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CANTAB71 January 2013

CANTAB71 January 2013 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Happy New Year! Accept a brief season’s greetings, and an apology that this issue contains no “Parish of the Month”. You may recall that the November issue was completely taken up with Fen Ditton, so that now I have an accumulation of news items best seen before they become too stale.

Good wishes and good walking for 2013. Janet Moreton

The length of a walk
How many times at the end of a pleasant day have I overheard a remark, as follows: “Nice walk – how far did you make it then?” Estimates are made, perhaps, from a finger round the map, pedometer readings, or nowadays with a GPS. The walk’s leader may have originally entered “10 miles” in the programme, only perhaps to have changed the route slightly, over- or under-estimated the route with a piece of cotton round the map, or unwisely trusted one of those little “map-measurer” gadgets with a wheel. My own feeling is that a variation of 10% or so from the stated target distance is absolutely acceptable, but a walk of 14 miles which was supposed to be only 10 might well raise questions, if not outright complaints.

I have recently come across a series of discussions in “Ramblers Net” on the length of the British Coastline, which is relevant to the length of any path or walk. I paraphrase Pete Bland, himself summarising the contributions.

The length of anything depends on the measuring stick in use. Using a thick piece of string on your map, will give one result, but magnify your map and use thin twine and there will be a larger result. Use a GPS on the walk and the result will be different from someone else’s GPS reading. Trace the route with Anquet or Memorymap, and the computers will give yet another estimate. There is no such thing as the “correct distance”. In particular, the length of a walk given by your GPS will depend on: the frequency of position sampling; random errors in the position calculated; and the degree to which the GPS performs automatic smoothing of the data.

The problems associated with measuring coastline length led Benoit Mandlebrot to invent a new branch of mathematics called “Fractals”. The following quotation comes from “Chaos” by James Gleick (ISBN 978-0749386061), in a chapter on “A Geometry of Nature”.

“An observer trying to estimate the length of England’s coastline from a satellite will make a smaller guess than an observer trying to walk its coves and beaches, who will make a smaller guess in turn than a snail negotiating every pebble.

“Common sense suggests that, although these estimates will continue to get larger, they will approach some particular final value, the true length of the coastline. The measurements should converge, in other words. And in fact, if a coastline were some Euclidean shape, such as a circle, this method of summing finer and finer straight line distances would indeed converge. But Mandlebrot found that as the scale of measurement becomes smaller, the measurement of the coastline rises without limit, bays and peninsulas revealing ever smaller sub-bays and sub-peninsulas – at least down to atomic scales, where the process does finally come to an end”.

Shall we go for a four hour walk?

Octavia’s Walk
The National Trust has named a 6 mile circuit at Wicken after Octavia Hill, to mark the 100th anniversary of her death. The NT’s “News from the Fen” of July 2012 outlines events which led to the organisation’s formation.

In 1885, a campaign was started to raise public awareness of changes which the bringing of the railway would precipitate in the Lake District. Octavia Hill collaborated with Robert Hunter and Canon H Rawnsley on this issue, and their collaboration led the formation of The National Trust.

The promoted walk starts from the Wicken Fen Visitor Centre car park. (Note there is a parking charge, which will be refunded if the sum is spent in the visitor centre or its café).

The walk goes along Lodes Way onto Burwell Fen, on land bought by the NT in 2001. It crosses Burwell Lode, and continues south to cross Reach Lode, where walkers turn right along the bank. The route continues to Upware, and returns to the visitor centre via Wicken Lode. My experience of this area suggests that after prolonged rain, wellies would be a good idea.

Love or Hate?
Put this date in your diary for one reason or another. Between 31 August and 2 September 2013, the “Lodestar” festival will occur in Lode Fen, involving (doubtless loud) popular music, theatre, etc. You may wish to purchase tickets for this event online from http://www.lodestarfestival.com

Or lovers of the quiet countryside, like me, will record the dates to ensure that on no account will they inadvertently venture near the vicinity.

Village Greens and Commons It is worth noting that the Government has published The Growth and Infrastructure Bill, which, amongst other things, contains changes to the law for registering new town and village greens. The reforms intend to exclude applications to register new greens on land that has actual or applied-for planning permission , or any land for potential development identified in a local or neighbourhood plan.

New commons and village greens are still being registered in Cambridgeshire. For example, there has been an an application to Cambs County Council to register land by Water Lane, Oakington as a common.

The Open Spaces Society has, as one of its prime aims, the protection of commons, greens and other open spaces. In 2011, the Society responded to calls from members for advice on protection and management of at least 62 commons, 28 registered greens, and 44 other open spaces. DEFRA and its Welsh equivalent sought advice on 81 applications for works on, or exchanges of common land. (The Society objected to 27 of these). Many more cases and disputes reached them via consultations from official bodies or were dealt with by the Society’s local correspondents. For more information, see http://www.oss.org.uk

The RSPB in East Anglia
At Cambridge RA Group’s AGM on 23 November, our speaker was Graham Elliott, the RSPB’s Area Manager for Cambridgeshire and the fens, speaking especially about Fen Drayton Nature Reserve. For those who missed a good talk and slide show, here are some ideas for birdwatching walks, following my visit to another RSPB reserve at Fowlmere.

JM

The Winter and early Spring are especially good times for birdwatching in East Anglia. Recently in the Fowlmere RSPB reserve, a copy of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ promotional pamphlet for East Anglia was pressed upon me. I am not an RSPB member. I like birds, but in general can no longer hear their high pitched songs, and have always felt more drawn to a study of flowers or fungi, or other static targets, rather than to a bird someone saw half a minute ago, but which had flown by the time they told me!

However, the list is impressive, with some 20 reserves featured.

Fowlmere Reserve itself is the nearest to Cambridge. Parking and entry are free, but a donation is always appreciated. Similarly, we all enjoy free access to Fen Drayton Lakes reserve, both along public footpaths, and on permissive trails. Indeed, most of us will have known this site before it was acquired by the RSPB, and before access via the Guided Busway from Cambridge or St Ives became so attractive an option. (See Cantab 64)

The next-nearest reserve from Cambridge is the RSPB’s headquarters outside Sandy, Bedfordshore and this again needs no introduction. I featured Sandy as Parish of the Month in Cantab 63 of July, 2011, suggesting various walks based on, or including, the delightful (sandy) walks around the reserve. It should be noted that parking for non-members is currently £4 per vehicle, so it was suggested that walkers park in the town, and use the attractive quiet Stratford Road past the station and cemetery to access the reserve.

How many readers know Lakenheath Fen Reserve, just over the Suffolk border? The RSPB created this wetland only a few years ago, out of arable farmland. Here I was absolutely amazed to see some cranes on one occasion. The reserve is accessible on foot along the Hereward Way, from Brandon, or from Lakenheath. There is a carpark charge for non-members.

The Ouse Washes Reserve is a wonderful sight in Winter. I visited once by coach for an evening floodlit “performance” by the Whooper and Bewick swans. On other occasions, we have walked in on the Hereward Way, only possible when the road bridge is not flooded.

The Nene Washes Reserve is doubtless better known to Peterborough residents, and a wonderful place for waders Access on foot is possible along the Nene Way along the South Barrier Bank some 2 miles from Whittlesea.

Other reserves are further away, and probably more suitable for a weekend break. Suffolk has two coastal reserves, at Minsmere and North Warren, and one at the ancient Wolves Wood, near Hadleigh.

Norfolk RSPB guards little terns at Great Yarmouth, displays huge numbers of waders along the coast at Snettisham, and has a wetland reserve at Titchwell Marsh. There are 3 reserves in the Yare Valley.

Essex RSPB boasts the Stour Estuary, and has a visitor centre at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea.

How can the Ramblers attract and keep new members? What do members of the Ramblers want from the Association?
These are the questions posed at a recent forum attended by Cambridge Group Secretary Jill Tuffnell. The Ramblers CEO Benedict Southworth and Chairman Jonathan Kipling have been holding a series of regional meetings with representatives of local groups and Jill attended the only session covering London, the South East and East of England.

The facts are that Ramblers’ membership nationally has declined in recent years, with many new members failing to renew their subscription for a second year. Does the organisation offer what they need? Can we learn from successful local groups’ experience in terms of maintaining or increasing their numbers?

As a general rule – at least in the London/home counties – it is the groups which have a wide-ranging programme of local walks and trips, a very extensive group website with sections offering downloadable walks and also regularly updated online newsletters which are most successful. Some have been able to attract a regular inflow of new talent to their committees/officers. Success helps to support further success, with sufficient numbers of volunteers coming forward to break tasks down to manageable chunks. For example they have been able to create email lists of members who can readily be contacted. (This may seem easy, but everyone has to be contacted individually to ask for up-to-date details of such addresses and permission to use them!). The Cambridge Group is not so lucky. We rely on a few volunteers doing a lot of work. Our Area no longer functions as a decision-making body, which means more work for Groups. And – with a very successful local Rambling Club providing a wide-ranging programme of walks – we find it particularly challenging to maintain members who are only interested in a Wednesday or Sunday walk! Also in 2011 a number of new Ramblers members may have had their subscription paid by HF Holidays – and their membership may lapse one year on.

The publisher of Cantab has volunteered this slot to ensure the issue is aired amongst local Ramblers’ members. Cambridge Group welcomes any help you may be able to offer us – especially on our Committee, but also in any other role, such as helping with newsletters or developing our website.

Jill Tuffnell jill.tuffnell@cambsandpeterboroughramblers.org.uk

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab appears approximately every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and a stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item. Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Cantab 71 Price 20 pence where sold © Janet Moreton, 2013.

CANTAB70 November 2012

CANTAB70 November 2012 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Only one topic! The whole of this month’s issue is occupied with a parish on Cambridge’s frontier. With the onset of short daylight, I invite you to ramble nearer to home, and notice some new points of interest in a familiar village.

Janet Moreton

Parish of the Month:Fen Ditton
Lying just outside the urban eastern reaches of Cambridge, alongside the Cam, Fen Ditton is strategically placed for a rapid & easy escape into the countryside.

The land and its early occupation The parish lies mainly on chalk, with strips of gravel and alluvium along the river, and an area of gravel to the extreme south of the parish. Much of the present village makes use of its ridge ca 15m above sea level, but almost all of the rest of the parish is at ca 10m, apart from lower areas adjacent to the river, along the attractive water-meadows. Boundaries of the parish include the Cam, Quy Water and a drainage ditch known as Black Ditch.

Evidence of prehistoric occupation of the land is concentrated in fields near these watercourses, where Mesoliths and Neolithic flints occur at the junction of fen and slightly higher land, and several bronze age implements have been found near the fen edge to the north of the parish. However. there have been finds elsewhere including Neolithic polished stone hand-axes in both the Rectory garden and from Biggin Abbey, and a Bronze Age urn cremation at Ditton Meadows.

Fen Ditton and Horningsea parishes form a peninsula of high ground between the river and the fens which was cut off from dry land to the south by the construction of a bank and ditch, called Fleam Dyke. It is not certain when it was built, but early Anglo-Saxons were entombed in the ditch when it was almost filled, suggesting a date earlier than C6th. Elsewhere in East Anglia, dykes date from the Iron Age, and so too may this one. Another suggestion is that it could perhaps have been Roman, although unlike adjacent parishes, there are few remains from the Roman period. Immediately south of the Dyke, a large Middle Iron Age settlement was excavated in 1996. There were ca 300 pits here, containing animal bones and much pottery, hearths, and enclosures.

Fen Ditton is “Dittone”, meaning the village by the (Fleam) Ditch, first so named in a will made ca 950. By the late C13th, “Fen” had been added to differentiate it from Woodditton.

The irregular and peculiar boundary with Horningsea is due to division of the two parishes by the Bishop of Ely in 1412. Previously, although Fen Ditton was a settlement from at least the C10th, it does not seem to have been considered a separate parish, and is not mentioned in the Domesday Book or in the C13th Hundred Rolls. Some of the southern boundary with Cambridge has been adjusted in the C20th . Much of the parish was enclosed in a piecemeal fashion linked to fenland drainage in the C17th and C18th, and the remaining fields were enclosed by the official Award made in 1807.

Recorded Settlement & Development
In the C10th, Ditton was the property of Aelfgar, who left it to his daughter Aethelflaed on condition that it became church property on her death. She left it in her will to the church at Ely, in the late C10th. In the C12th, the land passed to the bishop, rather than to the abbey, and remained in this ownership until 1600, when taken over by the Crown. The Bishops’ C14th house is now known as Biggin Abbey

The original village settlement was mainly a strip running parallel to the river, with the church at the south end. Wharves were built between the Cam and the village, and from these several Fen Ditton merchants were involved in national and international trade. The north end was known as Green End, containing the village green, and was the likely site of the market granted to the Bishop in the late C13th. In the late Middle Ages occupation spread from the riverside to an E – W orientation along the line of the filled-in Fleam Dyke, to make use of higher ground and some of the substantial C17th houses along what is now High Street and High Ditch Road still stand on the flattened bank. No6 High Street “The Walled Cottage” provides a model for local materials using alternate courses of squared clunch and pink gault brick. Musgrave Farmhouse in the High Street is a jettied house of the late C16th, and Honeysuckle Cottage is a fine C17th property on High Ditch Road.

Among the buildings still lining the river, the Hall, south of the church, is a fine example of old red brickwork with shaped gables of ca 1635 – it was constructed on a grand scale round a late medieval timbered house.

The church, with walls of jumbled rubble and clunch has early C14th tracery of the tall chancel, a lofty C15th porch, and tower of 1881 by Pearson. Some authorities consider the chancel’s fine conception (originally 1316-37) has been ruthlessly restored by the Victorians. The rowing-eight weather-vane on the tower celebrates the village’s rowing associations. The Rectory presents a lovely red-brick front to the churchyard, 1711-32. There are two large Black Poplar trees in a paddock below the church, rare examples of Populus nigra v. betulifolia, of which only about 100 are known in the County.

Opposite the church is the short row of Almshouses, built in 1665-6 by a member of the Willys family; rebuilt by Thomas Bailey in 1877, and remodelled in 1968-9 with funds from the Chase Charity.

In isolation outside the village is The Biggin (or Biggin Abbey) which was built originally by Hugh de Northwold, Bishop of Ely in the mid C13th, in a palatial style, and used as a residence & a hunting lodge. It was a place for official business, and for entertaining royalty including Henry III, Edward I, and Edward II. By the mid C14th, the extensive property was in poor condition, and the building that survives was built mainly at that time, when its use had declined to a manor house. It was remodelled in the C17th, with walls of clunch & stone, now covered with concrete! In C17th, it was sold to the Willys family of Eye Hall in Horningsea, and in the mid C18th, it came into ownership of Thomas Panton.

Other important buildings include The Barn, a massive C16th structure now used for public events, but once used for trading and as the village Guildhall. One of the medieval wharves can still be seen between this building and the river, and there was another near The Plough off Green End Road, which was used by coal barges into the C20th.

On the outskirts of the parish is not only the abandoned and partly flattened section of the Fleam Dyke, but also the dismantled railway line, the former LNER (London and North Eastern Railway) that linked Cambridge to a terminus at Mildenhall, with a halt at Fen Ditton. This part of the line was laid in 1884 by the Great Eastern Railway Company, when Mildenhall was still a successful port on the River Lark. The line closed in 1964.

The population in the early C14th comprised 330 adults. In the C16th and C17th there were fewer than 60 families, probably due to loss of trading activities. In 1801 there were still only 337 people recorded in the census. Numbers grew in the C19th, reaching 680 in 1881, possibly augmented by the coprolite diggers active at Green End. The old village street was infilled with new housing in the 1950s, some replacing gaps of houses destroyed in WWII bombing. The population by 1996 had reached 730.

Walking around Fen Ditton
Map – OS Explorer209
The following walks take in many of the features described in the above paragraphs, which are marked by an asterisk. Numbered paths refer to paths in Fen Ditton parish, unless otherwise stated.

Around Fen Ditton’s Historic Sites The walk starts at the Newmarket Road Park-and-Ride carpark, which may be reached from The Grafton Centre in Cambridge using a frequent service. Within the P & R site, follow cycleway arrows to the rear hedge, where an attractive “Bicycle” arch leads out into fields. Turn left and follow the cycleway 50m to the corner. (This point can also be reached from Newmarket Rd, by a signed path starting beside the garage). Fp9 goes across the arable field to a gap in the opposite hedge. Descend steps to the former railway*, and take more steps up the other side. Go through a kissing gate into pasture, and follow waymarks through 3 more kissing gates, emerging into a residential road, and turn right onto High Ditch Road*.

Here, at the junction with High Street and Horningsea Road is the village sign, illustrating the church, an old plough, and a rowing eight. (The sign was being repaired when I visited – look for the new endpiece to the village name, showing a rose, carved in oak by Neil Horne). Down High Street, pass the Ancient Shepherds pub, and note The Walled Cottage, house no.6*, opposite. The Kings Head pub is on the corner of High Street & Church Street, and centrally placed is the village war memorial. Visitors to the church* seem likely to find it locked, but one can readily view The Alms Houses*, The Old Rectory* and the black poplars* from the road. Continue down Church St and Green End, and enter the recreation ground. Fp3 leaves the back of the rec, and runs as a field edge path behind gardens. Fp4 turns off left part-way along between fences. However, continue to the end of fp 3, where it joins Byway 5, then turn left, to Green End termination. (The other end of Byway 5 meets Horningsea Road).

Take Fp6 signed starting in a fenced defile across the field near a restored cottage, then across a meadow, to go under the A14 beside the Cam. Immediately, turn right below the A14, on Fp8 initially between hedges, later, signed across two arable fields The path passes quite close to Biggin Abbey*, which is, however, better seen from Fp6. The path joins Horningsea Fp 1 which leads via Fp7 to Baits Bite Lock. Do not cross the lock (unless seeking to rest on seats in front of the building on the far side), but turn left in front of a tall wooden fence, on Fp6, with a ditch to left. After a section through bushes, one walks beside the Cam. Continue under the A14 viaduct, retracing to Green End*.

Continue ahead to the church, then turn down Fp2, towards the river, passing the Old Manor House*, which unfortunately is not clearly seen from the path. Fp2 enters a kissing gate, and goes through riverside meadows, crossing a bridge over a ditch, and joining a tarmac cycleway. Continue on the cycleway under the railway bridge over the river (beware cyclists!) and thence into Cambridge, along the riverside as far as Saxon Street. Turn left here, and right into Beche Road. Pass the medieval Cellerer’s Chequer, and the old (haunted?) Abbey House opposite. Use the subway to cross Newmarket Road, and return to the Grafton Centre. (7 miles)

In wet weather, (and for much of the Winter) Fp2 through the meadows can be flooded. In this case, start down Fp1, signed down a cycleway opposite the church. Either continue on the (dry) cycleway, which goes under the railway bridge, or branch off to cross the railway on high steps at TL 473 599 , to join the route along Cambridge riverside.

The walk can be extended to about 11 miles, by crossing the Cam at Baits Bite, using the towpath to Clayhythe, where cross the river, and return using the Fen Rivers Way route through Horningsea.

If, in addition, one continues further round the Cambridge riverfront past Jesus Green, The Backs and Coe Fen, a distance of 14 miles might be attained, if not overtaken by the darkness of a winter’s afternoon!

Fen Ditton’s other paths
Fen Ditton has 14 numbered paths on the Definitive Map, but several of these are short sections of longer paths between Teversham and Horningsea or Stow cum Quy, and have been described elsewhere. However, one other circuit is possible using Byway 14 in Fen Ditton.

Low Fen Drove Circuit
Start from Fen Ditton Church*, where there is limited parking. Follow the route described towards Baits Bite Lock, but turn East on the path towards Horningsea. On reaching the road, turn right (South, away from Horningsea) as far as a bus shelter, where cross the road, and follow Low Fen Drove Way (Byway 14) to Snout Corner, passing the site of an old windmill. Veer right to cross the line of the old railway*, continue to Honey Hill, and pass over the A14 to reach High Ditch Road. Turn right to return to Fen Ditton. (Note: Low Fen Droveway can be wet and muddy in Winter). (6 miles)

The Fen Rivers Way This long distance path between Cambridge and the Wash, has a dual route (i.e. on both sides of the river) between Cambridge and Ely. The route on the east bank uses Fps 2, 3, 6 and 7 as it passes through Fen Ditton, and is waymarked accordingly.

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab appears approximately every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and a stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item. Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Cantab 70 Price 20 pence where sold © Janet Moreton, 2012.

CANTAB69 September 2012

CANTAB69 September 2012 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

The Summer of the Nettles
Sometimes, they have been 9 feet high, tangled together with bindweed, brambles, or various arable weeds at the edge of a cereal field, making paths impassable.

Last year Cambridgeshire County Council made three cuts on selected field-edge paths, in May, July and again in the Autumn. This year, when weeks of Summer downpours after drought caused the vegetation to reach for the sky, there were only two such cuts, the second starting in September. Through the Summer, Cambridge RA Group advised walkers to wear long trousers, and if necessary to walk in the crop, such as down a spray line. The Highways Act, 1980, in case of an obstructed path, allows one to take the nearest reasonable alternative. The Group has been concerned about accidents: people falling over in the tangled weeds, or taking to the nearest, possibly hazardous road.

The Highways Act also gives the County Council the obligation to maintain public rights of way. This year, Cambs CC claimed there was no money available for more path maintenance. We note that the County cuts 25% of the network, although some of the other paths are maintained by local parishes, landowners, and other agencies. We also note that, after reorganisation, the County Council’s Countryside Services Team is now part of the Highways Department. There still seems to be plenty of money to cut the roadside verges every six weeks!

Some field edge paths are now being cut in September, although several paths which we have reported as being presently impassable, have been refused treatment, on the grounds that they are not on the list for cutting, and there is no money to include them this year.

Whilst everyone knows that local government spending is restricted, we think footpaths and bridleways should receive more priority. Walking is a very inexpensive form of recreation, open to most people, and the cost of maintenance is relatively small.

Now the harvest is in, and the problem is less acute, do not forget your sufferings in July and August. It is no use writing to the rights of way staff at the County Council, who are using all the resources available to them. Please address your concerns to your County Councillor. Do it soon, so that next year, footpaths may have a fairer share of the funding.

Janet Moreton

The Future of England’s Forests
The report of an independent panel on the future of forestry, was issued in July. The panel was set up following the furore over the government’s planned sell off of public forests last year.

Recommendations include
— An adequately funded and staffed public forestry body, free from political intervention.
— Developing and investing in the services which are currently supplied
— Expanding our National Forest Estate
— Retaining GB –wide functions
— Recognising the continuing need for a forest research body.

In response, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman assured “Our Forests will stay in public hands”.

We hope so.

(Synopsis of an item in “Prospect” Aug 2012).

The Woodland Trust – 40 this year
The Woodland Trust Charity is celebrating its 40th year, since its founding in 1971 by retired agricultural machinery producer Kenneth Watkins. By 1981, the Trust owned 80 woods. After 30 years, it was caring for 1135 woods, and had planted 5 million trees. After 40 years, the Trust cares for 1276 woods, covering 23 580 ha (58 267 acres), and has planted 16 million trees. All the Trust’s woodlands are open freely to walkers and other quiet recreational users on foot.

See:
woodlandtrust.org.uk/40year-appeal

Parish of the Month –
Thompson, Norfolk
Explorer 229

Walkers of the Peddars Way will have passed through this quiet parish, but may not have left the ancient trail to visit the village. Neither will users of the Pingo Trail, encouraged to use a small carpark off the A1075, have gained any impression of the wider landscape.

Pause a while to learn the history of Thompson, and vary your walks in this quiet area.

History
The Peddars Way ancient trackway runs NNW from Thompson Water, right across the parish. An old track, perhaps a few thousand years old, formed a basis for the Roman Road, built immediately after the Boudican revolt of AD 61. Although primarily of military importance in Roman times, communities sprung up beside the road. Large quantities of Roman material were found at Brettenham, and there may have been an Iceni/Roman town at Salham Toney.

Thompson is believed to have a Danish origin, at Tumi’s Tun, the homestead of Tumi. Thompson’s most important historical period could be dated 1350 – 1541, at the time of its Collegiate church. St Martin’s Church is claimed to be one of the finest examples of the decorated style in East Anglia, and is usually open for inspection. In 1350, the building was endowed as a Collegiate Church by brothers Thomas and John de Shardelowe. They established a community of 6 monks in a chantry building, the remains of which are still evident in College Farmhouse. After The Dissolution, the college became a manor house and farmhouse. The church was restored by the Lord of the Manor, Robert Futter in 1648, and again facing ruin in 1913, it was restored again by the Rev Kent at Merton, and his friend Duleep Singh.

The College Farmhouse and its very attractive grounds, can be seen from the roadside in the village. The Chequers Inn, an old thatched building, dates from the early C17th. Other points of interest include The Village Sign, unveiled in 1977 to mark the Queen’s Jubilee. Figures of a Roman Soldier, a monk & a goose-girl represent elements of Thompson’s history.

Forestry and Military Danger Areas
The parish is low-lying, with a sandy soil overlying chalk. Agriculture, forestry and military exercises account for the greatest land use.

Thetford Forest dates from 1922, and a substantial proportion of Thompson parish is under conifers. The military took over the Stanford Battle Area before WWII, after trees had been planted, and a proportion of the parish is still a “no-go” area, clearly marked with Ministry of Defence “Danger Area” notices. A glance at the map shows adjacent parishes such as Tottington, with its abandoned St Andrews Church, and Sturston, seemingly entirely within the military fence. Several villages were evacuated at the time, some 1000 persons being displaced. When you visit Thompson, spare a thought for these poor people, almost like latter-day victims of the Highland clearances.

Natural History
Thompson Common is owned by Norfolk Naturalists Trust, and the artificial lake, Thompson Water is part of the reserve. The Common is known particularly for its pingos. Pingos derive from the freeze / thaw cycles of the glaciations during the Devonian period. Each circular pool was originally formed by freezing water on top of a groundwater spring. The repeated addition of ice caused a dome of surface gravels. When the ice melted, the middle of the pingo collapsed to form a hollow. Any sediment which flowed off formed an encircling rampart. Where a pingo is in open grass, it looks attractive with clear water and flowering vegetation. The pools of stagnant water under the trees are a breeding ground for mosquitoes, so insect repellent is a must for Summer visitors.

In late Spring, the reserve is well-known for its interesting plants, including water violet and amphibious yellow-cress growing in the pingos, and Southern fen orchid, and pyramidal orchids flowering in the immediate locality. Some 70 to 80 species of bird are said to nest in the forest area, of which the rarest is the stone curlew, which chooses areas of open ground. Don’t get too hopeful about seeing one of these – they are said to be extremely shy.

Walking opportunities.
The Peddars Way runs from Knettishall Heath to Holme next the Sea, where the path turns east, becoming the Norfolk Coast Path. Thompson is thus about 10 miles north of the start at Knettishall Heath, and a detour east from less than a mile north of Thompson Water at TL 908 961 would take the rambler to Thompson village, which has B & B accommodation:
College Farm 01953 483318

Thatched House 01953 483577
Lands End 01953 488070

Otherwise sections of The Peddars Way can be taken into circular walks, as described below.

The Pingo Trail, 8 miles
Walkers are advised to start the Pingo Trail at a small carpark off the A1075, at TL 940 966. This point is a few hundred yards N beyond the turning to Stow Bedon. A display board for the route describes the track of the old railway which forms one limb of the walk, and the special wildlife of the locality.

Set off SSW down the line of the former track of The Great Eastern Railway in a wooded setting, with shallow pools at intervals on both sides of the track. Duck-boards are provided over the damper areas. Continue on a more open stretch past Crow’s Farm, and back into the woodland as far as Hockham Heath where, at TL 927 925, one meets a minor road, which is followed NW for 400yd, to a junction where The Peddars Way is joined, going NNW along a road that later becomes a byway. Follow this former Roman Road to Thompson Water. At TL 912 950, a waymarked track turns off right through the undergrowth. The path, well signed, winds through the wood, later following beside a watercourse, then emerging into meadows at TL 926 953. It continues NE across the rough grassland, passing a couple of pingos, and reaches a lane at TL 928 956. Follow the fenced lane, which widens, becomes tarmaced and passes Butter’s Lodge. Just before a road junction, a waymark at TL 934 967 indicates a right turn into woodland , which is well-waymarked on a winding route through the woods, scrub and grassland of the reserve, back to the carpark.

Thompson Village circuit. 4 miles.
Drive to Thompson church, where some parking is possible at the rear. Walk through the village, passing the very attractive College Farm. At TL 935 968, turn NW up Drove Lane, which follow to the minor road at TL 927 976. Turn left along Griston Road for 200yd, to return to the church on a public footpath. Perhaps take a rest in the churchyard!
For the next loop, go SW along the road to Pockthorpe Green (which is a wonderful large open common and recreation area) and take the path at TL 923 966, going S from a road junction by the school. At a junction of tracks, turn left on a bridleway, first along a field edge, then across a field to Butter’s Lodge. Turn left and follow the road back to the church.

Thompson to Thompson Water
5 miles
From Thompson Church, take the road SW to Pockthorpe Green, and go to the road junction at TL 919 961, then W on the dead-end road to join the Peddars Way. Turn left to go SSE to the turning to Thompson Water. Pick up the Pingo Trail, (as described above), and return to Butter’s Lodge, and thence by road to Thompson.

Thompson and Merton. 7.5 miles
From Thompson Church, follow quiet roads generally W to the Peddars Way at TL 908 961. Follow this long distance path N to near Merton at TL 901 991.
Here, turn right into Merton village. At TL 908 987, take the bridleway S then E to the B 1110 at TL 913 981. Turn left, then right at a crossroads, and follow the road generally E to a T-junction at TL 924 989.Turn right for nearly a mile, then right again and shortly left at TL 927 976 down Drove Lane. Cut through at TL 933 971, to return straight back to the church.
Note that this route is less scenic, but may be useful to those wishing to walk a section of the Peddars Way as part of a circuit.

Quotation of the Month

Come ye thankful people come,
Raise the song of harvest-home.
All is safely gathered in
Ere the Winter storms begin;

George J Elvey (1816 – 93)

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab usually appears every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and a stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item.
Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Cantab 69 Price 20 pence where sold
© Janet Moreton, 2012.

CANTAB68 June 2012

CANTAB68 June 2012 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Wind Turbines Wind turbines are in the news, both the land-based and off-shore types. The Ramblers’ Association policy is to consider each case on its merits, putting the burden on local groups for making the decision. Cambridge RA Group supported Linton and Great Chesterford Parish Councils in their successful campaign to prevent the erection of turbines on the ridge of high ground on the parish (and county) border. Important factors in the decision appear not to have been so much any impact on the landscape, but the effect of such structures on aircraft navigation at Stansted, and on rare bats in nearby Hildersham Wood. When a scheme for a group of turbines was put forward on land above Balsham, there was no local campaign, so the Ramblers’ Association made no comment. These tall structures are now being erected, and are very clearly visible from the Fleam Dyke, and the historic Fox Road track.

I have looked into the views of other countryside organisations, and attempt to present the tone of their views below.

Janet Moreton

Council for the Preservation of Rural England, CPRE
In its magazine, “Countryside Voice”, Spring 2012, CPRE publishes a debate between opinions on both sides. One objector (Adrian Snook of Northants) felt that the Government was putting undue emphasis on wind power to solve the UK’s energy problems. He was very upset that 5 wind turbines, 410ft tall were allowed in a rural site, in spite of concerted local opposition. He writes: “Rural communities have grown to perceive the whirling blades as a symbol of oppression”.

On the other hand, Rachel Coxcoon, (Head of Local & Community Empowerment, Centre for Sustainable Energy), cites a CSE report, “Common Concerns about Windpower”. She contends that landscape impact is a subjective challenge that rightly remains at the heart of the debate. She compares objections to that raised by Victorian railway expansion. Ms Coxcoon concludes that community ownership and control are a key to unlocking the acceptance of large-scale renewable energy.

South Downs Society The South Downs Society supports “clean green” energy from wind, but wants to protect the South Downs National Park. Its concerns relate not only to possible wind farms on land, but also those off the South Coast.

Energy giant EON is proposing a new offshore windfarm (the Rampion) in the English Channel within sight of the coast and the South Downs. The 100-200 turbines up to 210m high will be 13 – 23 km out to sea. Electricity will be brought to shore through underground cables between Worthing and Lancing, then carried underground to connect with the national grid near Bolney, Mid-Sussex. It will mean digging a huge trench across the South Downs for the cables. The South Downs Society is pressing EON to bury some existing overhead wires in the trench, and to start the tidying up of the old Shoreham cement works, alongside the trench.

This scheme is still at the consultation stage, but on a recent visit to Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk, we were able to see the on-going development of another off-shore wind turbine project, which gives insight into the numerous factors involved.

Sheringham Shoal – SCIRA Offshore Energy
When we visited Wells in March, we called at the local office of the company, and obtained publicity material, from which these notes are derived.

By the early Spring, it seems some twenty offshore turbines were already in position, (although they were not visible from the coast at Wells). Offshore wind farms are notable by the tall turbines above the waves, but of equal importance are the subsea components – foundations, cables and associated equipment, and the land-based facilities. Initial preparation works had started on the site of the Sheringham Shoal operations and maintenance facility on the Walsingham estate in Egmere, 3 miles south of Wells. In Wells, we saw the new Outer Harbour in the sand near the lifeboat station, serving the offshore operations, with a fleet of 3 or 4 vessels.

An underwater trencher specially re-engineered for Sheringham seabed conditions was about to begin burying cable between the windfarm and the coast at Weybourne, using a technique tested to have “least impact” on the marine environment.

An offshore community of ca 180 people is living and working in the Greater Wash, on a floating hotel,”Wind Ambition”, a former Mediterranean ferry of 153m, adapted for accommodation. This has minimised boat and road traffic to & from the Wells Outer Harbour, as workers mostly now join/leave the vessel on its monthly visit to Harwich.

I noted, from the handouts, that Sheringham Shoal Community Fund has awarded funds to Bacton on sea Village Hall towards the installation of a 5kw wind turbine to help reduce the hall’s carbon emissions. The 1st Mundsley Air Scout Group was awarded funds towards installation of 20 photovoltaic panels on the roof of the new scout hut. The Sheringham and District Preservation Soc was granted funds to replace the current lighting in the Heritage Centre and Shell Gallery. There was no mention of any objectors…

Suffolk Offshore Wind Farms The Suffolk Wildlife Trust magazine of May 2012 gives a resumé of ongoing proposals for wind farms off the coast of Suffolk, which I venture to summarise.

A “Greater Gabbard” project is already under construction, and I have no further details. A new proposal called the “Galloper” project forms an extension of Greater Gabbard, and consists of a further 140 turbines, so clearly this is a major offshore initiative. The planning application for this development is currently being considered by the Infrastructure Planning Committee, and the decision expected later this year.

A second new proposal, The East Anglian Offshore Windfarm (EAOW) is even larger, and is to be brought forward as six projects. The first of these, East Anglia one, comprising 333 turbines, is expected to be submitted before the end of 2012.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust notes that offshore wind farms have the potential to disturb marine environments, such as birds and mammals, and the sea bed, and also necessarily affect terrestrial environments, as trenches are dug, and cables laid to connect with the national grid.

So it is clear that the environmental lobby of coastal counties has plenty of work on its hands to engage with the planning process to try for the best possible outcomes for the countryside and wildlife.

Breckland Nature Reserves and CountryParks -Explorer 229 Instead of a “Parish of the Month” we explore the Breckland area spanning the Norfolk – Suffolk border. This is the land of the rare stone curlew, whose love of “blasted heath” makes it seriously short of habitat now most of Breckland is under conifers. Here are some ideas for visits, even if many of the sites are more trees than open spaces.

Knettishall Heath
At the beginning of the year, Suffolk Wildlife Trust put out an urgent appeal to buy Knettishall Heath. Thanks to the generosity of its members, and other East Anglian friends, this large reserve (formerly 360acres, now enlarged) was purchased from Suffolk County Council.

Walkers will know the site as the termination of the Icknield Way long distance path, and the start of The Peddars Way. An information site, waymarked circuits, car park, and toilet block were part of the purchase, and RA Cambridge Group sent £50 towards maintenance.

Knettishall has a mix of habitats including areas of heath and chalk grassland. It is one of the best examples in the Brecks of so-called “patterned ground” in the form of vegetation stripes. These were created by repeated freezing/thawing at the end of the last ice age. Interesting plants include: meadow saxifrage; spring sedge; maiden pink; and unusual liverworts. Exmoor ponies are used to keep down young trees and bracken overcoming open habitats. Visit soon!

Lackford Lakes Suffolk Wildlife Trust also owns Lackford Lakes reserve, with a very splendid information centre, car park (small charge), and walks through the reserve to a scattering of about a dozen bird hides overlooking the old quarry lakes. This is also a good site for studying Breckland flowers on the bare sandy areas, varying in size from the tiny Breckland speedwell to the striking pink & blue Vipers Bugloss, often 2 feet high. A permissive footpath runs from Lackford Church to the reserve, so it is possible to walk from Lackford Lakes to West Stow Country Park, without using the dangerous stretch of main road from the approach drive to Lackford Car Park.

Other areas in the Brecks include nature reserves, other than those in the hands of the Suffolk Trust. These include:

Brandon County Park. This attractive area, adjacent to Brandon Park Hotel and rest home, about 2 miles out of Brandon, is surrounded by Forest Enterprise woodland, with access. It is run by Forest Heath District Council, with Suffolk County Council. There is a café and information centre, toilets and parking (small charge). A number of short waymarked walks are available within the park, visiting a walled garden, lake, mausoleum, tree trail etc, and incorporating a nature reserve. Much longer walks are possible, taking in the wider area of forestry on both sides of London Road, and linking with walks around High Lodge.

Thetford Forest Park High Lodge Forest Centre, over the border in Norfolk, is run by Forest Enterprise, from the Forest District Office in Santon Downham. Children’s playgrounds, tree walks, a maze, cycle hire, forest drives, information centre and café make Forest Lodge a “something for everyone” place. But there is plenty of good walking on waymarked tracks. Beware of the kami-kazi cyclists!

Around Santon Downham The Forest District office in Santon Downham is a source of leaflets and information in working hours, and an information board is available in the free car park outside the public toilets. Various waymarked walks are promoted, including nature notes. St Helens Car Park on the other side of the river, gives access to a further range of waymarked forest rides. Grimes Graves (English Heritage) to the north, is mostly about prehistoric flint mining, but with notes on natural history.

Fen Drayton At the end of May, I enjoyed an excellent walk around the Fen Drayton lakes, and along the busway-bridlepath, particularly admiring the huge variety of flowering plants along the busway verges. At the station for the RSPB, one can pick up a plan of the paths around the lakes. In the reserve, I visited the new “Coucher” hide, looking out over Moore Lake (and indicated by a red square on their plan). Here was advertised The Three Tuns pub in Fen Drayton, now open from 10.30 am daily, and serving tea, coffee, cakes etc. (Tel 01954 230 242).

As I was intending to walk into St Ives, and patronise the excellent “Nuts Bistro” café, I did not try the pub, but walk leaders may wish to note it.

Guided Busway Art Those of you who have walked along parts of the guided busway between Cambridge and St Ives will have noted that, in general, it is not provided with seats, other than rather inadequate “shelves” in the ‘bus shelters. Along the route there are, however, occasional short sections of curious brick wall with lettering, at a convenient height for sitting, or resting a rucksack, while consulting the map. On visiting the waiting room at Longstanton, I discovered from a leaflet that these are in fact works of art.

Handmade bricks from Cambridgeshire Tile and Brick Co., Burwell, on a base of Staffordshire Blue bricks, were fashioned by artist Jo Roberts into thought-provoking sculptures. There are 13 little walls along the route, each with a unique lettering. Each wall has specially pressed bricks with a selection of words chosen from suggestions by pupils at local schools, residents, and parish councils. The wet clay was moulded into a brick, and while the clay was drying the words were impressed with wooden Letterpress letters.

Next time I pass, I will not only put on my reading glasses to study progress on the map, I will “read” the walls!

Eversden Nev Fraser is looking for evidence that the old railway line going west from the Comberton road at TL383 544, west of the Lords Bridge Radio Telescope, has been used as a footpath, since the line was closed in 1965. Anyone with information is invited to contact Nev direct on nevboo99@yahoo.co.uk

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab usually appears every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and a stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item. Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Price20 pence where sold Cantab 68 © Janet Moreton, 2012

CANTAB67 April 2012

CANTAB67 April 2012 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Editorial With current political discussion about Toll roads, this month’s article by Ken Hamilton is topical! Then take yourself to South Cambridgeshire’s far east for a Spring exploration of Weston Colville.

The Hauxton and Dunsbridge Turnpike The following interesting piece was received from Ken Hamilton last January, just too late for the February issue. Ken refers to the popular Christmas Eve walk of RA Cambridge Group, attended by 38 walkers.

“Kathy and I recently led a walk from Frog End, on the edge of Shepreth parish, starting from outside the Green Man pub in Dunsbridge Turnpike. I knew there was also a road sign on Shepreth crossroads a mile down the road to Cambridge, and the unusual name induced me to do a little investigating.

Turnpike Trusts were first established in the early 17th century, by private Acts of Parliament which allowed their trustees to exact a toll on road users, in return repairing and maintaining the highways. The Hauxton and Dunbridge Turnpike Trust was created in 1793 on an existing road running from Cambridge to Royston, with two tollhouses – one at Hauxton and the other at Dunsbridge. The road is the present day A10, still marked as Dunsbridge Turnpike on maps and road name signs around Melbourn. Asking people where Dunsbridge was proved unprofitable, and even experienced ramblers had no idea. However, the Dunsbridge Turnpike crosses the River Shep hard by the Dunsbridge Business Park. That this is the site of the original Duns Bridge seems a reasonable inference. There are a few tales about the Trust in the files of The Cambridge Chronicle. One is of the unfortunate accident suffered by Mr Cann, the tollkeeper at Dunsbridge, who one January day in 1810 was badly injured when his gun burst in his hand. He was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital, where his hand was amputated. Further news on his recovery is not forthcoming in the files.

The Trust, along with all other Turnpike Trusts around the country, was wound up in 1873, and the road and all the assets of The Trust were taken over by Cambridgeshire County Council. Toll gates were removed and free access to travellers was now the rule. As might be expected, this was a cause of celebration by all who used the roads (though probably not by the toll-keepers!). Inhabitants of the parishes traversed by the road no longer had to contribute a set number of days labour to maintaining the roads, and landowners were no longer responsible for funding their upkeep.”

Ken writes “I am still seeking information on The Trust. I do know records are held in the Leicestershire County Council archives, and Trust minutes at Cambridgeshire University Library, but if any reader can point me in the direction of more information, I will be extremely grateful”.

Parish of the Month – Weston Colville OS Explorer Maps (209), 210
In the far SE of Cambridgeshire, this long narrow parish stretches nearly 6 miles, adjacent to the Suffolk border at one end, and Six Mile Bottom at the other. Church End is named for the parish church, and has a windmill, and arts centre (formerly a school) whilst a mile away, Weston Green has the Methodist Church, small shop, and The Reading Room (parish hall).

The Essex River Stour rises in Weston Green at a ford and footbridge. Elsewhere are to be found ponds and moats, water being readily retained in the heavy boulder clay soil overlying the chalk.

Like almost every parish in South Cambridgeshire, traces have been found of prehistoric occupation, including two Neolithic axes and Mesolithic worked flints (on the border with West Wratting). Alison Taylor* quotes a possible Bronze Age ring ditch by the west boundary, and finds of early Bronze Age pottery just east of the church. The Roman Age is represented only by small amounts of pottery found in disturbed soil during excavations of a moat. However, early Anglo-Saxon pottery fragments were found in quantity on a high point half-way between Weston Colville and West Wratting, suggesting an early settlement.

Coming to historic times, in the late C10th a manor at Weston was given to the Abbey at Ely. The original manor house of Colvilles was probably sited west of the church, near a fragmentary moat adjacent to the present Weston Colville Hall. Another Anglo-Saxon Manor was Moynes, surrounded by a moat, at a site now known as Mines Farm. There was a daughter site, with a moated manor in Great Coven’s Wood.

Nowadays, Weston Colville is but a small village, with a few houses at Church End, and a modest settlement at Weston Green. In 1086, Domesday records ca 200 people and, up to the C14th, the parish was quite densely populated, after which there was a sharp decline, due to Black Death and famine. In 1377, the population was ca. 155. When a map was made of the parish in 1612, there were only 6 houses near the church, 18 at Weston Green, and more houses than at present scattered along the road between. More exact population census records of 1801 (318) and 1851 (574) plot the modest rise in residents declining to a figure of 430 in 1996, small for a large parish of 1300 ha.

Points of interest On the little triangle of green in front of The Reading Room is an attractive village sign, commemorating the wartime airfield, at the edge of the parish, now restored to farmland.

Turn along Mill Hill to Church End, to pass very soon an attractive landscaped pond, and, nearer Church End, a windmill. The restored church contains interesting brasses. In the churchyard is the base of a C15th cross.

Near Church End, an unsigned track turns off at TL 621 528 to Lower Wood, a Wildlife Trust nature reserve, which can also be accessed from the other end via Bridleway 14. This damp old wood is predominantly ash, which was once coppiced. Flowers include water avens dog’s mercury, oxlip, and bluebell. (Unfortunately Great Covens Wood to the north, and containing ancient moats, is private).

*Alison Taylor – Archaeology of Cambridgeshire, Vol 2. Publ. Cambridgeshire County Council 1998.

The paths of Weston Colville
This parish has no fewer than 24 paths, mostly in quite good order, signed and waymarked.

A small signed carpark is available opposite the Reading Room, Weston Green, at TL 625 523, although presumably its primary purpose is for Reading Room users. Otherwise, some parking may be made considerately alongside the recreation ground. Parking is more difficult at Church End

Paths from Weston Green
From Weston Green, by the Methodist Chapel , Fp 11 is signed on Chapel Road at TL 6233 5224, and leads along a good headland to Wratting Common Road, and thence to paths of West Wratting or West Wickham. An alternative route to West Wratting Common Road is via Fp 12. This starts up a driveway signed “Lakeside”, and “Alberta” at TL 6277 5215. Once behind the gardens, turn left and follow good headland as far as a footbridge & copse at TL 6236 5159, then continue SSW beside trees, then across an arable field to Wratting Common Road.

Starting again in Weston Green, Fp 13 leads across the rec to the end of Horseshoes Lane at TL 6282 5241, where two paths to Willingham Green are available. Bp 14 starts North: the RoW starts so narrowly between hedges, that it is dangerous should you meet a horse. Instead, a permissive footpath is signed running alongside it. Beyond the hedged section, follow the waymarked field-edge path.

Byway 15 crosses the infant R Stour at a ford, with a concrete bridge provided for walkers. Also from near the ford, Fps 16 and 17 run behind the houses.

Still in Weston Green, Fp 18 starts as a narrow way between garden hedges at TL 6278 5215 off Common Road. It continues as a field-edge path, later Fp 20, leading via Cocksedge Farm to Carlton Church.

Also off Common Road, at TL 6282 5210, Fp19 leads over a footbridge to run behind gardens, only to re-emerge onto Common Road a little further SE. Persist down this road to TL 6320 5169, where Fp 21 starts across an arable field, cutting off the corner of a road, on the approach to Carlton Green.

Finally, in this locality, path connoisseurs will appreciate Fp22, (which joins West Wratting fp 16 and West Wickham 20). This meandering path in 3 parishes wanders around the boundary of the former wartime airfield. Used in dry weather, when the crop is still short, this is an amusing exercise. When the author tried the route in June last year, it was perfectly reinstated. Presumably the farmer also has a GPS!

Paths from Weston Colville Church End
From the B1052, just SW of the church, Fp 8 is signed through a kissing gate at TL 6151 5301 into a pasture field, which often contains placid cows. A second kissing gate leads into arable, where the path continues due S, leading through a belt of trees and towards The Grove in West Wratting. A feeder path, Fp 9, starts off Mill Hill Road, beside the windmill at TL 6202 5291, corners the wood at Hill Crofts, and joins Fp8 at TL 6148 5264.

Older maps do not show Fp24, which leaves Fp8 at TL 6144 5239, running ESE in front of the plantation. It continues along a field-edge track to meet Chapel Road at TL 6185 5212, and then continues SW inside the roadside verge to connect with paths leading towards West Wratting.

Returning to Mill Hill, Fp7 starts to the N of the road, signed beside a house driveway at TL 6195 5301. This popular dog-walking path joins the B1052 at TL 6199 5345, at the driveway to Moat House. A branch path, Fp 6, turns off Fp7 at the plank bridge at TL 6202 5312, and returns towards the B1052 nearer the centre of Church End at TL 6179 5325 between two houses.

Opposite this point, Fp5 ‘s signpost at TL 6177 5327 is often obscured in a tall hedge. The path is clear enough, going NW, at first on a grass headland beside a ditch & hedge. Beyond the crossing with Fp10 at TL 6138 5355 there are cross-field sections, sticky on the heavy clay, before attaining Grange Road at TL 6041 5393.

Fp10 is a relatively new addition to the network, and may not be shown as a RoW on old maps. It runs N from the B1052 at TL 6134 5309 on a farm track, to become Carlton Fp22, which joins part of the Icknield Way Path, Carlton 2, at the barn shown on maps as “Cricks Farm”.

The Outliers Those few readers who have been diligently following this exercise on their maps, will wonder what has become of the remaining paths. Because parishes in this Hundred are long and thin, drawn out giving each access to the predecessor of the A11, path numbering is rather obscure.

So Fp2, between Lark Hall, TL 5853 5479 and the minor road at TL 5916 5422 is numbered in Weston Colville. Similarly, the long path, Fp1, from the N end of Fox Road, TL 6011 5456, follows hedges and field boundaries to the outskirts of Six Mile Bottom. Byways 3 and 4 are two short sections of Fox Road which continues S all the way to Balsham.

Byway 23 is a short section of the Old Cambridge Road, which runs westwards from Lark Hall, to meet the A11 close to the Fleam Dyke Crossing.

Did you know?
Some 200 walks are available to be downloaded on the National Trust website. Most popular is The Bath Skyline walk, and the “most challenging” is said to be a 10 mile walk in the Manifold Valley, Derbyshire. Information: nationaltrust.org.uk

WANTED Reports of usage of a Harlton Path
A (non-public) footpath that has been used for at least 40 years that we know of, was closed in January and the stile removed. It is a short path and goes from the back of Harlton Churchyard to join with public footpath No.1 that goes from Haslingfield Road to Washpit Lane. If you have ever walked this short path from the churchyard, can you please e-mail me on susan@number92.plus.com or get in touch with Roger or Janet Moreton. Thank you.

Susan Schofield

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab usually appears every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and a stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item. Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Cantab 67 – Price 20 pence where sold © Janet Moreton, 2012

CANTAB66 February 2012

CANTAB66 February 2012 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Editor
It is always good to have feedback from an article (“Outdated Cambridgeshire Walks’ Guides” in the December issue of Cantab Rambler) and we will all be indebted to Roger Wolfe for sharing his reminiscences on the mid-C20th availability of maps and guidebooks for walking in Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia. Litlington is this month’s parish, offering relatively dry cross-field walking on chalk soils.

Janet Moreton

Letter to the Editor- Roger Wolfe, 11 Nov. 2011 More on Earlier Guides and Maps
“I was particularly interested in your review of footpath guides, a fascinating and rather neglected aspect of the pleasures of country walking. It’s interesting to speculate what our rambling predecessors got up to and what the East Anglian countryside was like to walk through in the 1930s.

Perhaps the question is partly answered by the ‘Cambridge and District Footpath Map’ published by the Cambridge Preservation Society in 1936. At two inches to the mile it shows a lot of paths and tracks not on the modern definitive map, but also omits quite a few routes now public. The inside cover has some interesting advice, e.g. “Any footpath connecting two spots open to the public is as a rule a public footpath.” Such optimism!

Also from the 1930s is a booklet entitled ‘Rambles in Cambridgeshire’ published by the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) price 6d (2.5p). The county definition is somewhat elastic, ‘Cambs’ extending well into Essex and Suffolk on several walks. What a pity to have been born too late to have enjoyed the 18 mile Mildenhall to Ely ramble making use of the ferry at Barway! (‘Walking tour ticket 2s 8d third class, any day any train from Cambridge’.) It’s interesting that many of the walks featured ventured into Fenland. The average distance of all 14 walks in the booklet is 15.5 miles, so it seems the earlier generation of walkers must have been a pretty tough lot.

The earliest post-WW2 walks booklet I can remember (about 1957) described rambles in the Saffron Walden area, several of which extended into Cambs. The author claimed that the walks could be followed in the opposite direction to that described simply by substituting left for right and right for left! Sadly I don’t have a copy and don’t recall having put this formula to the test.

In the early 1960s I did a series of walk descriptions for the ‘Cambridge Daily News’ as it was then. Each walk was based on public transport in the local area. The paper declined to publish maps for fear of infringing OS copyright and the sub-editors thought nothing of omitting whole paragraphs of crucial description if they needed extra space for other material! As your Cantab comments make clear, in those days it was a challenge to find usable paths for publication.

The inclusion of public rights of way on OS maps in the mid 1960s was of huge significance and I well remember looking at the new, specially produced OS ‘Tourist Map of Cambridge’ (1965, one inch to the mile, ten bob) and seeing for the first time where we could (and could not) walk as of right.

The huge increase in car ownership in the 1960s and consequent decline in rural public transport caused a significant shift in the way that ramblers in Cambs and neighbouring counties experienced the countryside. Point to point walks were replaced by circular routes from convenient (and sometimes not so convenient) car parks. Ironically, walk planners who had previously been limited by the availability of train or bus services are now constrained by finding adequate parking places for group and club outings. However, rising fuel prices, increased parking charges and environmental concerns have caused a small revival of the use of surviving rural rail stations as gateways to the countryside. A series of leaflets has been produced by the Mid Anglia Rail Passengers’ Association (MARPA) describing walks between each of the stations served by trains on the Cambridge to Ipswich line (also Bury St Edmunds to Ely) with a bit of help from local bus services at places like Soham and Fulbourn where intermediate stations have closed. The leaflets can be downloaded from www.marpa.org.uk

My, isn’t your rucksack heavy?
This is not usually a comment directed at me, but to Roger, apparently toiling along under a huge load. I have been threatening for some time to make him turn it out, and discover the reason for the bulges, and this is what I found.

The Rucksack weighed empty at 0.70 kg.

Food and drink. A full stainless steel flask of coffee, and a 300ml plastic bottle of water weigh 1.30kg. Food for the day, (biscuits and cheese, fruit, cake, cereal bars) might add up to 0.75kg.

Spare clothing. This is very much a seasonal thing, but taking into account approved outdoor safety standards, assuming one is already wearing a fleece, one might also have with one: waterproof jacket (0.50kg) and overtrousers (0.25kg), waterproof mittens (0.10kg), gaiters (0.20kg), scarf (0.10kg) spare socks (0.10kg), spare woolly (0.25kg), hat (0.10kg).

Accessories. 2 Maps, notebook, pen (0.35kg), GPS (0.10kg), mobile phone (0.10kg), wallet money and keys (0.30kg), first aid kit, comb etc (0.20kg), folding aluminium umbrella (0.20kg), secateurs (0.25kg), small torch (0.20kg), monocular (0.10kg), sit mat (0.10kg), rucksack cover (0.10kg)

I weighed these roughly on the kitchen scales, but accuracy is not important as different varieties of items would vary considerably in weight. A waterproof jacket might vary between 0.30 and 0.75kg, for example.

So the clothing in the rucksack weighs 2.05kg unless it is cold and wet, when you will be carrying it on your person! Roger’s food and drink weighed 1.6kg. This could have been less without the water bottle, or with a smaller flask of coffee. The accessories, individually, mostly weighed about 100g each, but together weighed 2kg. A surprise is how much money and keys weigh one down, and that two Landranger maps weigh 0.25kg.

So the grand total makes 6.35kg (or 14lb). My, isn’t your rucksack heavy?

Parish of the Month – Litlington
Explorer Sheet 208
Location and History. Litlington is one of the parishes on the chalk, with Limlow Hill to the south of the village, rising to 60m. The parish extends south to the A505, one of the lines of the ancient Icknield Way. Ashwell Street (or “Strete”) has a mile of its length in the parish, passing from Steeple Morden to Bassingbourn. This green lane is, like the A505, of prehistoric origin, part of a strand of tracks leading across England from Wessex to East Anglia. To the north of the parish, the little stream “Mill River” separates Litlington from Abington Pigotts. The open fields were enclosed following an award made in 1830, and the Cambs definitive map of 1953 left Litlington with a sparse 10 paths.

It seems that in Roman times, Litlington may have been an important, wealthy settlement, but traces of earlier occupation go back to the Mesolithic Age, with worked flints and 3 axes found on the site of the village. The Bronze Age is heavily represented by 16 former barrows (now only visible as ring ditches, and identified by aerial photography) along the southern route of the Icknield Way. An early Bronze Age dagger was found in the village, and lumps from a bronze Ingot (indicating bronze workings) came from Limlow Hill. On older maps, a tumulus is shown near the summit of Limlow Hill at TL 323 417, almost on the line of fp 9.

Finally, an Iron Age settlement preceded significant Roman sites. On Hill Farm, just N of Ashwell Street, small squarish enclosures showing as very slight banks and depressions may belong to this period. Mile Ditches (3 banks and ditches, crossing the Icknield Way and running through the E edge of Litlington) are defensive earthworks of Iron Age date, and extend from an upstanding round barrow on Therfield Heath, for about 1.5 miles to the Springs at Bassingbourn. The ditches were silted up from Roman times, and were finally levelled in the C19th, but can be seen as massive dark parallel lines in bare soil.

Cambs’ most important Roman cemetery was at Litlington, found during gravel digging in 1821. The then vicar’s wife made drawings from 80 cremations, lying in rows 1m apart. Some urns were in wooden boxes of which the iron nails and bronze lock plates survived. Other burials were accompanied by grave goods, eg handled flagon, storage jar, and samian cup. There were also ca 250 inhumations, with findings of pottery and glass vessels, glass beads, and coins. Nearby was a stone chamber containing a stone coffin, which can now be seen outside the W end of the church. The “Romano-British” burial ground is shown adjacent to Ashwell Street, at TL 314 420, just west of a crossing track.on the 1956 OS 1st series 1:25 000 sheet. Sir Cyril Fox refers to “a walled cemetery in a field known, from time immemorial, as Heaven’s Walls”.

The 1956 map shows the site of a C4th Roman Villa on the SW edge of the village at TL 313 425. The villa was excavated in 1829 and 1881. It measured 100 x 120 m, and contained 30 rooms around a courtyard, hypocaust, bath, and at least 1 mosaic pavement. All records of the excavation were lost. The rectangular layout of the village, together with the evidence of the Roman villa, may indicate that this village originated as a Roman settlement.

Later, the village seems to have developed from 2 settlements, Church End and South End. In the Middle Ages, Dovedale Manor House stood in a moated site at Bury Farm. The rectangular enclosure contained fishponds, fed by Chardle Ditch. Much of the moat has been levelled, and can only be seen as dry depressions in the field. In 1428 the property passed to the Pigotts of Abington Pigotts. The moat of The Bury is shown at TL 312 432, just beyond Bury Farm, north of fp 5, probably in a grassy paddock. Huntingfields Manor House, off Church Street, was first recorded in 1337. The moat around the present house, which dates from the C16th, only survives as a widening of the stream.

The C13th church is of interest and has a medieval pulpit and fine caved oak chancel screen of that period. Inside, there is the stone head of a scold-in-bridle, ca. 1330 as head-stop to a moulded arch in the N arcade. Old bosses in the roof are picked out in gilt .

In the village stands an old brick lock-up in Middle Street, TL 312 428. A small triangular village green at TL 313 426 contains 2 seats, and an attractive village sign.

Pub and shop are located on Church Street.

Walks suggestions from Litlington
Walks are described from the church. There is a little informal parking here on the verge of Litlington Road (avoid Sundays). There is a car-park for the village hall on Meeting Lane, but it would seem best to seek permission.

The main aim is to describe how best to leave / return to Litlington. Extended walks in Bassingbourn were described in Cantab 34, Jan. 2006, and those in Abington Pigotts in Cantab 20, Sept 2003.

Most of these routes involve a proportion of cross-field arable paths on chalky land, generally less sticky than the heavier claylands to the north of Cambridge.

(A) Ashwell Street, Royston and Therfield Heath. 6 miles, or 9 miles with diversions
From the church, walk SSE along Royston Road to Ashwell Street. Fp9 is signed going SE, climbing Limlow Hill, to cross seven arable fields, generally well marked, reaching Bassingbourn Bp16 at TL 334 411. Follow this S carefully over both the railway crossing and the A505 to the Little Chef. Go a little way up the Therfield road, and turn left to walk along the Heath, into Royston. (A detour into the Nature Reserve from TL 337 400 is rewarding). Visit Royston, or turn down at lane at TL349 406 to Green Drift. Cross the railway, continue on a fenced path through the industrial site, cross the bypass, and continue NNW on Bassingbourn fp 18 to Ashwell Street. Turn left, and return to Litlington.

(B) Visiting Bassingbourn and Abington Pigotts. 7 miles
From the church, walk along Church St to Cockhall Lane, and take Fp7 SW to join Ashwell Street. Here turn left along Ashwell Street, crossing Royston Rd, and continue along Ashwell Street to TL 331 426, where a kissing gate gives access to a permissive path going N to Wellhead Springs. Turn right in front of the Springs, and follow the path to South End., Bassingbourn. Continue N over the crossroads to visit Bassingbourn Church, and go beyond Church End to The Mill, TL 326 443. Take the path going SW, then generally W across seven fields to Abington Pigotts. (This sounds formidable, but has recently been re-waymarked: excellent when frozen, or in short young cereal). The Inn is recommended. Take footpaths to Down Hall, TL 315 437. Just beyond, take the signed path through the grounds of the watermill house. Crossing a ditch on a bridge, the path continues as Fp2 in Litlington, reaching the road at TL 309 433. Go S down the road, and turn left on Fp5 past Bury Farm. Continue through paddocks, emerging in Litlington on Meeting Lane. Turn right to inspect the old lockup.

(C) To Upper Gatley and Morden Grange 5 miles. From the church, take Royston Road to Ashwell Street. Turn right (WSW) along this fine green lane, as far as Upper Gatley End. Here turn S on a track towards Morden Grange Plantation. At TL 297 405 it is possible to walk forward to the junction at TL301 400 or, more interestingly, follow around the other side of the plantation next to the concealed chalkpit, passing over a conveyor belt. In either case, walk beyond Morden Grange Farm to TL 313 406, where turn N, and follow the grassy track to young woodland, to emerge on Ashwell Street. At TL 311 417, take Fp7 back to Litlington village. n.b. This is a “clean” walk. (It is possible to extend this route to Ashwell station at Odsey, to give distances up to 10 miles.)

(D)To Abington Pigotts and The Mordens 4 miles, or much more!
Opposite the churchyard on Litlington Road, a signpost points W along Fp3 across an arable field, generally well walked. Mid-field, Fp4 branches off at TL 306 428. Follow Fp4 W into Steeple Morden parish, passing through a belt of trees, and going uphill in an arable field to join a track at TL 311429. Follow the track N, then around bends by a ditch and field edge, to a bridge over Cheney Water at TL 298 435. Turn right on the brookside track towards Down Hall Farm. Take the track N to Bible Grove. Here, either turn right into Abington Pigotts, or left along Bogs Gap Lane to Bogs Gap, Steeple Morden, TL 292 435. Many options are possible for visiting the Mordens from here. The shortest variant involves turning left along the lane to Brook End. At Hillside Farm, TL 292 428, turn E on a track to meet your outward route at a corner, TL 301 429. Turn S on the track to Litlington Road, and return to the church, taking care on this rather busy road.

The Mordens, between them have an excellent network of over 100 paths. A typical circuit from Litlington taking in both villages would give a walk of 8 to 12 miles.

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab usually appears every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and a stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item. Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Price 20 pence where sold Cantab66 © Janet Moreton, 2012

CANTAB65 December 2011

CANTAB65 December 2011 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Good wishes from the Editor for Christmas and the New Year
This winter, may you never be benighted, lose a boot in the mud, or find that your waterproofs have started to leak! May all your (footpath) problems be little ones, but be sure to report them!Janet Moreton

Quotation of the Month “Sprouting up like cockles among the wheat” Ethelred the Unready describing the Danes.(With thanks to Lisa Woodburn)

Parish of the Month – Bedford
OS Explorer Sheet 208
The X5 bus runs from Parkers Piece in Cambridge to Oxford, free for holders of senior bus passes. Forget the well-advertised delights of Christmas shopping in Milton Keynes, but instead catch this half-hourly service as far as Bedford.

A previous ‘Cantab Rambler’ (No 42, July 2007), noted the availability of leaflets on The Bunyan Trail. Leaflets are also produced for the upper reaches of the Ouse Valley Way. Both of these, as well as town guides, and much else are available in the Tourist Information Office, by the Town Hall, off St Pauls Square (tel 01234 215226). Make your way there from the ‘bus station, going south towards the river.

As December is perhaps not the best month for starting a long distance path, why not spend the day exploring places of interest in and around Bedford?

On leaving the TiC, visit the impressive St Pauls Church, opposite. It was here, from “The Wesley Pulpit”, that John Wesley preached the Assize Sermon in 1758, on the theme “We shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ”. But let us go back a further 100 years, to remember Bedford’s most famous son.

John Bunyan’s Bedford. Bunyan, 1628 -88, lived most of his life in and around Bedford. He was born in Elstow, over the river from Bedford, and followed his father’s trade as a tinker. He was a member of the Parliamentary forces in the Civil War. On returning, he became friends with a pastor, John Gifford, within a simple independent congregation. In 1655, Bunyan moved to St Cuthbert’s Street, Bedford, and discovered a gift for preaching. In 1660, the Monarchy was restored, and the State sought religious uniformity, imprisoning influential nonconformists. Aged 32, Bunyan was imprisoned in the County Gaol, for 12 years. During this time, he wrote books and treatises, including his masterpiece, Pilgrims Progress.

Within Bedford, one can visit the site of Bunyan’s house, noting a plaque on 17 Cuthbert Street. Outside the former County Gaol is a plaque in the pavement. Much more interesting is the Bunyan Meeting House open Tues – Sat, 10 – 4. Bunyan’s statue stands on St Peter’s Green. It is possible to make an in-depth study of the life and work of Bunyan using facilities at the Bedford Central Library, and the County Library. The Bedford Museum is also interesting to students of natural history.

Cross the River Great Ouse, and walk (or catch a local bus) to Elstow, to visit The Abbey Church of St Helena & St Mary, C13th, restored 1880. Elstow Green, Elstow Cottages, and The Moot Hall have display panels which note connections with Bunyan.

A short circuit from Oakley, 6 miles. On arriving at Bedford Bus Station, go to Bay 10 for the half-hourly Service 51. Alight at Oakley Station Road. Visit the church, and take a pleasant footpath by the riverside and Stevington Belt to Stevington, detouring to visit the fine windmill. Take the Ouse Valley Way path to Pavenham, going into the village to admire the fine stone cottages, and perhaps visit the pub. Continue on the waymarked route to Boswell’s Holme. Here, note that there is a permissive path starting from a little bridge over a side ditch, to continue by the riverside in pasture to reach the road at Stafford Bridge. This avoids half-a-mile of road walking. Walk back into Oakley, to find a bus stop at TL 011 540.

Riverside & Priory Country Park. From St Paul’s Church, turn towards the river, and walk east along The Embankment, on a pleasant tree-lined avenue with flowerbeds. The Embankment gives onto a well-signed cycleway /pedestrian route leading to Priory Country Park. Within the park are toilets and a further information centre. It is possible to have an hour or two’s walk around the lake, in the meadows, and along the cycle track to Willington (which leads eventually to Sandy). Returning to Bedford, it is suggested that the Mill Meadows paths on the opposite side of the Great Ouse be used, crossing the river to return to High Street.

Bedford& Milton Keynes Waterways Trust. A display board on the Embankment near the High Street bridge describes the ambitious project of the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterways Trust to “close the gap” in the canal network and create a new waterway.

The original idea in 1811 came from Samuel Whitbread, a local brewer, who with other businessmen discussed the trade benefits of a link between The Great Ouse and what is now The Grand Union Canal. In 1994, a Bedford resident, Brian Young, founded The Trust, with the aim of implementing Whitbread’s ideas. As well as being a high priority link for the boating fraternity, the towpath of such a canal would provide new walking and cycling routes.

Between 2000 & 2006, British Waterways selected and completed technical studies on one of 9 possible routes. In 2007, planning permission was granted, and Lottery funding was secured for 6km of waterway between Grand Union and Willen Lake / M1. In 2008, planning permission from Stewartby to Wootton was granted, and land was acquired at Wootton in 2009, a new underpass being constructed under the A421 to accommodate the canal.

Here the story on the display board finishes, and one is invited to visit the website for up-to-date news. However, it seems likely that it will be some years before this canal towpath can be part of a guidebook route from Ouse to Severn! See: www.b-mkwaterway.co.uk

The Canal and River Trust. Continuing the general subject of canals, on 6 October 2011, a new charity of the above name was established, to tend 2000 miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales (where it is called Glandwr Cymru).

The now-retiring Chief Executive of the Ramblers’ Association, Tom Franklin, is one of the transition trustees of this new organisation, reflecting the importance of waterway towpaths and riverbanks as part of the walkers’ inheritance.

Flora of Bedfordshire. A new 700pp volume is to be published by Bedfordshire Natural History Society in December at £42.50, prepublication price £35 incl. p/p before December. Cheques should be payable to the above Society, and sent to David Withers, 9 Lammas Way, Ampthill, Beds MK45 2TR

Outdated Cambridgeshire
Walks Guides
Old guide books, like old maps, are often historically fascinating, and can be very valuable as evidence of use of routes not recorded on County Councils’ definitive maps. However, out-of-date guidebooks are often dangerous companions on a walk, unless also possessed of an up-to-date map. Thus one of the guides to the Icknield Way Path unwisely stated beyond Burrough Green, “Turn right at the pink cottage”. Within two years of this having been written, the householder painted his cottage a cream-colour!

Immediately post WWII, I am aware of very few prescriptive walking guides for the Cambridge area. More popular were general descriptive tourist guides, with small sections on walking opportunities. Olive Cook, “Cambridgeshire” (Blackie & Son Ltd, 1955) is typical of this genre.

1970 saw the first publication by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) of a set of leaflets “Walks and Rides around Cambridge” intended to be used to guide a walker around a recommended route. Costing 35p, there were 21 folded black / white A4 sheets at a 1:25 000 scale in a green cardboard packet. The routes were 3 to 6 miles long, with possible variants, and included Grantchester, Burwell, Longstanton, Boxworth, Kingston, Shepreth, Whittlesford, Linton and The Wilbrahams. The text gave public transport details, a few nature notes and points of interest. It is enlightening, that, without exception, not a single cross-field path in an arable field is used, for the simple reason that in 1970, hardly one cross-field path over an arable field would have been reinstated. The walks “around Cambridge” go as far away as Woodditton because so many paths were in poor condition that the number of reliable circuits was limited. We have so many more walks now, not because more rights-of-way have been added to the Definitive Map (although there has been a modest number of additions) but because nowadays, a majority of paths are usable, whereas in 1970, the majority were not. For example, on Babraham footpath 11, the bridge over the Cam at TL 499 513 was blown up during a WWII army exercise, and in spite of Ramblers’Association regular protestations, was not replaced until October 1987. Without this bridge, one of CCC’s routes, described in a later leaflet “Walks from the Roman Road – Wandlebury”, 1989 (30p) would not have been possible.

Meanwhile, back in 1970 among local enthusiast groups, The Linton District Amenity Society produced a little booklet, “The Footpaths of Linton District” (2.5p or 6d). Such paths in Linton as were usable were described, as were 4 walks into Hadstock parish. And Cambridge City Council took steps to offer walks guidebooks for the tourist. In 1979, it published “Country Walks around Cambridge”, followed in 1980, by “More Country Walks around Cambridge” (50p). The routes and walks descriptions were sourced by RA Cambridge Group. These walks of 4 – 17 miles are more ambitious and clearly include some cross field routes.

By 1980, most counties were publishing linear recreational walking routes. CCC’s first venture was with “The Wimpole Way”, the 11 mile waymarked route from Cambridge to Wimpole, in a leaflet (1st edition 1980, free, subsequent more colourful editions, 30p).

Meanwhile, Freddie Matthews and Harry Bitten from Essex RA had researched and published details of a “real” long distance path, “The Harcamlow Way” (1980, £1.20) forming a figure-of-eight from Harlow to Cambridge and back. For a few years, walkers joked that Freddie had sat down on Winter evenings and designed the route from his armchair! Certainly, these two hard-bitten Essex walkers pulled no punches – if they wanted to use a path, they put it in the guide, whether passable or not. But over the years, this (and the routes in their many other guides) were sorted out by Essex C.C. and CCC, and the Harcamlow Way is today on our Ordnance Survey sheets as a classic walk.

A guide to the walkers’ route for The Icknield Way, from Ivinghoe Beacon to Knettishall Heath, appeared first in 1984, following a couple of years’ intensive work by a committee of volunteers drawn from all the six counties involved.

Meanwhile, an historian Bruce Galloway completed a two volume survey of Walks in East Anglia, published by the St Edmundsbury Press in 1982. He felt it necessary to offer a disclaimer – “The author has gone to great lengths to ensure that the paths included on the maps in the book are open to public use, and that the route directions are accurate…” Even armed with an OS sheet of an unfamiliar area, walkers could still feel they were stepping out into a potentially hostile unknown.

Then, following a case before the Local Government Ombudsman in 1984, there was an upheaval in CCC, and a separate section was created for Rights of Way as opposed to there being a couple of staff in the Council’s Transportation Department. From that time forward, country walking was actively promoted by CCC.

With an improving path network, Cambridge RA group felt able to produce its first walking guide, “Walks in South Cambridgeshire” 1987 (23 walks of varying length), still in print in later editions, and a source of useful funding to the Group. Four other walks guides have been produced in later years.

Meanwhile, CCC’s Clopton Way leaflet (40p) appeared in 1990, and a number of circular walks were produced in 1989, including Devils Dyke Walks, Quy Fen Walks, Wicken, and several others, all over the county. A free County Council booklet, promoting public transport “Enjoying the Cambridgeshire Countryside” appeared in 1988, 1989, and a third edition in 1992, to be superseded by “Footloose and Carfree” in 1994. Meanwhile, the Council had promoted the local “P3” (Parish Paths Partnership) schemes, in which individual parishes were encouraged to improve their paths, and produce (free) walks leaflets. Such leaflets were produced for several parishes, including Cottenham (1990), Fulbourn, Teversham, The Wilbrahams. The “Beating the Bounds” series (ca 1994) came out in a cheaper monochrome format for e.g. Histon, Kirtling, Ely and many Huntingdon-shire parishes, but were difficult to hear of and obtain unless resident locally.

The Green Belt Project, operating under the aegis of CCC, did site work and produced leaflets price £1.50, with titles “Valley in the Chalk” (Shepreth& Barrington) in 1992; Fulbourn to Balsham (1995); Wilbraham Fen; Hobson’s Brook and Nine Wells.

CCC produced a guide to the Fen Rivers Way in 1995, over the limited route from Cambridge to Ely. This was extended by the Fen Rivers Way Association to Kings Lynn, and subsequent guides covering the whole route were produced by volunteers, a sign of increased liaison with CCC.

By 1995, the floodgates had opened in the bookshops, reflecting the degree of interest in countryside walking, and the realisation by many that pleasant rambling could be had in the flattest of counties. So we have a Cambs & Beds. volume in the Crowood Press “100 Walks” series ,1998 (£8.99), and Pub Walks in Cambridgeshire by G & J Pratt, Countryside Books, 1995. Niche markets have opened, so there are series on “Teashop Walks”, “Walks for Motorists” etc. The publishers of walking guidebooks discovered a profitable business, with only the Internet producing a little cloud on their horizon.

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab usually appears every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and a stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item. Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Price 20 pence where sold Cantab65 © Janet Moreton, 2011

CANTAB64 September 2011

CANTAB64 September 2011 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Healthy Outdoors
I was surprised to find an whole page article in a motoring insurance magazine, CSMA, on “Love Parks Week”, and the benefits of outdoor exercise.

Sorry, you’ve missed it. That is, “Love Parks Week” was at the end of July, but the benefits of the green outdoors remain for all. The writer does not cite his references, but names huge advantages for outdoor exercise. “A brisk walk every day in a park can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes by 50%, colon cancer and breast cancer by 30% and Alzheimer’s by 25% – plus the more often a person visits urban open green spaces, the less often he or she will report stress related illnesses…”

So if parks are good for us, how much better should be exercise in the wider countryside, away from urban pollution, noise, and with superior views? Yes, but we might be safer in a nicely manicured park! My sympathies go to two ramblers of my acquaintance who recently broke their legs on rugged walking holidays – but I am sure the advantages overwhelmingly outweigh the risks.

Happy, healthy walking!
Janet Moreton

At last – The Guided Busway
The guided busway opened on 7 August, some two years overdue. The guided section is 16 miles long, and the bus routes between Huntingdon and Trumpington cover 24 miles Its adjacent bridleway, tarmaced as far as Swavesey, provides 16 miles of a route for walking, cycling and horseriding.

Except, perhaps for some challenge walks, I cannot imagine anyone wanting to walk the route from end to end for recreation. However, parts of the new bridleway provide valuable links to the path network, and allow for new circuits. This much we had already established in the many months between the apparent completion of the track, and the official opening after some of the faults had been rectified. Some problems, clearly, are still extant.

The most important, currently, is that the section of the Busway-bp has been closed between Swavesey and St Ives until November, just after I completed surveying Walks 3 & 4 below . We hope this is to cure flooding problems on the low-lying sections, but meanwhile, these two walks described will not be available for a couple of months. Near Cambridge Station, the adjacent buiilding works makes waiting in the area noisy and dusty, and the bus stop is a long way in the Trumpington direction from the rail station entrance. Some facilities at the Longstanton station area were still under construction, although parking and toilets were available.

The Week beginning 2 August, I used the busway 3 times. On the first Monday, market day in St Ives, it was very full at 10am, and took nearly 50 minutes from Christs Pieces, Cambridge to St Ives. I travelled back using the normal Whippet service via Bar Hill, taking just over half-an-hour (A14 permitting). Subsequently the buses were less jam-packed, and the passage time about 45 minutes. After 9.30am, senior citizens may use their bus passes. I tried a number of new routes from stations along the Busway, outlines of which are given below. On the route itself, obviously normal care is needed in using crossing points on the Busway track – just like a railway, “Stop, Look, Listen”. On the Busway-bp, be aware that the smooth tarmac sections allow cyclists to get up a considerable speed. Most of the walks use OS Explorer 225

1. The Classic St Ives Circuit 7miles
This walk is best accessed from the centre of St Ives, not the end of the busway track.
Doubtless already known to most, this delightful walk leaves St Ives bus station, through the square to the waterfront, passing the museum. It goes through the churchyard, and along The Thicket Path to Houghton. At Houghton, it crosses the mill-leat under the National Trust old mill property, then over the R Ouse by the lock. It continues SW on a tarmac path across the meadows to Black Bridge, then turns through the Hemingfords, using well-signed pasture paths by the river where possible. Reaching Hemingford Meadows, hug the waters edge for the driest passage, to emerge through the buildings of the Dolphin Inn, and back to St Ives over the medieval bridge.

2. St Ives, Houghton Meadow Circuit 7 miles
A variant on the above route goes from St Ives along the Thicket Path to Houghton, as above. Turn behind The National Trust tearoom, near the Mill, and follow the river bank over stiles and bridges, to do a circuit of Houghton Meadow. Emerge over the dismantled railway at TL 288716 and go N up the lane to rejoin the Thicket Path. On the return trip, use the high-level walk in the Thicket Wood, above the path, dropping back to the tarmac footway before approaching St Ives. The Norris Museum on the waterfront is well worth a visit.

3. From Swavesey Station to St Ives, or Swavesey via Brownshill Staunch & Holywell, 7 or 10 miles
Alight from the Busway at Swavesey Station, TL.363694 (almost on the Greenwich Meridian!) Walk W along the Busway-bp, and cross at TL 359 695, to go NNE down Middle Fen Drove. Turn off left at the signed path, TL 362 701 across low-lying fields. Cross a drain and reach the Gt Ouse riverbank just short of the Marina on the other side. Cross Chain Rd (some parking here), and continue NNE on the bank, part of The Pathfinder Walk. Reach Brownshill Staunch, cross, and return on the other bank, part of the Ouse Valley Walk. Pass or linger at the Pike & Eel, then continue on the raised bank into Holywell, and the Ferry Boat Inn. Continue along the road to Holywell church, noting the Well, and wild garden. Beyond the churchyard, turn into Coopers Lane, which gives onto the footpath called Parson’s Drove. Short of the A1096, turn left along a path fronting an attractive quarry lake. Follow this to the large roundabout, where cross with care. Take a signed path opposite, leading into a private road (Farthing Lane) between bungalows. At TL 319 716, meet Needingworth Rd where turn left into the centre of St Ives and the bus station (toilets, several cafés in vicinity). For more frequent buses to Cambridge, walk to the St Ives busway terminal.
Returning to Swavesey Station on foot along the Busway-bp gives a walk of 10 miles.

4. From Fen Drayton Station, a circuit of the nature reserve and back to Swavesey. 7 miles
Obtain, if possible, a copy of the RSPB’s Fen Drayton Lakes Trailguide. At Fen Drayton Reserve Station, start from the N side of the busway, and go N on a track between Holywell Lake (left) and Ferry Lagoon (right), passing a members’ CP on the left. Turn left at a sign, across gravelly rough land towards Drayton Lagoon, where turn right towards the Gt Ouse riverbank. Follow the riverbank W to pass under the Busway, where it crosses the river. Immediately beyond, turn left alongside and well-below the busway. The gravel track rises to join the Busway-bp in ca 150yd where walk E past Moore Lake, to the signed path between Moore Lake and Elney Lake. Follow the attractive route round this lake, to leave it at TL 339 691. Walk S towards Fen Drayton, passing the recreation ground on your right. Opposite the pavilion, turn left on a signed footpath, all the way to Swavesey. At Station Road, turn left, past the church, to the Swavesey Busway station.
To make the walk a little more than 8 miles, return along the Busway-bp to Fen Drayton Reserve Station.

5. Longstanton circuit, via Histon 8 or 10 miles
This walk could start just as easily at Histon, but note there is free parking and a toilet at Longstanton station.
From Longstanton, walk SE along the Busway-bp for a mile. Turn off onto Reynolds Drove, noting the interesting interpretative boards as one approaches Rampton. Turn N and E on roads into Rampton, and visit the Thatched Church, and Giants Hill access land, site of defensive works from the C14 – C21st. Return to Cuckoo Bridge along the generally well-mown banks of New Cut. (For the 8 mile circuit, approach Cuckoo Bridge directly going S from the end of Reynolds Drove). Walk S from Cuckoo Bridge on Rampton Drift, crossing the Oakington Rd with care at Lambs Cross. Continue S, then SE down Gunns Lane into Histon. Go S to visit the parish church. Seek refreshments – 4 pubs, 2 snack bars in the village. Take the road W past Histon Manor to the corner at TL 429 639. Here turn onto the signed bridleway going NW across fields to Westwick. Visit Oakington Church, and take the quiet Longstanton Rd to the village. Detour NE past the church at TL 403 658, then turn NW beside the former barracks. Cross the next road, and continue on waymarked paths across the golf course, to emerge on Station Road. Walk with care, N to the car park.

6. Longstanton to Swavesey, via Willingham and Over Basic walk – 7 miles
From Longstanton station, take the Busway-bp SE, and turn E down Reynolds Drove. Shortly, at TL 415 674, cross a new bridge over Reynolds Ditch, and use the fairly newly-created bridleway following a track N to Rampton Road at TL 415 686. Cross Rampton Road with care, pass a farm-house in a layby and continue N on Haven Drove to Belsars Field. Turn left into Schole Road, and thence into Willingham. Visit the church, en route to Earith Road. A signed footpath beside the rec at TL 403 706, runs W, continuing as a byway, which passes a sewage works, and becomes a surfaced path “Furtherford” into Over. Turn SW on Fen End Rd to the green and the village sign by the crossroads. Turn right passing or visiting the Admiral Vernon pub, and continue to the church. Go S from Church End, start WSW on Lowburyholme Rd joining a path overlooking a drain, with a fine view of low-lying fields and marshes. This path continues beside the drain to High Causeway Bridge. Walk down the road to the Busway station at Swavesey.

While the basic walk outlined above is 7 miles, it is very worthwhile extending the walk on the interesting inner-village paths of Over (eg try The Cramp, starting beside the Admiral Vernon). Additionally, rather more than 2 miles may be added by returning on the Busway-bp to Longstanton station.

7. Oakington to Histon or Girton circuit, 2 or 5 miles
From the Busway station at Oakington (in what was formerly Westwick parish) walk on the Busway-bp to the level crossing on the outskirts of Histon. For the 2 mile walk, cross the Busway towards Histon, and very shortly, take the signed bridleway across fields back to Westwick, and turn left back to the station.
For a longer walk, continue on the Busway-bp towards Histon station. A few 100 metres short of the station, before the industrial buildings are reached, observe a display board in young woods on your right. Follow the illustrated permissive path across fields towards Girton Church. In Girton, follow the High St north, passing a school, where turn right to Manor Farm. From here, a signed footpath leads across fields to a Busway crossing at St Audrey’s Close. Go forward to Park Lane, where turn left, and cross the road. at a bend in the road, where the bridleway (noted above) turns back to Westwick, 5 miles.

8. Along Akeman Street, 4 miles
Start at Drummer Street Bus Station, and catch the Service 9 bus to Landbeach cross-roads, by the village sign. Turn. into Cockfen Lane. Cantab 62 (May 2011) has details of short walks which may be made around Landbeach, if desired. The rec has seats and is a good place for a tea-break. Opposite the rec is an access area, the site of the medieval village. After visiting this, continue along Cockfen Lane to Rectory Farm, where turn left with the road, as its continuation along Akeman Street. Beyond the next farm, this becomes a hedged green lane, which follow back towards Cambridge, crossing the road at Mereway Farm, and emerging under the A14 where there is an attractive mural. Reach a road outside the Regional College. Turn left, and walk along past the chainlink fence of the college. On reaching a road, turn right, and walk to the busway. The stop for Cambridge is to the left, to return to the bus-stop near Christs Pieces, a few hundred yards from Drummer Street Bus Station.

Alternatively, catch a No2 bus to Chesterton, gain the river bank near the Green Dragon Inn, and walk the tow-path to Clayhythe. Walk through Waterbeach, cross the A10 with care, and continue to Landbeach, where the above route may be joined. This makes a walk of about 11 miles.

Quotation of the Month
“Everyone ought to be able to look back on a day and think it a day well spent.”
Joanna Trollope in “Leaves from the Valley”

Essex Walks Guides
“Drive and Stroll in Essex” by Len Banister featues 20 circular walks. It has just appeared in a second edition; ISBN 978 1 85306 3

“Pub Walks for Motorists – Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk” is a collaboration containing 40 walks by Len Banister, Geoff Pratt and Will Martin. ISBN 85306 899 3. Both are published by Countryside Books

New land-drains in Bourn
On a recent walk, I noticed massive land-drainage works in a field in Bourn parish. Footpath 28 (not shown on older maps) runs S from Riddy Lane at TL 314 561, to join Footpath 13 alongside Bourn Wood. Part of Fp 28 is presently a morass, and would be best avoided for a while.

Spotlight on Gazeley
This is a free plug for All Saints Church, Gazeley, a lovely C13th building which is having a restoration appeal. Directed especially at passing ramblers, the church is now open 7 days a week, offering DIY tea / coffee to visitors, as well as book sales, cards, jam, and snacks, and donations are very welcome.

The church is on Suffolk’s well-known 6 mile “Three Churches Walk”, starting in Moulton, and well-signed through Gazeley to Dalham.
Should you wish to augment the distance both Moulton and Gazeley have several other good dry paths, well suited to Autumn and Winter walking.

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab usually appears every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and a stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item.
Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Cantab 64 Price 10 pence where sold
Cantab 64 © Janet Moreton, 2011

CANTAB63 July 2011

CANTAB63 July 2011 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Further Afield At this time of year, if not on holiday, one thinks of longer days out, and perhaps of going further afield. So July’s “Parish of the Month” is Sandy, Bedfordshire, some 20 miles from Cambridge. As it is not in Cambs, my usual handy reference books were not appropriate, and I resorted to the computer encyclopaedia “Encarta”, only to find the sole entry for “Sandy” related to its namesake in Utah. Perhaps we won’t go that far!

Happy walking!

Janet Moreton

New Right of Way in Toft On 31 March 2011, Cambridgeshire County Council entered into an agreement with the landowner under Highways Act 1980, section 25 (6), to create a new public footpath. A notice of the making of this agreement was published in the Cambridge News on 13 April.

The new footpath, 2m wide, starts from the Comberton Road, Toft, B1046 at TL 3707 5597 and runs S to join Toft Footpath 16 at TL 3713 5563., along the fenced boundary of the Cambridge Meridian Golf Course.

The path allows a new short circuit to be made from Toft Church, down a green lane, across the golf course on Footpath 16, along the new path, and returning to Toft along the footway of the B1046.

New Right of Way in Cambourne Cambourne Footpath 5 must be one of the shortest paths ever created! It joins the Cambourne perimeter bridleway to Caxton Footpath 15, using a bridge to cross a small ditch, at TL 314588.

There was quite a saga in relation to this path, as an adjacent landowner on Caxton fp15 objected to its creation, saying that there would be a huge influx of extra walkers, as previously Caxton fp15 has been a dead end. His objections centred on disturbance to fishing lakes, and his household, but these were over-ruled by the Secretary of State, and the Order was confirmed on 27 April 2011. RA Cambridge Group, Cambourne and Bourn Parish Councils had all supported the Order.

Those interested can read the inspector’s decision letter on: planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/pins/row/documents/fps_e0535_6_8.pdf

Bourn Windmill
This is one of the oldest surviving windmills in England, and since 1932 has been owned by Cambridge Past, Present and Future (formerly The Cambridge Preservation Society). The mill is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

It originally dated from ca. 1636, but Carter’s “History of Cambridgeshire” of 1753 records that the mill blew down in 1741, suggesting that the present structure is a replacement, using the older timbers. Later improvements to the machinery have been made, including some cast-iron gearing. Nevertheless this presents a useful and attractive picture of an early mill.

Public Open Days are on Sundays 31 July, 28 August, 25 September, from 2 – 4.30pm. However, the outside of the mill in its fenced enclosure can be visited at any time, and there is an interesting display board.

Why not park at Cambourne, and make for the perimeter path via the footpath starting from Tithe Way. Follow the path past Whomping Willow Lake, turn right on the perimeter path, cross the new footbridge, and walk to the mill via the new Footpath 5, and Caxton FP 15.

After admiring the mill, cross the road, and go down to Bourn Brook. At the waterside turn left along Bourn Footpath 3, which takes the walker to the rear of a cottage garden. Cross the stile, and go through the garden to Caxton End. Admire the fords, and turn left up the road to return to Cambourne using Bourn Footpath 2.

CPRE CPRE is the Campaign to Protect Rural England, a charity of which Bill Bryson is currently president.

Bill’s special interest has been in the control of litter, and to this end, CPRE has suggested a deposit scheme on drinks containers, which could give a boost to charities, as well as cleaning up the countryside. A survey reported in CPRE’s Summer Magazine suggests that more than half of the public surveyed supported a 15p deposit. This would be, of course, a return to the 1940s/50s, when kids could supplement their pocket money by returning Dad’s beer bottles to the off-licence for 1d each.

Also in the Summer issue is a very serious look at new government proposals affecting the planning system.

Proposals include: -scrapping targets encouraging developers to build a proportion of housing on “brownfield” sites, instead of on undeveloped “greenfield” countryside.

  • establishing a new presumption in planning rules that “sustainable” development projects will be approved.
  • piloting a scheme for auctioning public sector land with planning permission.

CPRE fear these outline proposals could have damaging effects on green belt land, and AONBs. And what about the future of Cambridgeshire’s County Farms Estate?

Parish of the Month – Sandy
OS Explorer 208

The Town
The town, with a population exceeding 10 000, has all services, including places to shop or visit a café after your walk. I am indebted to the Information Centre off Cambridge Road, (also accessible from the town car park) with its helpful staff, and many useful leaflets.

Walks are described as starting from the large town car park (CP), which has toilets. However, the CP may often be full, so park considerately in nearby Cambridge Road or other side streets.

History
There is evidence of settlement from the Iron Age, and the ancient hill fort “Caesar’s Camp” (pre-Roman) overlooks the town. From AD43, a thriving Roman town grew up beside the Potton Road, on the site of the present cemetery. Large numbers of Roman remains have been found, some of which are on display in the Town Council Offices on Cambridge Road. Sandye Place Academy (behind the church) is thought to be the site of a Danish Camp, built to protect the Danelaw in 886.

The Domesday Book refers to Sandeia, derived from Old English Sandieg (a sand-island). It records the town held by Eudo Fitzhurbert (aka Eudo the Dapifer, William the Conqueror’s High Steward).

The town’s most famous son is Captain Sir William Peel, 1824 – 58, third son of the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel. William Peel was awarded the Victoria Cross for 3 separate acts of bravery. He built the Lodge, now the RSPB gatehouse, and financed the building of the Sandy – Potton Railway. One of the inns in the town is named in his honour.

Features of the town include:

St Swithun’s built of sandstone in the C14th, and restored 1858 . The church contains Sir William Peel’s statue, and other memorials to the Peel family.

The Railway. GNR reached Sandy in 1850, the date of the station buildings. The line which connected Sandy & Potton, built by Sir William Peel in 1857, was closed in 1967.

Sandye Place is a Georgian Manor, built on the remains of a medieval stone house, and now a school.

The Pinnacle is a 300ft outcrop of the Greensand Ridge, with Caesar’s Camp behind.

RSPB Gatehouse & Lodge. The gatehouse was designed by Sir William Peel in 1851 and named Swiss Cottage. In 1870, Arthur Wellesley built an Elizabethan style house in Sandy Warren parkland, which consists of oak/birch woodland, with scattered conifers and restored heathland. The Lodge has been the RSPB’s headquarters since 1961.

Riddy Local Nature Reserve is owned by Sandy Town Council, is managed as a public open space and for nature conservation.

Walks from Sandy Town Sandy Town / RSPB reserve walks (6 to 8 miles) From the Town CP, it is possible to walk to the rear of the reserve in 2 miles. Start via a path from the closed end of Cambridge road, beside the railway. Cross Potton Road near the station, go down the quiet Stratford Road and along the continuing bridleway to the back gate of the reserve at TL 192 476.

Then walk N through the reserve on the bridleway, emerging by the gatehouse. The direct return route is down the footway beside the Potton Road, although it is much pleasanter to walk on a path parallel to the road, inside the reserve (part of The Captain Peel Walk), emerging half way back to Sandy. On the return trip, detour to visit Caesar’s Camp, turning up a path by a sewage works at TL 178 491. The circuit is perhaps 6 miles.

However, although formerly use of paths other than the bridleway within the RSPB reserve was subject to a charge for non-members, this no longer appears to be the case. Instead, there is now a car-park charge, presently £4. Thus it is possible to extend the walk most pleasantly within the reserve to stretch the 6 miles to near 8 miles, visiting the old quarry (lots of steps), Galley Hill (old Hill Fort), the Memorial Garden, Plantation Pond etc, and of course the shop (with tea machine) and adjacent toilets. Various useful leaflets are available, and walkers may wish to make a donation. The pamphlet for The Old Quarry has a useful exposition on the formation of the Lower Greensand, and The Captain Peel Walk leaflet gives the full history of the Great Northern Railway in Sandy.

The Sandy – Blunham Circuit, 7 miles This walk, from the town CP, visits Riddy Local Nature reserve, before walking North beside the R Ivel. The route visits South Mills, Blunham (a Domesday Mill Site, now a corrugated cardboard factory). In Blunham, the C11th sandstone church dedicated to St Edmund, was restored in 1862 by Rattee & Kett. Walkers may also visit the pub in Park Lane. The section of the return route along the track of an old railway, now a cycleway, and under the A1 along Cottage Road is rather dull. Beyond Sunderland Road and under the railway, is a more agreeable section past Low Farm. Continue along Hasell Hedge Roman Road, and the quiet Sand Lane, to return past Caesar’s Camp to Sandy Town.

Biggleswade Common walks, 6 miles Reach a junction of bridleways on the South boundary of the RSPB reserve at TL 192 476. (This is 2 miles from the Town CP either via the quiet Stratford Road, or via the footway of the B1042 and the bridleway through the RSPB reserve). Go S on waymarked paths on Biggleswade Common, crossing a dismantled railway, and continue to Furzenhall Farm. The hard track from the farm turns briefly W then S, then W again to a railway level crossing. TL 191 459. Follow the path round the N of Shortmead House, and enter a narrow strip of Common, which follow to the Mecanno Bridge by the A6001. Detour to Biggleswade Market Place which has refreshment opportunities. Return to Mecanno bridge, and walk N upriver in the Common. After the 3rd plantation (opposite Manor Farm) turn E for a bridge over a stream, and make for a cattle creep under the railway. Cross a ditch, and go N with the railway, turning E alongside a ditch on the Common. At a T-junction, turn N over the dismantled railway and back to the start. (4 miles as described, plus 2 miles each way from Sandy CP). Note that the Common is often wet in Winter, at which time it would be advisable to do the above walk in reverse, lest the cattle creep be flooded.

Longer walks on Biggleswade Common are available, circling behind the hospital.

Sandy – Everton Circuit. 9 miles From Sandy Town CP, go up Cambridge Road, cross the railway, and continue on Sand Lane. At TL 183 493, take the signed route into meadows, leading to the old Roman Road, Hasell Hedge. Continue N for 3 miles, crossing Templeford Road, and detouring to Gibraltar Farm Barn to see relics of WWII espionage exploits. At TL194 528, turn right (NE) zig-zagging past Hares Home Wood, uphill by Woodbury Sinks (damp!), and joining the Greensand Ridge Walk in Woodbury Park. Go S to Everton (C12th St Mary’s Church, pub), and take Potton Road SE to Ashmore Farm. Here turn S on the bridleway towards Deepdale. At the junction near the TV mast, turn NW for half-mile , then SW along Long Riding. Cross Potton road, into the RSPB reserve (shop, toilets). Walk S on the bridleway through the reserve, turn W outside the boundary to the hamlet of Stratford, and return to Sandy Town along the quiet Stratford Road.

It is possible to extend this walk to ca 11 miles by continuing along Hasell Hedge Roman Road to TL 198 541, then turning E past Gilrags to Tetworth.

For a shorter walk, turn off Hasell Hedge at TL 190 514, take the signed path by the hedge, then through a steep meadow into Everton, perhaps pausing on the well-sited seat at the top of the meadow. Turn right (S) on the road, for 100m, and cross to use a permissive farm track opposite. This meets a cross-field path at TL 202 505. Follow this RoW back to Everton Road, at its junction with the bridle- way at Sandy Heath. Follow Long Riding back to the RSPB gatehouse, and return via the Sandy Warren bridleway and Stratford Road. (7 miles)

The Greensand Ridge Walk The prominent line of attractive and often wooded hills across Bedfordshire comprises the Greensand Ridge. The long-distance walk of that name runs for 40 miles between Leighton Buzzard and Gamlingay, passing through Sandy. Either side of Sandy are sections from Gamlingay (ca. 6 miles), and Haynes (7.5 miles). A set of leaflets describing the route is available from TICs throughout Bedfordshire. Inspection of the OS sheet shows it is easy to make an attractive circuit using the Sandy – Gamlingay section (cf the Sandy Everton walk described above), but making an interesting circuit in the Hayes direction requires more initiative, especially on the flat arable land between Northill and Beeston, the latter place providing the only pedestrian crossing of the A1.

Bedford to Sandy, linear, ca 9 miles
Public transport facilitates this walk from Bedford Bus Station, via riverside, and the cycleway along the track of the old railway. From Blunham, it is more attractive to take the path by the R Ivel. The central part of the route lacks interest.

Using Level Crossings Safely Following consultations in 2010, The Office of Rail Regulation produced a guide for users of level crossings.. The booklet was produced because it was felt that the existing guidance in the Highway Code was inadequate. The information can be downloaded from the ORR’s website www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1134

Cambs’ path network has dozens of level crossings, including paths which cross the main lines with 125mph expresses. Walks leaders might like to look at the official advice

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post
Cantab usually appears every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send a large SAE, and stamp.

Offers of brief articles will be gratefully received.

This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item. Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

Price 20 pence where sold Cantab 63 © Janet Moreton, 2011.

CANTAB62 May 2011

CANTAB62 May 2011 published on

** Please note that this is an archive of the CANTAB publication and contains out-of-date information **

CANTAB RAMBLER

Introduction
This month’s issue spans Essex, Herts, as well as Cambs, in sympathy with the long-distance itch which affects ramblers in the Spring. But for those who want a quiet local walk, what about neglected Landbeach, which I was inspired to revisit by a friend, Janet Pake, or the new university woodland at Madingley?

Janet Moreton

Obituary – Ken Payne
Ken died on 6 March 2011, aged 92. He had been active in voluntary footpath work in Hertfordshire until very recently – indeed, I was in correspondence with him over a path claim on the Icknield Way just a few months ago. For many years, Ken was the Ramblers’ Association Footpath Secretary for Herts & North Middlesex , and later was elected Honorary President of the Area. I knew him best as a committee member of the Icknield Way Association. All East Anglian walkers have cause to be grateful for Ken’s work, over a very long period. He was a gentle man in all senses of the word, and his careful work and persistence opened many paths.

Any donations in Ken’s memory should be made payable to Friends of the Earth, via Austin’s Funeral Directors http://www.austins.co.uk/.

Along the Hertfordshire Way by Dave Harrison Having come across a new edition of the guidebook in a local bookshop, I was inspired to offer the stages for the Cambridge RA Group programme over the last three Summers. Turnout varied from two to a dozen or so, with Lisa Woodburn being the only person to complete every stage.

A considerable research effort resulted in public transport being used in every case, with local taxis supplementing trains only on rare occasions.

The pattern of walks was soon established, around 10 – 13 miles in level or gently rolling countryside, mostly out of sight or earshot of major roads, and with plenty of woods, rivers, wheat fields and churches.

Highlights: The Royse Stone at the beginning and end of The Way; Childwick Green once used in an episode of “The Avengers”; St Albans Cathedral; The Bridgewater Monument (great views from the top); the Grand Union Canal; a cricket ground laid out by W.G.Grace; Bayford Wood; Parliament Square, Hertford; a coalpost in Wormley Wood; the New River; the Lee Valley; Woodhall Park; Much Hadham Church; Henry Moore sculptures; the River Stort; US Air Force memorabilia at Nuthampstead; and St George’s Church, Anstey.

For more information and photographs, visit the Cambridge RA website at www.cambridgeramblers.org/photographs-from-walks/

Dave and Alison have recently moved to Cumbria, where we wish them a very happy retirement, and thank them for many years of leading the Cambridge RA Group.

Litter Abatement
Bill Bryson, currently the president of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) but perhaps better known for his charismatic books eg “A Walk in the Woods” was reported in the Cambridge News of 17 February.

He was concerned specifically about litter on the railway tracks near Cambridge Station. CPRE are seeking a Litter Abatement Order against Network Rail. He had written to Cambridge City Council and to Network Rail in 2005, but Network Rail never responded. With the possible (relatively) imminent completion of the Guided Busway, walkers on the adjacent new bridleway near Cambridge station will be more aware of the rubbish and flying paper. We can do our bit by complaining too!

Parish of the Month – Landbeach
Explorer 226
J R Ravensdale, in his book, “Liable to Floods” wrote the story of the development of Landbeach, a continuing tale of struggles against flooding. Landbeach parish lies between 5 and 10m above sea-level, and in historic times building was on land above the 6m contour, which surrounds ground seemingly safe from the great floods of history. The safe margin between fen and higher land has shifted backwards and forwards in documented times due to sea-level changes, climate variations, and persistence, success, or failure of fen drainage within the technology of a particular century.

The Romans settled quite densely on gravelly areas close to the fen edge, above the level of flooding (2m) at that period. Alison Taylor’s “Archaeology of Cambridgeshire” shows the Roman settlement in fields between Green End and Cottenham Road, not far from the line of the Roman Akeman Street, constructed in the C2nd. Akeman Street has since been used as a parish boundary, and the section South from Cockfen Lane remains first a public road, then continuing as a restricted public byway towards Milton. North of Cockfen Lane, where exposed in arable soil, Akeman Street is said to show as a straight slight bank of gravel, but sadly, this section has no access. The Romans dug Car Dyke in the C2nd, for drainage and water transport, and part of this in the parish is still used as a drain and kept scoured.

There is evidence of some three periods of rising water tables in post-Roman through medieval times, although contemporary commentaries are confusing, being biased by expected normal seasonal flooding, even within houses, rather like parts of present-day Bangladesh.

Until the thirteenth century, when Beach Lode was dug & used as the boundary, the parish was part of Waterbeach. In the early C14th, periods of wetter weather led to flooding, and banks and ditches were constructed across the north end of the village. Also at the north end a green was created the the C15th, when a plot fell vacant. Expansion towards higher ground nearer to Cambridge was encouraged by early clearances, the land being too wet in other directions.

The fens in the north were marshy until they were drained in the C17 – C18th, and were used for common pasture. Parts of the centre of the parish, flooding less often, were used for sheepwalks, only the south of the parish having land suitable for arable. Cole, a landowner in the adjacent parish, recorded famously in 1769: “Not being a water-rat, I left Waterbeach”, after his estate was drowned 3 times in 5 years. In 1813, an Enclosure Award enclosed the Landbeach’s open fields.

As in most villages, the parish church, C13th – 15th, with a fine Midland stone spire, is the most considerable building to survive from medieval times. It is rich in medieval woodwork and has a splendid collection of stained glass windows. The medieval pulpit was brought here from Jesus College in 1787. Two misericords bear the arms of C14th bishops.

Near the church is the tythe barn, a thatched late medieval building preserved by The Village Society. Close to the church is the remains of Chamberlains, one of two empty moated manor-house sites, and an extensive set of ditches and flood banks which survive from the Middle Ages. The moated site is still a defined feature with adjoining ditched paddocks in a pasture field at the north end of High Street. In C14th, the manor was acquired by Corpus Christi and the old site went out of use.

Much of the rectory, now the oldest building in the village, is medieval & early Tudor behind a pleasant brick exterior. Its C14th cellar has a carved coat of arms. The present house was originally an aisled hall, converted into a rectory in the early C16th, with a farmhouse added. This house was used by Matthew Parker, Master of Corpus Christi, and later Elizabeth I’s Archbishop of Canterbury.

The second Manor, Bray’s, stood within the original village, surrounded by a moat, in a field in the centre of the village, now part of an extensive public park and nature reserve in the hands of the County Council, and with informative display boards. Access is via a kissing gate off Cockfen Lane, opposite the public car park and recreation ground. Bray’s estate was given to two king’s carpenters after 1066, and was held by the de Brays until the C14th. In the C16th, Robert Kirby inherited. His son, Richard, illegally enclosed land, overstocked sheepwalks, and evicted 14 crofts. Matthew Parker defended the villagers’ case in successive courts up to the Star Chamber.

South of the village were the docks where boats approaching along Beach Lode could unload. These docks appear as broad shallow hollows in pasture, a little way from the cross-roads along Flood Lane. North of the parish, near the former Goose Hall (now a private emparked group of offices off the A10) are a couple of old byways near Car Dyke, where path diversions and a permissive link allow a short circuit, off the minor road at TL 479 665. An area of lakes between here and Beach Ditch is enclosed as a nature reserve, with limited access and a display board. Sadly, there appears to be no access here to Beach Ditch.

References The historical summary has been compiled from various sources, of which the most important are: Ravensdale, J.R. Liable to Floods, CUP 1974, ISBN 0 521 20285x Taylor, A. Archaeology of Cambridgeshire Vol.2: SE Cambridgeshire & the Fen Edge Cambs C.C. 1998, ISBN 1 870724 84 4

Where to walk in Landbeach?
In the 1950s, when parish councils were asked to record public rights of way in their parishes, the local councillors seem to have come up with very few public paths.

However, a stroll around the village, inspecting the buildings and visible earthworks described in the preceding paragraphs is recommended. Easiest parking is in the free public carpark off Cockfen Lane, by the recreation ground, and opposite the County Council’s park on the site of the former village and Bray’s manor.

Paths in the North of the parish Footpath 1 and Bridleway 2 to the north of the parish, can be accessed off Green End Road. Walk here from Cockfen Road, first going over the recreation ground, as there is little parking at the access point, TL 479 665. A pleasant short circuit may be made, giving views of a section of Car Dyke, and of a small fenced watery nature reserve.

Akeman Street
As described in the historical summary, Akeman Street survives in part as a useful byway to Milton, and beyond to the outskirts of Cambridge, where one can join the bridleway adjacent to the Guided Bus route. Surface improvements and a traffic restriction order (TRO) have made this a pleasant walk at most times of year.

Circular route, 4 miles.
A permitted footpath giving a circular route from Akeman Street, and having a short branch to the Cottenham Road, has been established on farm land owned by Cambs. County Council, and with Countryside Commission (now DEFRA) logo. The route was originally well-waymarked, but some posts and arrows have disappeared, and stiles & low fences are in decay – there are however, no problems in use. The following route summary may help you to mark the route on your map, or use with a GPS.

At TL 4658 6387, the path leaves Akeman Street & runs WNW along a fieldedge. At a crossing hedge, TL 4639 6398, the path turns right (N), with ditch & hedge to right. After 50m it turns left, following the ditch, and at TL 4640 6404, it crosses the ditch on a wooden bridge Entering young mixed wood no 1, it meanders NNW , & leaves this wood at TL 4633 6418, to continue WNW on a grass fieldedge by a hedge. Hedge & path turn right at TL 4624 6425 to go NNE for 70m, then enters wood no 2 at TL 4626 6432. Turning half-left, the mown grass track runs NW between trees to a stile at TL 4609 6449. Just beyond, it crosses a ditch by a wide, hidden culvert, and goes into wood no 3. The mown path runs NNW between more young trees to exit over a stile. The route turns right & left on a grass headland, with tall hedge to left After 30m, at TL 4598 6464, it crosses a ditch on a footbridge Here, the path turns left (unclear) into a field corner, then right (NW) on a grass headland with ditch & tall old hedge to left and open arable to right. The path goes round 2 corners, to pass a power-pole, & under a low-voltage power line , waymarked at TL 4578 6486. It enters a wood no. 4 to run NE on a mown grass. Beyond a gravel track at TL 4600 6495, the route enters wood no. 5, to continue NE.. After 100m, the mown line turns half-right (E) to make for the boundary fence and a stile.

A waymark indicates a sharp left turn on a mown track WNW following the fence ca. 200m back to another stile out of wood 5 at TL 4596 6530, where a ditch in a hedge-gap is crossed on a timber bridge The path turns right (N) on a concrete/gravel track. At TL 4609 6572, there is a concrete loading bay, and a waymark post indicating the route back, and also left (to Cottenham), but not right, where the circuit returns to Landbeach. (A waymark 50m down the Cottenham path, however, indicates the route to Landbeach).

For LANDBEACH, the path turns right (SE) along a gravel track. It passes under power lines to approach Rectory Farm, turning left (indicated by a waymark) over the ditch on a hidden culvert just short of the farm at TL 4650 6538, to run ESE on an headland parallel to the farm-track, but on the other side of the hedge. At the field corner, TL 4660 6535, the path turns left (NNE) on a headland with drain to right. At TL 4673 6560, by a waymarked power pole, the path turns right (ESE) over a culvert to continue on a grass headland with arable to left & ditch to right, following a line of power-poles. It passes through a gap in a tall crossing hedge at TL 4727 6535 and turns right (S), with hedge on right, & trees to left, in an overhung defile to reach the tarmac section of Akeman Street at its junction with Cockfen Lane, TL 4722 6520, where there are further signs.

For COTTENHAM (from the concrete loading area at TL 4609 6572), the route turns left (NW) on a gravel track for 50m, turning right at TL 4606 6578 over a drain on a wooden bridge The path runs NE on a grass field-edge with drain& hedge to left. At the end of the drain it turns left (NW) by a waymark post, TL 4630 6595, on a rough path with hedge to left and arable to right. It crosses a drain at TL 4618 6611 by a hidden culvert, and continues NW on rough grass, with hedge to left. At TL 4607 6625 it meets the Beach Ditch. In absence of a bridge to Hay Lane opposite, it is necessary to turn right along a 2m wide long grass headland, with Beach Ditch left, arable to right. At TL 4626 6638, a grassy track joins from right, and is followed to Cottenham Road at TL 4637 6647, where it is possible to squeeze round the end of a locked metal barrier.

Watery Olympics in Essex
Essex Area Update of April 2011 reports on the development of the White Water Centre in Lea Valley Country Park. Essex is hosting the canoeing and kayaking events for the 2012 Olympics. The high-tech arrangement causes water to rush down and around barrages and competitors, but when they reach the end of the course, they merely have to sit in their boats to be taken back to the start by a sort of escalator. This, the first Olympic site to be completed, will be open to the public from 22 April 2011. It is possible to tour the site, and include it in your day’s walk absolutely free.

STOP PRESS

Cambridgeshire County Council’s rights of way funding is cut by £50 000 from April. This amounts to roughly 25%.

Cantab 62, May 2011

Cantab Rambler by E-Mail & Post Cantab usually appears every two months. A large number of you now receive Cantab by e-mail. By hand, 20p is appreciated towards the cost of paper and ink. If you would like to receive an issue by post, please send an A5 SAE.

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This is a privately produced magazine, and the views expressed are solely those of the editor, or of the author of an individual item. Janet Moreton 01223 356889

e-mail roger.janet@care4free.net

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