New Year’s day dawned overcast but mild and dry, so offered ideal walking conditions for the Westbury Walkers’ first outing of the year when a small group led by Paddy Yerburgh and Jan McCann started from The Downlands in Warminster on a 7 mile walk through the army camp out on to the field below Battlesbury Hill.
They then climbed steadily to the top which is 208 metres above sea level. They were rewarded with extensive views across Salisbury Plain and as far west at the Mendip Hills. From there they descended and skirted the base of Middle Hill before turning on to the B 3141 for a short distance, then crossing and following Watery Lane to the playing fields adjacent to Bishopstrow Church where they stopped for lunch. They then followed a path that took them back over the railway, then joined the army road before retracing their steps back to the start. They finished the outing with mulled drinks and mince pies at the house of one of the walk leaders.
On the second Sunday of the month, 19 members met at the Coal Museum at Radstock for an 8 mile walk led by Jim Day and Eric Windsor. From there they took the Norton Radstock Greenway, following the line of the River Frome until they reached a former coal truck where they followed an old coal rail route which runs above the disused Somerset and Dorset railway. They continued over a five arch bridge and down steps to join a short section of the former GWR line before turning left to follow the Somerset and Dorset line. The route took them eventually to the Railway Heritage Museum at the old Midsomer Norton South station which is on the disused S and D line and still runs steam trains on selected days.
Here, the walking group saw volunteers working very hard repairing a section of the old line with new ballast. The walkers then followed paths that run parallel to the railway until they reached the outskirts of Chilcompton with its fine restored church. Here they turned eastwards and made their way back over fields and tracks to the centre of Midsomer Norton where they passed a plaque dedicated to a pit accident in 1893 when 12 miners including two children aged 13 and 15 were killed when the ropes they were tethered to were cut deliberately. The culprits were never found.
After passing the town, the group re-joined the disused GWR line back to Radstock. The restored trails were being well-used by cyclists, families and dog walkers and clearly are a popular leisure facility. A very interesting walking area, well worth a return visit. For more information about The Westbury Walkers please email: westbury. walkers.uk@gmail.com
Report: Paddy Yerburgh.
