First visited : 23 June 2000
I've marked this one in the book as Hathershaw but it's really in Bardsley , just across the borough border into Oldham.
This one was visited much earlier than the others nearby because it was the venue for the post -walk drink after a stroll up to Hartshead Pike from the nearby museum complex at Bardsley Bridge. It was the last in a series of evening strolls I led for Manchester Christian Social Group which were always as closest to the longest day as I could get partly because the previous group co-ordinator had the habit of keeping everyone waiting for someone who'd said they might turn up so previous strolls through parks had ended up being in the dark.
It wasn't a great night weather-wise but I was still disappointed that only four including myself and Julie turned up, the worst turnout I'd had for a Friday walk. I think by that point it had become clear that there was a bit of a clique at the heart of the Group who were supporting each other's events but weren't too fussed about coming to those organised by members outside the circle particularly if there was some effort involved in getting to the start. Less than six months later we were out of the Group after I tried to break this up by advertising the Group on the internet . I hadn't asked their permission having an inkling that it wouldn't be given by the Calvinist-inclined new co-ordinator ; I think I was hoping for an influx of new members before they realised where these people were coming from but they cottoned on quickly and stamped on me. My initial response was to fight my corner but a moment's reflection made me realise the position was hopeless so we left for pastures new and the Group dwindled away into nothing over the next couple of years.
Anyway it was a reasonable walk. Julie was still a law student at the time and enjoyed chatting to George who was a magistrate. As far as I can recall the pub was quite nice inside ; the only discordant notes were hit by the fourth person present , Barry, first by doing an impromptu dance demonstration and then sticking up for his absent friend Annetta when George and Julie started bitching about her, which made the latter exceedingly cross.
