102 The Black Diamond - Bardsley

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.