NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2012

ICKNIELD WAY ASSOCIATION

During the last six years the Path has WALKERS’ GUIDE BOOK—6TH EDITION not changed dramatically! However, a significant number of stiles have Some clarification or slight alteration has Huge thanks are due to Sue for all her been replaced with kissing been made to the route at the west end, at hard work on our new edition, due out gates (always good and at the end of the Link. now and available via our website. news!) and red ink was Now that digital printing is the norm we can beginning to appear on order a print run of 5, 50 or 500 copies – Sue Prigg’s guide book whatever is required. We can also make update pages! small changes to the guide as needed for each print run so there is no risk of having a After the AGM last year, stockpile of out-of–date guidebooks! all the voluntary wardens were provided with a copy We searched for a new image for the cover of the pages covering that everyone liked – email is a great tool their patch. The route when your committee live up to 100 miles was ‘ground-truthed’, any apart! John & Gil Boardman suggested the changes and suggested wonderful painting of the Icknield Way by text improvements incor- Spencer Gore, painted in 1912, held by the porated into Sue’s new Art Gallery of New South . When version and all necessary approached they were happy to supply us alterations were made to with a licence for its use on the front page of the maps. our guide book. Once again, electronic com- munication has been to our advantage!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEW COMMITTEE SAVES THE DAY! Tom Chevalier & 2 Lesley Blundell Fears that the Icknield Way Association Warm thanks were extended to David 3 might have to fold have proved themselves Northrop for taking care of the Associa- groundless. Fortunately, at the 2011 AGM tion’s finances for more than twenty Edward Thomas 4 held at Wallington last October, several years. Centenary enthusiastic members stepped forward to offer their help in continuing the good work A further development since the AGM is Fancy a Walk? 4 of the Association in promoting one of Eng- that Chris (who thought she could get land’s best lowland trails. away with complete retirement from the AGM report & 5 committee!) has agreed to take over as Accounts Tom Chevalier of Toddington and John Newsletter Editor from Peter Baker who AGM 2012 5 Boardman of Sawtry were elected as has been doing a sterling job for years. Chairman and Treasurer respectively. Peter has been telling the committee John Boardman 6 Although not finally agreed at the AGM, the that he is now too old to learn new tricks post of Secretary has now been filled by and hoped that someone could be found Snippets 6 Lesley Blundell of Shillington in Bedford- to do a better job than him. So this is shire. Chris’s first effort and she hopes that Warden Contact 7 members and friends alike will enjoy the Info Former acting Chairman and Secretary, new presentation. She also hopes that Committee Info 7 Chris James, stepping down from this com- she will be forgiven for the inevitable bined role after many years said she was glitches and errors which will be all hers. Hitchin Rail Link 8 absolutely delighted that she could now Web Info step down from the leadership role sure An account of the traditional AGM walk Can you help? that the Association will continue to thrive. can be found within. Guide book Info TOM CHEVALIER—CHAIRMAN

I was born in Sevenoaks, Kent and More recently, I have worked closely plea from Chris for new committee moved to Toddington, Bedfordshire, with Central Bedfordshire Council members that I offered to help. Be- in 1989 where I have been active in trying to ensure that way-marking fore I knew it, Chris had persuaded protection of rights of way for nearly along other sections of the Icknield me to consider being the new chair- 20 years. I walk my dog on the Way in Bedfordshire are correctly man and I was elected at the 2011 paths locally, whenever possible with marked because I think this is AGM held at Wallington! my wife and children, but always essential to anyone following a long- with a pair of secateurs handy! distance path. I believe the IWA has a challenge to maintain the active involvement of I run my own company which calcu- Through the Central Bedfordshire & highway authorities during these lates the energy used by street lights Luton Local Access Forum, I have tight financial times, but the enthusi- for four of the six local authorities pursued the cause of ‘least restric- asm and effort of its members will tive’ access. This has resulted in a ensure that the Icknield Way contin- along the route, as well as about 100 structures policy being adopted and ues to retain its recognition as an authorities across England, Scotland a steady reduction in the number of established long distance route. & Wales. My family commitments stiles across the county. There are and community activity have to be now just two stiles between balanced with keeping the business Downs and Sundon Hills financially supporting my family! along the (and that landowner refuses all requests I have taken an interest in the to replace them with gates!) How- Icknield Way Path and have ensured ever, the overall situation is a that the route in my locality has been marked improvement allowing much way-marked. When the fifth edition easier access for pedestrians of all of the guide book was being ages and abilities. prepared, I challenged Tony North- wood when he wished to take the So, although I have been local eyes route away from Toddington – the and ears along the Way for quite a compromise was the Toddington while, keeping in touch with Tony alternative route! Northwood, it wasn’t until last year’s

LESLEY BLUNDELL—SECRETARY

I was born in Manchester and trained including public libraries, archives, I am a long-standing member of the originally as a librarian. Except for 3 museums, information and advice Prehistoric Society and secretary of years as a Government policy adviser offices and the provision of inter- the North Archaeologi- on libraries and archives, I spent my preters. That was the day-job, cal Society. whole career working in local govern- which I enjoyed thoroughly and ment. from which I retired in 2007. My other historical interests include Richard III (I’m an ardent Ricardian) For 25 years I worked at Directorial My real passion, though, was al- and the myths and reality behind the level, managing a range of services ways history and in 1979 I obtained Arthurian legends. When not ab- an external degree in mediaeval sorbed in the past I’m a keen gar- history from London University. dener and animal lover with a menag- Gradually, my historical interests erie of dogs, cats and fish. Last but moved backwards in time until I not least I’m a devoted great-aunty to arrived at the Iron Age and prehis- Isabella, Jack, Ethan and Sam. tory. My interest in the Icknield Way was It was at this point that I discovered first sparked when I came across the first archaeology and then palaeo- route-markers at various points while anthropology, the study of human walking my dogs in the Chilterns and I origins, and during retirement this got involved with the IWA to help sus- led me to an MSc in palaeo- tain and promote the Path both for anthropology and palaeolithic historical reasons and as a keen archaeology. walker.

A wind-blown Lesley— no prizes for guessing where! KNETTISHALL HEATH—SAVED FOR THE NATION!

Following overwhelming and Swathes of heather and tufted hair- ponies to Knettishall Heath to help main- generous support by mem- grass mingle with sheep’s sorrel and tain the more open landscape of Breck bers of the Wildlife harebell on the acid soils, with quak- Heath and scattered trees which are Trust and other local peo- ing grass and dropwort on chalk. Of needed by so many unique Breckland ple, including the Icknield the more than 12,500 species living species. in the Brecks, 30% are nationally Way Association, the Trust is rare. Some, like grey carpet moth now the proud custodian of and maiden pink, found at Knettishall Knettishall Heath. Very few Heath, are a speciality of the Brecks. places are this special. For centuries, rabbits have main- Knettishall Heath is an ancient tained the short species-rich turf and place and echos of the past are patches of bare ground which many etched into the landscape. The Breckland plants and animals de- Bronze Age round barrow, Hut Hill pend on. The remains of an 18th dates from 2400-1500BC and (our) century rabbit warren at Knettishall Icknield Way, which links to the Heath are a reminder of a time when at Knettishall Heath, rabbits were an important part of the is possibly the oldest route in Brit- Breckland economy. ain, dating back to 4000BC. The impact of myxomatosis, intro- Maiden Pink Dianthus deltoides (Photo: Peter Wakeley, Natural England) Breckland is one of the UK’s biodi- duced in the 1950’s, was catastro- versity hotspots and the designa- phic and rabbit numbers here have tion of much of Knettishall Heath as never recovered. Over the past 60 a Site of Special Scientific Interest years, without rabbits to keep them Grid reference (SSSI) reflects this. Indeed Knettis- in check, birch scrub and bracken TL956807 (car park, reserve entrance) hall Heath is one of Suffolk’s larg- have spread into the open heath. est surviving areas of Breckland The aerial photographs of Knettishall Parking 3 car parks. £1 charge for main car park by heath, extending to more than 180 Heath record this marked increase in toilets Hectares (434 acres). scrub cover. If this trend continues there is a risk many of the more spe- Local Facilities The local geological conditions at cialist Breckland species will be lost. Toilets open from April to October. Knettishall Heath have created a Ice cream van most days during school holi- mix of sandy and chalk soils which As the Trust has already done on days and Spring/Summer weekends have given rise to an especially rich their Sandlings nature reserves, they plant community. plan to introduce a herd of Exmoor Access There are four trails around the reserve be- tween 1 and 2.5 miles in length including an all access trail around the river. Paths are generally good but can occasion- ally be muddy in winter. Plan of Knettishall Heath. The Icknield Dogs Way Path follows the Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a western boundary lead during the bird nesting season from 1st March to 31st July. southwards from the car park With thanks to the Suffolk Wildlife Trust for the information contained in this article.

A CENTENARY OR TWO FOR THE PATH FANCY A WALK?

A few years ago I saw an article in His 1915 poem In Memoriam reads: The Australian newspaper. It caught my eye for two reasons: firstly, the The flowers left thick at nightfall in the The following are a selection of person writing was a friend of mine, wood walks in Icknield Way country be- Kitty Hauser; secondly, as you can This Eastertide call into mind the men, ing arranged by different groups: see, it was an eye-catching and col- Now far from home, who, with their ourful work. The English painter, sweethearts, should Sunday June 24th 10am Spencer Gore (1878–1914), was the Have gathered them and will do never Borrough Green son of a Wimbledon tennis champion again. and he studied painting at the Slade. His painting ‘The Icknield Way’ now The find rekindled my interest in the [email protected] hangs in the Art Gallery of New Icknield Way. I could walk it and read South Wales. his book, I thought, as a way of cele- brating these centenaries. I now plan I liked the painting very much. Kitty’s to do just this in 2012, in early June, article told me that the Way was one carrying Thomas’s The Icknield Way, a Sunday June 24th 10am of the oldest paths in Britain. I al- guidebook, and not very much else if I Beacon ready had plans to spend three can help it. I have enlisted friends to months in Cambridge, so I joined the join me, so that indolence doesn’t Eric 01582 535515 Association. I did come to England change my mind again. (Lea & Icknield RA Gp) but, alas, never got a chance to see the Icknield Way, and my ambition to Readers are very welcome to join my walk along it faded. small celebrations. We could share a meal in a pub along the way, or gather Three years later, in December at the beginning or end of the walk. I 2011, I was in my father’s second- fancy raising a glass of ale to the Sunday July 22nd 10am hand bookshop in central Victoria, ancient Way and to two men who Icknield Way—Knettishall Heath Australia. My father, who is 85, never had the chance to become old 11 miles opens his shop every day, and never themselves — writer and poet Edward fails to remark that not enough peo- Thomas, and painter Spencer Gore, Mike 01953 994931 ple come in to buy books from him. who died of pneumonia in 1914, age (Newmarket RA Gp) 36. I hope he didn’t get it sitting there In the shop there was a book with a painting the Icknield Way in the rain! title in gold on its blue cover — The Icknield Way — by Edward Thomas, Bernadette Hince published in 1913. Thomas, who had 9 Lalor Street, Ainslie, ACT 2602 Sunday August 12th 10am a wife and three children, died in AUSTRALIA West Wratting, Cambs action in the Battle of Arras in 1917, [email protected] at the age of 39. Jim 01638 780415

(East Cambs RA Gp)

Sunday September 30th 10am Icknield Way—Shelterhouse Corner Richard 01284 755744 (Newmarket RA Gp)

Tuesday December 11th 10am Woodditton, Cambs

Jim 01638 780415 (East Cambs RA Gp)

Spencer Gore’s painting : The Icknield Way 1912 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011

The twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Associa- Nearing Wallington once again, our route passed through tion was held at Wallington, a small village just east Bury Farm, the setting for George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. It of . This is the second settlement encoun- is now a beautifully kept mixed arable farm with a suckler tered (going east) on the Icknield Way Path as it beef herd. Sadly, Wallington no longer has a pub so, on our follows a meandering route south of, and avoiding, return, those wishing to quench their thirst found their way the busy A505 dual carriageway between Baldock to the ‘Moon and Stars’ at Rushden, not far away! and Royston. With several more members turning up, the afternoon A group of about ten members met for the traditional meeting was a happy and relaxed occasion with a positive morning walk at the village hall (see photo, right!) feeling as new people were elected on to the committee. which was led by David Allard. Wallington has Useful discussions helped to focus the Association on the achieved an element of fame as being a former home way forward and some of the gaps in the wardening of the writer Eric Blair , better known as George network were filled. Tom Chevalier and John Boardman Orwell, so David included Mr Blair’s shop and the introduced themselves and thanks were extended to Chris church where Blair was married on his route! James and David Northrop for their long years of support.

Leaving the village on the Icknield Way Path leading Finally, members enjoyed a good tea! south-west towards Clothall, the group enjoyed wonderful views across the open and rolling arable landscape below the boulder-clay plateau. This area was once unenclosed common, part of the much more extensive chalk ‘heath’ that extended from Baldock to Royston.

Crossing the A507 with care we soon began to climb (very gently) Ashanger Hill into Clothall. Clothall is a very small settlement so it didn’t take long to pass through it and on to the . This follows attractive footpaths north-eastwards through ash/maple woodlands. Although no deer were seen, the woods are popular resting places for fallow and muntjac deer—a challenge for the owners trying to grow and harvest crops of wood-fuel from coppice.

IWA ACCOUNTS AGM 2012

At the end of the financial year, the Association’s finances stood in a healthy position with a combined Burrough Green, balance in both accounts of almost £5, 430.00, thus providing a safe amount for embarking on another south of Newmarket edition of the guide book.

Combined income from subscriptions (£257.50), book sales (£405.96) and a very modest bank interest Saturday 13th October (£1.84!) totalled £665.30. Against this income, expenditure totalled £141.24 comprising committee expenses (£57.77), AGM expenses (£43.50) and website expenses (£39.97). However, if the cost of Meet at the ‘Reading Room’ printing and distribution of newsletters had been (between parish church and included in this year’s accounts, there would have been an operating deficit instead of a surplus. (These school) at 10.15am for a walk expenses had not yet been re-claimed.) along the Icknield Way David Northrop suggested that this situation might indicate the need to consider an increase in subscrip- commencing at 10.30am. tion rates to be proposed at the next AGM. The Back at the hall at 2pm committee agreed to look into this, along with ways of reducing costs of the newsletter. for the meeting. JOHN BOARDMAN—TREASURER SNIPPETS

I first started walking the Icknield While in Buxton, as well as lectur- THE IWP ON FILM . . . Way in 1975 when, as a result of ing in business management, I also The Association has been approached work, I moved from Manchester to managed the finances of the by film-maker Luisetta Mudie who is Hitchin. A backpack, a baby Buxton Civic Association, a charity planning a brief film on the Icknield Way daughter and the chalk paths owning almost 200 acres of wood- based around a range of interviews proved perfect relaxation for all. lands around Buxton. It also focusing on why the Way inspires the Of course there was no guidebook owned and ran the Poole’s Cavern individual concerned, and to be filmed then; it was a matter of finding show cave. It was good experience “on site”. tracks marked with ‘olde’ lettering managing a £500,000 redevelop-

on the OS maps. We gradually ment project and helping double Her aim is to create a short film for managed to get from the edges of annual income to the same figure. showing in a community context and to Luton to Ashwell and in 1985 Gil and I devised a ten mile circular use this to gain funding for something caught up with the second edition walk round Buxton through the longer. of the official guide and became different woods owned by the asso-

members around 1990, over 20 ciation. We called it the “Ring of Some of the committee have had an years ago. Mainly by courtesy of Trees” and you can access it from initial meeting and offered support and grandparents, we had fitted in the BCA website if you are ever in we are awaiting Luisetta’s detailed some good walks – the Dales Way, the High Peak. plans. the , and much of , but the increase in the numbers of children to four restricted the walking options! So I . . . AND TV? did other stuff, such as flying small Flame TV (who have produced such aeroplanes and studying photogra- BBC programmes as Heir Hunters, and phy, helping my wife Gil with her kit Saints and Scroungers) got in touch with car and, of course earning money! us as part of their research for develop- Gil’s first home, after university, ing a series of programmes on “the was on the Icknield Way in Letch- oldest roads” , exploring what has worth. changed and what has remained the same for centuries. As the children left home (officially) we started to get out more. We They intend using a mix of well-known finished the Icknield Way and the faces and specialists in history and ar- Peddars Way and then the Thames chaeology. Path. We used the opportunity of early retirement and a move to The IWA has provided them with some Buxton to be able to support the Family changes brought us south ideas and look forward to hearing how older part of the family. Here we once more, this time to Sawtry and their design develops. made the most of the walking po- a new range of rather flatter walks! tential over the next few years – the We completed the Hereward Way Cheshire Ring, the Trans Pennine last year, and are well established Trail, the Gritstone Trail, the White on the and enjoy- A CENTENARY CELEBRATION Peak Way, the Staffordshire Way, ing fortnightly walks with the Stilton In 2013 it will be 100 years since the most of the and so Stumblers! And, of course, we were first publication of The Icknield Way by on – up to 400 miles of trails a year. able to re-establish our links with Edward Thomas, a favourite book of the IWA. Pending other volunteers, many IWA members. And one of these was the result of we are looking after the last 16 an article in an IWA newsletter miles of the Way as wardens which The IWA has been in touch with The which described a charity walk for fits well with our plans for the round Edward Thomas Fellowship with a view the Keech Hospice in Luton. The walk from Kings Lynn via a to exploring ideas and opportunities for walkers said that having completed bit of Iceni Way, North Norfolk joint activities, such as guided walks and the Icknield Way, they planned to Coast Path, Weavers Way, and permanent celebratory memorials. They go all the way to Lyme Regis so we back to Knettishall are keen to work with us to develop contacted Robin Radford the Heath once more! events and, perhaps, information boards organiser and joined their small at suitable places on the route. group for the final link, the Wessex Meanwhile, this year is the 30th Ridgeway. This completed our walk anniversary for the Boardman- Other ideas would be very welcome. from Holme-next-the-Sea to Lyme Tasker Charitable Trust so there is Regis, over 400 miles from coast to a commemorative calendar to be coast. It was a lovely walk with designed, a big event at the Kendal wonderful people and we owe a Mountain Festival in November to great deal to the IWA newsletter sort out, and all this walking to and that little article. enjoy!

VOLUNTARY ROUTE WARDENS

Maps 1-3 to A5 Helen Fletcher-Rogers [email protected]

Maps 4, 33-34 A5 to Sundon Hills Country Park Tom Chevalier [email protected]

Maps 5,6 Sundon Hills to Hexton-Lilley Rd Carol Bond [email protected]

Maps 7-10 Hexton-Lilley Road to Baldock Liz Hunter [email protected]

Maps 11-15 Baldock town centre to Heydon David Allard [email protected]

Maps 16-19 Heydon to Linton James Quantrill 01279 653899

Maps 20-21 Linton to Willingham Green Roger & Janet Moreton [email protected]

Maps 22-27 Willingham Green to Phil Prigg [email protected]

Maps 28-29 Icklingham to D-house Vacant

Maps 30-32 D-house to Knettishall Heath Edward Wortley [email protected]

Maps 35-36 Barrows Corner to Thetford (Thetford Link) Vacant

IWA COMMITTEE

Chairman: Tom Chevalier 22 Byfield Close, Toddington, Dunstable, LU5 6BH. [email protected] (01525 873986)

Secretary: Lesley Blundell 7 Church Street, Shillington, Nr Hitchin, SG5 3LH. [email protected]

Treasurer: John Boardman 11 Green End Road, Sawtry, Huntingdon, PE28 5UX. [email protected] (01487 831937)

Editor: Chris James 56 Back Street, Ashwell, Baldock, SG7 5PE. [email protected] (01462 742684)

Website, Membership and Guide Book Sales: Sue Prigg 1 Edgeborough Close, Kentford, Newmarket, CB8 8QY [email protected] (01638 751289)

Auditor: David Allard [email protected]

Committee Member: Gil Boardman [email protected] Address as for John

Committee Member: Phil Prigg [email protected] Address as for Sue

HITCHIN RAIL LINK (a.k.a. The Hitchin Swerve!)

Network Rail is building a new fly- The flyover will change the view for walkers and riders over at Hitchin to prepare for in- using the route between Ickleford and Wilbury Hill, although the route it- creased demand on the East Coast self will not be directly affected. Main Line. The new flyover will create a link between the East Coast Main Line and Cambridge which will:  Allow more services per hour to and from London  Reduce delays by nearly 30,000 minutes each year, making the railway more punctual and reli- able  Allow Network Rail to keep a Hitchin-Cambridge line open during essential maintenance to the other line

By taking the Cambridge line over the East Coast Main Line, rather than across it, Hitchin - Cambridge trains will no longer have to cross three other lines. This will increase Artist’s impression of the view from footbridge at Ickleford capacity and make the railway before completion of the flyover (top) and after (below). more reliable. (Photo: Network Rail)

GUIDE BOOK WEB-SITE ROUTE WARDENS

New 6th edition IWA website newly HELP! now available from revised and updated THE ICKNIELD WAY the Icknield Way PATH NEEDS YOU! Field Notes website Guide book Do you have a few hours to (you can buy your new A5 spiral bound and spare about twice a year? walker’s guide here!) laminated Would you like to explore Detailed maps for each Getting around new territory? section of the route Useful links and updates Membership Newly retired and need Descriptive sections on (you can join the IWA here!) something different to do? geology, landform, archaeology, flora and Photo Gallery Do you live near Thetford? ornithology Contact page Please help us by becoming Fascinating snippets on local (you can tell us about your a route warden history walking experiences and send us photos here!)

Important information about Contact secretary for route changes icknieldwaypath.co.uk further information