IT was perfect walking weather on Sunday 12th June when 13 members of the Westbury Walkers met at Heytesbury for a nine-mile walk led by Paddy Yerburgh and Jan McCann.
Starting from Heytesbury, the route took the group down Mantles Lane and left along the River Wylye. Crossing the minor road, they then continued over a wooden footbridge into open fields before joining the Wessex Ridgeway on the edge of Knook.
The group then continued along footpaths towards Corton and turning north they went under the railway bridge and continued through the village, passing the Dove Inn where they crossed the minor road that goes through the Wylye Valley and took a steep track up through thick vegetation to Barrow Hill.
Here, the walkers turned south east and followed the farm road for about three miles passing Corton field barn at which point the Wessex Ridgeway went off to the right in a southerly direction. After the group stopped for a quick drink alongside some conveniently place logs which provided seating for some, at Boyton Down they forked left and followed a footpath down into the pretty village of Sherrington with its large duck pond and attractive thatched cottages.
From there the route took them north west to the village of Boyton where they crossed the River Wylye once again and continued over a level crossing into the village. Here they encountered the first of just two stiles and enjoyed a leisurely lunch in a grassy field before turning north west towards along a shady footpath during which they paused to admire the flying skills of a red kite overhead as they walked towards Upton Lovell, where they took the lane passing the church and into the village.
Following the road through the village and past the Prince Leopold pub, they then took at footpath through a field to East Farm. Here they stopped to admire the many calves which were enjoying the sunshine from their individual pens. The farmer gave a very interesting and informative talk about how the calves, all female, are reared and the fact they would eventually join the main herd of over 300 mature cows already on the farm.
It was clear a great deal of effort was made to ensure the well-being of these young animals and so that they would grow up to be healthy adults. From the farm the walkers turned left in the village of Knook, some taking time to look in the pretty church, before retracing part of the outward route along the Wylye and open fields back to Heytesbury.
Report by Paddy Yerburgh
If you would like more information about the Westbury Walkers, please email Westbury.walkers.uk@gmail.com
