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On December 4th the Shropshire hills beckoned again when Vic Smith led 12 walkers on a 7½ mile circular route along the ridge from Nipstone Rock, around Rock House outcrop before descending into the valley separating Stiperstones from Linley Hill, the latter being accessed after a short coffee stop. Despite significant tree loss in recent years (due to ‘natural causes’) the tree lined avenue that is the Linley Hill trackway, with its spectacular surrounding hills, remains impressive in all weather and lighting conditions. With the soon to be realised threat of ‘precipitation’ to add to the strong wind, (in fact rain, sleet, hail, snow and more rain!), an early and brief lunch stop was made in the relative shelter of the woods at the bottom of Linley Hill in the company of ‘the carved man’. See image below.)

A short retracing of the route gave access to the footpath heading SE towards the outskirts of Norbury village, before which a northerly, then easterly, footpath was taken leading to a quiet lane leading to the trackway over Norbury Hill thence re-joining the top of the Linley Hill track. This was followed NE, a short deviation being taken to view the earthwork thought to be a Roman signal-station – of limited function in the conditions by then prevailing! The open hillside descent to Cold Hill Farm was made to access the final section of lane before the steep ascent by the footpath and track from Knolls Cottage to the shelter of the waiting cars at Nipstone.

Howard & Debbie Wright will lead the Group’s last full walk of the year on Sunday 18th in the Acton Scott area. Starting from the Acton Scott churchyard (OS grid reference SO454893) at 10am, the walk is an ‘easy to moderate’ grade 8 mile circular route with some stiles and one ascent, taking in views of Ragleth Hill and The Long Mynd. The walk uses permissive paths, pastures and green lanes and a disused railway line. Meet 9am at Church Street car park, Welshpool, where shared transport may be available, or at the start of the walk. For further information, please contact 01686 688837. All welcome but no dogs on the walk please.

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The AGM will be at the Offa’s Dyke Centre, West Street, Knighton on Sunday 27 November 2011. Coffee on arrival at 11.15, and AGM starting at 11.30. Buffet lunch at 1.00 (£8.50 donation requested), followed by talk by Mike Parker, a local writer on maps, walking, rights of way and travel in Wales. Papers have been sent to all Powys members.

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The last Group walk, held on 23^rd October and led by Linda Lyons, was in the Ellesmere area of North Shropshire. 13 walkers enjoyed an 8 mile circular route starting from The Mere Visitor Centre and following the mere-side path around the north side to where it leaves the Mere and heads across pleasant undulating farmland to Welshampton. Continuing through the village, and noting its interesting, attractive church, Lyneal Lane was followed south-east as far as the Shropshire Union Canal where the towpath provided the usual pleasant ‘corridor’ close to Cole Mere. At Bridge 54, the route left the Canal, crossing it to access the path around Cole Mere where, on the edge of the Country Park, a lunch stop was made. This location was in contrast to the lunch stops the Group usually experience as the location was clearly popular with many others enjoying the autumn Sunday afternoon! Continue reading →

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