Walk 724 - Bradfield, Stanford Dingley, Rotten Row & Chapel Row

On Sunday 3rd August, nineteen of us, including two new walkers trying us out, met at 9am outside the Bladebone Inn in the hamlet of Chapel Row for a 7.5 mile walk. The early start meant that we would hopefully enjoy walking in the cooler part of the day and we would avoid the rain that was forecast for the afternoon.

Before starting the walk, we learnt a few interesting facts about the area. The sign at the entrance to the inn is most unusual and local legend would have you believe that it was from a mammoth which terrorised the local inhabitants until as one, they trapped and killed it, burying the beast on the banks of the river. However, the bone is actually from a whale that was found at the beginning of the 17th century in the Kennet valley and the bone is now encased in copper. The fact that it is hanging outside the inn is a mystery, but might suggest that the inn sold whale oil which was used in the 19th century as oil for lamps.

The road to Chapel Row from Bradfield is lined with huge oak trees, which were planted to commemorate the visit of Elizabeth I to Bucklebury in 1568. Additional trees have since been planted in celebration of victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and again in 1972 to welcome Queen Elizabeth II. More recently Princess Anne planted an oak as a birthday present to the Queen Mother on her eightieth birthday and further rows of oaks were planted to commemorate the Millenium and to mark the marriage of Prince William to Catherine Middleton.

For the first section of the walk, we headed northwest along the edge of Chapel Row Common to take a path northwards, past St Anne's Farm and St Crispin's Farm, enjoying lovely views over the Pang Valley. After passing a wonderful row of poplar trees, we then headed east, crossing a field to follow the path up through Kings Copse. On leaving Kings Copse, we passed some pretty cottages before continuing downhill along a shaded path. We soon arrived at a road, from where we headed east past some very tall sunflowers and then uphill through Jennetshill Wood, which is reputed to be haunted by a veiled woman who walks under the shelter of the trees. We soon arrived at a small cluster of houses in the picturesque hamlet of Rotten Row. Leaving the hamlet, a short but steep ascent led to a pathway between banks, creating the impression of walking through a tunnel.

Continuing through fields towards Fishers Copse and past Horse Leas, we then reached the extensive grounds and golf course belonging to Bradfield College, which dominates the centre of Bradfield and village life there. A footpath led us through woodland and an avenue of large trees, before joining the road into the village. At the crossroads we made two left turns and passed by the art department. Just past the village church, our route then took us along the River Pang before following paths along the edges of fields past Bradfield Hall Farm.

It was here that we headed northwest, crossing over the River Pang and walking through fields to join a road, before taking a footpath west between hedges and through fields of sheep to enter the very picturesque village of Stanford Dingley by the church. From Stanford Dingley, we followed the road to the west before taking a footpath south. A short stretch across fields took us back to the Bladebone Inn along the bridleway from which the walk had started.

By the time we arrived back at Chapel Row, it was several degrees warmer than when we set off. The walk finished with many of us enjoying refreshments at the Bladebone Inn or tea, coffee and cakes The Blackbird Café next door. Just as we were saying our goodbyes, the first drops of the forecast rain began to fall!

Thanks go to Sue for leading this walk and for writing it up.

Social Event - Ceilidh

As part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, the Berkshire Walkers (20s and 30s group) organised a Ceilidh (Scottish or Irish organised dancing) and kindly invited us to join them. Some of us in our group started off in the BWs before the BWW group was formed, so it was nice to be included in their celebrations. It took place on Saturday 2nd August at Pangbourne Village Hall.

Some of us were a little nervous about organised dancing, but each dance was explained by the caller before it started and instruction were given during the dance, so no expertees was required. Caution was soon thrown to the wind as we realised that none of us were experts, but we were all having fun trying. This certainly wasn't Strictly Come Dancing and no-one was judging anyone else.

Some soft drinks were provided, and at the half-time interval, a variety of cakes were served as part of the 25th anniversary celebration.

Thanks go to the BW subcommittee that organised the Ceilidh

Social Event - Jurassic Adventure Golf

On one of the hottest days of the year (Saturday 12th July) six of us took a break from our rambles to take on the light-hearted challenge of the Jurassic adventure golf course, complete with fibreglass dinosaurs and rock formations.

Petrina was the star of the show, getting two holes in one en-route to getting the lowest score.

Mark had a hole in one of his own, and we all had fun negotiating the humps twists and turns and awkwardly-placed tunnels that you usually get in crazy golf.

After that, we had drinks and lunch at the bar. Then, whilst most of us departed, Karen and Steve took on the shade-less pitch and putt course, in intrepid fashion given the oppressive heat!

Thanks go to Richard for organising the social event and writing it up. Steve provided the photos.

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