Short walks in 2021
Decenber 22nd
Take your pick! The route around town used narrow passageways including a fictional place, a private place, a DCC pavement, and a Public Footpath, some were only discovered out of necessity during lockdown. Remember when we were only allowed out of our homes once each day for exercise close to home and we couldn't sit on a bench for a coffee? We always walk at the pace of the slowest person and find somewhere to sit if anyone wishes to have a rest and somewhere suitable if anyone needs a comfort break.
Prostitutes used to meet in Cockles Rise steps. The u3a slogan "Learn LAUGH and Live" was surely tested at this point when the name "Cockles Rise" was queried. Some laughed wholeheartedly and some tongue in cheek! The intriguing little Peeps Lane had been visited previously by hardly anyone present. Curiosity surrounding a plaque "croese i'm cartref" made by a resident during lockdown led to the probable return of a lapsed u3a member.
Buller Square brought about much discussion as to the specific year of the fire which destroyed all five thatched cottages. Here again the u3a slogan "LEARN Laugh and Live" was evident when Googling at home showed it was February 2012. Everyone remembered the generosity of the people of Crediton who contributed to a Town Council scheme but no-one was certain who actually owned the cottages at the time. Local research revealed all the properties were privately owned. The only one to be rebuilt quickly was not insured but the £6,000 raised by the townsfolk came in handy. Those that were insured had problems. One Insurance Company would not pay up without documentary evidence. The problem for that owner was, it was burnt in the fire! There must be a moral to that story somewhere. We all wondered how the name Tolleys came about, but Googling revealed a Mr. Samuel Tolley was born there - didn't take much working out did it?
How "Golden Wonder Crisps" was born.......... We discussed the premises adjacent the north side of the Crediton Inn which was the former Crediton Crisp Company. One of Crediton's eminent historians has a vague memory of a man offering crisps to himself and other boys playing in the Park in the 1950s (sounds dodgy now) and asking for a name to call them............ and so "Golden Wonder" was born.
We gazed from Penton Bank ("Paignton" in the olden days) as Cromwell would have done to inspect his army camped on Lords Meadow. An "n" gauge model train track in the window of a thatched cottage in Penton Lane depicting an extensive Christmas scene brought back many memories.
The tree in the photograph in Peoples Park was discussed at great length. Was it a host for mistletoe, dead mistletoe. or bird nests? Later the advice of an Expert was sought ("Ex" is a has-been and "spert" is a drip under pressure) and the conclusion was "It is Dead Mistletoe." The fictional accessible Dingley Dell remains just that - fictional and accessible. Everyone had time for lots of chatting to catch up and pass around seasonal greetings.
November 24th
Crediton from above
Free cuttings were offered to everyone by a lady who thoroughly enjoys the fresh air and keeping fit by gardening on not just one but two plots at the Community Allotments Barnfield!! See photo showing the last of the Hollyhocks and Clematis. We had sweeping views as far distant as traffic on the bend of the A377 near Ladds Computers where the footpath crosses a field to the Golf Course.
An absorbing impromptu educational talk was given by David Goddard, the seasonal allotment holder who is employed during the growing seasons only, we were very fortunate to catch him on his last visit for the year! He told us of the Workshop Shed (you don't have to be a gardener to use it!) the raised beds, the picnic table and assorted seating, and assistance for less able people, not forgetting the initial help by Tesco's Community Champion Andrew Drayton.
The proposed strolling pace of this 2-3 mile walk changed to a snail's pace due to the members enjoying lots of friendly banter!
We looked down on to the rooftop of Arla where steam is emitted constantly to keep the pressure in balance. Members recalled the traffic control in summer 2021 when two new silos were installed.
From above we viewed the only point in Crediton from which the Norman Tower of Holy Cross - with its pinnacles and flag pole - and the 1970's Spire of St. Boniface can be seen together. Three very old Redwoods could be seen, at Penton, Peoples Park and the Plantation which is Sandford Parish.
From the Public Footpath we moved to Permissive Paths to look down on our new Redlands Community Care building, the Train Station, Crediton Mill, etc. To the West in the far distance we saw Cawsand Beacon (or Cosdon) if you like it that way!
Navigation is made easy when viewing the "Lonesome Pine" top of Raddon because it bows gracefully in the prevailing Westerlies!
Beside QE Lower rugby field we looked down to the Congregational Church and the rooftop of Jackson's factory emitting steam. From here we could see the Communications Antenna just north of Upper Deck. At this point it was easy to see the Ambulance Station where we have two ambulances both manned 24/7. A discussion about the steepness of the building line coming up to this level above town ensued before we retraced our steps to descend to town using the £6,000 handrail!!
October 27th
Friendship, underlying the u3a principles "Learn Laugh and Live" was certainly in evidence on the Golf Club walk. Moya and Margaret, who have now exchanged phone numbers, were very impressed by the kindness shown to them by prospective member Natalia. Molly, a long term member, had talked about walking with Heather for more than a decade and the u3a finally brought it to fruition. Jane Welby, a new member, picked up on friendships from 25 years ago (Jane Innis and Heather.)
It was vital that everyone followed the Public Footpaths which walkers cheerfully did. Nessie who manages the Club House Restaurant provided a range of her home-made cakes which gave us time to re-energise and chat before returning towards the Boniface Centre by 13.00 hrs.
This was a fairly easy walk.
September 22nd
Hello everyone, eleven walkers met in Shobrooke on quite a misty morning. The mist soon cleared and the day warmed up into perfect walking weather.
We started by walking out of the village for a few hundred yards before turning left onto a public footpath and across a fresh ploughed field. Following a footpath sign we walked the perimeter of a field behind Silver Way and School Close and through a gate in the corner, over 2 foot bridges and alongside a dried up leat until we reached Shobrooke Mill.
Here we turned right to walk on the road for a few hundred yards before turning left to cross 2 fields then turning right onto a road which led us up to War Memorial. Here we turned right again and walked down to Shobrooke Church and the Holy Well before returning via the allotments to Silver Way and our parked vehicles.
Most of us relaxed after our walk with a drink and light lunch at the Red Lion.
U3A taster walk Tuesday 21st Sep
Eleven of us met at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre on Tuesday 21st September. We walked away from the centre, past the tennis courts, crossing two fields as well as a footbridge over the river Creedy. On reaching the road we had a slight change of plan and turned right to walk a steady incline towards Shobrooke.
On reaching the war memorial we entered the park through the 'top' gate, ambled back through the beautiful parkland, passing the lakes, to reach the 'bottom' gate, where we turned left onto the road for a few hundred yards before turning right to follow the public footpath back to the Leisure Centre. Perfect weather for walking.
A total of two a three quarter miles.
August 2021
----- Hello walkers, 12 us met at the car park in Copplestone to begin our walk to Penstone, including 2 new walkers, Bridget and Richard. The weather was perfect for a steady walk that was mainly along the road.
We started by crossing the very busy 377 and following the public footpath sign for a few hundred yards through beautiful, well maintained allotments, then onto the road towards the pretty little village of Coleford.
We continued to just before Colebrooke, where there is a turning to the left signposted Penstone. Two of our walkers left us at this point to walk to Penstone before retracing their steps back to the car park and afternoon appointments.
The remaining 10 of us continued up quite a steep ascent towards Colebrooke where there was another road to our left, again signposted to Penstone, but before we took that turning we couldn't resist a quick peek into Colebrooke Church.
----- Then back on track, bypassing the Ford, under the railway bridge, (where we were met by Jane, who is recovering from Covid, so wasn't well enough to do the full walk) the village of Penstone and Penstone Glade, a grassy communal area with picnic tables, where we had our drinks and snacks, then under a new metal and concrete railway bridge, taking the new line to Okehampton, before retracing our steps back to Copplestone.
July Walk
----- Hello everyone, fourteen walkers met at the start of the Millennium Path,on Higher Road,for our walk to Sandford. Maureen, who lives in Sandford met us on the path and walked part of the way with us.
After sheltering from the rain for a few minutes we began our walk along the Millennium Path and through Millennium Green in rather mixed weather,sheltering from the last of the rain once again before continuing to the pretty square at Sandford.
Then past Sandford's two Churches,the Parrish Hall and along Fanny's Lane, walking along the road for a short distance before turning right to walk along the public footpath,back to the Green and the path to the start of our walk on Higher Road, a total of just over three miles.
June 23rd
Eleven walkers met in the car park at Tiverton Canal,a lovely day for walking. We made our way up to the canal basin and began our walk passing the visitor centre,which was closed due to Covid restrictions, admiring the houses and gardens on the opposite side of the canal.
Soon we reached a beautiful stretch of water as we passed through farmland. Having walked under three bridges, and just before the fourth bridge,there is a memorial to Roger Moore and Martin Archard, the crew of the Canberra Bomber which crashed here in 1961.
Within a a few yards at Manley Bridge we left the towpath, walked up to the road, turned right and walked for about a hundred yards before reaching another bridge. At the end of the bridge we took a track to the left. This is the disused branch line of the Great Western Railway. The broad tree lined track led us back to Tiverton.
Sue showed us a quick way back up to the canal car park. We had hoped to have lunch at The Canal Tea Rooms and Garden,but due to the lovely weather,there was quite a queue, so some of us went to The Fisherman's Cot,while Sue, Gill and myself enjoyed a light lunch and a little shopping at Thornes Farm Shop and Cafe.
May 26th
Fourteen walkers met at Steps Bridge to walk through Dunsford Nature Reserve. The weather was quite good as we walked along the river Teign,through various trees, wild garlic,wild primroses,bluebells,birdsong and butterflies.
About two thirds of the way through the Nature Reserve we had the option to return by following the track that took us slightly away from the river,giving us a three mile walk. But we had been told of the beautiful display of bluebells in the meadow,so we all felt able to carry on and we were awarded by a fantastic display of bluebells and wild orchids.
Before long we were at Clifford Bridge,the other entrance to the reserve where we turned back towards Steps Bridge, giving us a total walk of four miles.
Sue hurried back to Crediton for another appointment while the rest of us went to The Walled Tea Garden in Dunsford. We all sat in the garden,in the sunshine enjoying drinks, snacks or light lunches, cakes and scones. All home made.
April walk
Nine of us met outside the church at Brampford Speke to do April's short walk. We started by walking through the church yard, down to the river Exe, and crossing what is described as a wooden bridge, to emerge into a meadow. We passed the station masters house, now privately owned, where there was a cupboard like structure where people can take or donate books, then we began walking beside the river.
After a while we reached a road where we had a choice of doing the longer or shorter route. Because the weather was so cold and damp most of us opted for the shorter route, so we headed towards Barton farm and Barton Cross, then turned right to follow Green Lane, passing some tastefully converted barns, then right again to follow a disused railway line.
Soon we were waking along the river from a different direction, and having completed our circular route, we crossed back over the wooden bridge and made our way back to the church where our cars were parked, except for Laura who had ridden on her bicycle all the way from Crediton.
March 2021
----- SIX of us walked along the lane below the Raddon Hill ridge, up, along, round and across to the Lone Pine where we met the other TWO who chose the direct
route.
It was great once again to meet in a group. Our thanks to Jo Penning who took the photos.
January 2021
Four of us met up at the leisure centre, with Gill and Sue planning tomeet up later. Laura and Gerald went ahead and were soon out of sight while Anne and I walked at a more leisurely pace. Across the fields, a left turn onto the road and then into Shobrooke Park. We came out of the park by the war memorial where we sat on the bench for coffee and to admire the view. After a short distance on the road we did a right turn into another field, again with beautiful views. Then another short distance on the road and a left turn into a field that took along the river and back to our starting point. A cold, bright day that was perfect for walking.
Regards Ann