Snipe Dales Picnic
Cycling UK Louth 'mini' group ride to Snipe Dales Country Park
Sunday 23rd August 2020
The annual CTC Louth summer picnic at Snipe Dales (one of Lincolnshire’s best-known country parks) had been a regular fixture since the 1980’s but has been dropped from the runs listings in recent times, so it was high time for a revival of this tradition. Following a very unsettled week weather wise with torrential rain and gale force winds, it was hoped that we would be able to enjoy something a little more seasonal.
Apologies had been sent from John Rickett and Jason Bartup so it was great to see a good turnout at the Meridian Leisure Centre. Joining Ride Leader Tim Newbery were Chris Owen, Reg Bagshaw (sporting a change in bike today), Rob Whitworth, Rob Cook and John Ambler. Weather apps differed in the onset of showers but Tim was optimistic that they wouldn’t set in before about 3 pm, perhaps this time giving riders enough time to get home before getting drenched!
A route initially to take us to Hallington. At this point cries of “PUCNTURE” as Chris would have to pull over with a sliver of glass stuck in his front tyre. A team effort and after about quarter of an hour we were ready to depart once more, upwards, forever upwards to the Blue Stone Heath Road.
Heading south past Scamblesby Thorpe and Rosin Hill, we eventually stopped at Ferrals Plantation alongside the Lincolnshire Wolds Geology Interpretation board for a well-deserved breather. Glorious views as ever over the rolling hills of this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Rather special too at this time of year when the harvest is in full swing with the lumbering mechanised beasts creating billowing clouds of dust and the landscape becomes a patchwork of Autumnal hues of golden yellows of the shorn cereal crops and the varied earth tones of the newly ploughed fields.
At Tetford Hill (altitude 142 m), we would bid farewell to Chris and Reg whilst the remainder enjoyed the fast descent into the village before continuing through Somersby, Bag Enderby and Fairy Wood before a southerly turn took us to Stockwith Mill Bridge and Hagworthingham. With plenty of time on the clock an unscheduled but very amenable stop at JJ’s for refreshments (following an almost unanimous vote). John waded through a giant-sized slice of cake whilst Rob Whitworth thoroughly enjoyed the bacon bap, perhaps in preference to the pork pies he had brought for the picnic. Thanks go to Rob Whitworth for the drinks.
Onward through Lusby where Rob Cook was delighted to take group photos outside St.Peter’s parish church (sporting an unusual spire) and the rather fine village pump erected in 1860. Within a mile we entred the drive into Snipe Dales Country Park and surprised and delighted to see Alan Hockham waiting for us at the picnic tables. Alan had made his way independently from home. Time to relax and enjoy our carefully prepared culinary ‘pack-ups’. Fortunately it remained dry and in the shelter of the trees it felt quite warm.
Snipe Dales and the adjoining village of Winceby are notable of course for being the site of a Civil War battle in 1643.
At that time Parliamentarian forces under the leadership of Sir Thomas Fairfax held the city of Hull. The city was in turn under siege by the Royalist Earl of Newcastle who commanded a considerable army. A Royalist force was also garrisoned at Bolingbroke Castle. The Parliamentarian army of the Eastern Association led by Edward Montagu, The Earl of Manchester then went onto the attack, advancing into Lincolnshire from Norfolk. He was joined at Boston and then Spilsby by the cavalry of Oliver Cromwell along with Sir Thomas Fairfax’s forces which had managed to travel from Hull by crossing the Humber by ferry at Barton and via the North Sea, landing at Saltfleet Haven. Royalist forces feared that Bolingbroke Castle would fall.
About noon on Wednesday 11th October the Royalist Cavalry led by Sir John Henderson and Sir William Saville, supported behind by infantry, had advanced from Lincoln on their way to relieve Bolingbroke Castle, by now under siege. Having foreknowledge of the approaching Cavalier force, the Roundhead cavalry led by Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax were already well positioned on the high ground at Winceby, just to the west of the dry valley of Snipe Dales. It was a rout with initial victory for the Parliamentarians after just half an hour. Depending on which contemporary account you read, 200-300 lost their lives in the bloody battle. Cromwell, little known before the battle, distinguished himself and the action propelled him into the limelight.
Refreshed and having all enjoyed a good natter, team members were ready for the route to Claythorpe which necessitated a climb up Harrington Hill. John assured Tim that he had ample supplies of battery power which was good to know. Harrington Hill stands at 100 m, certainly high enough and a decent into Brinkhill was much welcomed.
Brinkhill has a fascinating history, and continuing the theme of the Civil War, it was here that Oliver Cromwell requisitioned horses from a farmer called Maidens. Maidens was however a staunch Royalist and on the pretence of re-shoeing them, pricked the hooves with nails rendering them temporarily lame!
Final refreshments were taken at Claythorpe Water Mill which was surprisingly quiet. Coffees all round except for Tim who opted for a pint of Batemans XXX. It certainly helped to ease his toothache! Alan would depart for home at this point.
As last week, returning to the outskirts of Louth the skies became inky black with omens of impending downpours. On this occasion we arrived back at about 4 pm, just minutes before the onset of squally gusts of wind, heavy rain, hail and thunder and lightning. Talk about good timing.
42 miles for the Louth contingent with 1700 ft of climbing. 45 miles for Alan. Many thanks to all for the company.
A flat ride next week!