Bill Edwards - PROWD | 01453 824452 | edwards.parish@btinternet.com
Best wishes for a Happy and Rewarding New Year and, it is to be hoped, some drier weather! What a wet and dreary time we’ve been having, but thankfully, not as bad as they’ve had in Cumbria and Scotland.
Normally February is our coldest month, but this won't deter us from having a brisk walk at some time (look on the notice boards for information).
I would like to take this opportunity to remind our local Farmers and land-owners, to please make sure that footpaths are kept clear and walk-able where you plant crops in fields that have footpaths running through them, or when the path is on the edge of a field. If the paths are kept clear, and stiles maintained, it means that enforcement action won't need to be taken, and therefore walkers, farmers, and land-owners can all benefit from a mutual understanding and respect.
I have reported two fallen trees to the County Footpaths Officer, both of which fell across bridges on footpaths. Fortunately, I managed to clear one (EEA7 Wicksters Brook near Orchard Leigh) with the help of a volunteer Andy, and I will follow-up on the other one (EEA 13 near Nastend Farm)
Our walk on December 13th included 'Rudolph’s Ramble' for the younger members, which was excellently organised by Jenny Empson. The adults walked to St Peter's Church Frocester and came back through Lower Downton. We all met-up again at the Kings Head and enjoyed a cup of tea or coffee and a mince pie, and there was squash for the kids!
A BIG 'thank you' to Chris for having everything ready, and for letting us use the boardroom.
Our next walk (at time of writing) is on Sunday 24th January 14.00, starting at The Badger and onto the canal path to 'The Ocean', returning via Five Acre Grove and Cress Green.
I often get asked about paths that get 'ploughed out', which is bound to happen from time to time on working farms. I include an article below that appeared in ' The Walk ' magazine in autumn last year, courtesy of the Editor of that publication.
