Walking around our community and countryside

Plenty of opportunities to walk!

Public Rights of Way

Bassingham To Aubourn walk

Walk don’t drive around our villages!

Leaflets for walks

NKDC ‘Stepping Out’ guided walks

Ramblers’ Association: Lincolnshire Area

Longstanding footpaths

A Plea to Farmers and Landowners

Bassingham Surgery Walking Group

CONNECT2 Bridging Transport Gaps for Local Walkers and Cyclists

The Natural World Centre at Whisby!

Walking & Riding on the Nevile Estate

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Most farmers in the region maintain footpaths throughout the year. These two photographs were taken on the Aubourn to Bassingham footpaths at the end of August 2004 and show the rain damaged crop from the wet summer...

There are, however, some farmers that often fail to maintain the public footpaths (e.g. between Bassingham and Aubourn weir)....

WALKING

Walking here, walking there

Walking simply everywhere

Walking instead of having a ride

Walking in the countryside

Walking on a sponsored walk

Walking so that you can talk Walking safely specially at night

Walking when it’s early light

Walking up the stairs each day

Walking whilst you choose the way

Walking the way to health is great

Walking speeds up your heart rate

Walking here, walking there

Walking simply everywhere

[WS May 2003]

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Public Rights Of Way 

It is within our own interest to keep the countryside open and I believe the area to have an extensive labyrinth of paths leading to all parts for us to enjoy a good walk. It is in the individual landowner's interest to keep these areas cleared for our use to a standard governed by the local authorities. From what can be seen with the growing number of new wooden bridges over dykes and stiles with clearly marked signs showing the way I think we can be pleased with the upkeep of our pathways. However, if you feel there is an obstruction, complaints and enquiries concerning footpaths designated as public rights of way are dealt with at County Council level. Your comments can be addressed in the first instance either to the local parish clerk who will take the matter up with the Authority or by contacting the local County Councillor whose contact details appear in the Witham Staple. 

The Editor [WS Nov 2005]

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Lincolnshire County Council

Bassingham To Aubourn Walk

The countryside provides many opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Time spent in the countryside can contribute to a sense of wellbeing, reduce stress, and walking is an excellent form of exercise.

The County Council’s Conservation Services Section is reviewing the 1980s recreational walk leaflet that linked Aubourn and Bassingham. A new leaflet will be produced to include route details and information on historic and wildlife points of interest.

Could you help with photos or pictures for the leaflet, waymark design and installation, local history or natural history information or check the route? If you or a group you belong to would like to help or you would like more information, please contact Debbie Braund, Access Promotion Officer (Tel: 553022). [WS May 2004]

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Walk don’t drive around our villages!

When did you last walk through one of the near-by villages- or even your own - as opposed to driving through, that is? Each of the Witham Staple villages is a delight to explore on foot and when you’re not in a hurry. The pavements are now mostly in good repair and, despite the ever-increasing motor traffic, can be safely enjoyed by pedestrians. The warm red-brick houses and farm building dating from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are a particular joy; and it’s fascinating to look in some detail at how the different later building styles and housing developments marry in with the older properties. The churches, of course, have their own architectural story to tell.

The gardens too are worth a closer look: it’s a pleasure and an inspiration often to get more than a glimpse of somebody else’s garden, even without waiting to explore them in detail on the Open Gardens days in the summer. So, make a point of leaving the car in the garage and seeing for yourself!

[WS Feb 2004]

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Walking Leaflets

Stepping Out Guided Walks programmes and leaflets for local walks are available free of charge from the Witham Office Bassingham Heritage Room.  

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NKDC ‘Stepping Out’ Guided Walks

Explore, Discover, Experience The Countryside - Stepping Out in NK

Countryside Events: Countrysidenk guided walks and events 2008

Stepping Out In NK: In Search of Spring Flowers

Sunday 4^th May at 10.30am

Starting at Nocton Village Hall car park. Follows the Nocton Village walk (3 ¾ miles). A walk through woodland and open countryside to discover our delightful spring flowers.

Sue’s Walk

Sunday 25^th May at 10.30am

Starting at Welbourn Village Hall car park. To stretch your legs, join keen walker, Sue and WatchNK ranger, Anthony Gwynne, on a 6 mile hike following the Parish Walk around Welbourn.

All events are free of charge. Suitable clothing for outdoor walking should be worn. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. For details of nearby Stepping Out walks, further information on local attractions, events or accommodation, please call or visit Sleaford Tourist Information Centre, Money’s Yard, Carre Street, Sleaford. NG34 7TW. Telephone: 01529 414294 Download all the Stepping Out walks by visiting www.countrysidenk.co.uk

www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk                    Go Stepping Out!

[WS May 2008]

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Ramblers’ Association: Lincolnshire Area

The Danelaw Way: the Association is currently planning a new sixty-mile long-distance recreational route for walkers from Lincoln to Stamford. The proposed route will pass through Aubourn, Bassingham, Carlton is Moorland, Brant Broughton and Caythorpe. Could anyone at all interested in providing bed & breakfast accommodation along the route please contact Brett Collier (Tel: 521315). Alternatively, an unused outbuilding could perhaps be converted into a ‘stone tent’ to provide basic minimum overnight accommodation. It is possible that grant aid might be available for this kind of rural economy enterprise. [WS Sep 2003]

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Longstanding footpaths and walks around the community

The Upper Witham Valley isn’t what you think of as classic walking country; intensely farmed fields are not always very ‘walker-friendly’ terrain. Nevertheless, there is some good walking to be had locally, both in the villages and in the countryside beyond. Helen Ash and Rona Pounder describe here some very pleasant walks in and around Bassingham, complete with map and interesting details. You don’t have to travel a great distance in the car either to begin any of these local walks. Perhaps you too have a favourite local off-road walk you’d like to share with us? [WS Sep 02]

Interesting Walks In And Around Bassingham

The map above shows the following walks:

-   A public footpath from South Hykeham Church to Aubourn Church.

-   A circular walk from Bassingham to Aubourn and back.

-   A walk starting across Church Bridge in Bassingham. After about 20 yards, turn right along the field to Bassingham Road, then across the fields to Thurlby Moor. (Could this be an old sheep track? There were sheep folds at Thurlby Moor before the airfield was built.)

-  The Churth footpath is shown on the 1893 map as leading across the river and on to Norton Disney.

-  The walk that starts from Baker’s Lane and follows Paddy’s Jetty goes to Water Lane, passing the Manor House, and eventually on to Thurlby. It is already shown on the map of 1642.

-  The Braithing Bridge: an ancient crossing from Thurlby to Bassingham.

-  Water Lane still leads down a narrow path to the river.

-  Hall Wath. Although ‘wath’ means a ‘river crossing, ford’, there is no crossing on the map or a footpath on the other side of the river.

Helen Ash and Rona Pounder [WS Sep 02 - note modern leaflets with some of these walks are available in the Heritage Room]

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A Plea to Farmers and Landowners 

As a new resident of Witham St Hughs and of Lincolnshire, I attended a meeting organised by The Witham Staple with several other new residents who are interested in bringing our growing community together. 

I would have liked to suggest an occasional Sunday morning walk to visit some of our lovely country pubs, but one thing has stopped me. I am a fairly agile person, although not a spring-chicken and I have tried in vain to follow public footpaths in this area. Even the dogs refused to go through stinging nettles, brambles, ditches and deep ploughed fields where the footpaths should be. 

It would be brilliant if farmers and landowners helped keep these paths clear so that maybe families and the less able-bodied people can enjoy the wildlife around here or manage a short stroll through the fields to the riverside. 

I hope that farmers do not think all walkers leave gates open, trample crops and let dogs worry livestock - only a few mindless, irresponsible people do that and spoil things for everyone else. Let us all enjoy what we have and appreciate our countryside. 

Marie Edmead, Witham St Hughs. [WS Oct 05]

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Bassingham Surgery Walking Group

 
The Walking Group meet at the surgery every Tuesday from 2pm to 3pm.

Wear comfortable clothes & shoes.
 

Local Walks - All Welcome.

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CONNECT2 Bridging Transport Gaps for Local Walkers and Cyclists

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans plans to join up the dots between communities and amenities, with its groundbreaking Connect2 programme to develop new walking and cycling routes around the UK – and the nationwide programme of seventy nine projects includes two projects in Lincolnshire, a route over the A17 at Holdingham and Sleaford and a green link between Carlton-le Moorland and Bassingham.

The charity’s Chief Executive John Grimshaw explains:- “We’re working on a total of seventy-nine Connect2 projects in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, two of which are in Lincoln.” He welcomes Connect2 being short listed for a grant of some £50m in the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks ‘The People’s Millions’ competition, up against five other schemes, with the winner to be ultimately decided by a public vote on ITV1 in December. The projects have already gathered public support with comments from local residents such as:

"Long overdue. A wonderful idea which will give us a pleasant rural pathway, for accessing services in Bassingham, but also provide a leisure facility and enable us to leave the car at home."

"Whilst visiting friends in Carlton-le-Moorland we often take walks in the surrounding countryside. This pathway would provide a safe means of walking to Bassingham"

“This pathway would provide safe linking of sister villages eliminating the current need to transit along a busy rural road. It would have amenity value as a stimulating walk and an opportunity to see and appreciate wildlife in the countryside.”

“This is a brilliant idea. It will make such a difference to the village. It is long overdue and we all look forward to being able to go to Bassingham without our cars and on a safe route.” Connect2 in Lincolnshire needs your support, please visit www.sustransconnect2.org.uk or text connect2 to 80010 and Sustrans will keep you informed of how and when to vote.

Further details on: Carlton-le-Moorland and Bassingham Link

These two Lincolnshire villages are typical of so many settlements in our trafficked countryside. They are scarcely 1 mile apart and separated by a small main road. The volume of traffic and speed of vehicles between the two does however mean that walking and cycling is neither pleasurable nor safe, forcing local residents into their cars.

All this is to be changed by making a wonderful field-edge promenade that will serve as a route for everyday journeys and a leisure resource throughout the year.

Sustrans' Connect2 needs you. This UK-wide project aims to improve local travel for everyday journeys in 79 communities and is competing for a grant of 50 million pounds in the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions competition. The winner will be decided by a TV vote in December 2007. Visit www.sustransconnect2.org.uk and leave us your details so we can update you about our progress. Text CONNECT2 to 80010 to be told how and when to vote.

Sustrans, National Cycle Network Centre, 2 Cathedral Square, Bristol, BS1 5DD, UK. Registered Charity No: 326550 To find out more visit www.sustrans.org.uk

[WS Oct 2007]

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The Natural World Centre at Whisby!

Countryside Promotion Officer, Theresa Hobbs

The Natural World Centre is open daily from 10am. To find out more please telephone the Centre on 688868.

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Walking & Riding on the Nevile Estate

Most of you will know that the Nevile Estate in Aubourn has put in place permissive routes that have given walking access to more areas on the Estate than the public footpaths alone.

Some of these permissive routes have been for the use of both walkers and horse riders, however from the 1^st of April this year we have changed the permissive routes to WALKERS ONLY.  The reason for this change is that the Estate has now moved into a Higher Level Stewardship agreement, which calls for greater environmental control not only in respect of specific areas, but of the Estate as a whole. We have had many instances over the last 12 to 18 months where horse riders have strayed from the paths and there has been damage to crops, field corners and also areas of woodland. This is not acceptable under our new arrangements.  

The news is not all bad though for horse riders as currently we are in the process of establishing an Aubourn Estate Ride which will be clearly signed and marked and will provide a safe riding route of approximately 5 miles.  However, to ensure that we know who is riding on the estate it will be a “members only ride” which we are initially implementing for our own DIY Livery clients who will be clearly identifiable as having permission to ride on Estate land.   We are hoping that by the time summer is here we will be able to offer a reasonably priced annual membership to other riders in the area.

Please remember that access to permissive footpaths is on the basis that dogs must be kept on a lead to protect both game and wildlife and that you must keep to the designated routes.

For enquiries regarding the Members ride please contact Vanessa Compton in the Estate Office between the hours of 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday on 788224. 

[WS May 2008]

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Witham Staple Web Editor can be contacted by e-mail: info@withamstaple.com