Milner Fields RFM Blue Line Walking with Nev and Jane

 

Milner Fields 

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with Nev and Jane

07/05/26



On a cool Wednesday morning in early May we met at Salts Mill for a walk designed by Nev to remind her of some of the places of her childhood and to show me some of the delights of the Aire Valley. I absolutely loved it. Jane came along and we expected her to just do part of the walk but she braved it out and did the lot, a real gutsy performance as this was a proper walk not a stroll.


We crossed the bridge over the canal and the river Aire and straight into the much loved Roberts Park.


A long slow incline up to the gates of Milner Field. The story of Milner Field is fascinating and I strongly urge you visit the wikipedia page Milner Field - Wikipedia


We chatted and walked, enjoying the woods with the plethora of Bluebells and clean air raising the spirits.
The only thing interrupting our progress was the odd dog walker and cyclist. Everyone we encountered was happy to say hello and exchange a word. The girls reminisced throughout the walk as they visited areas they had not visited in ages. Babs was never far from our thoughts.

       




We explored what was left of the ruins, the house was built in 1872 and abandoned in 1926. An auction was organised, but the house went unsold, due to superstition surrounding the frequency of the previous owners' unusual deaths. An evolved superstition obviously still endures to this day and is attached to the ruins. Its so cool. 




There was much more to this walk and we continued up the hill and left the park at Gilstead.


The passage way on the right intrigued me. Jane said it lead back down to Shipley Glen so it will just have to feature in a future walk.

The Gilstead war memorial is small but powerful when you see so many names from such a small place. It says 'lest we forget' but the world wars are now just part of history.

The church of St Wilfred and church hall obviously had a great family connection for the girls as they remembered celebrations that occurred there.


It had been a slow steady climb to this point but I could tell we were nearing the top of this hill and I was starting to enjoy the views. Nev pointed out some houses in the area where people lived or once lived. I need to see them closer up, roofs in the distance doesn't cut it.



This area is appropriately called Crow Nest and though not really that wild it was a good area with lots of positive memories for my companions.



I just love rocky edges and long views. I can see walk after walk covering the wooded valley heading into the distance. This is great new blue line territory for my walks.


The tangled trees, dappled shade and rocky faces of the old quarries through Priestthorpe were atmospheric and beautiful. This is where the trolls and faeries live.



This walk just keeps on giving. Who would have thought so much greenery and so many views was so readily available to the people of Bingley. We pass a few friendly walkers and dog walkers and they were all happy. Its being here, in the moment, that gladdens the soul.



We crossed the road and entered Prince of Wales Park. The Prince in question being the future Edward VII (the king who followed Victoria). This is a superb park, clean, interesting and very nature mature. I was worried we were pushing Jane a little hard on the first of her walks with us but she was strong. I was leading in the main and I kept the pace moderate partly to make it easier but mainly because there was so much to appreciate on this walk.

We left the park and headed along the road through Eldwick. Again our thoughts turned to Babs as we discussed the various gardens and specific plants we saw as we walked. She did love gardens and she was very good at gardening especially designing with me doing the hard graft. She told me many times that when she was younger and more able she spent hours and hours gardening. Occasionally she did at number 22 but she paid for it later. I remember when we were developing the garden she asked me to move a lawn about 15 foot to another location. It was a huge job and took me many hours shifting multiple barrows of soil. A couple of weeks later her vision for the garden changed and I had to move the lawn to a third location where it is now. I believed so much in her design ability I honestly just did the work without any complaint. 

As we turned and headed down towards Shipley Glen we passed another simple war memorial.
A horse called us from across the valley. He looked like he was hiding in the trees. Its unusual for a horse to actually call you but this one did.
St this point Jane was to leave us a go home so we agreed to walk with her. Then she decided instead she wanted to finish the walk. So off we went down the valley.
The horse and another horse climbed down the path through the woods towards us. There were a couple of dog walkers nearby and we agreed it didn't look good but there was nothing we could do. I hope the horses were ok.


We followed Loadpit Beck (the name derives from the iron workings that were close by) towards Glen Road. This is a really nice little trail and well used.

This little museum prompted a story from Nev about looking after 90 kids on a walk here whilst pregnant with Loki, when she was a teacher. I love the way Jane and Nev shared stories and reminiscences. It enriches the walk.


As we have covered Shipley Glen on several other walks I have skipped it for this walk but it was very pleasant walking down past a carpet of fragrant wild garlic. The couple of kids we passed were taken aback by some one saying hello to them but they still happily responded. 

We were back at Salts Mill. I was tempted to get an icecream but sensibly resisted.


7 miles and over 800 foot ascent over 3 hours is a good walk for anyone and I was proud of Nev and Jane completing this. Nev has been hiking for a while now so her legs are getting used to the miles but this is the first walk for Jane. I am going to have to call her Iron Jane because I am in awe of her completing this tough walk as an introduction to our hikes. I just hope the recovery is not too onerous. 
Back again next Wednesday for another adventure. Any and all are welcome.

OS Map 
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31862911/milner-field--rfm-blue-line?lat=53.85039&lon=-1.82796&zoom=12.8122&style=Leisure&type=2d&overlays=os-obstacles-layer

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