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I've just been watching 'Extinct' on the telly about Tasmanian Tigers and it reminded me of my encounters with the Roaches Wallabies. Has anybody seen them lately? I first saw one in the late 60's in a severe winter but it was dead, then me and Jim Moran saw one bouncing around below Borstal Breakout the day we did the first ascent of that route in 1978. Finally I saw one in Gradbach Forest in the mid 80's, which I managed to get a photograph of. Beautiful but shy creatures, has anybody sighted them lately?????
In reply to Al Evans: Thought they'd been offically declared extinct on the roaches according to Peak Park. Would Imagine being greeted by a wallaby whilst topping out could be a harrowing experience......
(How's your other half at the moment - miss my little after school climbing excursions now I've moved. Always a pleasure to get my climbing butt kicked by someone with the ability to hold on forever........ Just hoping my stamina also increases with age?)
(How's your other half at the moment - miss my little after school climbing excursions now I've moved. Always a pleasure to get my climbing butt kicked by someone with the ability to hold on forever........ Just hoping my stamina also increases with age?)
In reply to Gareth Stott:
According to a guy that had climbed atthe roaches since the 50's yes they are still about but in much smaller numbers(he told me this in 1997) BUT they have moved away from the 'popular' bits of the Roaches to Roach End & beyond.You wont see them at the climbing areas anymore, shame.
According to a guy that had climbed atthe roaches since the 50's yes they are still about but in much smaller numbers(he told me this in 1997) BUT they have moved away from the 'popular' bits of the Roaches to Roach End & beyond.You wont see them at the climbing areas anymore, shame.
In reply to Al Evans: Do you know how the wallabies got to the Roaches? They originally lived in the gardens of Worcester college in Oxford, but were deported to the Roaches after they savaged an American tourist. Personally I would have thought it was an excellent reason for keeping wallabies if they savaged American tourists, but this was not the view of the college authorities.
In reply to John2:
poor little bastards, they must be perpetually freezing their nuts off, surely they can't breed up there?
poor little bastards, they must be perpetually freezing their nuts off, surely they can't breed up there?
In reply to Al Evans: This from an exciting site called " Get Walking !" ...
Walkers in the Peak District have occasionally been surprised to see a red-necked wallaby hopping around the countryside. These marsupials, natives of Tasmania, are about the size of a collie dog and have a grey-brown body and a kangaroo-like pouch, in which they carry their young. But, sadly, it seems that the days of the Peak District Wallaby are over.
The red-necked wallabies had been living and breeding on the Staffordshire moors since the 1940's. They came from the estate of Captain Courtney Brocklehurst, a Staffordshire landowner, who had a private zoo at his home, Roaches House near Buxton. When Capt Brocklehurst was killed in the Second World War, war regulations demanded that his zoo had to be disposed of, and the wallabies were turned out of the zoo and allowed to roam wild in the Peak District.
For many years they thrived in the countryside, and their numbers were believed to have reached around 50 by the early 1960's. But then, sadly, the harsh winter of 1962-1963 had a drastic effect on the wallabies and by 1988, there were only about 14 of them. By last winter, there were only two females left. Now it is believed that they have probably died too, and the wallaby is extinct in the Peak District. Experts have put their extinction down to dogs, road casualties and human disturbance.
Walkers in the Peak District have occasionally been surprised to see a red-necked wallaby hopping around the countryside. These marsupials, natives of Tasmania, are about the size of a collie dog and have a grey-brown body and a kangaroo-like pouch, in which they carry their young. But, sadly, it seems that the days of the Peak District Wallaby are over.
The red-necked wallabies had been living and breeding on the Staffordshire moors since the 1940's. They came from the estate of Captain Courtney Brocklehurst, a Staffordshire landowner, who had a private zoo at his home, Roaches House near Buxton. When Capt Brocklehurst was killed in the Second World War, war regulations demanded that his zoo had to be disposed of, and the wallabies were turned out of the zoo and allowed to roam wild in the Peak District.
For many years they thrived in the countryside, and their numbers were believed to have reached around 50 by the early 1960's. But then, sadly, the harsh winter of 1962-1963 had a drastic effect on the wallabies and by 1988, there were only about 14 of them. By last winter, there were only two females left. Now it is believed that they have probably died too, and the wallaby is extinct in the Peak District. Experts have put their extinction down to dogs, road casualties and human disturbance.
Duncan Bourne, do you have a link to your Captain Wallaby cartoon anywhere? I'm sure it was yours.
In reply to Al Evans:
saw what we think might be wallaby footprints in the snow last xmas. didnt manage to see anythough, probably making too much noise falling over everywhere!
saw what we think might be wallaby footprints in the snow last xmas. didnt manage to see anythough, probably making too much noise falling over everywhere!
In reply to Chris Fryer:
Yup that's one of mine. It isn't on the web but send me an email if you like and I can send you a copy
Yup that's one of mine. It isn't on the web but send me an email if you like and I can send you a copy
In reply to John2: John, I think John Kirks explanation of their origin is the correct one, at least thats what I've always understood. When I worked for Granada Manchester we did a story about them the basis of which was that some new bloodstock was going to be released to strenthen them. The local farmers were not keen and certainly did some hunting of them. I wouldnt be suprised if there were a few left over in Gradbach and Back Forest its probable that the extra people visiting the Roaches have scared them away to the thicker woodland.
In reply to John2: John, I think John Kirks explanation of their origin is the correct one, at least thats what I've always understood. When I worked for Granada Manchester we did a story about them the basis of which was that some new bloodstock was going to be released to strenthen them. The local farmers were not keen and certainly did some hunting of them. I wouldnt be suprised if there were a few left over in Gradbach and Back Forest its probable that the extra people visiting the Roaches have scared them away to the thicker woodland.
In reply to Al Evans: There were wallabies in the gardens of Worcester College in to 40s - as a student my school Latin master used to try to catch one when drunk (with complete lack of success). But yes, I think John Kirk does have the origin of the original population. When they got rid of them from Oxford they decided to add them to the existing colony at the Roaches.
In reply to John Kirk:
Red-neck Wallabys? Maybe they died out from inbreeding.
Red-neck Wallabys? Maybe they died out from inbreeding.
In reply to John Kirk:
Can anyone confirm or deny the story that a moose was also released from the private zoo along with the Wallabies, and could sometimes be seen sloping around the trees near the Lower Tier?
Or is this just one of my Dads old climbing mates telling taller stories as he gets older??
Can anyone confirm or deny the story that a moose was also released from the private zoo along with the Wallabies, and could sometimes be seen sloping around the trees near the Lower Tier?
Or is this just one of my Dads old climbing mates telling taller stories as he gets older??
In reply to TimB:
`course I exist,I`m pretty hard to miss!!
I`m the one with the antlers and the huge d.......
"Moose jnr. get off that computer now"
"ok mum, coming."
`course I exist,I`m pretty hard to miss!!
I`m the one with the antlers and the huge d.......
"Moose jnr. get off that computer now"
"ok mum, coming."
In reply to Al Evans:
Right then lets start by saying that the zoo was on hencloud and if you look you can still see remains of buildings/cages(best seen from the upper tier roaches and look on the back of the crag).
Yes they are still there but only around back forest ludschurch and further afield.Steave dale saw one before feburary.
Also a puma has been seen many many times lurking around too.
Right then lets start by saying that the zoo was on hencloud and if you look you can still see remains of buildings/cages(best seen from the upper tier roaches and look on the back of the crag).
Yes they are still there but only around back forest ludschurch and further afield.Steave dale saw one before feburary.
Also a puma has been seen many many times lurking around too.
In reply to justin c:
Ive seen a photo of the said zoo, a bloody great himalayan yak pictured in the doorway of one of the shed's. They had to widen the door to allow its horns to get inside!!!
Ive seen a photo of the said zoo, a bloody great himalayan yak pictured in the doorway of one of the shed's. They had to widen the door to allow its horns to get inside!!!
In reply to Really Gorple!!!: And you can watch my wallaby w@nk, frank!!
In reply to Al Evans:
I had been drinking fairly heavily the previous night and had un wisely decided to drive to North Wales early the following morning. At about 5am on the road to Bridgenorth nr
Kinver Edge i saw what i belived was a white rabbit.
As i drew closer assuming the natural laws of perspective would prevail, i expected it to at least proportionaly resemble the familiar characteristics of our fluffy friends.
It refused to do so. Consequently as i drove passed about 2mph window down, leaning out, i remained at eye level with the beast.
I first put this descrepancy in size down to, the previous nights consumption, that i had been driving with only one eye open or that the rabbit had been standing on a log.
Later in tentative discusion with locals i was advised there were a few albino Wallabies about. Alas no more i believe.
The moral is, don't drink n drive or pick up 4ft fluffy white hitchhikers at 5am in the morning
I had been drinking fairly heavily the previous night and had un wisely decided to drive to North Wales early the following morning. At about 5am on the road to Bridgenorth nr
Kinver Edge i saw what i belived was a white rabbit.
As i drew closer assuming the natural laws of perspective would prevail, i expected it to at least proportionaly resemble the familiar characteristics of our fluffy friends.
It refused to do so. Consequently as i drove passed about 2mph window down, leaning out, i remained at eye level with the beast.
I first put this descrepancy in size down to, the previous nights consumption, that i had been driving with only one eye open or that the rabbit had been standing on a log.
Later in tentative discusion with locals i was advised there were a few albino Wallabies about. Alas no more i believe.
The moral is, don't drink n drive or pick up 4ft fluffy white hitchhikers at 5am in the morning
In reply to Al Evans: Read in the paper this morning that London Zoo's elephants are being 'retired' to the Bedfordshire countryside. Shame they couldn't be put out to pasture at The Roaches ?
Just think; they could be trained to use their trunks to lift climbers up past those tricky starting moves, or to give climbers a cooling spray on a hot summer day. And when dead, they could be filled with concrete and used as ornamental, aesthetically-pleasing climbing sculptures.
Just think; they could be trained to use their trunks to lift climbers up past those tricky starting moves, or to give climbers a cooling spray on a hot summer day. And when dead, they could be filled with concrete and used as ornamental, aesthetically-pleasing climbing sculptures.
In reply to Graeme: It's a true story, Graeme (check out The Guardian). Anyway, what you doing at university so early ?
In reply to Al Evans: Does anyone know if the Brocklehurst who owned the zoo was the same one who went with Scott to the Antarctic ? Obscure or what ?
In reply to Marc C: I was doing some work, I quite fancy doing well in my course, with the minimum amount of work, I don't do afternoons. So I get in early to get a computer and do some work. One assignmnt left and 1000 words on the other, so I'm slacking quite comfortably.
In reply to Graeme:
"I was doing some work"
Sorry mate,I find this hard to swallow!!
As the actress said to the bishop.
"I was doing some work"
Sorry mate,I find this hard to swallow!!
As the actress said to the bishop.
In reply to andy flint: I was I copied alot of text from some print outs onto my assignment to try and convince my lecturer I actually care about this course. Tomorrow I am going for a careers interview to see how much more slacking I can get away with.
In reply to Graeme: Don't stay up too late on Rocktalk. I wouldn't want you to be late for our appointment tomorrow Graeme.
I've got lots of questions - e.g. what do you look for in a career? Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time? What would you say is your main weakness ? Are you goal or process-orientated ? Are you an innovator or a consolidator ?
And don't give me any cr*p about wanting to be a Wallaby Import-Export Executive for the Peak District National Park (Australian Division).
PS Please let me know your Course Leader's name and number. I'm sure he'll be interested in the construction methods underlying your assignments.
I've got lots of questions - e.g. what do you look for in a career? Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time? What would you say is your main weakness ? Are you goal or process-orientated ? Are you an innovator or a consolidator ?
And don't give me any cr*p about wanting to be a Wallaby Import-Export Executive for the Peak District National Park (Australian Division).
PS Please let me know your Course Leader's name and number. I'm sure he'll be interested in the construction methods underlying your assignments.
In reply to Graeme:
OI !!!!,
Just noticed you have a profile so went for a look, very nice up to the 'reading Andy Flints` nonsense'.
I`ll have you know, young feller me lad, that every word I post is well thought out and always accurate,I mean anyone reading that would think I post rubbish!!??
I can`t help it if things happen, it`s not my fault that I got;
a/ stuck in Kabul
b/was attacked by a homicidal neighborhood cat
c/have a Beagle(and cousin)using my computer
Ps. you could have mentioned what a stylish climber I am
OI !!!!,
Just noticed you have a profile so went for a look, very nice up to the 'reading Andy Flints` nonsense'.
I`ll have you know, young feller me lad, that every word I post is well thought out and always accurate,I mean anyone reading that would think I post rubbish!!??
I can`t help it if things happen, it`s not my fault that I got;
a/ stuck in Kabul
b/was attacked by a homicidal neighborhood cat
c/have a Beagle(and cousin)using my computer
Ps. you could have mentioned what a stylish climber I am
In reply to andy flint: Its more gibberish than I spout, and I know gibberish.
I went to see my careers adviser who I know to be a climber, he said I should start looking for a job and then proceeded to read my copy of OTE and discuss his trip to Font and training.
I went to see my careers adviser who I know to be a climber, he said I should start looking for a job and then proceeded to read my copy of OTE and discuss his trip to Font and training.
In reply to John Kirk: John,
many thanks for the historical, but is it really true? If Wallabies existed in Staffordshire wouldn't it be widely known? Anyway, how are you and Jun Ying, let's get in touch. Best wishes.
many thanks for the historical, but is it really true? If Wallabies existed in Staffordshire wouldn't it be widely known? Anyway, how are you and Jun Ying, let's get in touch. Best wishes.
In reply to Al Evans:
We went hunting for Wallabies in January at the Roaches, didn't see any signs of them but we did happen across some Llamas at a nearby farm, maybe from the wrong continent but bloody wierd to find a field full of them!
SteveW
We went hunting for Wallabies in January at the Roaches, didn't see any signs of them but we did happen across some Llamas at a nearby farm, maybe from the wrong continent but bloody wierd to find a field full of them!
SteveW
In reply to Steve Ward: They belong to Farmer Palmer the Llama farmer. Apparently. Came across some mountain biking in the Cotswolds too. Bizzare.
In reply to John Kirk:
I think that the Brocklehurst WAS the one who went with SHACKLETON, not Scott to the Antarctic. That was the story in the sixties but i have never checked to see if it is true.
I saw the wallabies till the early seventies but the numbers were depleted then, only a dozen or so were known to exist.
The Yak was something that surprised me, I was running down off Hen Cloud one afternoon and came across it in a clearing in the wood. We both sidled away wondering if the other was dangerous.
I think that the Brocklehurst WAS the one who went with SHACKLETON, not Scott to the Antarctic. That was the story in the sixties but i have never checked to see if it is true.
I saw the wallabies till the early seventies but the numbers were depleted then, only a dozen or so were known to exist.
The Yak was something that surprised me, I was running down off Hen Cloud one afternoon and came across it in a clearing in the wood. We both sidled away wondering if the other was dangerous.
In reply to Chris Fryer: Came across some mountain biking in the Cotswolds too. Bizzare.
Mountain biking wallabies would be bizzare anywhere not just in the Cotswolds.
Mountain biking wallabies would be bizzare anywhere not just in the Cotswolds.
In reply to Anonymous: There are also Llamas in the Rhinogs and I was once in a race that ran off Stanage End and went through the farm on the opposite side of the Snake Pass road. The field was full off Ostriches.
In reply to Al Evans: I went for a walk through Back Forest the other day and unfortunately didn't see any wallabies. Plenty of wild deer and some Llamas on a farm, hares, kestrels, an owl - a lot more than you would see on, say, Froggatt. The Roaches are an amazing place, much wilder than the Eastern edges and more mystical. I saw one party on the whole edge. We rarely visited this climbing area when I lived in Sheffield. I guess we were just lazy, lacking in "beta " and complacent. The few routes I did there, mainly on Hen Cloud, were amazing; but many of the more spaced out places have some real quality too.Perhaps we ought to buy a few specially acclimatised wallabies and release them ?
In reply to Al Evans: Wallabies ?? Unfortunately most sightings these days tend to be road kill,especially in harsh winters.They say there are still a few but even Back Forest and Ludchurch are so well visited that the poor little blighters don't now have so many places to hide. Saw one under the Third Cloud (have photos) back in the late 70's when men were men ,sheep were nervous and women were grateful.Only thing now seen are Wobberlies,especially during freshers meets!!
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