whilst we are walking down the side of his field and stops spraying as he is passing us although the boom was quite close. We later saw him sprayimg the same area. Sorry Mr Farmer for causing you more work but thank you for not spraying us.

After the New Dam we joined the Trans Pennine Trail and headed towards Silkstone Common. We met a dog called Ted who was very friendly. Actually there were quite a few dog walkers almost exclusively female which is great to see.

Looking back towards Stainborough Low over some beautiful rural scenery we made our way to the cafe at Moor End.

The cafe is attached to a stables where some building work was being carried out. The cafe was very modern and comfortable and the almond tart and decaf was great, thanks Mary.

We passed though Silkstone Common past the swing park where a wonderful little wire haired terrier called George, barked at us but all the time wanted us to fuss him. Loved him, what a great little character. Anyway back to the walk, we went up a short hill to Hall Royd, Mary assuring us that this was known as the Bump of Barnsley because it was the highest point of the borough. 

It was a steep little hill and  from the viewing point at Hold Royd we did seem to be on a level if not higher than Emley Moor in the distance. 

The road lead us up Champany Hill and into Silkstone Fall Wood. 

Through the wood hugging the railway we headed towards the Church at Dodworth.

After the church we headed along Green Road towards the Travellers which Peter informed us is up for sale. 

On the other side of the road from the Travellers is the chapel Peter is associated with and the bungalow that is on the site of the old council yard. As we passed the Church earlier Peter had reminisced about the year he was working for Dodworth Council in the summer holidays and they had him digging graves by spade in the rain, bones and all, whilst his boss was in the hut drinking tea. How times have changed.

This is a picture of what once was Green Road School now residences. Not a pleasant school with unpleasant teachers is my abiding memory but we had transferred there from Grove Street in Barnsley which was an excellent school with fantastic teachers. To be fair the kids at Green Road were great it was just the teachers who were followers of the philosophy of Wackford Squeers and had a similar approach to education.

Finally nearly back to the start on High Street. The soldier at Dodworth is a local landmark and Peter helps to paint the railings and cut the grass. We discussed the library in the background which was such a pivotal part of our childhood. There were memories inhabiting every yard of this walk and I feel privilaged to have shared it with my brother and sister.

Distance	7.2	miles
Duration	2.51	hours
Avg. Speed	2.87	mph
Total Ascent	595	ft
Steps	16085