The bridge you were wondering about 5 mins in is Lords Bridge. It was one of the main routes from the south side of the churnet to Alton Towers. If you follow the path from that bridge up into the woods it takes you past the chained oak. I worked at Thomas Boltons for 15 years, the Froghall factory not the Oakamoor one.
I walked along that old railway line and lots of other walks in and around that area countless times when I was a kid growing up in nearby Cheadle. Many happy memories of weekend adventures with my dad. I live in Devon now but I'm bringing the kids up to visit Alton Towers in August and we're staying in Oakamoor, planning on showing them where I used to go on expeditions when I was their age! Lovely to see the old place again on your video. Incidentally, Thomas Bolton's continued to operate from their Froghall site until as recently as 2014 albeit at a much reduced size. My dad used to tell stories from WWII about hearing German bombers flying overhead on missions to try and find Bolton's copper works in order to bomb it but somehow it escaped unscathed, hidden in the Churnet Valley countryside.
Brilliant video. It certainly made my break time on a crap Monday morning more entertaining that’s for sure! That bit of history about Thomas Bolton and the copper was fantastic, I never new of the connection of the Atlantic wire crossing with Oakamoore
Really interesting walk Gareth, and fair play for not giving up after the setbacks. I live down South but would love to visit some of the places that you have featured on the Walk. Happy new year and look forward to more excellent content in 2024 👍
The remains of Oakamoor Station was destroyed by fire by vandalism in the 70's, that's why it's no longer there and the "bay platform" was used for tank unloading during the war, it's all on the information board at the station site
Thank you Gareth for another interesting and informative video. Your commitment is much appreciated , this one was hard work for you to complete. , but your perseverance shines , well done x100. Hope you got your drone back? . Happy New year (2024) to you Gareth and your family. Also of course Phil . Looking forward to your videos this year ( as always)
Perseverance paid off mate, superb video, well done for getting it all in the bag...one thing? How did you get your drone back?? You should Have filmed it 😅 I know how it goes to get a project finished, I could spend all day everyday up in my loft doing Harold Road for the 8k followers, it's easy to get consumed and forgetting those around you, like you i have a wife and kids...and its easy to get 'blinkered' because you want to get a project done..so I know how you feel...keep up the great work and l let me know when you come to Norfolk mate, all the best 👍
The bridge you were wondering about 5 mins in is Lords Bridge. It was one of the main routes from the south side of the churnet to Alton Towers. If you follow the path from that bridge up into the woods it takes you past the chained oak. I worked at Thomas Boltons for 15 years, the Froghall factory not the Oakamoor one.
Thank you for this, Karl. That solves that one!
All that perseverance to break the curse worked! A joy for us! Amazing walk this lot (or this one). Thanks again.
Thank you! Definitely wasn't giving up!
Happy New Year to you!
Looking forward to watching/walking etc with you in 2024. 🙏
Happy new year!
I walked along that old railway line and lots of other walks in and around that area countless times when I was a kid growing up in nearby Cheadle. Many happy memories of weekend adventures with my dad. I live in Devon now but I'm bringing the kids up to visit Alton Towers in August and we're staying in Oakamoor, planning on showing them where I used to go on expeditions when I was their age! Lovely to see the old place again on your video.
Incidentally, Thomas Bolton's continued to operate from their Froghall site until as recently as 2014 albeit at a much reduced size. My dad used to tell stories from WWII about hearing German bombers flying overhead on missions to try and find Bolton's copper works in order to bomb it but somehow it escaped unscathed, hidden in the Churnet Valley countryside.
Great memories, mate. It's a beautiful area. Mind you, Devon ain't too bad!
Brilliant video. It certainly made my break time on a crap Monday morning more entertaining that’s for sure! That bit of history about Thomas Bolton and the copper was fantastic, I never new of the connection of the Atlantic wire crossing with Oakamoore
Thank you. So much history hidden away round these parts.
Love the music at intro.
I love the commitment 👏 Never giving up!!!! Keep at it Gareth 🙂
Happy New Year Gareth, lovely walking with you & learning about our beautiful countryside, looking forward to more walks in 2024! 😊
Thank you. Happy new year
Really interesting walk Gareth, and fair play for not giving up after the setbacks. I live down South but would love to visit some of the places that you have featured on the Walk. Happy new year and look forward to more excellent content in 2024 👍
Thank you! I'll be down south walking this year I hope
The remains of Oakamoor Station was destroyed by fire by vandalism in the 70's, that's why it's no longer there and the "bay platform" was used for tank unloading during the war, it's all on the information board at the station site
I actually noticed the arson part when I walked back. Probably should have added that.
Any idea why they were loading tanks here?
Fascinating, Gaz. Thank you.
Thank you!
Thank you Gareth for another interesting and informative video.
Your commitment is much appreciated , this one was hard work for you to complete. , but your perseverance shines , well done x100.
Hope you got your drone back? .
Happy New year (2024) to you Gareth and your family.
Also of course Phil .
Looking forward to your videos this year ( as always)
Thank you. No luck with the drone unfortunately. I imagine it's still there!
I can tell how cold it is out there as well, impressive effort!
Baltic!
Fantastic video
Cheers Gareth, enjoyed that. Lots and great facts and history! I'm new to the channel, and certainly will be sticking around.
Thanks very much!
Amazing, Very nice job.
Even for the drone jump 😅 anyway really intersting !!!
Thank you
Love the channel, really enjoy your walks :)
Thank you
Fab two parts, during this one, my laptop shut down! Although it is ancient. Will look forward to more of your walks this year.
It's even cursed the laptop!
@IckeWalks, you never know! Likely just dying through old age.
Great job! Persistence + Perseverance = Perfection.
Let us know how the drone retrieval goes.
Perseverance paid off mate, superb video, well done for getting it all in the bag...one thing? How did you get your drone back?? You should Have filmed it 😅 I know how it goes to get a project finished, I could spend all day everyday up in my loft doing Harold Road for the 8k followers, it's easy to get consumed and forgetting those around you, like you i have a wife and kids...and its easy to get 'blinkered' because you want to get a project done..so I know how you feel...keep up the great work and l let me know when you come to Norfolk mate, all the best 👍
Thanks a lot mate. Drone is still up there! Lol. A write off!
I'd love a model railway. That's one for when the kids have left home though!
Yeah, don’t lose your arm :)
Good video but you really need better thumbnails for more views ;)
What kind of vibe you thinking?