Gawber RFM Blue Line Walking with the kids


 Gawber 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with the kids

17/02/26





Its a cold winters day bright and welcoming. We parked in the Seam carpark and headed to Lacey's appartment on Regent's Street.

The town hall looks splendid and despite Orwell's condemnation we Barnsley folk are proud of it.



Heading up towards the Tech we passed Dickie forever giving every passer bye out.
On Huddersfield Road the NUM building stands as a monument to a passed industry and community.


Mary's old school the Barnsley Girls High still stands as a residential complex unlike Holgate where we brothers went which is demolished.

We headed through Wilthorpe towards the valley bottom.
Our route was blocked but a passing walker told us the tunnel got to the same destination. This wasn't mud it was a quagmire. My granddaughters are unphased by the mud and just follow me through the mire.


This was the first of a few diversions today that would add a couple of miles to the route.

Looking across the green space towards Mapplewell so close to the town centre is a pure joy.





All the way to Barugh Bridge was rough pasture with some horses and cows who all watched us but were calm and relaxed. 

This was our only sighting of the River Dearne despite travelling a few miles along its valley bottom. It was high but not in flood.
This villa at Low Barugh looks Elizabethan but dates from 1857.

Our second detour of the day as the path next to the factory is blocked extending our walk even further.
Barugh Green Club used to look a lot more inviting in my youth.
We climbed the hill towards Higham and then split off left back towards Barnsley down this ginnel.


On this side of Barnsley the country is very close to the town.



The mud is just not letting up and we were slipping and sliding all over the place.




Heading across the fields towards Pogmoor more mud and some grand views.







We crossed this field of Shetland ponies and then had to back track as a disembodied voice called out to us that we had gone down the wrong side of the fence, more yardage.




More mud and many more Shetland Ponies. There must be more here than in Scotland.
They are extremely lovable.









The streets between the hospital and the town centre were much varied with parks, industry and a wonderful railway bridge. Not a great looking area but definitely interesting.




The view from the bridge gave us our first view of the town and the town hall for ages.



Summer Lane doesn't seem to change much but the Town End of my youth has gone.








The girls are proud of Barnsley and excited to live here. The town centre does not disappoint

The new statues of roses which light up and play music (on special occasions) are still being erected and already they add to the skyline. What would mum have made of the modern Barnsley?
Back to the Town Hall and for a treat I took the girls to Urban for a burger before we went home. We had to change our muddy boots before we dare go into the Glassworks.


The detours made it quite a long walk at nearly 9 miles. An interesting exploration of parts of Barnsley I have never been to and time spent with the kids is always a blessing.


OS Map
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30680967/gawber-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.56647&lon=-1.526&zoom=12.8427&style=Leisure&type=2d

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