Walking Section

FORTHCOMING WALKS

We are an informal, friendly group and always open to welcoming new members.  If you are considering joining us or would like further information, please contact any member of the walking group or use the CONTACT US page and we will put you in touch with the group. 

And just to remind you, the Walking Group now owns three excellent walk books that were kindly donated to us by Pauline and John should you like to borrow them at any time.  The book titles are: 50 Walks in Wiltshire, Wiltshire Rambles and Short Walks from Wiltshire Pubs.

NEXT WALK

AVEBURY WALK, Wednesday 5th November 2025

The walk itself is approximately 2 miles, mainly on firm paths. If it rains it could get a little muddy. There is one small hill which should be ok for everyone.  If we could meet in the car park for 10:30 with a set off at 10:45. It is a NT car park so remember your membership card if you have one.

RECENT WALKS

MALMESBURY WALK – Thursday 25th September 2025

The Walking Group faced a little more challenging walk around Malmesbury than of recent past as it is somewhat hilly!  12 of us set off on the walk at a quiet pace that was about two miles in length.  As we climbed to the town centre from the car park, we read each of the plaques that outlined some of Malmesbury’s history that were set into the steps.

The walk was mostly on pavement and sound paths with only one short section of softer ground.  We explored the lovely town that is Malmesbury taking in the Abbey, its quaint streets and riverside walk before making the uphill walk through the town centre to our lunch stop.  There were two styles to negotiate, one traditional ‘up and over’ and a second ‘step through’ but they did not present any undue problem.  We enjoyed the magnificent weather the day presented us with making the walk that much more enjoyable.

Colin and Heather presented some interesting facts during the walk about the town, gleaned from their preparational research.  Four items of particular note included:

• England’s first aviator: Eilmer of Malmesbury  –  The 11th century historian William of Malmesbury recorded this early attempt at aviation by the monk Eilmer in c.1005.  Records report: “In his early youth [he] had hazarded an attempt of singular temerity: he had … fastened wings to his hands and feet in order that he might fly … and collection the air, on the summit of a tower, had flown for a distance of a furlong [an 8^th of a mile or 200m]; but agitated by the violence of the wind and a current of air, as well as the consciousness of his rash attempt, he fell and broke both his legs.”

• In the graveyard lies the body of Hannah Twynnoy 33 who was killed by a circus tiger  –  parish records dated 1703 records “Hannah Twynnoy kild by a Tygre at ye White Lyon”.  She was a barmaid working at a pub called the White Lion in Malmesbury in 1703 when a menagerie arrived to set up in the pub’s large rear yard.  Among the animals there was a tiger, which Hannah was warned against upsetting but she liked bothering the animal until one day it got tired of it and mauled her.  Hannah did not survive.

• In 1881, Walter Powell, MP for Malmesbury, took off from the town in his hot air balloon.  He was last seen disappearing over the south coast never to be seen again.
• The town museum houses a Turner painting of Malmesbury Abbey that looks ready to lift off the wall but we have assured that it is suitably protected….

Lunch was at The Whole Hog at the Market Cross in Malmesbury where an excellent meal was had by all.

• Following lunch, we found our way back to the cars by way of an enjoyable walk of about ¾ mile.

We would love to see anyone who may be interested in joining our Walking Group, please contact any of our members or Colin Hill on 01249 655688.

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CALNE WALK – Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Although the weather forecast was for rain, it was decided that as this was to be a ‘town’ walk over sound, metalled surfaces with no muddy areas expected, the walk would take place irrespective of the weather presented on the day. The group met at The Glebe, Calne where there was ample free parking.  We set off at 11:00 taking a meandering walk at a sedate pace which provided the opportunity for convivial conversation and to catch up with each other’s news.

The walk took the group on a ‘Treasure Hunt’ of Calne Blue Plaques.  Although the plaques were not striking in themselves, they added a bit of fun in trying to locate them and the challenge was laid for individuals to be the first to find them.  This led to some competition amongst the more competitive of the group with one even claiming a point because they were the first to ‘find’ a blue plaque that turned out to be a ‘Keep Left’ sign!!  It would be unfair to identify the chap concerned but I am sure Jenny Dickson would have been having a word with her husband on the way home!!  As we paused at each one to read it, we absorbed a little of the history of Calne.

It was an easy(ish) walk of about 2½ miles in length over generally flat terrain (with one small mountaineering section up a short but steep hill) with clean and sound surfaces.  As a point in passing, when Heather and Colin undertook the test walk beforehand, they saw an otter in one of the drainage ditches which was a pleasant surprise for them.  Unfortunately, there was no sign of the otter during the walk itself.

It was pleasing to see that 13 members attended the walk and that three others were able to join us for lunch making 16 in total. Lunch was at the Antica Roma Ristorante in Calne Town centre.  The food was excellent and the conversation more so. Following lunch there was a short walk back to our starting point and the cars.

As always, if anyone would like to join our walks, Louise Fielding would be pleased to hear from you.

COLIN 

CHIPPENHAM WALK – Thursday 13th July 2023

We are grateful to Colin and Heather for arranging the walk around Chippenham and especially to Colin who was our tour guide.   Lunch was enjoyed at The Gladstone Arms in Chippenham.

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BLUEBELL WALK – Thursday 18th May 2023

A huge thank you to Dave and Denise for organising our walk,  which was a great success and as you can see from the photos the bluebells were terrific.  Also a big welcome to Jo Riddeford for joining the walking group today.

I have attached some photos of the group, can you guess which  I took and which Colin took, no prizes for guessing correctly.  After the walk, we all enjoyed a splendid lunch at the Oddfellows Pub in Manton.

Phil

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WALKING GROUP – 10th ANNIVERSARY

The Walking Group celebrated its 10^th anniversary in October

of 2020.  Phil and Neil, the two founding members of the group, didn’t want the occasion to pass unmarked and so put out feelers to the membership to see what might be done.

Colin came up with the idea of holding a ‘Virtual Coffee Morning‘ via Zoom.  This was readily accepted and he was subsequently asked to set it up and to host it.  13 members logged in to the session; those unable to attend having previously sent their regrets but added their best wishes to all.

Phil, as organiser of the group, welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He went on to say how great it was to see and converse with all those present even if we couldn’t meet in person.  Phil thanked the group for their valued support over the last ten years and also gave a big thank you to Colin for organising and hosting the meeting.  There was also a special thank you to Neil for having the inspirational idea of forming a retired members walking group in the first place, getting it off the ground and suggesting a 10th anniversary celebration.  Membership has now grown to 22 walking members together with three non-walking members who join us for lunch when they can.

Neil then followed by reflecting on the ten years of walks.  He remembered the Out of County walks and the fun and fellowship we enjoy within the group.  Neil also emphasised the value of teamwork with every member having contributed to the Walking Groups success over the past ten years.  To assist in bringing back some of our times together, one photograph from each year of the walks has been selected below.

Each member of the group was then invited in turn to say a few words on how they were keeping health wise and how they were coping during this most peculiar time.  Further background was then provided on how we were keeping active, projects we were undertaking, any breaks we were able to take and anything else of general interest.

All enjoyed the meeting and, with its success, all agreed that a Christmas meeting should be arranged (details will be circulated within the group in due course).

We look forward to the Christmas Zoom meeting and, more distantly, to the time when we can again meet in person and enjoy our communal walks.

As always, we are open to new members.  If you would like to join us and help make our next 10 years as enjoyable and successful as the first, please contact Phil or any member of the group, you would be more than welcome.