Vale of Belvoir Ramblers: July 2024

Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth and the upper Witham Valley, 28th July 2024

Starting in Woolsthorpe, thirteen members explored this 9.1 mile walk, led by Dave H and John J, towards the source of the River Witham in a part of Lincolnshire not covered by VBR previously.

After crossing the river for the first time we briefly visited St John the Baptist's Church where Isaac Newton worshipped before turning south to cross fields to North Witham for coffee. Then we continued to South Witham for lunch in the garden of the Blue Cow. Afterwards, we crossed the river for the sixth and final time and headed across more fields to Gunby and eventually down into Woolsthorpe, close to the entrance to Woolsthorpe Manor, now a National Trust property.

Thanks John for the photos.

The start next to the Village Hall

Newton's birthplace, Woolsthorpe Manor

Where Newton was christened -
St John the Baptist, Colsterworth

Newton

Chief of Philosophers

baptized in this church in AD 1642

Isaac Newton's sundial displayed in the church, carved with his penknife when he was nine

First crossing (of 6) of the Witham near the start

Second crossing of the Witham. Two centimeteres deep today but can be two metres according to the height gauges

St Mary's Church, North Witham - coffee stop

Just avoiding being mowed down

St John the Baptist, South Witham

The Blue Cow Inn, South Witham - lunch and a drink

Last crossing. The source is just across the county border in Leicestershire. No water today and not nearly as picturesque as ....

... The Haven, Boston where the river is tidal

St Peter's Church, Gunby - last stop for drinks

Residents of Gunby

Some good field paths and gates today, ...

... some not so good

Buildings near Woolsthorpe Manor

Witham catchment

Bunny and Bradmore Moor, 24th July 2024

Yes. I remember Bunny -

The name, because one evening

Of heat the walk leader drew up there

Unwontedly. It was late July.

The engine ticked. Someone cleared their throat

No one left and no one came

On the bare pavement. What I saw

Was Bunny — only the name

From Adlestrop by Edward Thomas (1878-1917)

Rab's planned 4.8 mile route - alongside Fairham Brook, turning off to reach the Grand Central Railway which is followed before returning to Bunny over Bradmore Moor

Hawksworth, Thoroton, Shelton, Sibthorpe and Flintham, 21st July 2024

Paul led sixteen ramblers and two dogs on an 8.6 mile walk starting at Hawksworth's St Mary’s Church. After crossong fields to Thoroton, coffee was taken in nearby fields before we followed the River Smite towards Shelton. The lunch stop was at Sibthorpe Church near the 13th century dovecote. Then it was back across fields to Hawksworth. The weather was hot but a strong breeze kept us cool.

Thanks John and Steve for the photos.

Paul briefs the group

St Mary’s Church

Good field paths today

The biggest threat to food security is climate change

Oscar Bridge where Longhedge Lane crosses over the River Smite

Sibthorpe Dovecote
Built by monks in response to a famine of 1360, it housed over 1,200 pigeons in tiny nesting niches perched 24 stories high. It provided a supply of meat, eggs and fertilizer to safeguard against future starvation

St Peter's Church, Sibthorpe - lunch

A two-dog walk - the first fror VBR
Dog Bentley and Dog Tombi

Fine hydrangeas in Sibthorpe

Lowdham, Hoveringham Mill and Gonalston Evening Stroll,17th July 2024

Starting on Main Street, Elaine's 3.8 miles walk took thirteen members over Barker Hill to The Hermitage, an isolated cottage near the Dover Beck. The route then went through Gonalston village to reach the isolated Church of St Laurence for a drinks stop. After crossing the Lowdham to Southwell road, we circumnavigated the Hoveringham Lakes, now a carp fishery, to reach Hoveringham Mill. Then, after recrossing Southwell Road, we passed Cliff Mill and the Hermitage and then walked around Barker Hill back to Lowdham to The Old Ship Inn.

Thanks John for the photos.

The start

The Hermitage

Carr Beck flowing towards Hoveringham Lakes

Drinks stop - St Laurence's Church

Gargoyles at St Laurence's Church. Remind you of anyone?

Train spotting

Hoveringham Mill

Rare breed of sheep near Hoveringham Mill - inquisitive not aggressive fortunately

Sunset

Cliff Mill (aka Gonalston Mill) on the Dover Beck. The Beck was the southern boundary of Sherwood Forest from the 13th century. The river rises near the village of Blidworth in the heart of the forest and flows southeast to join the River Trent near Caythorpe. The mill was one of eleven on the Dover Beck: Salterford Mill, Oxton Mill, Epperstone Mill, Woodborough Mill, The Paper Mill, Carby’s Mill, Parkinson’s Pit, The Lord’s Mill, Cliff Mill, Hoveringham Mill and Caythorpe Mill

Commemorating Harold Cottam, 1891-1984, wireless operator on RMS Carpathia on April 15th 1912 who received Titanic's call for help and whose diligence and prompt reaction were instrumental in saving 705 souls

Beeston Lock and Attenborough Nature Reserve,14th July 2024

From Beeston Lock, Dave took thirteen members down the River Trent before turning off to reach the Nottingham and Beeston Canal which we followed back to the lock for a coffee stop in the beautiful garden of the Canalside Heritage Centre. Then we followed the Trent upstream before turning off to visit the Attenborough Nature Centre for lunch and a visit to see the Sand Martin Hide. The return was past Attenborough Church before we were diverted to return along the Trent to the start and the Canalside Heritage Centre café again.

The walk originally planned had to be shortened because of a long-term bridge safety issue near Attenborough and a path closure next to the River Trent