Wednesday

Christ Church Winter Walk - Sunday 22nd November


"Ashdown House's remote downland setting stirs the soul as much as the chalk-white perfection of its architecture". So says Candida Lycett Green, John Betjeman's daughter (Times, Sept 26). A ramble around the Ridgeway, passing Ashdown House, is planned for Sunday 22 November. Convene at the car park on the Ridgeway 3/4 mile SE of Ashbury (SU 274844) at 2.00 p.m.[Map] This is the start and finish point of a 4.5 mile circular walk which also visits Alfred's Castle, an Iron Age fort. A shorter (2 mile) out-and-back option is available.

The walks are high up on the Lambourn Downs and there is little ascent or descent. Trainers or walking boots, and suitable warm and spare clothing, are advised. Some of the way is along the Ridgeway and some along tracks off the main Ridgeway. It is planned to return to the car park (and start point) by 4.30 p.m. All are welcome, and transport can be arranged.

For further details, please contact Daniel Pitt, 39 Okus Road, Swindon, Wilts. SN1 4LE Home Tel:521732,Mobile:07989 493850 email fdpitt@yahoo.co.uk

Beating the Bounds – Sunday 9 May 2010

This will be the 12th year of Beating the Bounds.

The “full monty” is planned  -  i.e. to walk the full perimeter of the Parish - and Partnership – boundary.  This walk offers a fascinating range of urban and rural landscapes.

[Download a map of the route]

It is traditional to walk, or beat, the boundary of the parish on Rogation Sunday.  Originally,  this was probably the way  of checking the boundary of the parish before good maps were available.  The boundary stones would be “beaten”, ie hit with a stick , to check that they were still in their correct positions. 

Programme:

11.30 a.m - Depart Christ Church
11.45 a.m - Depart from outside Bath Road Methodist Church
1.00 p.m - Depart from Upham Rd / Queens Drive
1.30 p.m - Arrive Coate Water (for picnic lunch in the shelter next to the lake).
2.00 p.m - Depart from Coate Water
3.30 p.m - Arrive at The Check Inn at North Wroughton (we have booked the function room)
4.00 pm - Depart Check Inn
5.00 p.m - Walk finishes with a tea party at St Mary’s (Commonweal Rd)
6.30 p.m - Healing Service at St Mary’s

The total distance Christ Church to St Mary’s is approximately 10 miles -  5 miles if joining at Coate Water.  Please bring a packed lunch.  The walk is mostly flat, but there is a 50 metre climb up from Wroughton to Old Town.  It can be muddy underfoot if it has been raining before the walk (which it has done in two previous years).  Please bring waterproof clothing and spare layers.

Daniel Pitt mobile:  07989 493850  fdpitt@yahoo.co.uk
Caroline Pitt mobile – 07749 084880 carolinempitt@googlemail.com