Caythorpe, Hough on the Hill and the Lincoln Edge, 24th November 2024

Seven souls ignored the weather forecast and were rewarded with sunshine, blue skies and rainbows on Paul's walk 8½ mile walk today starting near the playing fields in Caythorpe.  After passing through the village we followed the Lincoln Edge to Hough on the Hill for coffee before using parts of the Viking Way to pass close to Carlton Scroop before returning to Hough for lunch.  A short stroll then took us back along the Edge to Caythorpe.

Not as cold as it looks at the start

Short descent down the Lincoln Edge.  It runs for over 50 miles from the Leicestershire border near Grantham to the Humber Estuary and is broken only twice by river gaps at Ancaster and Lincoln

Fine ironstone cottage in Hough on the Hill

Approaching All Saints Church, Hough

The Church of All Saints at Hough on the Hill dates from the 11th century and is notable for its Saxon Tower with unusual circular staircase and lumpy stonework

The Brownlow Arms, a 17th century country inn in Hough

Large aerator near Hough alongside lots of other agricultural machinery

Renovated Ransomes and Rapier Crane, machine number 1340 made at the Waterside works in Ipswich.

House near Hough's remains of a motte and bailey castle

Carving at entrance to church

Lunch stop at All Saints

Fine mural in Caythorpe

Vale of Belvoir Ramblers AGM Minutes, 17th November 2024

Vale of Belvoir Ramblers AGM Minutes

17th November 2024

Orston Village Hall

Present: Rab Bird, Dave & Sue Cobley, Trisby Carlton, Ann & Brian Durant, Paul Fenton, Rose De Fusto, Dave & Elaine Hobson, Anne & John Johnson, Barbara Jones, Tracey Kemp, Keith & Anny Marklew, Brenda Mitchell, Gail Parkinson, John & Janet Rea, Tina Russell, Scott Saxelby, Angela Turner, Rod Vooght, John & Kim Young.

1 Apologies

Val Moreland, Susie Pyle, David Wolff, Steve Deacon, Jan Tilsley.

2 Minutes of 2023 AGM
These were circulated prior to the AGM. There were no matters arising and they were agreed by those present.

3 Matters arising from the 2023 Minutes - none

4 Chairman’s report
John Young stressed the need to fill the Walks Programme as requested by the Walks Coordinator, Gail, for 3 months ahead. The programme is now complete until the end of March with the help of the Committee members who had filled in the remaining gaps. John stated that he wanted to retire as Chairman after 8 years in the post due to family commitments. He was thanked by the members for all his hard work, humour and commitment to the group.

5 to 10 Officers' Reports

These had been circulated to all members beforehand.

11 Ramblers and Nottinghamshire Area Ramblers

VBR had attended all Area Council Meetings as well as the Notts County Show.

John paid tribute to Sue Rick, Chair, who had tragically died.  Adrian Amor is standing in as Chair.

12 Election of Officers
Unfortunately no member has agreed to take over as position of Chairman, John has kindly agreed to stand in until another member volunteers.

Sue Cobley has stood down as Treasurer after more than 10 years in the role.  She was thanked by the members for her hard work and her contributions to social events. Scott Saxelby has agreed to take over as Treasurer.

It was then proposed and agreed unanimously to elect the following officers:

• Chairman (temporary) John Young
• Secretary Brenda Mitchell
• Treasurer Scott Saxelby

13 AOB

Scott reported that he had made reservations for the group at HF Peveril of the Peak at Thorpe, Derbyshire for a combined Summer Weekend Away and Peak District Weekend. The dates are September 26th to 29th.  He proposes to have a variety of walks with one on Friday afternoon, Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning. All members who are interested in joining the group should contact him.  A deposit of £75 per person is required by mid December to secure a place.

There had been problems arranging the Christmas meal due to many pubs/restaurants in the Vale closing down. The date and venue have been postponed to the New Year.

Meeting closed at 2.15 pm.

Please note that from December 1st Elaine Hobson has taken over the Secretary’s position. The Committee wishes to thank Brenda for her many years of dedication to the group and position also as Social Secretary. Her invitations to enjoy BBQ’s, lunches and lately tea and cakes in her beautiful garden have been enjoyed by many members over the years

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 at Aslockton recreation ground

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