Vale of Belvoir Ramblers

South Hykeham, Aubourn and Bassingham, 14th April 2019

Brian led this excellent leisurely 8-mile stroll across the flatlands of Lincolnshire, criss-crossing the Witham and visiting the villages Aubourn and Bassingham (just) after a start in South Hykeham.

The start near the church

St Michael and All Angels Church, South Hykeham

Crossing the Witham for the first time (out of four)

Aubourn 'Old Church' is just a fragment of a much larger medieval building. In 1862 a new parish church was built to the west of the village and most of the medieval church was demolished, leaving the chancel standing as a mortuary chapel.

Aubourn Hall dating back to around 1628

Swan walking (yes, walking) up the Witham. See below

Recently restored Haddington Dovecote dates from around 1420

I'm sure we've been here before!

Distant view of Lincoln Cathedral

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Beeston Lock to Attenborough Nature Reserve, 7th April 2019

Elaine led this 6-mile walk from Beeston Lock, down the Trent for a short distance, then back along the Nottingham & Beeston Canal and river bank before turning off through the Nature Reserve and Attenborough itself to the Nature Centre for coffee. Then it was across to the Trent and back downstream to the start-point and a cup of tea (for some) at the recently opened Canalside Heritage Centre next to the lock.

The group blocking the view of the weir

A better view

Attenborough Nature Reserve

Heron at the confluence of the Erewash and Trent

Beeston Lock gates

Nottingham and Beeston Canal - looking downstream

Canalside Heritage Centre

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South Croxton to Queniborough, 31st March 2019

Steve and Carrie led ten of us on this eleven mile rectangular walk with excellent weather and paths. We walked towards Queniborough across fields with very young lambs and returned via the woods of Barkby Holt and circled Baggrave Hall, although the hall itself was well hidden.

Walking away from Queniborough

Lunch

Spring is sprung

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Bradgate Park, Woodhouse Eaves and Beacon Hill, 24th March 2019

Dave's 8½ mile walk today started in Bradgate Park before passing through the attractive village of Newtown Linford to Ulverscroft Priory for coffee. Then it was up to Beacon Hill for lunch, round the edge of Woodhouse Eaves and across the fairways of Lingdale Golf Club before climbing up to Old John Tower and back to the start.

The start In Newtown Linford

Climb up to the trig point on Beacon Hill

Lunch in the rocks

Old John Tower

Toposcope near Old John Tower

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Sutton upon Trent, Grassthorpe and Marnham, 20th March 2019

John's flat walk today (highest point 22m, lowest 2m) started at All Saints Church, Sutton on the Trent before crossing fields to Low Marnham and Grassthorpe returning down the Trent past several holmes. The word has a Scandinavian origin and means an island in a river or lake. It also came to mean a low flat tract of land beside a river. As they were liable to flooding these fields were not used for food crops but as extra pasture and for growing hay.

All Saints Church

Grassholme Beck a lesser-known but important tributary of the Trent draining a large part of east Nottinghamshire

St Wilfrid's Church, Low Marnham

Self-closing clapper gates, unique to the navigable reaches of the River Trent

After lunch by the Trent

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Cromford, Lumsdale and Tansley, 17th March 2019

Another attempt by John J to tackle this hilly (500m of ascent), 11 mile Lumsdale walk after last year's walk when snow put most people off. This year, we were well supported by Mick, Bob, Duncan, Brian, Diane, Liz and Carolyn from Gedling Ramblers, the weather was much improved but it was still very wet and slippery underfoot.

The Lumsdale Valley is a site of national archaeological and historic importance (see https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk/lumsdale). It is owned by the Arkwright Society, an educational charity devoted to the rescue of the industrial heritage buildings and associated landscape. The mills and the associated water management features form one of the best examples in Great Britain of a water-powered industrial archaeological site. Its uniqueness comes from seeing such an extensive use of water power in such a relatively small area.