Orston, Alockton and Whatton, 17th November 2024

Starting at Orston Village Hall, Dave took 24 members past St Mary’s Church, along Smite Lane and onto the embankment of the River Smite to Aslockton for coffee at the recreation ground. Then we went through Whatton to take Orston Lane, Moor Lane and Lombard Street back to the Village Hall for a picnic and the VBR AGM.

Briefing at the Village Hall

St Mary’s Church

By the Smite

River Smite

Cranmer's Mound is named after Archbishop Cranmer, who was born in Aslockton in 1489.  It was originally a motte-and-bailey castle but  only the earthworks now remain.  These are visible from the footpath.  Zoom in for more information

A History of Thomas Cranmer on Main Street, Aslockton

St Thomas's Church, Aslockton.  Click here to hear for the bells

Aslockton Station

Coffee stop

St Mary's Church, Whatton

VBR Committee at the AGM

South Hykeham, Aubourn and Bassingham, 10th November 2024

John J led 16 members on an 8-mile stroll across the flatlands of Lincolnshire, criss-crossing the Witham and visiting the villages Aubourn and Bassingham (just) and Haddington after a start in South Hykeham.

Briefing at the start

St Michael and All Angels Church, South Hykeham
(on a better day)

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

Early coffee stop

Aubourn Hall dating back to around 1628

Fine village sign

Mainly good tracks and field paths

Lunch stop next to the weir on the Witham

Earthworks on the banks of the River Witham between Haddington and the river represent the remains of a considerable manorial complex.  The complex consists chiefly of one more or less square moated area 30 by 40 metres, surrounded by water-filled ditches

Recently restored Haddington Dovecote dates from around 1420

Commemorating the Millennium - Haddington 2000 outside the village

On the way back this time

Waltham on the Wolds, Bescaby and Stonesby, 3rd November 2024

Steve led 12 ramblers on a 7 mile walk beginning at the north end of Waltham village.  The group crossed fields to the NATS radio beacon tower then alongside Bescaby Gallops.  From Bescaby we followed stone paths looping around woods for a coffee stop at duck ponds at Bescaby Farm. Onwards to Stonesby and through the village churchyard we reached Stonesby Quarry (now a Nature Reserve) for a lunch stop. Finally we crossed fields back to the NATS tower and returned via the first walk leg to finish.

Thanks for the photos Paul and Steve.

Briefing in Waltham

Steve leads the way

NATS (National Air Traffic Services) tower

Bescaby Duck Ponds

Convenient stones in Stonesby Quarry - lunch

Stonesby Quarry, a 3.2 hectares biological Site of Special Scientific Interest is part of a 4 hectare nature reserve managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust