Mines' walk round East Cleveland

Sea, Cliffs and Ironstone sponsored walk, Sunday Sept 11.

Redcar Rotary Club runs its 23rd annual sponsored walk on Sunday September 11 with a local history angle - and separate routes for family groups and serious trekkers.

"For the first time we'll explore the remains of local ironstone mines under the title of the Sea, Cliffs and Ironstone walk," said John Finlay, of Redcar, who has taken over from Peter Gleghorn, of Marske, as the main organiser.

John Finlay at the shaft.

"We promise an enjoyable as well as interesting day. The sites of 11 mines can be seen from one of the two routes offered, although only four have visible remains - so the walks could be called `spot the former mine' trek. One of them, Loftus mine, is now the Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum.

For the first time the walks start from Saltburn - at the Conservative Club, next to the Zetland Hotel. Walkers start between 9.30 and 11 am. We go along the Cleveland Way cliff-top path, Saltburn, round the base of Warsett Hill. We pass Huntcliff mine's Guibal Fan House.

Shortly before Skinningrove, the two walks divide with the seven-mile family walk turning inland past the Cattersty Nature Reserve to reach Brotton. It continues past Hunley Hall Golf Club, up to the top of Warsett Hill and then back to the start.

The Long Walk (14 miles) descends to Skinningrove and then via Carlin How, Lumpsey mine and North Skelton mine to Slapewath. We return to Saltburn along the Cleveland Way."

John Finlay, new organiser of Redcar Rotary Club's walks, at the site of the Lumpsey
ironstone mine, Brotton, winding house, which is just off the path of a 14-mile "long
walk" to be held on Sunday Sept 11. It will be the club's first walk to start from Saltburn.
A seven-mile family walk is also to be held.

Walkers can keep half of the sponsorship they collect to donate to their chosen charity with the other half going to the Rotary Club for the Redcar Lifeboat.

There is an entrance fee of £6 (no charge to 16 and under) and £1.50 if people want to stay for the barbeque at the Conservative Club after the walk.

Contact John Finlay (john.hilary31@tiscali.co.uk or 01642-484214) or Peter Gleghorn (peter.gleghorn@ntlworld.com or 01642-484710) to get entry and sponsorship forms.

 Footnote: Laden blackberry bushes line several of the paths picked for the walks.