Shawclough & Healey April 2021

Syke Walk & Talk Group
SYKE CHAPEL TO ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S WHITWORTH
A short walk of about 4 miles but
with some steep climbs. Boots and
suitable clothing are essential.
From Syke Chapel we head north and almost
immediately the road starts to climb. We are
going uphill for the next mile but on arriving at
Lobden are rewarded, on a clear day, with a good
view of Brown Wardle to the north.
The church is an interesting building and worth
a visit. First built in 1529 as a chapel of ease it
was rebuilt between 1847 and 1850. Following
a serious fire, it was again rebuilt in 1988 as
a smaller church. An interesting collection of
grotesques adorn the outside of the church.
We turn west at this point heading down hill
along Whitworth Rake towards Whitworth as far
as Saint Bartholomew’s church.
Entering the church yard from the church the
grave of James “Treacle” Sanderson (1837 –
1905) is located to the left of the path. James
was a blacksmith of Hall Fold and famous local
runner. In the 1860’s he regularly ran a mile in
under 4mins 30secs and one occasion recorded
a time of 4mins 17secs. It was another 90 years
before Roger Bannister recorded the first sub
4 minutes mile.
30
To advertise call 07976 289967 or 07974 434793 or email sales@streetwisemag.co.uk