38 / 68
38
M
y first foray into the world of the West
Berkshire Ramblers took place on
a grey Tuesday morning, with the
promise of rain in the air – but that
wasn’t going to stop any of the large crowd of
walkers that were patiently waiting in the pub
car park.
Just the sort of sporting attitude one can get
on board with.
I clocked a look of relief from the group leader,
as I swiftly changed from my flip-flops into
more suitable walking shoes and promptly
joined the group as they headed off through
the village to start the six-mile walk around the
village of Letcombe Regis.
VILLAGES AND VALES
It wasn’t long before we had passed through
the charming village and into the countryside
of the Vale of White Horse, an area which sat
within the Berkshire boundary until 1974,
before most of it was incorporated into the
neighbouring county of Oxfordshire.
The walk was largely flat – as is most of the
vale – and went through picturesque fields,
alongside tiny streams and through gorgeous
villages.
A particular highlight was the village of
Childrey, with its charming duck pond, quaint
cottages and enticing coffee shop – the
promise of a coffee and cake would have
proven far too alluring had I not been with the
rambling group.
Fortunately, one tradition of the group is to stop
for a flask of tea and snack halfway through the
walk, and the porch of St Lawrence’s in West
Challow proved the perfect spot.
The first walkers into the churchyard got the
posh seats on the benches, while those of
us bringing up the rear got to perch on the
grassy banks – and even the dogs were happy,
splashing about in the stream that passes by.
Walking with a group that had been on these
walks before meant that I was able to learn so
much about the countryside we were in.
Passing through one particular meadow, I
was advised to look out for roe deer that
could often be seen in a certain field, and just
a few moments later, as we rounded a bend in
the path, we spotted a magnificent group
– something we may have missed if we
hadn’t been with those in the know.
TRAIL BEGINNINGS
It was way back in 1932 when it all began on
Kinder Scout, a moorland plateau in what is
now known as the Peak District.
On 24 April, groups of ramblers from
Manchester and Sheffield held a mass
trespass on the land, clashing with the
gamekeepers of local landowners.
Things turned violent and several ramblers
were arrested and imprisoned, but over the
following weeks, larger organised trespasses
were held and public opinion swayed in favour
of the ramblers.
These trespasses led the way to the
establishment of our much-loved National
Parks, long distance footpaths and
eventually to the Countryside and Rights of
Way Act 2000, which granted unprecedented
unrestricted access to thousands of square
kilometres of countryside.
As the West Berkshire Ramblers celebrate 50 years of
striding across the countryside, BEN PALFREYMAN
joins them on one of their mid-morning walks and
discovers they’re more than just a social group – they
help maintain public pathways too – and many rambles
also include a stop for a well-earned drink and a bite to
eat at the nearest pub
It’s a fact
West Berkshire Ramblers currently have 354
members.
Their Tuesday walks regularly attract around 25
members – on a sunny day this can rise to 40
several times a year.
RAMBLING ON
LesleyWebb, Chris Reynolds, and Sue Green,
at St Lawrence’s Church,West Challow