DORSET FOOTNOTES Newsletter of the Dorset Area of the Ramblers Association ISSUE NO. 71 Summer 2015 THE BIG PATHWATCH – REVIEW, SHARE, REPAIR his summer the Ramblers will be calling on all walkers to help with its biggest and most ambitious Tfootpath survey. The Big Pathwatch is the only project that aims not only to walk every right of way in England and Wales to find out what state the paths are in, but also to help fix any problems. Walkers will be able to download the free Big Pathwatch smartphone app and share their experiences as they walk every right of way within a specific grid square. There will also be the option to print off a survey from the website, and then upload findings to the website afterwards. Those with smartphones will be asked to share the positive features of the walk, the beautiful views or interesting landscapes they see, as well as noting any problems they encounter. The results of the Big Pathwatch will allow the Ramblers to create a comprehensive report on the state of the path network, which will be used to campaign for its upkeep, and to inform local authorities. Importantly, the results will enable the Ramblers to come up with other long term solutions to ensure the path network is protected for years to come. The project will be officially launched on 13 July, and all Ramblers members will be encouraged to sign up and pick a square to survey. Keep an eye out for pre-registration on the Ramblers website http://www. ramblers.org.uk/pathwatch If you would like to be kept informed of developments, or need more information, please contact Jan Wardell (details page 11). The Big Pathwatch is generously funded by the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust. Jan Wardell AREA PUBLICITY – MEMBERSHIP IS ON THE UP – KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK es – we’ve done it! A year after I reported that the rate of membership decline had slowed, I can Ynow report that Dorset Ramblers Membership has been up for each of the six months ending with February 2015. This has reversed the previous 11 month decline – no mean feat. I want to thank all the volunteers who’ve helped out with publicity activities in the past year. There is still a lot to be done, membership increase has only been in single figures for most months. I’m now looking to focus the retention of existing members and promotion of the Ramblers’ brand to the public. We’ve got a great opportunity this year with our double celebration of the Ramblers’ 80th birthday and the 20th anniversary of the Jubilee Trail. I’m keen to find out which newspapers publish our press releases so if anybody sees a reference to either of the above then please let me know at [email protected] or on 01202 315320. As ever we’ve taken a stall at the Dorset County Show on the weekend of 5th-6th September 2015. The Gillingham Walking Festival is on the same weekend so Jan Wardell and I will need all the volunteers we can find – so please get in touch using the contact details above. We’re always looking for new events to attend, so let us know of any other suitable outdoor-themed events that might want an additional stall next year – preferably not events in early September. Finally, we’d love to have feedback on what the Ramblers does well and/or what else we should be providing for our members or the public in general. Retaining the loyal members we have is as important as attracting new ones, and at the moment we have no information on what this requires. Any ideas gratefully received on the above contact details. Thank you. Cheryl Whittle THE RAMBLINGS OF THREE RUSTY ZIPS & CATHAY n occasional series on the meanderings of three late middle-aged Agentlemen and a papillon through Dorset and beyond. Part two of the 293 mile Monarch’s Way walk from Castle Cary to Shoreham-on-Sea. (Ed Part one is in Footnotes 69). The Monarch’s Way – Stage 12 Trent to Wincanton (14 miles) Early February 2012; a very cold day with temperatures just below freezing and a bitterly cold wind necessitated gloves and outdoor gear not worn for many a long day. It was a beautiful sunny day with extensive views looking over to the Dorset hills. We had previously checked that The Kings Arms at Charlton Horethorne was open and dog friendly; on arrival we were greeted as special visitors and told not to remove our boots. After a substantial lunch washed down with a couple of pints of real ale we meandered along for a couple of hours to our destination at The Nog Inn at Wincanton. Here spouse Diana and daughter Jenny were waiting to transport us back to Trent. The Monarch’s Way – Stage 13 Wincanton to Hindon (15½ miles) We arrived in the mist at Wincanton. As the sun did not break through until lunch time there were no views to be had and reliance on waymarks was greater than usual. However we eventually found our way to The Butt of Sherry in Mere, a typical town pub with good beer, basic pub grub, and a very friendly Dutch couple as landlords. Suitably refreshed we set off in weak sunshine to walk the remaining 6½ miles to Hindon. The route took us close to East Knoyle, the birthplace of Christopher Wren, from where we followed downland tops with expansive views all around. We were met at The Grosvenor Arms by Diana and friend to be chauffeured back to Wincanton. The Monarch’s Way – Stage 14 Hindon to Great Wishford (14½ miles) We set off in high spirits on a warm dry March day to be informed later that this had been one of the warmest March days recorded. Easy going with gentle hill climbs. As the official route traverses some quite remote areas with virtually no habitation we made a diversion to Chilmark for lunch at The Black Dog. After a pleasant lunch washed down with Wadsworth’s 6X we retraced our steps back to the trail and continued along the Ox Drove to Great Wishford. Here we crossed the road to rendezvous with spouse Diana at The Swan in Stotford for tea and cake before being driven back to our car in Hindon. The Monarch’s Way – Stage 15 Great Wishford to Middle Winterslow (14½ miles) We arrived at Great Wishford on a dry but overcast day. The morning walk was across beautiful Wiltshire downland with outstanding views but unfortunately the dull weather prevented us from spying the spire of Salisbury cathedral which can be seen on a clear day. We soon reached the Woodford Valley and from the hill we could just see the roof and chimneys of Heale House where Charles II found refuge on his escape to Shoreham. Due to time constraints we did not stop off at the house but continued to the Winterborne Arms at Dauntsey for a fine lunch and real ale. Our journey then took us across the Iron Age hill fort Figsbury Ring and the A30 to our destination – The Lion’s Head Inn at Middle Winterslow. Unfortunately the hostelry did not open until later in the evening and spouse Diana had had to wait in her car for our arrival. The Monarch’s Way – Stage 16 Middle Winterslow to Mottisfont (13 miles) After the wettest April on record the rain showed no sign of abating as we drove to the start of this stage at The Lion’s Head Inn. However as we set off at 10:00 the rain ceased and remained dry until light rain started just before our lunch stop at The Boot Inn, Houghton. The Boot Inn is a pleasant community pub with good beer and excellent pub grub. Reluctantly we decided we had to leave and as we started to don our waterproofs the rain miraculously stopped and it remained dry for the rest of the day. We were met at Mottisfont Abbey by Diana with a well-deserved cuppa at the National Trust teashop before being driven back to our car. The Monarch’s Way – Stage 17 Mottisfont to Owlsbury (17½ miles) We caught the 08:20 train from Wool to Southampton where we changed for the 09:37 train to Mottisfont. From the station we walked to the trail and followed 10 miles of pleasant verdant views culminating in a 2 woodland walk into Hursley where we lunched at The Dolphin. The afternoon walk was a lovely mix of fields, bridleways, rivers and downland. In particular Shawford Down was a delightful place at the top of an escarpment with outstanding views across the countryside with Winchester cathedral just visible. At Owlsbury we were met by spouse Kim who had been working in London. The Monarch’s Way – Stage 18 Owlsbury to Hambledon (20 miles) We left Dorset at 08:00 for the drive to Owlsbury. The previous three weeks had given us the wettest June for a century and the forecast was not good. The morning walk contained a wide variety of walking from fields and woods to tracks and downs and though overcast and threatening the rain did not start until close to lunch. After donning waterproofs in a nearby barn we continued to our lunch stop. However due to the heavy rain we missed a left turn and added two miles to our walk. Using smartphone technology we soon located our position and with Tim’s excellent map reading we were soon back on course to arrive at The George & Falcon in Warnford.