Trailway News October 2013
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Author Archives: Graham Rains
Trailway News – August 2013
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Trailway News August 2013
August Walk, New Benches and the BHS Award to Dorset County Council
The August walk is arranged for Spetisbury starting at 11.00am on 17th August from the School Car Park. It is a guided walk and is fairly short in distance but the guides have an interest in local flora and fauna so there will be plenty to see and hear about. There is a limit to the number of walkers – 15 can be accommodated so if you want to come on the walk and bring a friend let me know and I shall ensure there are not more than the number allowed. The walk should take about an hour and a half so will be over before lunch. These walks are a good way to explore the countryside and our lovely areas in North Dorset please come if you can.
One of the possible sites for a bench donated by Blandford St. Mary Parish Council
New Benches. The Trailway seems to attract benches. We have been offered two new benches. Adam Frampton of Hammoon is putting a bench in memory of his father on the Trailway between Hammoon and Fiddleford and The Ramblers have offered us a bench to go on the Trailway section in Stalbridge by the Nature reserve. Both of these are very welcome because it means that people who may not be able to use the Trailway because of walking difficulties will have somewhere to rest.
The British Horse Society has given a Route Creation Award to Dorset County Council. The BHS magazine Tracks reported Dorset County Council have been presented with a route creation award for their role in the multi-user route for horse riders, walkers cyclists and mobility scooters on the disused Somerset and Dorset railway line. The path is three to four metres wide and has a hard wearing surface, suitable for all users.
Lesley Gasson
Gallery
Gallery
Trailway News – July 2013
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A view of Shillingstone from the steps near White Pit quarry
This is our latest Newsletter: Trailway News July 2013 (Back copies here)
This is a short newsletter about Trailway walks, a new bench on the Trailway, Bank Holiday Monday at the Railway Arches and further developments.
Trailway Walks
Our first walk organised from Sturminster Newton to Fiddleford Mill went well. We tended to part company at the Mill as some stayed on for a cup of tea and a cake at the Lavender Farm Open Day and some continued on the walk. A happy afternoon was had by all.
Shillingstone Old Ox start at 2.30pm on 28th July is our next walk. There are three possibilities:
i) If the weather is HOT we shall do a shortish flat walk in the shade. We shall start at the Old Ox go down the Trailway to Holloway Lane; follow the Wessex Ridgeway to the foot of Shillingstone Hill and the take the footpath around the bottom of the hill to the Quarry steps (view shown above) then back via Puzzle Drove to the village and the Old Ox.
ii) If the weather is cool we shall walk along the Trailway to Stourpaine; go round Hod Hill and back via Hod Drive to the Trailway. This is a much longer walk; it goes uphill therefore much better done on a cool day.
iii) If is it is raining all walks are cancelled for that day but we may find a later date for it.
A new Bench on the Trailway
Blandford St. Mary village Council has generously donated a new bench to the Trailway to be sited on the Charlton Marshall side of the Trailway beyond Wards Drove where there is a view of the area. The Countryside Rangers will install it when it is delivered. This will be a welcome addition to our benches as there are very few on the southern side of Blandford.
Bank Holiday Monday Blandford Railway Arches
The Blandford Railway Arches Trust is having an event at the Railway Arches in the afternoon on Bank Holiday Monday. There will be an announcement about ideas for the Arches, Music and refreshments. It sounds like a pleasant place to spend an afternoon if you are in Blandford and want some entertainment.
Further Developments
We wait to hear more about superfast Broadband using the Trailway but Defra have not been clear about their ideas.
Work is starting on extending the Trailway towards Stalbridge; a slow process but worth it.
Finally more and more people are enjoying the Trailway from all over Dorset.
Lesley Gasson