Online Fellwalking Club - Orrest Head 80

Orrest Head 80 - Saturday 5th June

Written by Peter Burgess

Friday, 08 January 2010

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A Leyland Tiger turns into Lowther Street, Kendal

Kendal TH

I was reading 'The Wainwright Memorial Walk' and it dawned on me that 2010 would be the 80th anniversary of AW's ascent of Orrest Head. Before 1971, the Whitsuntide* (Pentecost) holiday was not static in the calendar as it is today and as I thought, I realised that finding the exact date Alfred climbed Orrest Head would need a bit of groundwork. Many of us take a holiday round the May half term, but Whitsuntide is regulated by the church calendar.

Nina at the start of the Orrest Head ascent

Great for young and all!

Growing up as I did in Lancashire, Whit Week was always talked about with some affection. Apart from the blissfully few other days off, this was another date when millworkers like my grandparents had chance to take some time off from the drudgery of work. It was a time when major overhauls were carried out on machinery. Like my grandparents, AW would have been geared up for this holiday, especially as he lived and grew up in the worlds biggest milltown - Blackburn.

Footpath sign

Before 1967, Whitsun or White Sunday was a Bank Holiday in the UK until 1967. Whitsun was on the 8th June in 1930. As a result the following week would have been the time when AW and his cousin travelled north on a Leyland Tiger to Windermere.

Souvenir Leaflet

It can be supposed that AW travelled north on the Saturday from Blackburn, probably catching a bus to Preston, where he would've changed for the bus to Lancaster and Windermere. Most probably, but not certainly a Ribble Bus service (like the one I used to go to school on) would have carried him slowly up the A6. Considering the date, a Leyland Tiger would probably have been the bus of the day. For AW aboard this single decker, the words of Jessica Lofthouse would not have been useful. "The best way to see England is from the top of a double decker bus", is the famous Lofthouse line, but AW's ascent of the 800'summit near Windermere had the view to beat any bus!

Itinerary

As a result of this momentous visit 80 years ago, the OFC is organising an ascent of Orrest Head for Saturday June 5th. This is neither this year's Whitsun, nor is it the exact date of the ascent but it is the nearest Saturday and as such will encourage the most people to attend (it is the end of Half Term holiday so people may be in Cumbria on holiday). To me what is important is that one gets to feel something of what AW and his cousin felt on that day. To them it would've been exciting, a holiday away from the grime of the famous cotton town. Like going to football on a Saturday, celebrating Good Friday or for us younger folk, watching Crackerjack on a Friday, the day is perhaps more important than the date. To me the anticipation of Saturday whether it be the start of a holiday or even just the weekend brings a lifting of the spirit.

I do hope the weather will be kind on the day, and that you all have a wonderful time. Chris Bonington

Panorama from Orrest Head by Jim Watson (by permission)

The view from Orrest Head

The plan is to walk up Orrest Head from Windermere Railway Station and then retire for afternoon tea near the Gateway PH near Kendal. At least one guest speaker has offered to give a talk. The other aspect to the day is that a Leyland Tiger bus has been chartered and as well as driving us to the bottom of Orrest Head in Windermere it'll also give us a taste of travelling at 30mph in the 1930s! There is of course a cost involved with this festivity not only for the bus hire but also the afternoon tea. The bus is already paid for and as a result if we can get 34 people to fill it, then <£24per head will cover costs. I do hope that people can join in this day which will be a great one for OFC members to come together for a bit of fun and jollity. The costs of course cannot be avoided, but I hope people feel it will be worth it to get a ride in a fantastic specimen of vintage engineering and food and refreshment afterwards.

If you want to get involved please forward your name to Peter Burgess at the usual address (see base of page). We hope to make a day of it, but be aware that seats on bus will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and I will ask for a deposit after Half Term. If there is a lot of demand I am sure we can accommodate more for the afternoon tea and for those who just want to join in the walk then please do gather for that. More details will be announced as the organisational aspects become clear. It will be great to have you aboard (literally!).

Peter Burgess
OFC Founder

In reply to your query about dogs being allowed on our classic buses and coaches, our policy is usually: "We welcome well behaved dogs that do not eat upholstery or passengers in that order and do not sit on seats unless there is a blanket protection for the seat!"

The AW Society and OFC members ascended Orrest Head five years ago:-

*Whitsun is a contraction of "White Sunday" which is the day the Holy Ghost supposedly descended upon the disciples. Previously, before the Norman invasion, the feast was always referred to as Pentecoste as a result of it being the 50th day after Easter. I am sure Fr. Harrison can fill us in on any other details!

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