Snow and Ice does not deter our band of walkers, despite the recent atrocious weather fourteen of us headed over to Ford Green Hall for a very enjoyable stroll in the sunshine. Ford Green Hall is a rarity in Stoke on Trent as it is the only surviving medieval building in the city, dating back to the 1600s, not only that but it now forms the gateway to a series of walks and cycle paths over what was once an area of dereliction left behind when the Chatterly Whitfield Colliery closed down. Signs of slag heaps have all but disappeared and a pleasant stream now flows through the valley interspersed with small lakes which are now home to a variety of waterfowl, which were also enjoying the sunshine and making ready for the spring in the reed beds. We took one of the numerous paths meandering across the sculptured landscape and eventually arrived at the derelict buildings that are all that is left of the Cities bold attempt to create a mining museum. Following the stream we passed through a pleasant wooded area and then by the lakes to arrived back at the Hall’s Car Park. Lunch was taken at the Moorland Inn and enjoyed by everyone. For more information on the hall see www.fordgreenhall.org.uk