Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
do you have a grid ref for the stone? there's a few Featherbed Moss' in the area. immediate thoughts are that 1894 is the height of the stone, sometimes locations are referred to by their height in feet, rather than metres.
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
Quote:
Originally Posted by
newbie
Not sure this is the right place but...
I accompanied some walking group friends on a trek out on the Featherbed moss part of Bleaklow. Its a new area to me as I usually head south peak but very interesting. We came across a large solitary mushroom type standing stone. A few of our party knew it as the 1894 stone but not why. Does anyone know the origins of the name? The main theories we came up with were something to do with the rail tunnels built around then, or something to do with the county boundary. Google hasn't thrown up any answers so I am opening it up to the collective wisdom of the forum!
You see you just need to come to the local...
I'll dig out a picture. But go to my front page of my website and scroll through pictures and it will pop up. I use it occasionally on Navigation courses.
The 1894 stone is well known to Dark peakers as it's used as a checkpoint in races and it on the Bradfield Boundary run. It is also traditional to get the whole group on the top.
I also did a search on here, it's mentioned quite alot mainly on my training runs. But it is also a check point on the Awesome Derwent Devil... the record stands at 7.50. might have another look this year.
Theres a few theories but the one i favaour is they used to shoot in those days and it was apoint they would have stopped at. If you look in the scoop on the path side you will see the initials IWB. these are found all over the moors. I believe there are 14 stones with these initials on. you are also only 150m from a tea plant!!?
Another and much harder stone to find is the Skarrett Stone this has the date of 1897 on and it's history is well known as one of two brothers who used to shoot on the moors was scared of the fog so used to stop on his way up to Howden edge (2 miles from the 1894 stone) for a snifter of whiskey(the first dark peak wart?).
I'm sure they must be linked some how.
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
Actually I will be leading a guided "wild run" up the upper Don where we will visit the stone plus a few wrecks, other strange stones, tea plants, aircraft wrecks, springs, lost ponds, shoot ranges etc
Any one who has done the HPM will know it well as it marks the approach to Swains head.
2 Attachment(s)
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
Heres one picture from a Navigation course.Attachment 6922
and another with Green flash....Attachment 6923
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
.....a few wrecks, other strange stones, tea plants, aircraft wrecks, springs, lost ponds, shoot ranges etc...
Sounds like an intriguing place I will have to head north more often. I'm afraid I can't pinpoint the grid reference - my mind was blown by a sea of bogs and groughs by that stage of the walk. I found it unusual that such as talismanic rock wasn't marked on the map when other less impressive boulders are flagged up. Good to find out that its been 'adopted' by fell runners as a checkpoint! Ian - I can see why you run nav courses up there. I can't imagine a terrain which has the potential to go off course so easily, felt properly wild, even on a nice day with a good group. Without a grid reference I can't pinpoint the height, but it is a plausible theory for hte name, will try to estimate and see if it comes close.
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
Quote:
Originally Posted by
newbie
Not sure this is the right place but...
I accompanied some walking group friends on a trek out on the Featherbed moss part of Bleaklow. Its a new area to me as I usually head south peak but very interesting. We came across a large solitary mushroom type standing stone. A few of our party knew it as the 1894 stone but not why. Does anyone know the origins of the name? The main theories we came up with were something to do with the rail tunnels built around then, or something to do with the county boundary. Google hasn't thrown up any answers so I am opening it up to the collective wisdom of the forum!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
newbie
.....a few wrecks, other strange stones, tea plants, aircraft wrecks, springs, lost ponds, shoot ranges etc...
Sounds like an intriguing place I will have to head north more often. I'm afraid I can't pinpoint the grid reference - my mind was blown by a sea of bogs and groughs by that stage of the walk. I found it unusual that such as talismanic rock wasn't marked on the map when other less impressive boulders are flagged up. Good to find out that its been 'adopted' by fell runners as a checkpoint! Ian - I can see why you run nav courses up there. I can't imagine a terrain which has the potential to go off course so easily, felt properly wild, even on a nice day with a good group. Without a grid reference I can't pinpoint the height, but it is a plausible theory for hte name, will try to estimate and see if it comes close.
Doh! should have read your post a little more clearly. it's called the 1894 stone because if you look on top on the northern side it has carved in to it....1894! I thought you were asking why it had the number carved on it!
Grid ref is SK 1383 9855 and it is marked on the OS OL 1 map around the 500m contour.
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
I was up there again over the weekend with another Navigation course. However the rain was being whipped off the top so we didn't climb it and moved swiftly on. I''ve done a bit of digging for you and found this on IWB
The initials are of Isaac Watt Boulton,
Born in 1823 (died 1899)in Stockport I.W.B.became an eminent Industrialist in Ashton under Lyne,building amongst other things locomotives, he was also a J.P. and an Alderman,as well as being a keen " rambler" he was an authority on The Peak District, and campaigner for public access to ancient paths over Kinder Scout.
on 20/5/1893 The Aston under Lyne Herald published an article from I.W.B.describing a walk done the previous weekend "that may help some of your younger readers who believe in walking as a healthy exercise & are anxiously looking forward to the Whitsuntide weekend for the purpose of going on a long tramp over mountains and moorland."
I.W.B.travelled by train to Woodhead arriving at 0800 and breakfasted on "oatcakes off the flake,fresh butter and a glass of beer" whilst chatting with " the genial landlady" of The Millers Arms at Saltersbrook - now long gone.Opposite the ruins against the wall can be seen an inscribed stone -I.W.B. -Gordon Danks, Area Ranger remembers replacing it there a few years ago.
when we reach Lady Cross there are various initials carved on it - I.W.B. as well as a cross,plus N.B. and M.B - having researched I.W.B.on the internet ( Google search) I wonder if M.B could be Matthew Boulton his relative.
Heading across towards Shepherds Meeting Stones we pass a tapered rock near Dean Head Stones at Grid Ref.SK 1382298553 marked I.W.B. and H.P.B.
Close to here on the smaller of the stones at Hoar Stones Grid Ref. SK1557298245 can be seen a X and the initials W.P.M.
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
That's fascinating reading, ian, thanks for posting. My first post was unclear, but I did mean why that date, although we didn't climb up it either! From googling I've found that the marsden tunnel was built in 1894, possibly commemorative? Or maybe just the date of a particularly good walk for IWB and his friends.
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
I myself am looking forward to Whitsuntide for a good tramp over the mountains! Will raise a (thermos) glass to IWB on the top!
1 Attachment(s)
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
Quote:
Originally Posted by
newbie
I myself am looking forward to Whitsuntide for a good tramp over the mountains! Will raise a (thermos) glass to IWB on the top!
Lovely day out yesterday
The obligatory pose from yesterdays Navigation course...
Attachment 7018
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
Quote:
Originally Posted by
IanDarkpeak
...when we reach Lady Cross there are various initials carved on it - I.W.B. as well as a cross,plus N.B. and M.B.
He may also have vandalised a milestone at Lady Shaw bridge with his initials.
Lots more information on this website
Re: 1894 stone - Bleaklow
Quote:
Originally Posted by
XRunner
He may also have vandalised a milestone at
Lady Shaw bridge with his initials.
Lots more information on this
website
Yes I know Mr and Mrs Langsett "Dave" and High Peak Bob. They've all bodied for the rescue team, they've also passed on some good grid refs for rare items found in the peak. Some of the pics on his page though aren't correct. the VI crater is nearer Outeredge and the pic he show is for a German parachute mine, the metal was tested a few years ago I understand. Still its a great site though. He's just given me the grid ref for a bog rosemary plant, not checked it out yet but soon as the bird restrictions finish....
Dave and Bob got me into researching the old targets in the hills following all the live ordnance that turns up. always loads to explore. I found a 60 year old bottle on the hill last week. we now use it as a water bottle for the table....it has character
