POINT TO POINT FELL FOOT TO NEWTON 24 APRIL 2010

Many of the older hands will remember the Point to Point in the Forest of Bowland on 22 March 1978 ( a mere 32 years ago ). Ray Groves ferried us to the start at Newton and the route was not unlike this year's finishing at the Moorcock in Bleasdale 3 miles west of Fell Foot. 28 ran and 40 had the meal.
This year's run was disappointing since Wells and Park were injured and so few runners turned out. The route and the weather were deemed excellent.

This year's run started from Fell Foot where Wells and Park dropped off five runners Murray,Wilson,Shaw, Eastwood and Taylor M.
We saw them off zig zagging up from Fell Foot (254m) over Parlick to the cairn (520m) and then down to Fiendsdale Head ( 450m). The route took them down Fiendsdale Water, past Langden Castle to Sykes ( 162m).
Wells and Park were waiting at Trough Barn (192m) with the provisions provided by Jan and Karen. The kettle was boiling and tea, coffee and cookies ( plus Eastwood's “ special drink “) were consumed. In spite of this Shaw (knee ) and Wilson ( knackered ) decided to return via Dunsop Bridge.
Meanwhile the remaining three carried on up Ouster Rake to Brennand Stones (430m ) and down to Brennand Farm (200m ). On they went round the edge of Middle Knoll (310m )and down to Whitendale Farm (208m ). Another climb followed up to Dunsop Head (430m ) and then a fast flat finish over farmland to Newton (140m ).
Meanwhile Bell, Shipley and Whitworth using their well honed navigating skills had no trouble following the route from Sykes to Laytham Farm where they were met by Wells and Park.
Several people did the low level walk or their own version of it including Mr and Mrs Ruddock, Mr and Mrs Taylor,the other Mrs Taylor and Mrs Wells, Mrs Shipley and friend, Ridings,Mr and Mrs Stanton and Mr and Mrs Riley.
One or two beers were consumed in the sunshine in the beautiful beer garden before an excellent meal where 23 sat down.