It was a damp beginning to 2015 when, on New Year’s Day, 16 members of the Westbury Walkers set off on a gentle six mile ramble from The Downlands, Warminster led by Paddy Yerburgh.
From the base of Copheap the route took them through the army quarters and out towards Battlebsury Hill and then on round the north side of Middle Hill, where they turned south and eventually reached Mill Lane, Bishopstrow with its interesting collection of houses and cottages.
After crossing the River Wylye they stopped for lunch in the playing fields alongside the church where picnic tables had been thoughtfully provided! Then it was left along the Sutton Veny Road for a short distance before turning right into the road parallel to the bypass which eventually ended at another crossing of the Wylye at Henford Marsh.
On reaching Lower Marsh Road, a short climb and descent over a field ahead, took the group down into Smallbrook Meadows where a swing in the trees was too tempting for some members to ignore. They then walked alongside the lake and back through the town centre, under the railway bridge and up to Copheap Lane which they crossed and shortly turned into The Downlands again. Mulled wine, soft drinks and mince pies awaited them on their return.
On the second Sunday of the month 22 members met at Westwood for a 7.5 mile walk led by Mary Taylor. The group set off on a route which took them from Westwood Manor through fine countryside via Avoncliffe and Freshford.
They stopped for lunch on the picturesque bridge over the River Avon at Iford and then followed field and woodland paths towards Farleigh Hungerford Castle and from there made their way back to Westwood via the village of Stoford.
The walkers made the most of the bright winter sunshine in the morning and though it was more cloudy in the afternoon it remained dry throughout.
Seasonally heavy mud and a drowned water meadow was challenging but did not deter the group. They encountered a good number of West Wilts Ramblers on roughly the same walk but going in the other direction, and reflected on the growth of walking as a pastime in the last 20 years.
Report by Paddy Yerburgh and Mary Taylor
