Tom Read - click to email meBDXC ISWL WAB SOTA RSGB IOTA - see my radio page for more detailsLiam & Jimmy

Callow Hill WB-015

 

Callow Hill, G/WB-015 - 334m ASL - SO 459 849 - OS Explorer 217 - 1 SOTA point         Map & summit information from SOTAwatch

From Brown Clee Hill G/WB-002, Jimmy successfully directed me to the village of Diddlebury, and then down the B4368 to Upper Dinchope and Lower Dinchope.  We located our previous parking spot and walk start point at the sharp double bend in the road at SO 456 853, and commenced our walk up the track on this very warm afternoon.

Flounders' Folly on Callow Hill    Jimmy M3EYP on Callow Hill G/WB-015    New sign at the summit

Upon reaching the clearing from where there is a choice of paths, there were signs saying that our preferred route - the gently rising track out to the left - was closed throughout the working day Monday to Friday.  It was gone 4 o'clock local on this Friday afternoon, and there didn't seem to be anyone about, so I assumed that the area was now in weekend mode and it was therefore OK to use the track.  There was another path not affected by closure, but that was the one I ascended back in 2003 and found to be almost lethally steep!

We set off up the gentler but longer track, towards a yellow JCB in the distance.  We were quite surprised as we neared the JCB to find it manned and working!  I expected that we would get sent back, but we just walked past the digger in full view of the operator without problems.  In fact he smiled and waved at us.  When we descended this track in 2003, it was heavily wooded and therefore fairly dark.  However, the entire hillside had been felled in the meantime, giving the walk a very different feel.  The final approach to the summit and Flounders' Folly which stands upon it was along the edge of the steep escarpment from where all the trees had been felled, and hence views to the north were very good.

Operating position on the now largely felled hillside            FT-817 and the 'new' open view from Callow Hill

Further differences were noted at the summit.  Flounders' Folly was looking in much better shape than four years ago, having been fully restored.  Unfortunately, it was not open at this time, which would have offered serious temptation to climb the stairs and operate from it's top!  We retreated a short way back along the escarpment edge and sat on a small bank to operate radio.  Three stations were worked in short order by both of us, but then we were struggling to attract any interest.  Still wanting to move onto a fourth summit for the day after this one, I was keen to get qualified without too much fuss.  A tune around the band revealed the Winsford Mafia in QSO on 145.400MHz, and they were only to happy to supply the additional contacts.  We packed up, descended past the still-working JCB, and drove a very short distance to View Edge G/WB-018 just the other side of Craven Arms.

Many thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM with 2.5 watts:

G3RMD Cheltenham Frank T, J
G4WUH Newent Ian T, J
G4BOF Kingsland Peter T, J
G7RYN Winsford Dave T, J
M0NRL Kelsall Hill Alan T
2E0RNI Winsford Dave T, J

Callow Hill 2003