A weekend walk in Bradfield Dale

Last weekend may have been our last walk in Autumn sunshine as this week we have had several days of heavy rain and wind and it feels like Winter is just around the corner.

We made the most of the good weather with a drive to the Damflask Reservoir and Bradfield village going on the low road and then returning on the top road.

Of all the reservoirs in Bradfield Dale the largest is Damflask constructed in 1867.  It's main function is to supply river compensation water to the river Loxley.  There are footpaths along the dam and it's the only one in the dale where sailing and rowing is allowed.

This is the narrow end of the dam looking towards the northern shore.  After passing through wooded areas the landscape changes with a glimpse of the church at High Bradfield across open farmland.

We stopped for a while in Low Bradfield where Agden Dike unites with Dale Dike to form the River Loxley.  It's a popular picnic area. On the other side of the bridge is the village green, cottages and farms.

This working farm looks onto the village green and has a back entrance into the lane leading up to High Bradfield.  

The parish church of St. Nicholas dates back to the 15th century, but the history of the site as a place of worship goes back to the early 12th century when Benedictine monks constructed a chapel.  A 9th century Saxon cross was found in Low Bradfield and is displayed in the church.

With its hilltop location High Bradfield has widespread views towards Bradfield Moors and the reservoirs of the Dale.

    

Floral Art

Many of the flower arrangers in our places of worship are members of floral societies and guilds. Yesterday I went to one of my fellowship groups where we were treated to a masterclass in the making of a floral arrangement for the home that would be suitable for a seasonal table decoration. We were shown how to arrange three types of arrangement with tips on how to construct the base and build up the foliage, flowers, and other accessories.

We also had a lunch of soup, bread and cheese and attendees were asked to make a donation to the flower arranger's favourite mountain rescue charity.  The arrangements were raffled and I won the candle decoration which now graces our dining table.

Public artwork

Just next to the path that leads up to the Common a new wooden sculpture has appeared.  It's one of several pieces of street furniture and art that has been commissioned by the local residents' association of a housing estate on the edge of the village.

Sheffield conurbation is one of the greenest cities in the U.K. with many open spaces and woodlands having been preserved for the public's enjoyment.  Sadly, some trees have had to be felled when they have become unstable and, thankfully, new saplings have been planted.  It's good to know that these sculptures were created locally from wood that had only been taken from trees that needed to be cut down for safety reasons.

A walk to the Common

 It has been particularly enjoyable to go for walks during a period of dry, sunny weather.

There are good views and if you climb higher you can see farmland and moorland in another valley.

Instead of climbing higher we usually walk down another path which leads out onto one of the village lanes.