East Hagbourne - Rambling June 2004

EastHagbourne.Net Tuesday, January 6, 2009

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Rambling - June 2004 Report

June 13th. A very warm and sunny afternoon, I was expecting lots of people. Instead there was group of 5 (6 and 2 dogs actually, but they left us during the walk!)

We headed off along Church Close and through the Churchyard, turning left by Shovel Spring. At the end of the track we turned right then immediately left to take the path that goes to Upton, entering the village at the side of the Church. Here we turned left into Church Street, then right into Stream Road, following it all the way until the footpath came out onto the A417. We crossed the road and took the Lynch Way, about a mile later we turned right along Dene Hollow and into Chilton.

Here we turned left along Townsend, then crossed the road and took the footpath that goes past the Church and Village Hall. This brought us out onto Lower Road, where we turned left, then right and took the footbridge over the A34, bringing us out just behind Chilton Garden Centre. From here we went onto the AEA Harwell grounds and followed the hedge line north keeping to the west (left) of the hedge. After a few hundred yards we came across the "Harwell Stone".

This is a granite plinth which marks the end of the former RAF station runway from which aircraft of 38 Group took off on the night of June 5th, 1944, with troops of the 6th Airborne Division, who were among the first allied troops to land in Normandy on D-Day. After spending a few minutes here to reflect, we went along the path which comes out onto the A4185 by the phone box!

We turned right and followed the A4185 back to Chilton village. We turned right into Townsend, then back along Dene Hollow, turning left towards Lime Tree Farm. From here were took the path which goes through the garden of Lime Tree Farm then follows the line of the disused railway back to Upton, coming out on the A417 by the George and Dragon. We crossed the A417 and went along Prospect Road, coming out by the playing fields, which we crossed. We then rejoined the disused railway following it all the way back to East Hagbourne, getting off it at Main Road and going back to Upper Cross.

About 6 1/4 miles in 2 3/4 hours

NEXT MONTH THERE WILL NOT BE A VILLAGE RAMBLE AS IT COINCIDES WITH:

The Birinus Pilgrimage. Sunday, 11th July 1.15 pm

The Birinus Pilgrimage is an annual walk for anyone interested in the historical or Christian aspect of our area. It starts at Churn Knob near Blewbury and goes via South Moreton and Brightwell cum Sotwell to Dorchester.

You can join it at Blewbury, South Moreton at about 2.30 p.m or Brightwell at 3.30 pm, depending how fit you feel. There will be teas, a short service in Dorchester Abbey to celebrate the life of St. Birinus and then a barbecue in the Cloister Gardens at 7.15 pm.

More information can be obtained from www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk or contact the Pilgrimage Office 01865 340007

Next Village Ramble:

Sunday, August 8th - 2:00pm - Meet at East Hagbourne Upper Cross