produced by the community, for the community

Public Rights of Way Defenders -­ PROWD


Bill Edwards -­ PROWD | 01453 824452 | edwards.parish@btinternet.com


The free  copies of walks in the Parish are available at he Kings Head, and at The Old Badger. They are very popular - I have replenished them twice already!!

We have had three new kissing gates installed in the Nupend area, and Mr. Arthur Spencer, and Robin and Celia Harris have generously met the total costs. A very big 'thank you' to them for such a gift to the Community.  One of the old stiles removed was in good enough condition to be used on another path that was lacking a stile.  'Thank you ' to Alan Spencer for installing it.


I recently cleared a footpath in the Westend area with the staunch help of Sally Mears. We worked hard and had almost finished, when we discovered a two-foot deep hole in the middle of the path!!  It had been covered over with a sheet of cardboard (!!!! ) and was almost impossible to see because autumn leaves had covered it.  This could have been extremely dangerous, and we were lucky not to have had an accident.  The County Footpaths Officer was informed, and she has contacted the landowner.  The hole is now filled in!!


I also recently walked some paths over at Frocester, but it had not been well maintained where the path crosses the railway track.  I've contacted Network Rail, and our PROW Officer. Network Rail say that they will up-grade the path as soon as they have the resources!

Our latest walk was on Sunday 8th November, starting at The Badger.


  45 people turned up (!!!!!!!) including about 15 children and five dogs.  Quite a crowd!!


 We walked down the field West of Springhill towards the river Frome and followed the river, (using the M5 underpass,) to the A38.  Here I donned a reflective jacket, and so did Gill Glover.  We ushered everyone across the road in small groups until we were all safely across the road.  We then walked across a field (not a footpath!) to Fromebridge Mill. This had taken just under an hour. Unfortunately the weather had become a bit threatening, so, instead of stopping for a nice cup of tea, Vanessa took some photo's before we walked up the long driveway back to the A38, to come out by the old Canal Wharf. Here we crossed the road again, in small groups, and continued our walk towards Westend.  We encountered some excitable bullocks in the second field who raced around us, but they eventually ran off into a corner of the field and we all arrived safely at the Motorway bridge on Grove Lane in Westend. Next we walked down the lane for about half-a mile before taking a path to the West, which took us back to the A419.  This is a very busy road, but with my " high viz " jacket on, it was possible to safely stop the traffic to allow small groups to cross the road.  We continued to walk across the fields towards where the canal ends, and then back up Springhill to the Old Badger. !!


We had walked for two-and-a-half hours and managed to get back before it was too dark, and before the rain came !


I must just finish with a special mention to a plucky three-year-old lad called Dexter who walked the whole way !!  Amazing!  Well done !



Next  Walk :    Sunday 13th  December   14: 00  at the Kings Head .

                                                                                                       I hope to see you there



Best wishes to all walkers for a hearty Yuletide!!


Bill Edwards


Note: copies are available for download from ecn Home/Main Menu

The organized walk with Eastington Community Walking Group on 18th October was very well attended and about 30 people turned up (including a number of pushchairs). After half-a-mile or so most of the younger ones went on their own 'adventure' in the capable hands of Jenny Epson. The rest of the group walked to the top of Cress Green, over the Bath Road (by Osborne House ) and onto a return leg that took us over Wickers Brook, to finish up at The Kings Head.  Some of us went on to the Old Badger for "a swift half!!"  I have received many favorable comments about the walk.

Community Walks
No. 154  Dec’15-Jan 2016