Vale of Belvoir Ramblers: 2024

Woolsthorpe Wharf and the Grantham Canal, 22nd December 2024

Paul led twelve members on this six-mile walk starting at The Duck at Woolsthorpe (aka Dirty Duck aka Rutland Arms) next to Woolsthorpe Wharf. It took us along the Grantham Canal to Denton Wharf and on to Denton Reservoir for coffee. After walking through Denton itself and along the road to Woolsthorpe by Belvoir we picked up the disused railway line as far as the Viking Way to re-join the canal back to The Duck.

The briefing

The Duck at Woolsthorpe

Denton Reservoir - coffee

Gedling Country Park and Lambley, 15th December 2024

Following a short walk around the Country Park, with good views over Gedling, Sue took twenty members on a well-researched 6½ mile walk down across Cocker Beck to Lambley School for mulled wine and mince pies. We then did a loop north towards Lambley Airfield before returning to the village and then taking field paths back to the park for lunch.

Thanks Elaine and Barbara for the mince pies and mulled wine and John for the photos. And Sue of course for doing the recce several times and without Dave to help her.

Briefing at the start

Fine mosaics at the cafe

Views over Gedling towards the Belvoir Ridge

Cocker Beck aka Lambley Dumble

Mince pies and mulled wine in Lambley

All dressed up and nowhere to go

Lambley Church - a lunch stop on previous walks

And back to the park for coffee or back to Lambley for something else

Barnstone and Dove Cottage, 8th December 2024

Six ramblers braved Storm Darragh and undertook Steve’s walk starting from the new Langar cum Barnstone Community Hall built with funding from local Trusts, Councils and businesses and opened in 2023. In view of the bad weather and poor ground conditions the walk was shortened to five miles. We started by taking Works Lane, passing the old cement works and then the new anaerobic digestion plant that generates methane gas from crop sileage. After passing alongside Langar Airfield and crossing muddy fields we reached Dove Cottage for our coffee stop. The tearoom is now closed but we had permission to use the garden pergola and seating for our own snacks. Afterwards we retraced our steps back to Barnstone.

Thanks Steve for the photos and description. Sorry we all turned up and you couldn't just go home!

There's no such thing as bad weather (AW, 1973)
Oh yes, there is!!

Cement Works, still going strong after 150 years

A rather smelly anaerobic digester plant

Broken bridge on footpath

Works Farm

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

Londonthorpe Woods and the Bellmount Tower, 1st December 2024

Starting at the Woodland Trust's car park on Five Gates Lane, Scott's very muddy 5½ mile walk took sixteen members through Londonthorpe and Alma Woods and on to Londonthorpe itself for a coffee stop at the church. Leaving the village, we first dropped down towards Five Gates Lane before climbing up to woods round the back of Bellmount Tower. Mist and rain spoiled the views towards Belton House and across the Trent Valley. The route back took us on paths next to Five Gates Lane.

Scott briefs the members in the car park

Londonthorpe Woods and Woodland Trust volunteers

Relic of WW2 army camp

Approaching Londonthorpe

St John The Baptist's Church, Londonthorpe, dating back to the early 1200s, with Commonwealth War Graves in the churchyard and fine views over the Lincolnshire countryside (in good weather)

Carved heads on the church walls

Approaching the Bellmount Tower from the north

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

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