Walking 3 – Monday 18th September We will be visiting the New Lount nature reserve and surrounding area for a walk of approx. 4.5 miles. Address:- Melbourne Road, Newbold Coleorton, LE67 8JH (Free car park). Quickest route – A50 take the left slip road signed Copt Oak. To Copt Oak traffic lights turn right then left to Whitwick. Through Whitwick (just past garage on your right) take the left turn to Peggs Green. At the top of the hill with the church on your left go straight over at the crossroads. Turn right and then immediately left – keep going until you reach the main Rempstone Rd (Gelsmoor Inn on the right). Turn left then immediately right onto the Melbourne Rd. Look out for the entrance to the nature reserve on the left hand side. This is a fairly easy walk with no stiles & mainly grass tracks or wide farm tracks. A fairly steep climb up steps to the lakes & one other slight incline. There is only one small area where it may be muddy. No livestock. But they do use the woods for shoots!! No toilets or refreshment so bring your own (refreshments that is!). There are a number of information boards throughout the colliery site well worth reading if you don’t know this area. Lunch afterwards will be at the Ferrers Arms – https://www.ferrersarmspub.co.uk/menus/main-menu-ln17 where they do a buy one get one free menu. Numbers and menu choice required by Friday 15th Sept – Please reply to Dot as I will be away until the 17th Sept. For info - New Lount is a 19.5-hectare mixed reserve of species-rich grassland, ponds, plantation woodland and scrub that sits within The National Forest, on the site of the former New Lount colliery. It was the shortest-lived colliery in the area, which operated from 1924-1968. The reserve offers relaxing walks and extensive views across to Breedon on the Hill. Three wetland pools near the top of the tip were created in 1986 to safeguard plants threatened by nearby open casting. The old tarmac areas of the sidings remain intact as a reminder of the site's past and you will see the old rail tracks in places. New Lount was the last deep mine in Coleorton parish which, when closed, ended 500 years of deep mining in the parish. The reserve is teeming with wildlife (flora and fauna). It is an interesting and one of my favourite walks. Gill .