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Cotswold Lion Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 The newspaper of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Festival at the castle Diamond Jubilee plans 10 top picnic Car-free Cotswolds Large Blues fly again page 3 take shape page 4 locations page 6 page 7 page 8

Cotswold Olimpicks celebrate 400 years London 2012? The modern Games all started with rustic sports at Chipping Campden!

winning bid to stage London 2012, “We are often asked how serious this year marks the 400th anniversary of the inaugural Robert Dover’s we are about it all,” says Graham, Games that began “the historical who has been involved with the thread in Britain that was ultimately annual jamboree for some 25 to lead to the creation of the modern years. “We are very serious in Olympics.” as much as it’s historical fact To celebrate the historic that our Games were the first in anniversary the Cotswold Olimpicks, modern times to be referred to on Friday 1st June, will feature an extended programme of events with as Olimpicks, certainly by 1630.” an enhanced Jacobean flavour, plus a brand new castle to crown the lofty the training of the youth in manly plateau of National Trust-owned sports and for the harmless mirthe Dover’s Hill. Visitors can also expect Olimpick Tug of War and jollitie of the neighbourhood”.

Nick Turner Nick more local food stalls, alongside the As chief director and manager, he familiar bands and cannon fire, rustic trotted about on a white horse, and “We get TV crews from Japan and racing, backswords, tug o’war and, a 1636 collection of celebratory Australia coming to film us shin- of course, the World Shin-kicking poems, Annalia Dubrensia, shows him kicking and they think we are Championships. in ceremonial garb and a plumed completely mad,” says Graham It is likely that locals already held hat that came – via Mickleton-born Greenall, chairman of Robert Dover’s some form of boisterous Cotswold Groom of the Royal Bedchamber Games Society. “We don’t think so. Whitsuntide festivities when Robert Endymion Porter – from King James I. It’s a tradition of glorious eccentricity Dover arrived on the scene in “The Games were certainly backed unique to Robert Dover’s Cotswold 1611. Born in Norfolk, educated at by royalty, including James I and Olimpicks and local rural life.” Cambridge and Gray’s Inn, he was a Charles I, and Prince Rupert allegedly While global eyes may turn to solicitor – with a classical knowledge visited in 1636,” Graham says. London from July to September for and flair for showmanship. Within “More importantly, it was about the Olympic and Paralympic Games, months “he had grabbed everything having fun in an era that was sliding aficionados of grass-roots sporting by the throat,” Graham says. towards Puritanism.” culture will be heading first for From 1612, Dover promoted World-famous shin-kicking, Chipping Campden. For, as the British a two-day event that honoured not for the faint-hearted.

Olympic Association stated in its the ancient Games of Greece, “for Continued on page 2 Turner Nick

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 1 Indeed, the Olimpicks were to have a chequered history, interrupted from 1642 by the Civil War and again from 1852 with the enclosure of Dover’s Hill. “It’s fascinating that after the Around the Cotswolds Restoration in 1660, the Games started up again immediately,” Silver for sustainability Graham says. “They obviously The Chestnuts ‘eco-luxe’ holiday cottage, Shilton, scooped silver at the touched the heart of the community. 2011 Beautiful South Awards for Excellence, for its efforts in sustainable As to their termination in 1852, that tourism. Alongside recycling and energy conservation measures, guests was purely political and not due to are provided with a bicycle and re-usable shopping bags to encourage rumoured rowdiness. I’ve seen the environmentally friendly tourism. police sergeant’s reports for 1849 “Living sustainably isn’t about giving up luxury, it’s thinking about to 1851 and the single phrase that things like recycling or using a wind-up torch,” says owner Chris comes through is ‘all quiet.’ ” Burton. War and politics aside, the Games The Chestnuts is run as a Carbon Neutral Enterprise and is a Gold were revived as part of celebrations Award member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme. It now goes of the Festival of Britain in 1951 forward to the national VisitBritain awards in May. and since 1966 have grown into the annual sporting extravaganza Olimpick sack race

that today can draw up to 5,000 Turner Nick More walkers welcome spectators. There are more reasons than ever to put your best foot forward When it comes to competitions in Jacobean costume. Proceedings square for dancing into the night, in 2012 as growing numbers of towns and villages around the in the Games, Graham says, “We are start earlier than usual, at 2pm, although some may be hobbling! Cotswolds achieve Walkers are Welcome status. like Janus, we look both ways. We continuing until midnight. “The issue of legacy was one of The community-led scheme, which has a national network of some are aware of our past and heritage, “We are attempting to make it the things that won the Olympic 70 locations, recognises places that offer something extra special to and also aware that this is the 21st more like the original Games just Games for London,” Graham reflects. walkers. Winchcombe was the Cotswolds’ first Walkers are Welcome town, century and things change. Dover for this year, for example with more “Our legacy in the Cotswolds isn’t in July 2009, and has since been joined by Longborough, King’s Stanley was happy to copy the original Greek falconry, which was very much part a stadium, it’s people. We’ll still be and Leonard Stanley, Stroud and Bradford-on-Avon. Games in a very local Cotswold style of the Jacobean scene, and more here in 2013 and 2014 holding our The scheme brings noticeable economic benefits, says Sheila Talbot, and we adapt, too.” local food stalls, which also used to Olimpicks. It’s difficult to define chair of Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome steering group. “We have Horse-racing, hare-coursing and predominate,” Graham says. “There what Britishness or Englishness is, witnessed a growing number of walkers in the town, especially the pubs cock-fighting may have fallen by the will be more demonstrations of but certainly the Cotswold Olimpicks and tea rooms. Accommodation providers are reporting a steady stream wayside, but shin-kicking has made original activities and our new castle are part of it.” of bookings throughout the year.” the Games legendary. It is thought to will be used in games rather than just For further information about have developed from the ‘underplay’ as a backdrop.” Robert Dover’s Cotswold Olimpicks, of wrestling. When the last shin has been kicked including parking/shuttle buses, Pad the Palladian Way “Contestants hold each other by and fireworks have exploded, it’s off see www.olimpickgames.co.uk A new book by -based walker Guy Vowles describes the shoulders and kicking is a tactic by torchlight into Chipping Campden’s Tel: Graham Greenall, 01386 840081. a fascinating 125-mile architectural walking trail. The Palladian Way rather than the ultimate aim, putting runs past England’s finest Palladian estates from Stowe House in your opponent off balance so that Buckinghamshire, across the Cotswolds by Blenheim Palace and you can throw them,” Graham says, The ‘other’ Olympics Barsley Park estates through to Prior Park just outside Bath. adding, “The judge is called a stickler, Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, with the assistance of the Friends of a name that we claim also originated Cotswold residents have excelled in the ‘other’ Olympics, as well the Cotswolds, restored a section of footpath and an old clapper bridge here, though the Oxford English as their own. “Chipping Campden boasts gold medallist Frederick at Signet, and the complete route is now waymarked. Dictionary might disagree.” Merriman, who was in the Metropolitan Police team that won For further details and signed copies of The Palladian Way (£9.99) Time was, shin-kickers hardened Tug-of-War in the 1908 London Olympics,” Graham Greenall says. see Guy’s website, www.guysrambles.co.uk their shins before competing by “It’s no longer an Olympic event, but we continue the tradition on striking them with hammers and they Dover’s Hill!” were allowed to wear boots tipped More recent Olympian stars, at Beijing 2008, include rowing gold Rugged oil beetle stronghold with iron, resulting in numerous medallists Peter Reed from Nailsworth and Cheltenham-born Zac Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is celebrating the discovery of 11 rugged oil broken legs. Even with shins padded Purchase. And we wait with bated breath to see which locals will beetles at its Elliott nature reserve, on Swift’s Hill near Stroud. The rare with straw, today’s white-smocked become stars of Team GB in London. beetle (Meloe rugosus) is one of four species of oil beetle that are believed contestants “are not entirely keen Meanwhile, Broadway artist Jeremy to have suffered drastic declines in the UK. A further four are thought to to do it again,” Graham admits. Houghton has already been busy as an be extinct in the UK. He himself has given demonstrations official BT artist for London 2012, painting The rugged oil beetle is active in winter, however the other three but never competed! Olympic hopefuls like fellow Broadway remaining species can be found in spring and summer. Buglife is Displays of backswords and single- native and champion rower Alex Gregory. encouraging the public to look for them using identification information stick – training exercises for fencing “It has been inspiring to meet such on its website, www.buglife.org.uk. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust will and fighting – also have honourable dedicated human beings,” Jeremy says. continue to search for the beetle at its other Stroud Valleys grassland heritage, as do gurning, sack racing, “In many ways painting in watercolours reserves. If you are interested in getting involved visit and spurning the barre (akin to is like competing in sport; it’s unforgiving www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk tossing the caber). The water race and doesn’t allow for mistakes. You’ve got finale of the hotly contested team to be on top of your game at a particular Championship of the Hill produces moment.” The Cotswold Lion is published by: slapstick worthy of any Robert Dover Also look out for the Olympic Torch Cotswolds Conservation Board theatrics. on its 70-day relay to London. It passes , Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3JH “The friendly rivalry is all in true through (22nd May) Bradford-on-Avon, Tel: 01451 862000, Fax: 01451 862001 Olimpick spirit,” Graham says. Bath; (23rd May) Cirencester, Stroud, Painswick, Brockworth, Shurdington, Cheltenham; (1st July) Broadway and Chipping Campden. www.facebook.com/Cotswoldsaonb Roll up on Friday 1st June and you will be warmly welcomed by Robert “It’s an honour for Campden to be on the route and an even greater www.twitter.com/cotswoldsaonb Dover (aka Father John Brennan – honour to Robert Dover, because of what he set up more than 250 years “being a priest he has a ringing voice before Pierre de Coubertin had the idea for the modern Olympics,” Edited by Sian Ellis and he can also ride a horse”), plus Graham Greenall says. PRINTED ON Design: www.touchmedia.uk.net RECYCLED PAPER other members of the society attired

2 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Festival at the castle This year marks the quincentenary of the birth of Katherine Parr. Lady Ashcombe talks to The Cotswold Lion about the remarkable queen’s links to Sudeley Castle and why Henry VIII’s ‘forgotten’ sixth wife deserves to be honoured.

Discovering history at Sudeley Castle, The festival explores much more of Winchcombe, is like slowly unlocking a secret: Katherine’s life and legacy, as well as what ruins of a medieval banqueting hall here, the happened to treacherous Sir Thomas and glimpse of a Tudor love letter there. For more little Mary. Lady Ashcombe is also keen that than 1,000 years the estate has seen royalty celebrations, and tourism generally at Sudeley come and go; it suffered at the hands of Castle, help to benefit Winchcombe and the Oliver Cromwell and was rescued by Victorian wider community: romantics. “We’re partners in many ways. The more In modern times, the golden-grey castle and attractions and things for people to do in one’s beautiful gardens have enjoyed a renaissance own area, the better it is for everybody. The fact under the care of current chatelaine Lady that Winchcombe and all the towns and villages Ashcombe and her family. in the Cotswolds now have wonderful shops, “It is extraordinary to live in a place that restaurants and hotels is good for everyone.” holds all this energy,” Lady Ashcombe enthuses. Much has happened since 1962 when Lady “It fires the imagination and we enjoy telling Ashcombe – then American-born Elizabeth stories here.” Chipps – first visited Sudeley Castle. Arriving in This year it is the story of Katherine Parr in frosty moonlight, “It was something right out of particular that will be told, the Tudor queen who a Gothic tale.” lived, died and is entombed at Sudeley Castle. She nevertheless married the son of the “We are the only private house in England castle, Mark Dent-Brocklehurst, and from that has a queen or king buried in the church 1969 they modernised and opened Sudeley to in the garden,” Lady Ashcombe continues. the public to pay for its upkeep. When Mark “Katherine Parr was such an extraordinary, suddenly died in 1972, and death duties and powerful, passionate woman, and she deserves debt threatened, Elizabeth, later remarried to to be honoured. We began planning celebrations Lord Ashcombe, battled on with her young two or three years ago for the 500th anniversary family. of her birth in 1512, but we never imagined so Sudeley has gone on to become one of many people would want to join in.” England’s most enchanting castles to visit, with The Katherine Parr festival, 1st April–28th award-winning gardens that Lady Ashcombe October, centres on an exhibition featuring believes are her greatest achievement. items from the castle’s collection, loans from There will always be difficulties and other sources, plus a film presented by historian frustrations, she says, but she remains passionate Dr David Starkey. Special events include Tudor about Sudeley: “It has been a life challenge but Family Fun Days, literary and historical talks, one that has been very rewarding.” At Home with Lady Ashcombe, and a Tudor For more about the Queen Katherine Parr Banquet. Quincentenary, 1st April–28th October, visit Festival visitors will discover how “gracious, www.sudeleycastle.co.uk; tel: 01242 602308. learned and pious” Katherine, although she Images supplied by Sudeley Castle. was in love with the charismatic Sir Thomas Seymour, decided it was God’s will she should Katherine served as Regent of England while the plotting at court,” Lady Ashcombe says, also accept King Henry VIII’s daunting proposal to Henry invaded France in 1544; she outwitted revealing that the Katherine Parr Room is going be his sixth wife in 1543. Her later love letter to court plots against her and bravely sustained to be redecorated for the 2012 celebrations. Thomas, on display at the castle, lays bare her the Protestant cause at a time of religious Tragically, Katherine’s joy was shortlived, for true feelings. turmoil. She was the first English queen, indeed within one week of the birth of her daughter, Unlike Henry’s first five wives, Katherine first woman in the 16th century, to publish a Mary, on 30th August 1548 the 36-year-old neither died nor was she beheaded or divorced. work of prose – her religious works, Prayers and mother was dead from puerperal fever. Her “She got left out of popular history because she Meditations and Lamentations of a Sinner. funeral is to be re-enacted at Sudeley on 9th survived him and yet she was truly remarkable,” Following Henry’s death in 1547, Katherine September, following the original service. It was Katherine Parr’s tomb Lady Ashcombe says. was free again to follow her heart and did so England’s first Protestant royal funeral. eagerly, marrying Sir Thomas Seymour the very same year. “I think she was madly in love, but she also felt neglected. She had hoped to be Queen A right royal affair Regent while her stepson Edward [VI] was Winchcombe Cotswolds Walking Festival (18th–20th young,” Lady Ashcombe says. “And Thomas was May) plans a walk through the countryside around Sudeley jealous of his brother, who became Protector.” Castle on Friday 18th May, imagining how it may have At least the new King Edward granted changed since Katherine Parr lived here. There is a visit to Sudeley to Sir Thomas – who was his uncle – Katherine’s burial place, St Mary’s Church, and a talk by and Thomas immediately set about refurbishing Sudeley Castle’s archivist on ‘Tudor times at Sudeley’, the castle for Katherine to escape to when she www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com. fell pregnant within a year of their marriage. She arrived at the magnificent palace accompanied Winchcombe Festival of Music & Arts (28th May–3rd by a huge retinue. June), of which Lady Ashcombe is patron, is celebrating “Katherine must have been thrilled she was Katherine Parr’s Quincentenary as well as the Queen’s going to be a mother and she must really have The Knot Garden Diamond Jubilee, www.winchcombe.co.uk/festival. wanted to be in this quiet place away from all

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 3 Diamond Jubilee plans take shape Street parties, beacons and a spectacular new water festival promise a sparkling anniversary.

Plans to commemorate The Queen’s Queen Elizabeth II is only the too. Beacon chains, once a tool for The beacon at Stow-on-the-Wold Diamond Jubilee are off to a cracking second monarch in British history communication, have become a will flicker from the tower of St start right across the Cotswolds, with to achieve 60 years on the throne – symbol of unity across communities: Edward’s Church, also the venue for something for everyone to join in. Queen Victoria reigned for 63 years. to mark The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in an historical exhibition, St Edward’s The Queen acceded to the throne on Over the central celebratory weekend 2002 a chain of 2006 beacons flared Church during the reign of Queen 6th February 1952 but, 60 years later, in early June key national events, across the world, the largest ever Elizabeth II (1st–5th June). Many the main focus for Jubilee activities is besides the Thames pageant, include chain to be lit. further churches are opening their the extended Bank Holiday weekend The Big Jubilee Lunch, a concert This year, on Monday 4th June, doors, hosting events and special of 2nd–5th June. at Buckingham Palace, Diamond the aim is to light 2,012 (or more!) services as part of the Jubilee Never mind London’s Thames Jubilee Beacons, and a service of beacons. While Her Majesty ignites Churches Festival 25th May–5th Diamond Jubilee Pageant, a star thanksgiving. the National Beacon following the June. attraction locally is the first ever Around the Cotswolds, activities concert at Buckingham Palace, look The Cotswold Voluntary Warden Stroud on Water Festival 2nd–4th linking in and out of the central for telltale glows around Tetbury, Jubilee project sees the launch of Bath’s Royal Victoria Park June at Marling School playing field, themes add special local flavour , Nibley Knoll, Nailsworth, a series of online walks that are celebrating the partial restoration of and twist. Miserden, , Bourton-on-the- easily accessible and have no stiles, the Stroudwater Canal and the 40th The Queen specifically requested your al fresco nosh and there will be Water, Mickleton and Dover’s Hill at and there will be a few royal-themed anniversary of the Cotswold Canals that The Big Lunch be part of performances from Bath Philharmonic Chipping Campden, to name just a guided walks this summer (see Trust – happily coinciding with Her national festivities, encouraging Orchestra, emerging pop artists, and few registered locations. page 20). Majesty’s jamboree. people to share lunch, a picnic or ABBA tribute band Björn Again. The During the three-day event, which street party to foster community event is free and you are encouraged also hosts the Inland Waterways spirit. Renowned for its superb local to dress in retro 1977 style, a nod annual Trailboat Festival, visitors can produce, the Cotswolds is ideally back to the Silver Jubilee. Crowning moments expect to see lots of boats on the placed to respond. Street, picnic and village parties As a favourite royal haunt, the Cotswolds has special reason to canal for the first time in more than Gather some goodies and head are planned over the long weekend celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Prince Charles, Princess Anne 100 years, plus magical illuminated along to Bath’s Royal Victoria Park from Burford and Milton-under- and Zara Tindall are just the latest in a long line of blue bloods to be evening displays. There will be music, for The Queen’s Jubilee Picnic in the Wychwood to Nailsworth. Wotton- attracted here. Did you know – poetry, comedy, dancing and plenty Park (5th June). Two giant screens will under-Edge also looks forward to k The mighty Mercian King Offa had a palace in Winchcombe of children’s fun. show Jubilee revels while you enjoy a football tournament, workshops in Saxon times. with Under the Edge Arts, a concert, fireworks and 60-year royal display k Sudeley Castle traces its royal connections back to King Ethelred at the Heritage Centre. (The Unready) in the 10th century. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn There’s music for every taste. famously enjoyed a summer sojourn here in 1535. Wotton-under-Edge stages a Royal k Tradition tells that Paradise, near Painswick, was so named by Celebration Concert, the Handel- Charles I after he was charmed by its tranquillity, no doubt in inspired Divine Music for Trumpets and contrast to the civil war in which he was embroiled. Voices, on 19th May at St Mary the k ‘Farmer George’ (George III), visiting the Cotswolds in the late Virgin Church. Winchcombe Festival 18th century, endeared himself to locals by chatting with farmers of Music & Arts (28th May–3rd June) about animal and land prices. plans everything from free coffee concerts to a Gala Night and Last k Queen Mary stayed at Badminton House for much of the Night of the Proms, and an evening Second World War. music festival crowns Chipping k Queen Elizabeth II sought shelter at the Cross Hands Hotel, Norton’s revels on 3rd June. Old Sodbury, during a blizzard in 1981. Bruno Peek, Pageantmaster, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons, k Prince Charles’ Highgrove Shops lead the way for royal souvenirs with tells The Cotswold Lion that the night Diamond Jubilee fine bone china and commemorative corgi soft toys! One of 2,012 beacons to be lit on 4th June skies will be lit up across the region

4 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Our Land – enjoying and protecting the Cotswolds A new sustainable tourism initiative is encouraging people to reconnect with their local landscapes.

Launched in October 2011, ‘Our the Surrey Hills. These are already history, people and wildlife. Land’ celebrates the nine Protected popular destinations – employment Businesses that sign up to Our Landscapes of South East England, in tourism in Protected Landscapes is Land also promise to reduce their including the Cotswolds, which around double the national average, environmental impacts and make have joined together for the first at almost 20%. Our Land aims to positive contributions to local time in a central tourism website, boost business further, while fostering economies and communities. www.our-land.co.uk. Every enterprise sensitive enjoyment. Vicky Greves runs King John’s promoted on the site is passionate Visitors to the new website Barn self-catering accommodation about local landscapes, communities (hosted by responsibletravel.com) at Langley Farm, near Burford, and and sustainable practices. can browse specific regions and joined Our Land because, “It is More than a third of the South accommodation preferences, and important to make people aware of East is designated Protected explore itineraries themed around the real stories of the landscape, that Landscape, covering the diverse seasons and activities like cycling the Cotswolds isn’t a park or museum, splendours of the Chilterns, and walking. Every experience listed but a living, working environment Cotswolds, High Weald, Isle of Wight, brings to life what makes their locale where farmers play a vital part. Kent Downs, New Forest, North distinctive, telling authentic stories of We’ve had one family return several Wessex Downs, South Downs and the landscape through food, buildings, years running so that their children Launching Our Land are: Rob Fairbanks, Surrey Hills AONB; Chris Reynolds, Kent Downs AONB; Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt, Sec of State for Culture, Sport, Olympics; Kate Humble, TV presenter; Nick Johannsen, Kent Downs AONB; Justin Francis, responsibletravel.com

can see what happens at lambing.” Helen, author of the popular Paws King John’s Barn holiday series of books, goes on to reveal a accommodation was created by quirky, shaggy sheepdog tale about converting a semi-derelict agricultural Stanton’s church – see the website! building and Vicky, already part of – and says, “I plan to comment on the Green Tourism Scheme, promotes further dog-friendly pubs I find, to recycling and reducing energy use. help others who travel with dogs “Being farmers, it is something we and love good local food.” do naturally anyway.” Our Land, endorsed by TV Social media elements on the presenter Kate Humble, has been Our Land website encourage people made possible by £1 million funding to share experiences and question from the Rural Development local experts like historians and Programme for England. conservationists. Cotswolds-based It is hoped it will be rolled out food writer and dog owner Helen as a template for other Protected Peacocke has already been busy, Landscapes across the country and is posting insider tips about “dog- seen as a further initiative to enhance friendly” The Mount Inn, Stanton. the Cotswolds’ reputation as one of “The owners provided not only a the country’s ‘greenest’ destinations bowl of water for my Border collie – the AONB was recently awarded Pythius but also a dog basket beside the European Charter for Sustainable Exploring the Cotswolds’ distinctive landscape a log fire.” Tourism in Protected Areas.

Vote now for the Seven Wonders of the Cotswolds Cast your vote and each of the top seven wonders will become the focal point for a brand new Wonder Walk.

In our last issue we asked: what are the Seven Villages proved popular vote-winners, from 1st June. Wonders of the Cotswolds? Nominations poured in, Snowshill to Bibury, as did local heritage, including Then look out for the next issue of The Cotswold illustrating just how rich and diverse attractions are , Minster Lovell Hall and Lion when we will publish the winning Seven in the AONB. Hailes Abbey. Walking and sights enjoyed along the Wonders of the Cotswolds. We will also reveal more For some, it was ancient and mysterious sites way, and the well known yew trees in Painswick details about a set of new guided and self-guided like the Rollright Stones that deserve to make the churchyard, have all been put forward. Wonder Walks based on the winning entries, to be top seven list. Others plumped for breathtaking Now we would like you to vote for the final created by the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens. viewpoints, such as Cam Peak or Solsbury Hill, site Seven Wonders of the Cotswolds. Simply visit our Congratulations to Wendy McNamee whose of an Iron Age hillfort and inspiration for the famous website www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/wonders Seven Wonder entry was picked at random, 7 Wonders Peter Gabriel song of 1977. to view the full list. The poll closes at midnight on winning her a Cotswolds T Shirt and eco bag. of the Cotswolds

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 5 Ten top summer picnics Our medieval ancestors broke from their hunting for hearty outdoor feasts and Renaissance princes threw bucolic banquets, while Victorians loved elegant garden parties. Al fresco dining has always appealed.

Picnic on the commons around Stroud

Nick Turner

Luckily the Cotswolds AONB has towards Wales. Winstones Ice Cream Skyline temptations Gardens and sweet some of the loveliest spots for a is perched on the slopes of the Load your knapsack with scrumptious treats picnic and so with summer fast common, which could provide fare from Bath’s shops and work up Step back into the 1930s at Upton approaching we’ve chosen ten the perfect dessert. an appetite walking the six-mile Bath House and Gardens, near Banbury, top locations for a day out. Pack www.nationaltrust.org.uk Skyline. There are lots of tempting and a time when Lord and Lady your hamper with delicious local places to pause en route, including Bearsted hosted the most divine treats from a farmers’ market or Leafy lunch for exhilarating views down into weekend parties. Wander terraces, deli, work up an appetite exploring A shady spot under a tree is the ideal the Georgian city. Step through walled gardens and woodlands, gaze common and hill, or settle with place to relax on a (hopefully) hot history from an Iron Age hill fort to into the Mirror Pool and breathe in lunch and feed your soul on poetry. sunny day and that’s where you’ll find 18th-century follies and soak up the fragrances of the Scented Garden. (And we know you will take your the picnic area at Westonbirt, The the tranquillity of hidden valleys, After a relaxing picnic in a quiet rubbish home to leave everything National Arboretum. Then discover woodlands and meadows spot you might want to drop by just as beautiful as when you the season’s highlights: come in early simmering with wildlife. the traditional sweet shop for a arrived.) summer to admire the incredible Broadway Tower www.nationaltrust.org.uk few more mouthwatering morsels. white bracts of the handkerchief tree, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Kites and ice cream or in July/August to catch the Indian Feast for film buffs Pack your picnic at Stroud Farmers’ bean tree in flower, while the drone here, at 1,024ft above sea level, is Not only is Castle Combe rated Picnic and people-watch Market (Saturdays) and head up to of bees along Lime Avenue reveals outstandingly dramatic. Make it a among the prettiest villages in Dip your toes in the Rodborough Common with your nature’s own nectar-gathering picnic stopping point for your snack on England, it has star quality as a film on a summer’s day at Bourton-on- kite – then fly away your cares on in full flow. a ramble along the set too, having been a location for the-Water and while away a lunch or the end of a string. You might spot www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt (there’s car parking if you drive) and Doctor Doolittle and Stardust through teatime hour people-watching. Clear rare butterflies like the Adonis Blue survey vistas that stretch away over to Wolfman and Steven Spielberg’s sparkling water and attractive bridges in flight around the flower-rich Refresh beside hill and field for 62 miles, taking latest blockbuster, Warhorse. Sit make the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ limestone grassland too. Tuck into riverside ruins in as many as 16 counties. beside the brook or 14th-century a charming and lively backdrop your goodies and drink in the superb There’s plenty to feed the imagination www.broadwaytower.co.uk market cross and watch the world for a pitstop. The village is full of views, across Gloucestershire and when you settle on the grass at go by in idyllic surroundings. attractions to visit, from the famous Minster Lovell Hall beside the River Feeding time on www.castle-combe.com perfumery to the Cotswold Motoring Windrush. The picturesque 15th- the farm Museum & Toy Collection. century ruins, once home to one of Take the kids along for some animal Feed your soul www.bourtoninfo.com the richest men in England, evoke magic at Adam Henson’s Cotswold ‘Here of a Sunday morning/My love a world when good lordship and Farm Park, Guiting Power. Learn and I would lie/And see the coloured hospitality (including the odd about rare breeds and buy a snack counties/And hear the larks so high...’ banquet or two) maintained medieval bag to feed the animals on a farm runs A E Housman’s poem Bredon Hill. loyalties. After your picnic, stroll safari, explore the Cotswold Lion Visit Bredon Hill National Nature around the Hall and dream! Maze or help bottle feed lambs or Reserve and be inspired too, not least www.english-heritage.org.uk goat kids. When human tummies by trees descended from the original begin to rumble, break out a picnic ‘wildwood’. Invertebrates, birds, Delicious views in one of the outdoor seating areas butterflies and glow worms thrive in Broadway Tower Country Park (there are also tasty home-made the tree, scrub and grassland habitat. is crowned by the inimitable cakes in the café). Then maybe Pull out your poetry book along Capability Brown/James Wyatt head off on a Wildlife Walk. with your picnic, or pen a few lines Bourton-on-the-Water ‘Saxon tower’ folly and the viewpoint www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk yourself. www.naturalengland.org.uk

6 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Car-free Spotlight Cotswolds Catch the bus for some great days out, Chipping Norton helping to reduce traffic congestion and ‘Chipping’ means a market and your carbon footprint too. the original Saxon village of Norton transformed in medieval Public bus services may have and alight in Cirencester for the times with the bustle of folk who undergone major review and changes Corinium Museum, home to one of came here to its markets and over the last year, but there’s still a the country’s largest collections of fairs. Wealthy Cotswold wool good network around the Cotswolds Romano-British antiquities. merchants left their stamp on that, with a little planning, provides If you are based in Cirencester, you local buildings and, to the west, great days out for visitors and can bus to historic Tetbury, browse Victorian cloth magnate William residents alike. So, leave the car at for antiques and drop into Prince Bliss built the extraordinary Bliss home and hop aboard: it helps to Charles’ Highgrove Shop. Or continue Tweed Mill (now luxury flats). reduce traffic and you also get to on to Westonbirt Arboretum – Modern-day ‘Chippy’ (as it’s sit back and enjoy the views. visitors using public transport who affectionately known) continues to Each year, more than 23 present their tickets are given half- bustle with a lively, working market million visitors come to explore price entry. (Cotswold Green bus 881/ town atmosphere, a population circa Bliss Mill the Cotswolds. The Cotswolds Cotswold Volunteers (CCVS) bus 27). 6,500, and the cachet of once being Conservation Board and local With more than 3,000 miles of rated by Tatler as third best place businesses are committed to public footpaths weaving through in the country to live. The centre Make a date The Theatre, Spring walk). Did a witch turn mortals to sustainable, nature-and landscape- the Cotswold landscape, wheels and of town around the historic sloping Street, was created in the 1970s stone to create the Neolithic King’s friendly tourism that balances walks make a superb combination. Market Place is where the must- from a Salvation Army Citadel- Men circle, King Stone monolith and enjoyment with conservation. Numerous buses stop on or near the see heritage is concentrated. Also turned-furniture-warehouse, by Whispering Knights burial chamber? Here are just a few hot tickets Cotswold Way National Trail, from cast your eyes down thoroughfares Royal Shakespeare Company actors to getting around by bus. Bath in the south to Broadway and like New Street to lovely vistas of John and Tamara Malcolm. Come Fancy that! Experimenting with Gateway towns are natural Chipping Campden in the north. open countryside – set 700ft up on for theatre, music, dance, comedy, local willow bark in the 1760s, Revd transport hubs. Pick up, for example, Or catch the bus and ramble the wolds, Chippy is Oxfordshire’s opera, film, or the famous annual Edward Stone discovered salicylic Cheltenham’s Day Tours by Public back, following a series of highest town. pantomime. The 100th Chipping acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. Transport guide from the Tourist trails devised by The Cotswolds Norton Music Festival takes place See the blue plaque on West Street. Information Centre on the Promenade Conservation Board. How about Great See and do The one-mile Town Trail 9th–24th March 2012. For the latest Chippy gossip, pick up (01242 522878). The North Rissington to Bourton, a 6.5-mile step introduces Chippy’s architectural the lively Chipping Norton News, on Cotswolds Tour includes stops at across the Windrush valley through highlights, from cuddled-up cottages Walking and exploring The sale around town. the ‘must-see’ villages of Broadway, the wildlife-rich water meadows of and back lanes to fine Georgian surrounding limestone countryside Chipping Campden and Bourton-on- The National Trust’s Sherborne Estate frontages beside the Market Place. is ideal for a few hours’ saunter. Visiting essentials Buses to the-Water: a perfect taster tour. and back along the river to Bourton. View earthworks from the vanished Local trails range from 2.5 to 16 Chipping Norton include S3/Oxford, Or soak up passing scenes on There are plenty of refreshment 11th/12th-century castle; St Mary miles, featuring mills and meadows, X8/Kingham Station, X9/Witney, the meandering, 90-minute journey opportunities at journey’s end. the Virgin Church with its splendid flora and fauna, stream and lane. 50/Stratford-upon-Avon. Car parking through the Cotswolds between (Pulhams 802 service from Bourton 15th-century nave (financed by Or soak up the mysterious aura of in town is free. Further information, Cheltenham and Oxford, via the War memorial, ask for Lamb Inn, wool merchants); the medieval the Rollright Stones, a short hop to including walking trails to download, ancient wool town of Northleach, Great Rissington; 01451 820369.) Guildhall, Cotswold-perfect 17th- the north (Stagecoach no. 50 plus www.chippingnortontown.info. picturesque Burford and Witney. century almshouses, and 19th- The route has been rated among the century Town Hall. The Museum of UK’s Top 20 Bus Rides for over 60s Local History, High Street, tells the travelling free (The Daily Telegraph, Tickets to ride town’s story through wonderfully 2008). Of course, you can be any Pick up a copy of Explore the eclectic displays (open from Easter). age to savour the charming views Cotswolds by Public Transport (Swanbrook 853 bus; 01452 712386.) for detailed bus and rail timetables Eat and shop Pubs, restaurants, Maybe roam with the Romans, and more car-free ideas. Also, cafés and, naturally, ‘chippies’ who arrived in the Cotswolds in AD look out for details of the new cluster in profusion. Medieval The 47 and built roads like the Fosse Way Cotswolds Discoverer bus and Chequers and former coaching and towns like Cirencester. Trace their rail pass inn The Blue Boar are great for steps with the Fosse Link (01451 www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk atmosphere. Savour a cake at 820369) from Moreton-in-Marsh Nash’s Bakery, favourite traditional dishes at The Old Mill coffee shop and bistro, modern British fare at Wild Thyme Restaurant with Rooms. Independent stores entice: antiques, gifts, antiquarian books, family butcher Trev Beadle, and the scrumptious Cotswold Deli and Cheese Shop. Jaffé & Neale, named among the UK’s top 50 bookshops (The Independent), tempts with tomes and slabs of cake. Market: Wednesday; farmers’ market: 3rd Saturday of the month.

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 7 Will the CAP fit the Cotswolds? This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as the beginning of a crucial period of debate over proposed reforms that will take effect from 2014.

Agriculture has been a flagship of European population will grow to over nine billion by collaboration since the early days of the 2050 and food production will need to rise by European Community and today CAP – the 70% to meet that increased demand. In the agreed framework under which farmers of UK the population is due to rise to 70 million member states operate – accounts for £47 by 2026. That’s an additional eight million David Simcox David billion, or some 40% of the EU budget. mouths to feed Originally designed to boost European in just 14 years.” food production following post-war shortages Pressures of climate change, greater and to bolster farm incomes, the CAP environmental expectations, energy security Large Blues achieved its aims through market price and increased price volatility mean, support. Subsidy has cushioned farmers “Put simply farmers will have to produce against the vagaries of weather and markets, more, but impact less,” Gail says. so keeping food supply secure and affordable. How will CAP help farmers to meet fly again CAP payments have also helped farmers, who the challenges and opportunities, and are are expected to maintain high levels of care proposed reforms now under discussion for Numbers of the rare butterfly are rising, for animals and the environment, to compete implementation in 2014–2020 on the right thanks to latest conservation efforts. in the market place with food producers track? Views are mixed. elsewhere who aren’t committed to such Defra, for example, believes that farm standards. production should move away from direct The Large Blue (Maculinea arion), one of our experimental introductions at two Cotswold Administered via the twin ‘Pillars’ of subsidies and CAP should have greater most extraordinary butterflies, was declared sites: near Stroud and at Gloucestershire direct farm payments (subsidy) and rural emphasis on Pillar 2 environmental activity. extinct in Britain in 1979. In the Cotswolds, Wildlife Trust’s Daneway Banks Nature Reserve, development, CAP has weakened the link The NFU fears that reform proposals to where nearly 40 known colonies once existed, Sapperton (where the butterflies were also between subsidy and production over ‘green’ Pillar 1 direct payments by linking official records say they vanished in 1963. re-introduced in 1999). the years, with greater emphasis put on them to specific environmental practices The insect’s demise was largely attributed Encouragingly, in summer 2011 David and diversification and environmental and public could hinder competitiveness and food to 20th-century changes in grazing – in the Sarah made 67 Large Blue sightings. benefits: conservation of the landscape, production. Cotswolds, the diminution of sheep grazing – “The grazing is now correct for Large Blues at wildlife and historic features, or maintaining Professor Dwyer sees much to benefit and the subsequent loss of the short-turfed Daneway Banks because Gloucestershire Wildlife public access, for example. Defra says that Cotswold farmers and wider businesses in habitat where soil is warm and heat-loving red Trust has put in sheep and ponies there,” says nearly 6.5 million hectares (nearly 70%) of proposed rural development measures. ants (Myrmica sabuleti) may thrive. county butterfly recorder Chris Wiltshire, adding, England’s farmland are in agri-environment Over the next 18 months EU member Large Blues lay eggs on wild thyme and their “Visitors should start looking for Large Blues schemes. The Farmland Bird Scheme alone is states will negotiate these and many other caterpillars feed on the flowers before dropping from mid-June into the first or second week worth over £3.5 million to the Cotswolds. reforms to hammer out a CAP agreement for to the ground where they attract and fool of July.” Some 176,393 hectares, or 86%, of land 2014–2020. In coming issues, The Cotswold Myrmica sabuleti with sweet secretions from a is classified as agricultural in the Cotswolds Lion will look in more detail at measures and ‘honey’ gland. “The grazing is now correct for Large Blues AONB, with a further 10% covered by what they mean for local farmers, residents The ants, believing the caterpillars are their at Daneway Banks because Gloucestershire woodland, and the importance of CAP is and visitors to the AONB. own grubs, take them underground into their Wildlife Trust has put in sheep and ponies “integral”, says Janet Dwyer, nests and place them in their brood chamber. Professor of Rural Policy and there.” Here the caterpillars feed on ant grubs before Co-Director of the Countryside hibernating, pupating and re-emerging above and Community Research ground as beautiful butterflies. Large Blues introduced in the 1990s came Institute, University of “It’s a remarkable lifecycle, one of the great from Sweden, but the latest ones are from Gloucestershire: wonders of the natural world,” says freelance colonies in and are more acclimatised “When you think of the research ecologist and Large Blue expert David to UK conditions, with a greater likelihood that landscape, you think of Simcox. “Not only do the butterflies produce they emerge when the wild thyme is at the right beautiful villages, but also stone chemicals that simulate those given out by ants, stage of flowering. walls around fields, the nice mix but they also mimic the noises of queen ants, David reared the caterpillars from eggs. of arable land and pasture, the which is why they are treated like royal guests.” “They are cannibalistic and so each had to be tradition of estate management A major project to re-introduce Large Blues kept in an individual container. We released 436 and woodland areas, and into restored habitat in southwest England between the two sites,” he reveals. “We aim to strong recreational interest. began in the 1980s, led by the Centre for boost numbers this year and then hopefully they The Cotswold landscape is Ecology & Hydrology (CEH). While efforts in will be self-sustaining. I’m also hoping we can maintained by farming in lots Somerset were notably successful, attempts at re-colonise sites around Painswick in future.” of ways and valued by lots of three sites in the Cotswolds in the 1990s were Continued funding for all aspects of the people.” less so. Large Blue project remains crucial and has wider In future farmers face big In 2010 David and his colleague Sarah conservation value, too, David says. “We’ve challenges. Gail Soutar, Senior Meredith, funded by CEH, Butterfly Conservation collected data spanning 40 years which shows CAP and International Affairs A significant amount of land in the AONB and Oxford University, and working with that if you get habitat management right for the Adviser, NFU, says, “The UN is in agri-environment schemes Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Natural Large Blue, other rare insects, plants and birds estimates that the global England and the National Trust, made further will benefit.”

8 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Passionate producers: Marshfield Ice Cream

Much has changed since 1971, plenty of trial and error. But I’m very milk twice a day, at 4am and 3pm. cream parlour at weekends on the days are long, you’re not really when Will Hawking’s parents began passionate: it’s a wonderful business “We use local ingredients wherever farm, with a display about the farm in the rat race.” dairy farming at Marshfield, high to plant the grass seeds, grow the possible, like strawberries from the and turning grass into ice cream. Marshfield Farm, ice creams on the Cotswold Hills overlooking grass, produce the milk, turn it into Vale of Evesham, and brownies from We have a great family business and sorbets, Bath. The family’s herd has grown ice cream and see someone enjoying Marshfield Bakery swirled into our with a close-knit team and, although www.marshfield-icecream.co.uk from 50 to 200 Friesians and in the finished product. Chocolate Fudge Brownie. We never 1988 Will diversified into premium “The farm is on classic Cotswold use artificial colourings, flavourings or ice cream making. Now, a third of brash that is very free draining, which preservatives. the daily production of 3,600-4,000 enables us to keep our cows out at “We make 1,300 litres of ice litres of organic milk goes into grass for much longer than in other cream an hour when flat out, in creating an award-winning range parts of the country. We like the idea converted calf sheds, and use a of 26 luscious flavours. of free-ranging cows; it’s a much less batch pasteurizing process where the “We wanted to make a product intensive way of keeping them. heating is at a lower temperature and where we could talk more directly “We’ve nearly 1,000 acres and slower. It gives a slight caramelization to consumers,” Will says. “It took ten we’ve been organic since 1999. We to the sugar and you retain more of years to really get going – there was also aim to be as self-sufficient as the flavour of the cream. possible. We produce 95% of the food “We’ve experimented with lots of our cows eat on the farm and we’ve a flavours, but our vanilla and clotted borehole that makes us self-sufficient cream ice creams still account for for water. We generate 50 kW of 35% of all we make. Strawberry, electricity from solar panels on a farm chocolate, toffee fudge and building, which helps to run our cold blackcurrant are also very popular. stores. We supply outlets across the country; “Good ingredients are key to old-fashioned flavours like Mint Choc making good ice cream. Sixty percent Chip go well at the seaside. of any Marshfield Ice Cream is our “I think salted caramel will be a milk and the rest is double or clotted fashionable flavour, so we may well cream. The milk is super fresh because launch a new ice cream – we like to our ice cream dairy is just across the introduce a fresh flavour every year. Ice cream production at Marshfield Farm yard from the milking parlour. We “This spring we are opening an ice

Cotswold champions: Joe Henson MBE

In 2011 Joe Henson received an breed now has its own society. And I Visitor information for MBE for services to conservation. was thrilled to be awarded the MBE: Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park, Born in London in 1932 the son I’ve worked jolly hard for rare breeds! www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk of actor Leslie Henson, he set And greatest disappointments? Do you know a ‘Cotswold his heart on farming as a child, Animal disease. Worst of all is bovine champion’ whose work helps the spurred not least by ownership TB. It breaks my heart when I have AONB to thrive? We are looking of a toy model farm. He attended had to stand by the handling pens for nominations – whether a the Royal Agricultural College, and be told animals have to be conservationist, volunteer, artist or Cirencester, and from 1962 went slaughtered. It’s my life work going someone else who adds richness to into partnership farming with his down the drain. Cotswold life. Send your suggestions friend John Neave at Bemborough What is the most important to [email protected] or via Farm, Guiting Power. lesson you have learned? twitter@cotswoldsaonb and we will In 1971, encouraged by his My animals always come first, feature a selection in future issues. wife Gill and John, Joe opened the much to my wife’s chagrin on many pioneering Cotswold Farm Park occasions when she has been in her showcasing rare breeds (now run by wellies helping me get two bulls his son as Adam Henson’s Cotswold apart after a gate has been left open. Farm Park). In 1973 he became I have a very understanding wife! founder chairman of the Rare Breeds What hopes, ambitions, dreams Survival Trust. Now retired, Joe, 79, College I learned about agricultural view, they each have a unique for the future? still keeps a close interest in the Farm history. I became deeply interested combination of genes which, once I can’t ask for more than what Adam Park. He is also an honorary Cotswold in historic breeds and the part they lost, will never really be reassembled. is doing, continuing my enthusiasm, Voluntary Warden. played in our heritage – and horrified You never know whether a breed and my three daughters are doing How did you first become that many had disappeared. Our first might have a future commercial niche fantastic things too. My biggest hope interested in Britain’s rare breeds rare breed at Bemborough was a flock or role – Dexter cattle are now valued is that an answer to the bovine TB of farm animals? of Cotswold sheep. Then I started as the perfect smallholder’s breed problem will be found because we I’ve always loved animals and when breeding Gloucester cattle and and people are clamouring for are losing not only cattle but also we moved from London to Middlesex Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs. Longhorn beef. badgers, which die a painful death. I would visit a farm still run on It all went from there. What has given you most What do you most enjoy about historic lines. I left school as soon as Why is it important to conserve pleasure and satisfaction in your living in the Cotswolds? I could and worked there, with horses rare farm breeds? work? It’s a wonderful area! I know so many and hand milking cows. They are a living, walking, breeding Meeting the wonderful people who farmers and friends here, and we help Joe Henson with his son Adam Later at the Royal Agricultural part of our heritage. From a scientific have kept rare breeds going – every each other out if there’s any trouble.

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 9 News from the Cotswolds Conservation Board www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/news Deep in Dursley An exciting project to encourage children to discover the natural magic of Dursley’s very own ‘lunar’ landscape has taken off.

At first glance Breakheart Quarry may “DEEP stands for Discover, Explore, of micro-climates,” Ben says. “There seem a little stark. But look closer Enjoy, Protect,” says project manager are so many stories and activities and you soon find the limestone Ben Ward. “We have been developing to excite children at different times laid down here 165 million years activities for local children to discover of the year – wildlife and tree ago holds an intriguing haul of fossil Breakheart Quarry, which is regionally identification walks, fungal forays, seashells, while former quarrying important for its geology, ancient learning about moths and butterflies, has created a distinctive habitat for woodlands and supporting rare species bushcraft, environmental art, outdoor flora and fauna like mosses, lichens, including the dormouse. fires and cooking. The kids have wild strawberry and grizzled skipper “The kids can explore diverse already had some great experiences. butterflies. habitats and wildlife, enjoy taking part “Through the visits we are In 2009, Breakheart Community in natural learning and play activities, developing a training resource pack Project Limited (BCPL) negotiated whilst also learning how to protect the and educational materials to offer to a 99-year lease of the 20 ha site, environment for future generations.” schools and youth groups both locally including Millend Wood, from the In the autumn the project hosted and across the county in the future,” Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. two free half-day training courses for he adds. “They will be able to pick The aim: to make the best of its people interested in working outdoors options to fit in with their curriculum. “We definitely want more groups To find out more about DEEP, recreational and educational potential with children, and set about linking We’ve met with local school heads to contact us and come. While the contact Ben Ward at World Jungle for local inhabitants. Most recently, with local schools, cubs, brownies and and they are very enthusiastic about primary target of the project is young on 07889 512644, email a £6,800 grant from the Cotswolds other youth organisations to bring up the project.” people, the overall aspiration is to get [email protected]. AONB Sustainable Development Fund to 12 groups of youngsters on visits. Initial DEEP visits to Breakheart the wider community to explore and Grants up to £13,000 are available (SDF) has enabled BCPL and Dursley- “The quarry is such an amazing Quarry have been free thanks to enjoy Breakheart Quarry. So we hope from SDF. Visit www.cotswoldsaonb. based arts organisation World Jungle location, like a lunar or Dr Who-style the SDF grant, but will continue children will tell their parents what a org.uk/grants for further information. to launch DEEP outdoor education landscape surrounded by ancient for a “small rental charge” to BCPL, wonderful place it is and encourage and play programme. woodland, grassy areas and a variety Ben says. them to visit, too.”

New climate change the leaflet highlights best practice with regard to of activities such as stream dipping, advisory service keeping horses in harmony with the landscape bug hunts and animal tracking. and environment, as well as animal welfare. The Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome Farmers and rural businesses across the You can download the leaflet from the steering group is getting involved with the AONB can now benefit from dedicated advice publications section of the AONB website, education programme by helping to take on the challenges and opportunities created www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk children from Winchcombe Abbey Primary by climate change. School out of the classroom to explore the James Lloyd joins the Cotswolds Conservation nature and history of their local environment. Board team as climate change adviser and will Readership Survey prize draw Steering group members are also working with work closely with local farmers and business Thank you to all our readers who entered the local secondary schools to stage an orienteering to identify measures to increase efficiency and prize draw readership survey in the last issue. event to be included as part of the Duke of productivity, as well as demonstrating that We had a fantastic response and have Edinburgh Award. sustainable land use can enhance profitability. “Gardening brings so many benefits to children taken many of your views and ideas on board, More countryside educational days are James, who was previously rural development and it is wonderful to allow children to be part including having a new children’s page, a focus being organised across the AONB this year with adviser for the Gloucestershire Development of the creation of the garden. I believe that on Cotswold towns and villages plus more walks schools including Chipping Campden, Willersey, Agency, says, “This exciting new role will involve helping children connect to their environment is and events. We hope you like the new, improved Winchcombe Abbey Primary School and taking forward a variety of initiatives focused key to them understanding wider scientific and version and please do keep your comments and Dashwood Primary School in Banbury. on resource management, renewable energy, environmental issues.” suggestions coming in. and sustainable land management, including The garden, which features a dry stone Congratulations to our prize draw winner, assistance with various funding applications, wall seating centrepiece built by the Cotswold Mr G Hale from Evesham who wins a copy of Cotswold Way – and administration of a small grant scheme Voluntary Wardens, will be fully planted by the Winchcombe Way guidebook! in South Korea! for innovative demonstration projects.’’ spring. The Cotswolds Korea Friendship Trail has The new post has been established thanks launched in the South Korean island of Jeju to funding from National Grid. It’s education, naturally Olle, promoting links between the island’s Horse sense The AONB education programme, led by long distance coastal trail and the Cotswold The Cotswolds Conservation Board’s new the Board’s Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, Way. It follows a similar launch of a specially Children reap the benefits guidance leaflet on keeping horses and continues apace with new initiatives and signed route at Hill last year. of growing school garden ponies is now available via its website. days out planned with local schools across Just like twin towns, friendship trails create A team of volunteers, including the Cotswold the Cotswolds and beyond. There are some 18,000 horses and ponies mutual publicity and foster OREA FR K I E - N S D Voluntary Wardens, has been helping children kept within the AONB and their rising In conjunction with Gloucestershire Wildlife international alliance, and D S L H I O P

W at Malmesbury Primary School to build a population can impact both positively and Trust, pupils from Stow-on-the-Wold Primary plans are already underway T

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L garden and outdoor classroom. negatively on the landscape. Drawing together School will visit the Trust’s Greystones Farm to launch another one, C Teacher and former climate scientist, advice from local authorities, the British Horse nature reserve in June to learn more about with the Bruce Trail in Jill Cainey, who designed the garden, says, Society, horse owners and equine businesses, nature and the countryside through a variety Canada in April.

10 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Walks & Events Guide Welcome to the Cotswolds AONB Spring/Summer Walks & Events Programme which offers numerous opportunities to explore and enjoy one of the most treasured landscapes in England. The majority of the walks listed here are researched and led by our Cotswold Voluntary Wardens and are ideal for those wanting to enjoy a couple of hours or even a whole day walking in the countryside. We recommend you always wear appropriate footwear as some walks may be muddy in place. Sorry, but only assistance dogs are allowed on the walks. Unless otherwise stated, all guided walks are free of charge however donations are collected at the end which go towards helping to conserve and enhance the Cotswolds countryside. Further details of these walks and other events taking place throughout the Cotswolds AONB can be found at www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk

Guided tours of Saturday 7th April • 10:00 Chipping Campden Doynton, Dyrham, & Pennsylvania The Cotswold Wardens have Moderate • 4 hours • 7 miles A B C D E F G H A walk from Doynton up onto the Cotswold conducted guided tours of Chipping Escarpment, using the Cotswold Way through Campden for nearly forty years. Stratford upon Avon Dyrham Wood, and visiting the attractive Regular Walks: This year, WORCESTERSHIRE M40 village of Dyrham. beginning on 29th May until 27th Starting point: Doynton, nr Cross House PH 1 WARWICKSHIRE ST719740 • Map square A9 September, we are to lead these Evesham Honeybourne Leader: Reg Bleaden walks twice a week on Tuesdays Bredon Hill Chipping (start 2.30pm) and Thursdays A44 Campden Lower Brailes Wednesday 11th April • 10:00 (start 10.00am). Meet at the Market 2 M50 Broadway - Stage 9 Hall for an easy walk which lasts Banbury A44 Moderate • 5.5 hours • 8 miles 1.5 hours and is suitable for families. Moreton- For this linear walk from Sherston to Castle We suggest a donation of £2.00 in-Marsh M5 Combe, transport will be arranged to convey walkers from Castle Combe to the start of the per person. Winchcombe Stow-on 3 A44 walk in Sherston. Please book by April 2nd on Tailor Made Walks: The Wardens Cleeve Hill the-Wold Chipping 01453 836221 and bring a packed lunch. can provide a town walk, an audio Norton Starting point: Castle Combe public Car Park CHELTENHAM Kingham visual show followed by a tea or A429 Charlbury ST845777 • Map square B9 supper as appropriate for organised Andoversford Bourton Leaders: Alan Bulley & Sandy Higgins on-the-Water 4 GLOUCESTER parties. For further details contact A46 Wednesday 11th April • 10:00 Ann Colcomb on 01386 832131 or A40  Northleach email: [email protected] Burford Commons and Beechwoods GLOUCESTERSHIRE Witney Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4 miles Painswick A417 5 Bibury A scenic walk across commons and through Stonehouse hillside woodlands. Walk the Cotswold Way STROUD OXFORDSHIRE M5 Starting point: Public Car Park on roadside Join a group led by the Cotswold Fairford CIRENCESTER Lechlade of Rodborough Common Voluntary Wardens walking 10 miles Dursley Nailsworth SO851035 • Map square B6 of the Cotswold Way on the first 6 Uley Kemble Leaders: Mike Brinkworth & David Collings

Wednesday of each month. Walks Wotton under-Edge Tetbury commence in May of each year. Thursday 12th April • 7:30pm Travel by coach from Winchcombe Spring Nightwalk to the start point. Lunches will be at 7 Malmesbury Join Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust for a quiet pleasant inns en route. For further moonlight walk around their Daneway reserves as the wildlife evening shift wakes. SOUTH information and to reserve places Venue: Siccaridge Wood and Daneway Banks GLOUCESTERSHIRE Key please contact Bob Cox on nature reserves, Sapperton. 01242 820192. An early booking 8 M4 Pre-book: 01452 383333 Easy = Length may vary but is advised. Chippenham terrain is mainly flat (level). Friday 13th April • 10:00 Marshfield  WILTSHIRE Moderate = Includes some hills Friday Coffee Morning Walk No 1 Corsham Walk the Diamond Way 9 and some rough ground. Moderate• 2.5 hours • 5.5 miles Join a group led by the Cotswold A46 Meet at 10 am for coffee at Hunters Hall Inn, Kingscote. Walk starts at 10.30 am to Voluntary Wardens walking some Strenuous = May be rough Kingscote village and through Kingscote and 10 miles of the North Cotswolds BATH underfoot, and ascents and Horsley Woods. Lunch available at the Inn on Diamond Way on the fourth Tuesday 10 descents may be steep. completion of the walk. of each month. The walks commence Starting point: Hunters Hall Inn, Kingscote BATH AND ST814960 • Map square B7 in April each year, starting and ending = Family friendly NORTH EAST  Leaders: Eric Brown & Brian Mundy at Moreton-in-Marsh and continue SOMERSET for six consecutive months. A bus 11 Saturday 14th April • 10:00 will meet walkers at the appropriate Over the Top and Round the Side venue to transport them to the start Moderate • 5.5 hours • 8 miles Wednesday 4th April • 10:00 Friday 6th April • 10:30 point for a walk back to the cars. For APRIL  A contrasting walk over the top of Bredon Hill further information and to reserve Reflections on Trees: a poetic walk Dyrham: Park and countryside to Elmley Castle returning round the base to Tuesday 3rd April • 10:00 places please contact John Medlyn Moderate • 2.25 hours • 3.75 miles Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles Beckford. There are ancient forts and orchards on 01386 438060. An early booking Tuesday Tramp A chance to look at woodland in a new way. A walk from Dyrham Park (National Trust) too. Pub lunch available. is advised. Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles We will have several stops where wardens through nearby farmland and on part of the Starting point: Beckford. outside entrance A walk around the various footpaths of Colerne will read poems on the subject of trees. Cotswold Way, passing historical points of to church. SO976358 • Map square D2 Parish. Lunch available at the Fox & Hounds. This woodland walk includes one steady interest along the way. No park admission Leaders: Colin Boulton & Julie Downing Bring a mid morning munchie. Parking at Pub climb. Not suitable for pushchairs. fees to those participating in the walk. or adjacent Constitutional Club. Starting point: Cripplegate Car Park Starting point: Visitor Reception, Dyrham Park Starting point: Fox & Hounds, Colerne SO832068 • Map square B5 ST748757 • Map square A9 ST818711 • Map square B9 Leaders: Pippa Burgon, John Shaw & Leaders: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens Leaders: Russell Harding & Judith Slee Tony Wilson

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 11 Saturday 21st April • 7:00pm Saturday 28th April • 10:30 Sunday 29 April • 10:30 Evening Bird Walk Dyrham: Park and Countryside Love Food Festival An inspiring and informative walk with Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles The Love Food Festival returns to Dyrham with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust around Coombe A walk from Dyrham Park (National Trust) plenty of mouth-watering local produce to Hill nature reserve looking for breeding wading through nearby farmland and on part of the try and buy. Learn how to grow and cook your birds. Cotswold Way, passing historical points of own food using various methods, and have a go Venue: nature reserve, interest along the way. No park admission at activities. Cheltenham. fees to those participating in the walk. Venue: Dyrham Park FOUR Pre-book: 01452 383333 Starting point: Visitor Reception, Dyrham Park ST748757 • Map square A9 UNMissABLE Sunday 22nd April • 10:00 Leaders: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens Down to a Combe, across to may Saturday 28th April • 10:00 FEsTivALs… a Stoke Tuesday 1st May • 10:00 Moderate • 5 hours • 8.7 miles Brewers and Traitors Tuesday Tramp Moderate • 5 hours • 10 miles Circular walk via the Kennett and Avon Canal Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles CHELTENHAM From Hook Norton to the Sibfords via Traitors to Limpley Stoke, Monkton Combe, and A walk around the various footpaths of Colerne JAZZ FESTIVAL Ford and Ditchedge Lane (MacMillan Way). . Parish. Lunch available at the Fox & Hounds. Return via Swacliffe Common and d’Arcy 2 - 7 MAY Starting point: Nr. Cross Keys, South Stoke Bring a mid morning munchie. Parking at Pub Dalton Way. Stunning views over Brailes Road, Combe Down or adjacent Constitutional Club. and beyond and a lovely woodland trail. ST748619 • Map square A10 Starting point: Fox & Hounds, Colerne THE TIMES CHELTENHAM Please bring packed lunch. Leaders: Wilf Dando & Dave Jennings ST818711 • Map square B9 SCIENCE FESTIVAL Starting point: Hook Norton Primary School, Leaders: C Russell Harding & Judith Slee 12 - 17 JUNE Sunday 22nd April • 10:00 Sibford Road • SP356337 • Map square H3 Leader: Janet Deller Town and Down Wednesday 2nd May • 10:00 CHELTENHAM  Moderate • 3 hours • 5.5 miles Saturday 28th April • 10:00 A Wool Town and a Village MUSIC FESTIVAL A walk which will provide an insight into On The Edge Moderate • 2 hours • 4 miles 4 - 15 JULY Dursley’s history and development, coupled A short walk in the Leach Valley with visits to Strenuous • 6 hours • 10 miles with ascents to Cam Long Down and Uley Bury two ‘Wool’ churches - one large town centre, Commons, woodland and villages around hill fort to provide a geographical perspective one village. The walk features field paths with THE TIMES CHELTENHAM the edge of the Cotswold escarpment. of the town and locality. Pub refreshment delightful views and one moderately steep LITERATURE FESTIVAL Starting point: Stroud, Stratford Park Leisure available at end of walk. climb. 5 - 14 OCTOBER Centre • SO844056 • Map square B5 Starting point: Dursley, May Lane public Car Starting point: The Old Prison, Northleach Leaders: John Heathcott, Ken Buckle & Park, opposite the Old Spot Inn SP109150 • Map square E5 Mike Dunning BOX OFFiCE 0844 880 8094 ST753981 • Map square A6 Leaders: Tony Wilson, Pippa Burgon & Leaders: John Hammill & Hilary Paveley Rosemary Woodham REGENT ARCADE CHELTENHAM Sunday 29th April • 11:00 siGN UP FOR ALERTs Sunday 22nd April • 2:00pm Horton Walking Festival: Sunday 6 May & TiCKET iNFORMATiON Spring Wildflower Horton Court & the scarp Poets and Estates Walk Moderate • 1.5 hours • 2 miles cheltenhamfestivals.com Moderate • 4 hours • 7 miles A beautiful varied walk with Gloucestershire We climb the scarp from Horton Court Starting at Chastleton House in Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust around this large reserve, one to admire the views, returning by part we go to visit Adlestrop with Jane Austen /cheltenhamfestivals @cheltfestivals of the best in the South West - enjoying and of the Cotswold Way and field paths, connections. The return is via the Daylesford learning about the wonderful wildflowers. with freedom to visit Horton Court Estate and Cornwell House. Please bring a Venue: Lower Woods nature reserve, Wickwar. afterwards. Please visit website (www. packed lunch. Pre-book: 01452 383333 hortonandlittlesodburyvillagehall.org.uk) Starting point: Chastleton House Car Park Sunday 15th April • 10:00 Wednesday 18th April • 10:00 for full details of 3 day Walking Festival. SP249291 • Map square: H5 Wednesday 25th April • 10:00 Starting point: NT Car Park, Horton Court Leader: Trish Gilbert To National Trust Hill and Park! Wednesday Wander ST766851 • Map square A8 Strenuous • 6 hours • 10 miles Moderate • 2.75 hours • 5.5 miles Badminton Past and Present Leaders: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens A linear walk from Swainswick to Little East along the Macmillan Way before climbing Easy • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles Solsbury Hill (NT), Chilcombe Bottom, to the Gloucester Beeches and its surrounding A morning walk through this famous Estate. No Charmy Down, Tadwick and back to Dyrham open countryside. Then descending to the River stiles. Not suitable for push chairs. via Freezing Hill and Doynton. Please bring Frome valley and its ancient woodland. There Please bring a snack. a packed lunch. Booking required for bus are two moderate ascents. Optional pub lunch Starting point: Badminton village Post Office, transport to the start from Dyrham Park at The Bell in Sapperton. please park considerately. on 0117 9371335 [NB: Grid reference is to Start point: Sapperton. From St Kenelm ST804827 • Map square B8 Dyrham Park Car Park not the walk start point Church • SO947034 • Map square: D6 Leaders: Gill Sheppard & Moyra Evans which is 762 683.] Not suitable for push chairs. Leaders: John Foulkes, Mike Williams & Starting point: Dyrham Park Car Park Royden Hales Friday 27th April • 10:00 ST749758 • Map square A9 Bluebells in Fox Holes Leaders: John Walker & John Bartram Tuesday 17th April • 7.30pm Easy • 4 hours • 7 miles Nightwalk at Greystones Farm Sunday 15th April • 10:00 Starting from Shipton under Wychwood the Join Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust for a walk walk passes through Bruern woods reaching To Stow and Beyond around Greystones Farm nature reserve after the beautiful Foxholes Nature Reserve where Strenuous • 6 hours • 12.5 miles the sun has set. the bluebells should be in flower. We return A walk to Stow using the and Pre-book: 01452 383333 by woodland and field paths. Please bring a other paths leading out of the Evenlode Valley. packed lunch. Please bring a packed lunch. Saturday 21st April • 10:00 Starting point: Shipton Village Hall Starting point: Bledington Green Boats and Battles SP278181 • Map square G3 SP244228 • Map square G4 Leader: Gerald Simper Leaders: Lucy & Martin Squires Strenuous • 6 hours • 12 miles Explore the history of this undiscovered Friday 27th April • 10:00 Tuesday 17th April • 10:00 corner of England on the northern edge of  the Cotswolds. Please bring a packed lunch. Friday Foray Box and the surrounding Starting point: Warmington Green Moderate • 2.5 hours • 5.5 miles countryside SP412477 • Map square H1 A circular route taking in Bull Banks, Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles Leaders: Lucy & Martin Squires Duntisbourne Abbots, Winstone and A series of morning walks from Box into the Winstone Woods. surrounding countryside. Some hills giving Starting point: West of Winstone good views in clear weather. We will stop for SO957094 • Map square D5 a coffee and snack only. Lunch available in the Leaders: Ken Buckle, Colin Dickinson & village pubs or tea rooms. Geoff Ricketts Starting point: Selwyn Hall Car Park, Box, off A4. ST824686 • Map square B10 Leaders: Judith Slee, Bob Cole & Sid Gould Nick Turner Nick

12 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Cotswolds Rural Skills Courses 2012 Spring/Summer Programme A range of rural skills courses are on offer this year in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All courses are just £99. Why not have a go at learning a new traditional countryside craft. No experience is necessary for most courses and all tools and equipment are provided.

Dry-stone Walling Blacksmithing Charcoal Making (Beginners) • Lansdown • 14/15 April Northleach • 23rd June Limpley Stoke, Bath • 9/10 June (Beginners) • Long Compton • 5/6 May Northleach • 15th September Limpley Stoke, Bath • 15/16 September (Beginners) • Naunton • 26/27 May (Beginners) • Leckhampton Hill • 9/10 June Lime Mortar (Beginners) • Tetbury • 23/24 June Ebworth Centre, Glos (TBC) • 23/24 June (Beginners) • Cotswold Farm Park • 14/15 July Ebworth Centre, Glos (TBC) • 1/2 September (Intermediate) • RAC, Cirencester • 21/22 July (Beginners) • Lansdown • 28/29 July Green Woodworking (Beginners) • Long Compton • 4/5 August Limpley Stoke, Bath • 2 & 3 June (Beginners) • Crickley Hill • 18/19 August Limpley Stoke, Bath • 7 & 8 July For further details and to book online visit (Beginners) • Tetbury • 8/9 September Limpley Stoke, Bath • 1 & 2 September (Beginners) • Naunton • 22/23 September www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk (Intermediate) • RAC, Cirencester • 13/14 October Tel: 01451 862000

Tuesday 8th May • 9:30 Thursday 10th May • 10:00  Saturday 12th May • 10:00 Sunday 13th May Wednesday 16 May Diamond Way Sampler with a Chastleton House Regal Celebrations in Rhyme No 1 North Cotswold Food The Court of King Solomon pitstop No 1 Easy • 2.5 hours • 5 miles Strenuous • 7 hours • 11 miles and Farming Festival Moderate • 2.75 hours • 5.5 miles Moderate • 6 hours • 10 miles Chastleton House is a National Trust property The walk involves two ascents and descents of Venue: Cotswold Farm Park A relatively gentle walk from Bisley, taking in A chance to sample the northern most part tucked away in a quiet corner of rural Bredon Hill with, all being well, some superb Come and sample the best of Cotswold food the communities of Waterlane, Oakridge and of the Diamond Way and two of the north West Oxfordshire. Both the house and the views. Pub lunch available in Elmley Castle. and drink. Admission to the Food and Farming Bournes Green. On route we pass Solomons Gloucester frontier villages, Hidcote and surrounding countryside have changed little Starting point: Bredon - outside the Village Festival is free. Court which dates back to C16. The walk is Mickleton where we pitstop. We return over over the past three centuries. Picnic lunch at Hall • SO929369 • Map square D2 Tel: 01451 850307 generally flat with two short ascents from the Cotswold Edge via Dovers Hill, the site walk end. Leaders: Vivienne McGhee & Sue Greenwood typical valleys. of the Cotswolds Olympicks on 1st June. Starting point: Chastleton House Car Park Tuesday 15th May • 10:00 Start point: Bisley Cricket Club Car Park SP251290 • Map square H5 Saturday 12th May SO904061 • Map square C6 Pub lunch available or bring a packed lunch. Box and the surrounding Starting point: Chipping Campden Market Leader: Rosemary Wilson The Cotswold Wool Gatherers Leaders: Royden Hales, Mike Williams & John countryside Foulkes Square • SP151391 • Map square F2 “back to back challenge” Leaders: Allan Allcock & Julie Downing Thursday 10th May • 6:30pm Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles Venue: Cotswold Farm Park Wind in the Willows A series of morning walks from Box into the Friday 18th - Sunday 20th May 8 team members, including one shearer and surrounding countryside. Some hills giving Wednesday 9th May • 10:00 A specially adapted outdoor performance of Winchcombe Cotswolds Walking  7 spinners and knitters, create one man-size good views in clear weather. We will stop for The Wind in the Willows with Gloucestershire Hawker’s Folly jumper in a day! a coffee and snack only. Lunch available in the Festival Wildlife Trust. Easy • 2.5 hours • 4 miles Tel: 01451 850307 village pubs or tea rooms. This friendly walking festival offers 17 guided Venue: Greystones Farm nature reserve, A leisurely walk around two wildflower rich Starting point: Selwyn Hall Car Park, Box, walks for all abilities, with knowledgeable Bourton-on-the-Water commons. Match your skill in identification Sunday 13th May • 10:00 off A4. • ST824686 • Map square B10 guides who can give you an insight into the Pre-book: 01452 383333  with the Wardens. Pub snack after walk if Spring around Castle Combe Leaders: Judith Slee, Bob Cole & Sid Gould countryside. required. Suitable for families, but not Booking essential: www.winchcombe Easy • 3.5 hours • 7 miles buggies/pushchairs. Friday 11th May • 10:00 welcomeswalkers.com/festival  A joint walk with Bath branch of Leukemia Tuesday 15th May • 10:30 Starting point: Amberley Inn, Amberley,  Friday Coffee Morning Walk No 2 and Lymphoma Research [Their walkers being not pub Car Park please. Butterflies and their Habitat Saturday 19th May • 10:00 Moderate • 2.5 hours • 5.5 miles sponsored!] Dyrham to Ford via Danks Down, SO850013 • Map square B6 on Stinchcombe Hill Meet at 10am for coffee at The Bell Inn, North Wraxall, Truckle Hill, Nettleton Mill, Hilary’s Request. A Return to Leaders: David Harrowin & Brian Mundy Easy • 2.5 hours • 3 miles . Walk starts at 10.30 am from Selsley Dyrham Golf Course. A walk around Stinchcombe Hill with Chris Cranham/Painswick area to Woodchester, returning via Dingle Wood. Starting point: Castle Combe Car Park Thursday 10th May • 10:00 Wiltshire, the Gloucestershire County Butterfly Moderate • 6 hours • 10 miles Suitable for families, but not buggies or ST845773 • Map square B9  Recorder. Learn about the Spring butterfly A figure of Eight Walk - 5miles morning and Green Oases within a City pushchairs. Leaders: John Walker & Fred Dugan species which inhabit this unique landscape 5miles afternoon centred on the Royal William Starting point: Bell Inn, Selsley Easy • 3.5 hours • 4.5 miles and witness examples, weather and climate Inn, Cranham. (Parking by permission). Some SO836039 • Map square B7 Circular walk from Royal Victoria Park, taking change permitting. Suitable for families, steep ascents and descents. Pub lunch available Leaders: Eric Brown & Staszek Jarmuz in three other parks within the City, with views but not buggies or push chairs. or bring a picnic. of two others. Starting point: Car Park at Royal William Inn, Friday 11th May • 4:00pm Starting point: Stinchcombe Hill public Starting point: Royal Avenue, Bath, in front Car Park (not golf club Car Park) Cranham. (With permission) of Bandstand. • ST744654 • Map square A10 Wind in the Willows ST744983 • Map square A6 SP879127 • Map square C5 Leaders: Wilf Dando & Pauline Vincent A specially adapted outdoor performance of Leaders: John Hammill & Ian Cooke Leaders: Sue Clark, Jill Stuart & Ted Currier The Wind in the Willows with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Venue: Rendcomb College, Rendcomb Pre-book: 01452 383333 Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 13 Saturday 19th May • 7: 00pm Sunday 27th May • 2:00  Saturday 2nd - Monday 4th June National Trust: Ebworth Spring The Slaughters Stroud on Water Canal Festival Watch Easy • 2 hours • 3 miles A water-based fun family event coinciding Come to find out about the bats, badgers This lovely walk starts by exploring Upper with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend. and deer that live at Ebworth. Slaughter before climbing gently to Copse Hill Venue: Marling School Playing Field, Stroud. Venue: Ebworth Centre, Cranham where there are great views of Upper Slaughter, www.stroudonwater.org.uk Booking essential: 01452 813597 the Dikler Valley and Stow. The return is via or [email protected] Lower Slaughter, the old flour mill and lovely Sunday 3rd June • 10:00 River Eye. Canal to ‘Nowhere’ Sunday 20th May • 10:00 Starting point: Upper Slaughter Church SP155233 • Map square F4 Moderate • 4.5 hours • 7 miles On the Edge Leader: Anne Martis A walk to Woodchester via Selsley, returning Moderate • 4 hours • 7 miles via Dingle Wood and the Cotswold Way. A walk along part of the Fosse Way south of Sunday 27th May • 10:30 A rare opportunity to see craft on the Bath and through the villages of Combe Hay recently restored canal. Pub stop - drink only. and South Stoke. Please bring a packed lunch. Dyrham: Park and Countryside Starting point: Recreation Ground, Starting point: Nr. Cross Keys, South Stoke Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles Kings Stanley • SO812035 • Map square B6 Road, Combe Down. A walk from Dyrham Park (National Trust) Leaders: David Harrowin & David Owen ST748619 • Map square A10 through nearby farmland and on part of the Leaders: Wilf Dando & Dave Jennings Cotswold Way, passing historical points of Monday 4th June • 10:00  interest along the way. No park admission Views from Little Solsbury Hill Tuesday 22nd May • 10:00 fees to those participating in the walk. Starting point: Visitor Reception, Dyrham Park Moderate • 2.5 hours • 3.5 miles The Wardens and Windrush Ways ST748757 • Map square A9 From slip road up to summit of hill for views No 1 Leaders: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens over Bath, down to Northend, Chilcombe Moderate • 4.5 hours • 8 miles bottom, and back via Nature reserve. First in a series of four circular walks designed Sunday 27th May • 10:00 Starting point: Slip road or Swainswick, East of A46, 3.3 miles from Cold Ashton to cover the whole of the Wardens & Windrush National Trust: Orchids and Ways in sequence. We follow the Windrush roundabout at the A46/A420 junction Way from Winchcombe to Roel Hill returning Butterflies ST762683 • Map square A10 via the Wardens Way. Please bring a picnic Come and discover the wonderful world of Leaders: John Walker & Philip Lawrence lunch. orchids and butterflies of the Commons. Winchcombe Venue: Minchinhampton and Rodborough Tuesday 5th June • 10:00 Starting point: Winchcombe Back Lane (pay & display) Car Park • SP23284 • Map square D3 Commons. Tuesday Tramp Booking essential: 01452 813597 Leaders: Jean Booth & Simon Mallatratt Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles [email protected] Cotswolds A walk around the various footpaths of Colerne Tuesday 22nd May Parish. Lunch available at the Fox & Hounds. Sunday 27 May • 10:30 Olympic Torch Relay Bring a mid morning munchie. Parking at Pub Bradford-on-Avon, Bath Love Food Festival or adjacent Constitutional Club. Walking Festival The Love Food Festival returns to Dyrham with Starting point: Fox & Hounds, Colerne Wednesday 23rd May • 10:30 plenty of mouth-watering local produce to ST818711• Map square B9 try and buy. Learn how to grow and cook your Leaders: Russell Harding & Judith Slee Macmillan Way - Stage 10 18th May – 20th May 2012 own food using various methods, and have a Moderate • 5.5 hours • 7.5 miles go at activities. Wednesday 6th June • 10:30  For this linear walk from Castle Combe to Box, Venue: Dyrham Park there will be transport to convey walkers to the How Observant Are You? What better way to explore the beautiful Cotswold Easy • 2.5 hours • 3.5 miles start of the walk at Castle Combe. Please book Tuesday 29th May • 10:00 landscape than attend the award winning by 14th May on 01453 836221. Pub lunch  A gentle family walk from Combe to the river Exploring Minchinhampton and the Roman Villa with a difference. There Winchcombe Cotswolds Walking Festival. This available. Note later starting time. Starting point: Car park at Selwyn Hall, Box, Common will be a quiz to test observational skills for friendly walking festival offers 17 walks for all off A4 • ST824686 • Map square B10 Moderate • 3 hours • 5.5 miles young people aged 7 to 70! Please bring a pencil. Optional pub lunch afterwards. abilities, with knowledgeable guides who can give Leaders: Alan Bulley & Judith Slee A walk typical of high Cotswold country with good views from the Common and returning Starting point: Combe Village Green you an insight into the countryside. Wednesday 23rd May via the area known as the Park and the SP412158 • Map square H5 Leader: Gerald Simper Olympic Torch Relay Bulwarks iron age fortifications. Starting point: Car park on Common by Golf For 2012 the Walking Festival includes: Cirencester, Stroud, Painswick, Brockworth, Club House • SO854008 • Map square B6 Friday 8th June • 10:00 Shurdington & Cheltenham.  • An insight into life in and around Sudeley Castle in Leaders: Les Jones & Ken Leach Where Am I? Tudor times where Queen Katherine Parr is buried. Friday 25th May • 10:00 Easy • 2.5 hours • 3.5 miles Wednesday 30th May • 10:00 North, South, East or West? How do you • Walk the Windrush Way from Winchcombe to Friday Foray It’s the Windrush Way for lunch know where you are or where you are going? Bourton-on-the-Water through the hills passing the Moderate • 3 hours • 6 miles at the Black Horse Use a map and features in the landscape to Some woods, a park, a lake, a lodge and then understand how to navigate your way in the remains of ‘lost’ medieval villages en route. Moderate • 4.5 hours • 7 miles back to the Inn. countryside. Design for accompanied children A walk from Guiting Power across to the • Find out about Winchcombe’s military history during Starting point: The Highwayman Inn (with 5 upwards. Windrush Way and on to the delightful prior permission) • SO965107 • Map square D5 Starting point: Car Park, Churchill Road, the two World Wars. elongated village of Naunton where a pub Leaders: Colin Dickinson, Ken Buckle & Kingham • SP261242 • Map square G4 lunch will be available at the Black Horse. The • Walk to Longborough, a pretty ‘Walkers are Welcome’ Geoff Ricketts Leader: Rosemary Wilson village in the hills near Stow-on-the-Wold. return is along the Wardens Way to Guiting Power. The Car Park is a ‘Trust the Motorist’ Saturday 26th May • 10:00 Saturday 9th June • 9.00 • Walk part of the Cotswold Way with the National Trail  with a £1 fee. Officers and gain an insight in how the trail is managed. Lineover and Ravensgate Starting point: Guiting Power Village Hall Photography Safari Easy • 3 hours • 4 miles Car Park • SP94245 • Map square E4 Bring your camera to capture the best • Walk part of the new Holst Way from the Holst Museum Ancient Woodland and Limestone Grassland Leaders: Bob Fisher & Malcolm Duncan images of flowers and local wildlife with in Cheltenham with one of the route’s originators. Starting point: South of A40 1 mile East of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. They will help Charlton Kings • SO986196 • Map square D4 you to gain some practical skills in nature • For the more energetic why not try orienteering on Leaders: John Heathcott, Ken Buckle & photography and discover the beauty of , the highest point in the Cotswolds. Mike Dunning one of their reserves. Suits all ages. june Venue: Coombe Hill nature reserve, Saturday 26th May • 10:00 Cheltenham. • Visit a Roman Villa, beautiful villages nestling in Friday 1st - Saturday 2nd June Marshfield & St. Catherine’s Valley Pre-book: 01452 383333 valleys, identify wild flowers, learn about birdsong or Robert Dover’s Cotswold Moderate • 4 hours • 7 miles Olimpick Games learn about Winchcombe’s historical past. Marshfield to St. Catherine’s brook and the Venue: Chipping Campden Limestone Link, an ascent to Oakford Lane, and Booking early is essential to ensure places! passing under Dick Nick & Mottcombe woods. Starting point: Marshfield, near Almshouses Further information: ST774737 • Map square B9 www.winchcombewelcomeswalkers.com/festival Leader: Reg Bleaden

14 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sunday 10th June • 10:00  Friday 15th June • 10:00 Thursday 21st June • 18:30 A Family Walk and Farm Visit The Wardens and Windrush Ways A short walk on the longest day: Easy • 5 hours • 4.5 miles No 2 Up to a Down An easy walk from Chipping Norton to Salford Moderate • 4.5 hours • 8 miles Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles where we join the Fawdry’s at Village Farm who Second in a series of four circular walks We follow part of the Kennett and Avon Canal, will take us on a tractor and trailer tour of the designed to cover the whole of the Wardens and climb up to Down to enjoy farm. Bring a picnic lunch though hot and cold and Windrush Ways in sequence. We follow the views over the valleys. Various orchids may drinks and home made cakes are available. A the Wardens Way from Guiting Power to be seen at Hampton Rocks, a ‘Dry Arch’, and walk back to Chipping Norton in the afternoon. Deadmanbury Gate returning via the Windrush ‘Seven Caves’. Numbers limited to book please telephone Way. Please bring a picnic lunch. Starting point: The George Inn, Bathampton 01993 831810. Starting point: Guiting Power Village Hall (park near railway line) Starting point: New Street Car Park, Chipping Car Park • SP95248 • Map square E4 ST776665 • Map square B10 Norton • SP312270 • Map square G3 Leaders: Jean Booth & Simon Mallatratt Leaders: Wilf Dando & Dave Jennings Leader: Rosemary Wilson Friday 15th June • 10:00 Saturday 23rd June • 10:00 Sunday 10th June • 10:00 Friday Coffee Morning Walk No 3 The Quiet Valleys St. Catherine’s Valley Moderate • 3 hours • 5.5 miles Strenuous • 7 hours • 12 miles Moderate • 5 hours • 8 miles Meet at 10am for coffee at the King’s Head The wooded valleys between Painswick and A walk around the valley to the west of Inn in the centre of King’s Stanley. Walk starts Miserden Marshfield. Please bring a packed lunch. at 10.30am from King’s Stanley to Leonard Starting point: Walkers Car Park, Golf Course Some steep hills. Stanley, Coaley Peak, Hill Farm, returning via Road off B4073 north of Painswick Starting point: Lay by on the A420 west of the Cotswold Way. Pub refreshment available SO867105 • Map square C5 Marshfield • ST772738 • Map square B9 at end of walk. Leaders: John Heathcott, Ken Buckle & Leaders: Dave Jennings & Wilf Dando Starting point: King’s Head Inn, King’s Stanley Mike Dunning SO812035 • Map square B6 Wednesday 13th June • 10:00  Leaders: Eric Brown & John Graham Sunday 24th June • 10:00 Beside the Leach Shipton Shuffle Saturday 16th June • 10:00 Easy • 2 hours • 4 miles Moderate • 4.5 hours • 6.5 miles An easy walk around Eastleach and on to Find the Norman Knight Walk from Tetbury via Doughton to Shipton Southrop and back following the course of Moderate • 6 hours • 11 miles Moyne for lunch. Return via Estcourt estate. the . The walk includes a visit to Brailes area has a lot to offer in both a variety Open gentle country, charming hamlets and an interesting Norman church and extensive of scenery and historical interest. We walk villages. May be muddy in places. Pub lunch water meadows. The walk includes a number south via tracks around Brailes Hill and beyond or picnic. of stiles. to enjoy the flora and fauna which live there. Starting point: Tetbury Tourist Information Starting point: Near the Victoria Pub, Bring a packed lunch and drinks. Centre, West Street Eastleach Turville • SP198052 • Map square F6 Starting point: Brailes Village Hall Car Park. ST890930 • Map square C7 Leaders: Tony Wilson, Pippa Burgon & Castle Hill Lane. • SP308394 • Map square G2 Leaders: Hilary Paveley & Steve Knight Rosemary Woodham Leaders: Roger & Pat Cook Wednesday 27th June • 10:00 Thursday 14th June • 10:00 Tuesday 19th June • 10:00 The Painswick Valley The Flowers and Wildlife Box and the surrounding Moderate • 3 hours • 6 miles of the Glyme Valley countryside: Manors, Monks, A moderate walk around the Painswick Valley Easy • 3 hours • 4.5 miles Mulberry & MacMillan with some steep descents. Refreshments A circular walk starting and finishing in Moderate • 6 hours • 8.5 miles available in Stroud or Painswick. Chipping Norton. It includes a feast of wildlife The only longer walk in the series of walks Starting point: Stroud Leisure Centre habitats including species rich limestone from Box, on the day before the Summer SO847057 • Map square B5 grassland, ancient hedgerows as well as Over Solstice, featuring the Wiltshire plateau south Leaders: Mike Williams, Royden Hales & Norton parkland with its veteran trees and of Box, visiting Kingsdown, Monkton Farleigh John Foulkes Wednesday 27th June • 10:00 Saturday 30th June • 10:30 orchids. Led by an expert naturalist. and South Wraxall. Extensive views, weather By the Sherborne Brook Dyrham: Park and Countryside Starting point: Chipping Norton Town Hall permitting. SP313270 • Map square H3 Starting point: Selwyn Hall Car Park, Box, & Water Meadows Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles Leader: Craig Blackwell off A4 • ST824686 • Map square B10 Moderate • 6 hours • 9.5 miles A walk from Dyrham Park (National Trust) Leaders: Judith Slee, Bob Cole & Sid Gould A super walk through Sherborne to the River through nearby farmland and on part of the Windrush & its water meadows & onward Cotswold Way, passing historical points of to The Fox at Little Barrington for lunch. interest along the way. No park admission We return through the villages of Windrush fees to those participating in the walk. & Sherborne. Starting point: Visitor Reception, Dyrham Park Starting point: National Trust Car Park at ST748757 • Map square A9 Ewepen Barn • SP159144 • Map square F4 Leaders: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens Leaders: Bob Fisher & Malcolm Duncan Saturday 30th June - Sunday 1st July Thursday 28th June • 10:00  The Cotswold Show Highgrove Circular A fun-packed family day out. Moderate • 3 hours • 5.5 miles Venue: Cirencester Park. A circular walk from Tetbury passing Highgrove www.cotswoldshow.co.uk House and Westonbirt School. A short walk across the golf course, through grazing landscape and farm, returning to Tetbury via a green lane. Refreshments available in Tetbury at end of walk. july Starting point: Tetbury, Old Brewery Lane Car Sunday 1st July Park, adjacent to Tourist Information Centre ST890930 • Map square C7 Olympic Torch Relay Leaders: Brian Mundy & Alan Bulley Broadway & Chipping Campden.

Friday 29th June • 10:00 Tuesday 3rd July • 10:00 Friday Foray Tuesday Tramp Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4 miles Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles Woodland, some farmland, Cranham Church. A walk around the various footpaths of Colerne Some steep hills. Parish. Lunch available at the Fox & Hounds. Starting point: Wildlife Trust Car Park A46 Bring a mid morning munchie. Parking at Pub SO886140 • Map square C5 or adjacent Constitutional Club. Leaders: Geoff Ricketts, Ken Buckle & Starting point: Fox & Hounds, Colerne Colin Dickinson ST818711 • Map square B9 Leaders: Russell Harding & Judith Slee Nick Turner Nick

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 15 Tuesday 3rd July • 10:00 Tuesday 10th July • 10:15 Thursday 12th July • 10:00 Saturday 21st July • 10:00 Thursday 26 July • 10:00 A Summer Walk to the A Figure of Eight Walk from Ford - The Portmeiron Connection Scent to Snowshill National Trust: Meet the Rollright Stones morning walk Moderate • 5.5 hours • 10 miles Moderate • 6 hours • 11 miles Archaeologists Moderate • 4.5 hours • 8 miles Easy • 2 hours • 4 miles This walk explores fine undulating Cotswolds The lavender fields will be in full bloom at Come and discover what special archaeological A walk to enjoy the fact and the fiction of the The morning part of a gentle walk around Ford scenery starting from Oxfordshire’s highest this time of the year. Join us on this delightful features the commons have. ancient Rollright Stones. The walk goes via exploring the Upper Windrush valley. Pub lunch town. It includes the estate village of Cornwell walk, from Blockley to the escarpment, which Venue: Minchinhampton and Rodborough the charming hamlet of Little Rollright. Please available at The Plough Inn. Park in the Car Park and a lunch stop in Churchill where a pub promises splendid views along the way. Commons. bring a packed lunch. The car park is free long opposite the inn. snack is available. Bring a packed lunch and drinks. Booking not needed stay in the centre of Chipping Norton. Starting point: Ford. The Plough Inn. Starting point: New Street Car Park, Chipping Starting point: Blockley Village Green Starting point: New Street Car Park, Chipping SP88294 • Map square E4 Norton • SP312270 • Map square G3 SP164350 • Map square F2 Friday 27th July • 10:00 Leaders: Colin Boulton & Julie Downing Leader: Kevin Myhill Leaders: Roger & Pat Cook  Norton • SP312270 • Map square G3 Friday Foray Leader: Trish Gilbert Tuesday 10th July • 14:00 Friday 13th July • 10:00 Saturday 21st July • 10:00 Moderate • 2.5 hours • 5.3 miles Tuesday 3rd July • 10:00 A circular route going down and along under A Figure of Eight Walk from Ford - The Wardens and Windrush Ways Ninety Nine Steps to a Castle the escarpment then a steady climb to the A Remote and Beautiful Valley afternoon walk No 3 Strenuous • 4 hours • 7.5 miles highest point on the Cotswolds followed Moderate • 2.5 hours • 5 miles Easy • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles Moderate • 3.5 hours • 6.5 miles A hilly circuit of the villages around Brailes by a gentle walk across the common. Explore some of the North Cotswolds’ most The afternoon part of a gentle walk around Third in a series of four circular walks designed Hill with stunning views of the Warwickshire Starting point: Quarry Car Park, Cleeve Hill beautiful and remote countryside. Please park Ford exploring the Upper Windrush valley. to cover the whole of the Wardens and countryside. Please bring a packed lunch. SO989271 • Map square D3 tidily on the grass verge. Park in the Car Park opposite the inn. Windrush Ways in sequence. We follow the Starting point: Upper Brailes Village Layby Leaders: Ken Buckle, Colin Dickinson & Starting point: Hinchwick Hamlet Starting point: Ford. The Plough Inn. Windrush Way from Guiting Power to Naunton SP305395 • Map square G2 Geoff Ricketts SP145301 • Map square F3 SP88294 • Map square E4 Downs returning via the Wardens Way. Please Leader: Janet Deller Leaders: Peter Mansion & Paul Adams Leaders: Colin Boulton & Julie Downing bring suitable refreshments. Saturday 28th July • 10:00 Starting point: Guiting Power Village Hall Sunday 22nd July • 10:00 Sodbury to Horton & the Thursday 5th July • 10:00 Wednesday 11th July • 10:00 Car Park • SP95248 • Map square E4 Battle to the Races Leaders: Jean Booth & Simon Mallatratt Roman Fort Moderate • 5 hours • 9 miles Flower Foray on & around Cleeve Wardens Work - Hedgelaying Moderate • 4 hours • 6.5 miles From Lansdown to Charlcombe and Woolley Common Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles Friday 13th July • 10:00 A moderate walk using part of the Cotswold overlooking the Tadwick Valley, then up to Moderate • 5 hours • 5 miles A walk along the upper reaches of the Coln Way and the Coffin Trail. Please bring a Battlefields and Bath Racecourse. Please bring A fabulous flower foray! With Conservation Valley with extensive views of open country Friday Coffee Morning Walk No 4 packed lunch. a packed lunch. Officer Ellie Phillips, we hope to showcase the to the site of the medieval village of Thorndale Moderate • 2.5 hours • 5.5 miles Starting point: Old Sodbury Church Starting point: Glanville Road, Lansdown, Bath wonderful range of wildflowers that grow both returning past Upcote Plantation. The walk Meet at 10 am for coffee at the Rose & Crown ST755817 • Map square A8 ST743678 • Map square A10 on the Common & nearby butterfly reserves. features an example of hedgelaying undertaken Inn, Nympsfield. Walk starts at 10.30 from Leader: Reg Bleaden Leaders: Wilf Dando & Dave Jennings Bring a packed lunch & sturdy footwear for by Cotswold Wardens. The walk includes one Nympsfield to Owlpen, return via Lutherage scrambling over rougher areas. long steady climb. farm and Bowlas wood. Lunch available at the Saturday 28th July • 10:00 Starting point: The Old Mill Inn, Withington Inn on completion of the walk. Sunday 22nd July • 10:00 Starting point: Cleeve Hill Quarry Car Park - Between Bibury and Northleach turn off the B4632 at the summit, signposted SP032154 • Map square D4 Starting point: Rose & Crown Inn, Nympsfield St Kenelm’s Walk & Play SO800005 • Map square B6 Moderate • 7 hours • 12 miles to the Golf Club, down narrow track over cattle Leaders: Tony Wilson, Pippa Burgon & 6 - 7 miles Leaders: Eric Brown & Steve Knight Sheep Country. A long but relatively flat walk grid, left & right into Car Park. Rosemary Woodham Winchcombe Walkers are Welcome will lead a across the downs grazed for centuries by the SO989272 • Map square D4 ‘pilgrimage’ walk from Winchcombe to Hailes Saturday 14th July • 10:00 Cotswold Lion. Leaders: Jean Booth & Simon Mallatratt Abbey for lunch, then following St Kenelm’s Starting point: Bibury the footbridge by Way to the Well to watch the St Kenelm’s Longday, Shortday, Moreday Arlington Row • SP11667 • Map square F5 play, before walking back to Winchcombe via and Muffity Leaders: John Heathcott, Ken Buckle & Sudeley Castle. Bring drinks and either a packed Moderate • 6.5 hours • 11 miles Mike Dunning A walk to explore domestic cotswold lunch or buy lunch at Orchard Tea Rooms). architecture. Edgeworth, Daglingworth, the Starting point: Back Lane Car Park, Sunday 29th July • 10:30 Duntisbournes and Winstone. Some steep Winchcombe (Parking £1 all day, toilets 20p) Dyrham: Park and Countryside ascents and descents. Please bring a packed Map square E3 lunch (No Pub). Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles Starting point: Winstone - South of Park Tuesday 24th July • 10:00 A walk from Dyrham Park (National Trust) Cottage on roadside verge by Lodge entrance Scarp, Bottoms and Beechwoods through nearby farmland and on part of the Cotswold Way, passing historical points of to Misarden Park • SO956094 • Map square C5 Moderate • 5 hours • 7.5 miles interest along the way. No park admission Leaders: Sue Clark, Jill Stuart & Ted Currier A circular walk from Stinchcombe Hill via fees to those participating in the walk. Stancombe, North Nibley and Waterley Starting point: Visitor Reception, Dyrham Park Sunday 15th July • 10:00 Bottom. Bring a packed lunch. ST748757 • Map square A9 Starting point: Stinchcombe Hill public Car Views to and from Bannerdown! Leaders: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens Strenuous • 5.5 hours • 10.5 miles Park (not Golf Club Car Park) • ST744983 o e & u s Map square A6 St r To r Climb Little Solsbury Hill for Views, then Tuesday 31st July • 10:00 Bailbrook, Bathampton, Bathford, Wartime Leaders: John Hammill & Brian Mundy Hitting the Spot tunnel entrance, Shockerwick, Bannerdown, Chilcombe Bottom Nature reserve. Wednesday 25th July • 10:00  Moderate • 5 hours • 8.5 miles Please bring a packed lunch. Four Tythings A walk following the Cotswold Way from Dursley over Cam Long Down to Uley Bury Starting point: Slip road for Swainswick, East Moderate • 5 hours • 6 miles iron age fort and returning to Dursley via Uley, of A46, 3.3 miles from Cold Ashton roundabout A pleasant walk around Spoonbed Valley and Elcombe, Coopers Wood and Hermitage Wood. at A46/A420 junction • ST762683 over Painswick Beacon. There is one steep Bring a picnic lunch. Map square A10 ascent to the top of the beacon from where Starting point: Dursley, Long Street long stay Leaders: John Walker & John Bartram views stretch to Malverns, the Black Mountains Car Park • ST758982 • Map square A6 and down the Severn Valley. Leaders: Les Jones & Ken Leach Tuesday 17th July • 10:00 Starting point: Walkers Car Park, Painswick Beacon • SO868105 • Map square C5 Ou re er to e i o e Box and the surrounding r B w y S r s p n countryside Leaders: Royden Hales, Mike Williams & am - pm John Foulkes 10 5 Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles a r a A series of morning walks from Box into the august Monday to S tu d y Thursday 26th July • 10:00 surrounding countryside. Some hills giving Thursday 2nd August • 10:00 The Hobgoblin orders you to come and browse his selection of gifts and good views in clear weather. We will stop for Diamond Way Sampler with a merchandise with exclusive in-store offers and promotions on bottled a coffee and snack only. Lunch available in the pitstop No 2 A Walk that ticks all the Boxes and cask beers. village pubs or tea rooms Moderate • 5 hours • 9 miles Moderate • 2.5 hours • 5.5 miles Brewery tours operate every Saturday and Sunday offering a two hour Starting point: Selwyn Hall Car Park, Box, A walk through Castlett Woods above Guiting experience for those interested in seeing mischief in the making. A pleasantly undulating walk along sections off A4 • ST824686 • map square B10 of the Diamond Way passing through the Power with the gentle sound of the brook Leaders: Judith Slee, Bob Cole & Sid Gould estate of Daylesford and on through rolling flowing down below. Gentle climbs and Come and see us if you dare but be warned…most things bite! countryside to Bledington for a lunch at The descents with excellent views and big skies. Come along and tick the boxes yourself. King’s Head Inn and return. Pub lunch available. Book online at www.wychwood.co.uk Starting point: Adlestrop Village Hall Car Park. Starting point: Guiting Power Village Hall Car or call: 01993 890 800* (Trust the motorist) • SP242272 Park • SP95246 • Map square E3 Map square G3 Leaders: Peter Mansion & Paul Adams (*pre booking essential) Leaders: Julie Downing & Andy Briars Wychwood Brewery, Eagle Maltings, The Crofts, Witney, Oxon OX28 4DP.

16 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Nick Turner

Saturday 4th August • 10:00 Thursday 9th August • 9:30  Thursday 16th August • 10:00 Saturday 18th August • 10:00 Wednesday 22nd August • 10:00 Cornflowers and Campions Very Very Old, and Just Old, Down the Windrush to Mitford Regal Celebrations in Rhyme No 2 Two Guitings and Three Fords Moderate • 6 hours • 11 miles Sites Around Wotton Country Moderate • 6.5 hours • 11 miles Moderate • 5.5 hours • 10 miles The wildflower meadow represents a Moderate • 3 hours • 5.5 miles Moderate • 5.5 hours • 9 miles This walk explores the outlying hills to the This walk explores the extensive woodlands quintessential part of the character and beauty Visit an Iron Age fort, walk through some The walk heads downstream from Burford to north-west of the AONB. Pub lunch available. that border the valley of the Castlett Stream of our British countryside. Join us on this walk strip lynchets and pass a haunted pub. Swinbrook and Asthall with their connections Starting point: Alstone, outside the church and then on, across rolling countryside with big from Hawling in search of a meadow ‘par Several eating places in Wotton for lunch to the illustrious Mitford family. An optional SO983325 • Map square D3 skies, to the hamlet of Ford. Here the Plough excellence’. Please bring a packed lunch and after the walk. lunch is available at the Maytime Inn in Asthall Leader: Vivienne McGhee Inn exhorts weary travellers to step in and drinks. Starting point: Roadside parking at top of hill before returning via the lost village of Widford. quaff the nut brown ale. Pub lunch here then! Starting point: Hawling, near the Methodist on Old London Road • ST754941 Easy gradients. Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th August Pub lunch available. Church. Please park with care on the gravel Map square B7 Starting point: Burford Free Car Park. Bike Blenheim Palace - Starting point: Guiting Power Village Hall verges • SP67231 • Map square E4 Car Park. (Trust the motorist £1 fee.) Leaders: Ken Leach & Les Jones Near Church • SP253123 • Map square G5 A Festival of Cycling Leaders: Roger & Pat Cook Leader: Kevin Myhill SP94245 • Map square E4 Sunday 12th August • 10:00 A unique cycling festival in the grounds Leaders: Bob Fisher & Malcolm Duncan Tuesday 7th August • 10:00 Friday 17th August • 10:00 of historic Blenheim Palace. Mills and Ewelme  www.bikeblenheimpalace.com Wednesday 22nd August • 10:00 Tuesday Tramp Moderate • 4.5 hours • 7.5 miles Friday Coffee Morning Walk No 5 Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles A walk to Uley along the Cotswold Way, Easy • 2.5 hours • 5.5 miles Sunday 19th August • 10:00 Wednesday Wander A walk around the various footpaths of Colerne Moderate • 3 hours • 6 miles returning through Owlpen and Nympsfield. Meet at 10am for coffee at Hunters Hall Inn. A Barrow Full of Romans Parish. Lunch available at the Fox & Hounds. Pub snack available if required. Walk starts at 10.30am into the Ozleworth An undulating walk through woods and fields Bring a mid morning munchie. Parking at Pub Starting point: Coaley Peak Picnic Site valley. Lunch available at the pub on Moderate • 6 hours • 10 miles to the villages of Randwick and Whiteshill or adjacent Constitutional Club. SO794014 • Map square B6 completion of the walk. Suitable for families, A walk to the west of Castle Combe, crossing before returning to the scarp and its Starting point: Fox & Hounds, Colerne Leaders: David Harrowin & Alan Hooper but not buggies or pushchairs. the Fosse Way. Please bring a packed lunch. magnificent views over the Severn Valley. ST818711 • Map square B9 Starting point: Hunters Hall Inn, Kingscote Starting point: Castle Combe public Car Park. Some long inclines and descents. Leaders: Russell Harding & Judith Slee Wednesday 15th August • 10:30 ST813960 • Map square B7 ST846777 • Map square B9 Start point: Cripplegate Car Park, Haresfield Leaders: Eric Brown & Ian Cooke Leaders: Dave Jennings & Wilf Dando Beacon • SO832086 • Map square B5 Wednesday 8th August • 10:00 Macmillan Way - Stage 11 Leaders: John Foulkes, Mike Williams &  Moderate • 5 hours • 6.5 miles Tuesday 21st August • 10:00 Reflections on Water: a poetic walk Saturday 18th August • 10:30 Royden Hales For this linear walk from Box to Bradford-on-  Box and the surrounding Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles Avon, there will be transport to convey walkers Marshfield - Town & Country Saturday 25 August • 10:00 A chance to look at the landscape in a new back to Box at the end of the walk. Please book Easy • 2 hours • 4.25 miles countryside way. We will have several stops where wardens by 6th August on 01453 836221. Pub lunch We walk along the High Street of this small Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles Badminton Estate, Tormarton, will read poems on the subject of water. Hourly available. Note later starting time. medieval market town to the Almshouses, then A series of morning walks from Box into the & Doddington Park bus 151 from Cheltenham or Cirencester. Starting point: Car Park at Selwyn Hall take bridleways and lanes south to Ashwicke surrounding countryside. Some hills giving Moderate • 4.5 hours • 8 miles Lunch available at the Bathurst Arms. Box off A4 • ST824686 • Map square B10 and return through the fields on footpaths good views in clear weather. We will stop for A steep climb towards the A46, then to Starting point: The Bathurst Arms North Leaders: Alan Bulley & John Walker (no stiles). a coffee and snack only. Lunch available in the Lyegrove Farm and the Badminton Estate, Cerney • SP019079 • Map square D5 Starting point: Market Place • ST78117369 village pubs or tea rooms. towards Acton Turville, then Tormarton with Leaders: Pippa Burgon, Rosemary Woodham Map square B9 Starting point: Selwyn Hall Car Park time to visit the church and local hostelry, & Tony Wilson Leader: David Colbourne Box off A4 • ST824686 • Map square B10 returning via Dodington Park. Leaders: Judith Slee, Bob Cole & Sid Gould Starting point: Old Sodbury Church ST755817 • Map square A8 Leader: Reg Bleaden

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 17 Saturday 25 August • 10:00 Thursday 30th August • 10:00 Saturday 1st September Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th Wednesday 12th September • 10:00 The Golden Valley What on earth is going on at The Moreton-in-Marsh Show Heritage Open Days throughout Roundabout Lyneham Strenuous • 7 hours • 11 miles Cleeve Common? The Moreton-in-Marsh 60th Anniversary Show the area Easy • 2.5 hours • 5.5 miles Across the Golden Valley from Bisley Moderate • 4 hours • 5 miles is a traditional agricultural show and a great This is an unspectacular but pleasant walk in to Minchinhampton. Horse dung in a cement mixer, 2000 metres day out for all the family. Sunday 9th September • 14:00 the parish of Lyneham situated in Oxfordshire’s Starting point: Bisley churchyard. Venue: The Showground, Batsford Road,  Evenlode Valley. The route is ideal for those of electric fence & a herd of Galloway Cattle?! Blenheim Estate: of Kings, Park considerately around the village To find out what’s going on join our walk to Moreton-in-Marsh. who prefer less undulating terrain and novice SO903060 • Map square C5 explore the management of Cleeve Common. www.moretonshow.co.uk Queens and Heroes walkers. Coffee available before start and lunch Leaders: John Heathcott, Ken Buckle & Bring a packed lunch & sturdy footwear. Easy • 2 hours • 3.5 miles after in Golf Club. Mike Dunning Starting point: Cleeve Hill Quarry Car Park. Tuesday 4th September • 10:00 This short walk around the estate looks for Starting point: The Wychwood Golf Club, traces of Blenheim’s historic past. These Lyneham • SP277209 • Map square G3 SO989272 • Map square D4 Tuesday Tramp Saturday 25th - Monday 27th August Leaders: Jean Booth & Simon Mallatratt include in the 12th century Henry II and Leader: Rosemary Wilson Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles ‘Fair Rosamund’ as well as the 18th century Treefest at Westonbirt Arboretum A walk around the various footpaths of Colerne Friday 31st August • 10:00 palace created for a war hero. Friday 14th September • 10:00 Treefest is Westonbirt’s signature summer Parish. Lunch available at the Fox & Hounds. Starting point: Combe Lodge Gate, Friday Coffee Morning Walk No 6 event that incorporates camping, woodcraft Friday Foray Bring a mid morning munchie. Parking at Pub Blenheim Park • SP426158 • Map square H4 demonstrations, exhibitors, family activities Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles or adjacent Constitutional Club. Leader: Anne Martis Moderate • 2.5 hours • 5.5 miles and local live music. The result - a festival that The walk is across peaceful countryside, Starting point: Fox & Hounds, Colerne Meet at 10am for coffee at the Swan Hotel, truly celebrates all that our trees and nature with occasional steep dives and ascents. ST818711 • Map square B9 Tuesday 11th September • 10:00 Wotton Under Edge. Walk starts at 10.30am inspire! Starting point: Car Park by King George Leaders: Russell Harding & Judith Slee from Wotton, to Wortley and Wortley Hill. Venue: Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury playing field • SO906061 • Map square C5 The Wardens and Windrush Ways Return to Wotton via the Cotswold Way. www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-treefest Leaders: Colin Dickinson, Ken Buckle & Wednesday 5th September • 10:00 No 4 Lunch available at the hotel on completion of the walk. Geoff Ricketts Wardens Work - Clearance Moderate • 5.5 hours • 9.5 miles Monday 27th August • 10:30 Last in a series of four circular walks designed Starting point: Swan Hotel, Wotton Under Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles to cover the whole of the Wardens and Edge • ST756934 • Map square A7 Dyrham: Park and Countryside A walk from Kilkenny to Pegglesworth, Windrush Ways in sequence. We follow the Leaders: Eric Brown & Staszek Jarmuz Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles september Ravensgate Hill and with Wardens Way from Bourton-on-the-Water A walk from Dyrham Park (National Trust) Saturday 1st September • 10:00 extensive views over Cheltenham. The walk to Naunton returning via the Windrush Way. Saturday 15th September • 10:00 through nearby farmland and on part of the features clearance work undertaken by From Miserden to Bisley and Please bring a picnic lunch. Allow plenty of Cotswold Way, passing historical points of Cotswold Wardens to create a butterfly reserve Slate, Forest and Villa We Won’t Dally Along The Dillay time to find suitable parking. interest along the way. No park admission and an ancient woodland. The walk features Moderate • 5 hours • 9 miles Starting point: By the War Memorial next to fees to those participating in the walk. Moderate • 6 hours • 10 miles a section of the Cotswold Way and includes Explore the origins of Stonesfield slate and the river in the centre of Bourton-on-Water Starting point: Visitor Reception, Dyrham Park A varied circular walk from Miserden to Bisley a steep descent and one long steady climb. Cornbury Park as the walk travels down this SP167207 • Map square F4 ST748757 • Map square A9 via the Dillay, Througham, The Holy Brook Starting point: Kilkenny Picnic Site Car Park - lovely section of the Evenlode Valley. Please Leaders: Jean Booth & Simon Mallatratt Leaders: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens and Sudgrove. Pub snacks available or bring off the A436 • SP004186 • Map square D4 bring a packed lunch. a packed lunch. Some steep ascents and Leaders: Tony Wilson, Pippa Burgon & Starting point: FiveWays Crossroads, descents. Rosemary Woodham Charlbury East • SP360188 • Map square H4 Starting point: Miserden Car Park, next to Leader: Tish Gilbert School (With Permission) SP93489 • Map square C5 Leaders: Sue Clark, Jill Stuart & Ted Currier

18 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sunday 16th September • 10:00 Thursday 20th September • 10:00 Sunday 23rd September • 8:00pm Friday 28th September • 10:00 Sunday 30th September New Castle Combe Circular Diamond Way Sampler with a National Trust: Autumn Equinox Friday Foray North Cotswold Food Moderate • 3.5 hours • 7 miles pitstop No 3 Star Gazing Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles and Farming Festival Castle Come village, Flower meadow, Ford, Old Moderate • 5 hours • 10 miles Come along to marvel at the wonders of the A scenic walk around Painswick, with an Venue: Cotswold Farm Park Coach Road, North Wraxall, Nettleton Mill, The walk features the woodland glades, valleys solar system and find out more about what’s optional lunch on return Come and sample the best of Cotswold food Golf Course path back to Car Park. Pub lunch and high pastures of this secluded corner of up in the night sky. Starting point: Edgemoor Inn (with prior and drink. Admission to the Food and Farming at Ford or Castle Combe afterwards! the AONB around Hinchwick. We will walk Venue: Minchinhampton and Rodborough permission) SO850091 • Map square C5 Festival is free. Starting point: Castle Combe Car Park on two sections of the Diamond Way. Few Commons Leaders: Colin Dickinson, Ken Buckle & Tel: 01451 850307 ST845773 • Map square B9 metalled surfaces, lots of trees. Please bring a Booking essential: 01452 813597 Geoff Ricketts Leaders: John Walker & John Dougal packed lunch. [email protected] Starting point: Hinchwick Manor. Park with Saturday 29th September • 10:30 Tuesday 18th September • 10:00 care on the grass verges Wednesday 26th September • 10:00 Dyrham: Park and Countryside SP145300 • Map square F3 Box and the surrounding A Circuit around Moderate • 2.5 hours • 4.5 miles Leaders: Andy Briars, Allan Allcock & countryside A walk from Dyrham Park (National Trust) Julie Downing Stow-on-the-Wold Moderate • 3 hours • 5 miles Moderate • 4.5 hours • 9 miles through nearby farmland and on part of the Cotswold Way, passing historical points of A series of morning walks from Box into the Sunday 23rd September • 14:00 Walk out from Stow passing through the surrounding countryside. Some hills giving  villages of Maugersbury, the Swells, Donnington interest along the way. No park admission good views in clear weather. We will stop for Cirencester Town Walk and Broadwell where we shall take lunch at the fees to those participating in the walk. a coffee and snack only. Lunch available in the Easy • 2.5 hours • 5 miles Fox pub before a return to Stow. Starting point: Visitor Reception, Dyrham Park village pubs or tea rooms. A gentle walk around Cirencester town, looking Starting point: Stow-on-the-Wold. Tesco ST748757 • Map square A9 Starting point: Selwyn Hall Car Park, Box, at historic buildings and the development of public Car Park • SP191262 • Map square F3 Leaders: Cotswold Voluntary Wardens off A4 • ST824686 • Map square B10 the town since Roman times, including the Leaders: Bob Fisher & Malcolm Duncan Leaders: Judith Slee, Bob Cole & Sid Gould. amphitheatre. Wear stout footwear. Starting point: Outside Cirencester Parish Wednesday 19th September • 10:00 Church • SP022021 • Map square D6 FREE Including Walks & Events Guide A walk in the Frome Valley Leaders: Hilary Paveley & Jill Stuart Moderate • 2.5 hours • 5 miles Sunday 23rd September • 10:00 Cotswold Lion A walk in the Frome Valley with a variety Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 Advertising Festival at the castle The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Diamond Jubilee plans page 3 10 top picnic Four Fords (or is it five?) take shape Car-free Cotswolds of field and woodland paths. Some short page 4 locations Large Blues fly again page 6 page 7 steep climbs with views over the valley. Moderate • 6 hours • 10 miles page 8 Refreshments available at the Carpenters Arms. A walk from Bradford on Avon to Westfield, If you are interested in advertising in Please park carefully in the village. Hungerford Castle, Ifford, Freshford, and along Cotswold Olimpicks celebrate 400 years The Cotswold Lion, and require a rate London 2012? The modern Games all started w Starting point: Carpenters Arms, Miserden the Kennett and Avon Canal. Please bring a ith rustic sports at Chipping Campden! winning bid to stage London 2012, this year marks the 400th anniversary “We are often asked how serious of the inaugural Robert Dover’s we are about it all,” says Graham, SO937088 • Map square C5 packed lunch. Games that began “the histo rical card and technical specification, thread in Britain that was ultimately who has been involved with the to lead to the creation o annual jamboree for some 25 f the modern Olympics.” years. “We are very serious in Leaders: Mike Williams, Royden Hales & Starting point: Station Car Park, Bradford on To celebrate the historic as much as it’s historical fact anniversary the Cotswold Olimpicks, that our Games were the first in on Friday 1st June, will feature an modern times to be referred to extended progr amme of events with as Olimpicks, certainly by 1630.” an enhanced Jacobean flavour, plus a John Foulkes Avon (small charge) please contact: brand new castle to crown the lofty plateau of National Trust-owned Olympick Tug of War the training of the youth in manly Dover’s Hill. Visitors can also expect sports and for the ckTurner harmless mirthe

Ni more local food stalls, alo ngside the and jollitie of the neighbourhood”. “We get TV crews from Ja familiar bands and cannon fire, rustic As chief directo ST824607 • Map square B10 pan and racing, backswor r and manager, he Australia coming to film us shin- ds, tug o’war and, trotted about on a white hors kicking and of course, the World Shin-kicking e, and they think we are a 1636 collection of celebratory completely mad,” says Graham Championships. poems, Annalia Dubrens ia, shows him Greenall, chairman of Robert Dover’s It is likely that locals already held in ceremonial garb and a plumed Games Society. “We do some form of boisterous Cot Leaders: Wilf Dando & Dave Jennings n’t think so. swold hat that came – via Mickleton-born It’s a tradition of glorious ecce Whitsuntide festivities when Robert Groom of the Royal B ntricity edchamber unique to Robert Dover’s Cotswold Dover arrived on the scene in Endymion Porter – from King James I. Olimpicks and local r 1611. Born in Norfolk, educat ural life.” ed at “The Games were certainly backed While global eyes may tu Cambridge and Gray’s Inn, he was a by royalty, including Ja rn to solicitor – with a cla mes I and London from July to September for ssical knowledge Charles I, and Prince Rupert allegedly Email: [email protected] the Olympic and Par and flair for showmanship. With visited in 1636,” Gra alympic Games, in ham says. aficionados of grass-roots sporting months “he had grabbed everything “More importantly, it was by the throat,” Grah about culture will be heading first for am says. having fun in an era that was sliding Chipping Campden. For, as the Brit From 1612, Dover promoted towards Puritanism. ish ” Olympic Association stated in its a two-day event that honoured the ancient Games of Greece, “for World-famous shin-kicki ng, Continued on page 2 not for the faint-hearted . Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uNickTurner k • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk

Tel: 07845 293054 1

Farmers markets in the Cotswolds Bath Chipping Norton Stratford-upon-Avon Every Saturday Third Saturday of the month First and third Saturday of the Green Park Station, Bath Market Square month Rother Street Bishops Cleeve Cirencester Third Sunday of the month Every second and fourth Stroud Tithe Barn Saturday of the month Every Saturday Market Place Cornhill Market Place and Bourton-on-the- surrounding streets Water Dursley Fourth Sunday of the month Second Saturday of the Stow-on-the-Wold Countrywide Stores month Second Thursday of the Town Hall month Bradford on Avon Market Square Third Thursday of the month Gloucester Westbury Gardens Every Friday Witney The Cross and Westgate Third Wednesday of the Charlbury Street month Second Saturday quarterly: Town centre Mar, Jun, Sep, Dec Malmesbury The Playing Close Second Saturday and fourth Woodstock Saturday of the month First Saturday of the month Cheltenham Market Cross In front of Town Hall Second and last Friday of the month Nailsworth Wotton-under-Edge Long Gardens, Promenade Fourth Saturday of the month First Saturday of the month

Mortimer Gardens Town Hall Turner Nick

Find out more at: www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk • www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk • www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk 19 Just for Fun Enjoy the beautiful Cotswold countryside Summer is the best time of year to get outside with the family and explore the great outdoors. From a small back garden, to the local park or even sprawling woodland, the choice is endless – and the Cotswolds is full of just such Butterfly: find them on flowers Blackbird: can you see them Frogs: can you hear the croak places. uncurling their proboscis to drink listening for worms? of a frog? There are so many good reasons to get outdoors; not only is it proven to be good for keeping you fit and healthy, it also helps stimulate the senses too! There are so many things to see, hear, smell, touch and even taste. You may not realise, but many of our native woods are looked after by the Woodland Trust, a conservation charity which aims to create more places rich in native trees. The UK actually has a tiny proportion of woodland, especially compared to the rest of Europe. So, summer is a great time to experience our native Bumblebees: watch for bees Dragonfly: damsel and dragonflies Hare: can you see hares’ ears visiting flowers can be found near ponds sticking out above the corn? woods and all the things they have to offer. For example, nearly one third of all butterfly species prefer to live in woodlands - so why not see how many you can spot? Summer tends to have the most activity in the woods, from insects to birds and mammals, you may even spot a hare or deer if you are lucky! Next time you are enjoying the Cotswolds countryside this summer, have a go at playing our Cotswolds Bingo game and see how many different species you can find. Oak tree: can you identify Deer: if you are quiet, you may Ladybird: count the spots and Visit www.naturedetectives.org.uk for more great activities. an oak tree from its leaves? spot a deer look for different species

Bourton Circular via Wyck Rissington Cotswolds Jubilee Walks This easy, 4.5 mile low level walk starts from the centre of Bourton- on-the-Water, passing through Greystones Farm nature reserve and Salmonsbury Site of Special Scientific Interest which has superb meadows As part of this year’s Jubilee celebrations, the Cotswold in early summer. Watch out and listen for water voles crossing the bridges. Voluntary Wardens – the voluntary arm of the Conservation The route follows a section of the Oxfordshire Way and Diamond Way, Board – have created a new series of stile-free circular walks and passes through the unspoilt Cotswold village of Wyck Rissington. Route that take in some of our most beautiful landscapes. 1 From the War Memorial, walk along green to first footbridge and cross road to green opposite. Follow Oxfordshire Way sign down the alley, bearing right at Monarch’s 4 junction to reach Station Road. Way College Cross road, turn left and after 140m turn right into Cemetery Lane then Farm A 429 immediately left into Greystones Lane. Follow until the farm is reached. Go through a metal kissing gate, turn right through the farmyard then ahead Mound Wyck Moors through gate and follow farm track for 220m. Farm Rissington Oxfordshire Way + At junction of paths 2 turn left through gate, cross the middle of the field, through another gate and continue across 3 more fields. Go through gate in left Bourton- Diamond Way Porter’s hand corner of third field and along an enclosed track in a spinney. When path on-the- 3 Farm junction is reached 3 turn right through metal gate along the Oxfordshire Water Salmonsbury 5 Way. Meadow Continue across bridge over River Eye and sleeper bridge over River Dickler. Start Nature Reserve Continue across meadow, cross bridge to bear left through 3 fields to 1 Wyck Rissington road. 4 + 2 Turn right along road, passing pond and Church until road turns left 5 . Salmonsbury 6 Continue ahead on track, following bends and through 2 gates to a spinney. Here turn 6 right through gate and along field edge with hedge on left. At 10 Bury Barn 7 Farm next gate 7 , turn left through a gap in the hedge then across 3 fields to lane. 9 Coswold Turn right through gate 8 along the lane to gate in tall hedge. Cross field Carp Farm through gate and then across two bridges by Rissington Mill. Turn right across field to a kissing gate. Cross next field, through a gate and left on path around Rissington the end of a lake. At the path junctions 9 turn left, though a gate and follow Mill lane which bends right until the Cemetery entrance is reached 10 . Turn left along a path alongside the bus garage to the road. 8 Forty Copse Turn left for 20 metres, cross the road and retrace steps along path to start point.

20 Issue 26 • Spring/Summer 2012 • The newspaper of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty