0.000 Westbury White Horse Circular April 2019 0.000 Bratton

Our walk starts at Bratton which was at one time a very industrial village with several woollen mills along the stream. Occupying a prominent position in the centre of the village were the factory buildings of R&J Reeves & Son. The site is now the village green.




We assemble in the car park but Sue is a little delayed...




....someone suggested that Steve's hat was inside out, or is it the designer label on show?....




....the group head off and Larry will catch up once Sue arrives....




....but Roger and Tony get distracted by the Parish Council noticeboard...




....then Sue arrives...




...and by magic appears in the group photograph!
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Our walk starts at Bratton which was at one time a very industrial village with several woollen mills along the stream. Occupying a prominent position in the centre of the village were the factory buildings of R&J Reeves & Son. The site is now the village green.




We assemble in the car park but Sue is a little delayed...




....someone suggested that Steve's hat was inside out, or is it the designer label on show?....




....the group head off and Larry will catch up once Sue arrives....




....but Roger and Tony get distracted by the Parish Council noticeboard...




....then Sue arrives...




...and by magic appears in the group photograph!
]]> n1 0.000 St James' Church

St James' has 14th-century origins and may be on the site of an earlier church. It was rebuilt in the 15th century; the chancel was rebuilt in 1854 by G.G. Scott, with further restoration by T.H. Wyatt in 1860. The church is Grade II listed.




The church is quite isolated and in 1832 Church Road was built to the church. On the way we see our first examples of military use in the area....




...and the navy is involved too...




.....Sue approaches the church...




....and joins the group.....




....to view inside the church...




....Tony is more interested in the churchyard...




.....and carries out a detailed investigation!
]]>

St James' has 14th-century origins and may be on the site of an earlier church. It was rebuilt in the 15th century; the chancel was rebuilt in 1854 by G.G. Scott, with further restoration by T.H. Wyatt in 1860. The church is Grade II listed.




The church is quite isolated and in 1832 Church Road was built to the church. On the way we see our first examples of military use in the area....




...and the navy is involved too...




.....Sue approaches the church...




....and joins the group.....




....to view inside the church...




....Tony is more interested in the churchyard...




.....and carries out a detailed investigation!
]]> n2 0.000 Combe Bottom

Combe Bottom is part of Bratton Downs Site of Special Scientific Interest. The designated area consists mainly of chalk grassland, as well as some ancient woodland, and supports a diverse range of native flora and fauna. It overlays notable geological features, mainly landforms created in the Pleistocene.




Chris admires these steps which were installed in the early 19th century to make the church more accessible. But does this count as the one steep 'downity bit'?.......




...and this is one of the two gradual 'uppity bits'?....




....as we reach the crossroads, and following an assessment of which direction to go, Chris and Brenda go straight ahead...




...but then reassess the situation and retrace our steps...




....then head off in the right direction...




...but soon there is a mud assessment moment...




.....our expert concludes it is only a 4 on the mud assessment scale...




.....Jan is enquiring of Chris if this is the second and final gradual 'uppity bit'. Chris's assessment is that it's all part of a gradual climb to Bratton Camp. I don't think Jan is impressed??....




....a little further on the group 'enthusiastically' enquires about this geographical feature. Larry was able to introuduce to the group, for the very first time, dry valleys and terracettes.
]]>

Combe Bottom is part of Bratton Downs Site of Special Scientific Interest. The designated area consists mainly of chalk grassland, as well as some ancient woodland, and supports a diverse range of native flora and fauna. It overlays notable geological features, mainly landforms created in the Pleistocene.




Chris admires these steps which were installed in the early 19th century to make the church more accessible. But does this count as the one steep 'downity bit'?.......




...and this is one of the two gradual 'uppity bits'?....




....as we reach the crossroads, and following an assessment of which direction to go, Chris and Brenda go straight ahead...




...but then reassess the situation and retrace our steps...




....then head off in the right direction...




...but soon there is a mud assessment moment...




.....our expert concludes it is only a 4 on the mud assessment scale...




.....Jan is enquiring of Chris if this is the second and final gradual 'uppity bit'. Chris's assessment is that it's all part of a gradual climb to Bratton Camp. I don't think Jan is impressed??....




....a little further on the group 'enthusiastically' enquires about this geographical feature. Larry was able to introuduce to the group, for the very first time, dry valleys and terracettes.
]]> n3 0.000 Bratton Camp

The original Iron Age hillfort defences were built over 2000 years ago. These earthworks protected a settlement containing round houses, granaries, stores and workshops. Three thousand years earlier a Neolithic long barrow existed on this hill.




Maggies crosses one of the very few stiles...




..we then cross Bratton Camp...




....and enjoy good views across the vale...




....Brenda tells us about the camp and also the cement works below....




....Judy then 'enthusiastically' enquires about this geopgraphical feature....




...which is a small slip feature. Phil is making sure Judy doesn't slip over....




...we then have a gradual climb up to the White Horse...




...which Jan thinks is the third gradual 'uppity bit'!!
]]>

The original Iron Age hillfort defences were built over 2000 years ago. These earthworks protected a settlement containing round houses, granaries, stores and workshops. Three thousand years earlier a Neolithic long barrow existed on this hill.




Maggies crosses one of the very few stiles...




..we then cross Bratton Camp...




....and enjoy good views across the vale...




....Brenda tells us about the camp and also the cement works below....




....Judy then 'enthusiastically' enquires about this geopgraphical feature....




...which is a small slip feature. Phil is making sure Judy doesn't slip over....




...we then have a gradual climb up to the White Horse...




...which Jan thinks is the third gradual 'uppity bit'!!
]]> n4 0.000 Westbury White Horse

This is the oldest of several white horses carved in Wiltshire. It was restored in 1778, however there is no evidence of a white horse at Westbury before 1742.




The advance party pause above the White Horse...




...we then move on to our refreshment stop...




...Roger investigates the abseil fixture point. When the White Horse becomes more a 'grey mare' a team of volunteer abseilers scrub the animal clean....




...fortunately there is plenty of seating for our refreshment stop....




....and Brenda tells us about the history of the White Horse.
]]>

This is the oldest of several white horses carved in Wiltshire. It was restored in 1778, however there is no evidence of a white horse at Westbury before 1742.




The advance party pause above the White Horse...




...we then move on to our refreshment stop...




...Roger investigates the abseil fixture point. When the White Horse becomes more a 'grey mare' a team of volunteer abseilers scrub the animal clean....




...fortunately there is plenty of seating for our refreshment stop....




....and Brenda tells us about the history of the White Horse.
]]> n5 0.000 Battle of Ethandun Memorial

The stone was unveiled by the 7th Marquess of Bath in November 2000 and commemorates the Battle of Ethandun, fought in the area in May 878 AD when King Alfred the Great, defeated the Viking army.




We walk up what looks like another dry valley but Larry has to accept it is actually the ditch of the hill fort....




.....Jan's reaction when she's told this is the final stile....




....not sure what this is about...




...we reach the memorial...




....and find out more about this sarsen stone.
]]>

The stone was unveiled by the 7th Marquess of Bath in November 2000 and commemorates the Battle of Ethandun, fought in the area in May 878 AD when King Alfred the Great, defeated the Viking army.




We walk up what looks like another dry valley but Larry has to accept it is actually the ditch of the hill fort....




.....Jan's reaction when she's told this is the final stile....




....not sure what this is about...




...we reach the memorial...




....and find out more about this sarsen stone.
]]> n6 0.000 Imber Perimeter Path

This route goes around the perimeter of the military training firing range which includes the deserted village of Imber on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. The route is circular, beginning and ending on the Wessex Ridgeway just east of Westbury.




We reach the Imber Perimeter Road...




...with clear signs that we shouldn't go any further ahead...




...we walk along the road with open views ahead...




....we pass this structure, but we're not sure what it is...




... Larry's reaction when Phil asks about the origin of dry valleys. Phil wonders what he's let himself in for...




...but Larry thinks Phil is the star of the group.
]]>

This route goes around the perimeter of the military training firing range which includes the deserted village of Imber on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. The route is circular, beginning and ending on the Wessex Ridgeway just east of Westbury.




We reach the Imber Perimeter Road...




...with clear signs that we shouldn't go any further ahead...




...we walk along the road with open views ahead...




....we pass this structure, but we're not sure what it is...




... Larry's reaction when Phil asks about the origin of dry valleys. Phil wonders what he's let himself in for...




...but Larry thinks Phil is the star of the group.
]]> n7 0.000 Entrance to the British Army's training grounds on Salisbury Plain

The War Office first purchased land on Salisbury Plain in 1897. The main acquisition programme was finished in 1920, and the major garrisons were constructed over the next 30 years. The village of Imber was requisitioned by the War Office in 1943.




Fiona, Sue and Brenda show off their matching gear...




....Jan makes a polite enquiry about whether this is the route back to Bratton...




...Chris isn't impressed and shows the route going pass the entrance to the military range...




....but unfortunately Chris describes another gradual 'uppity bit'. By Jan's assessment this is #4, two more than advertised. Jan has taken to her new role as 'enforcer'.




]]>

The War Office first purchased land on Salisbury Plain in 1897. The main acquisition programme was finished in 1920, and the major garrisons were constructed over the next 30 years. The village of Imber was requisitioned by the War Office in 1943.




Fiona, Sue and Brenda show off their matching gear...




....Jan makes a polite enquiry about whether this is the route back to Bratton...




...Chris isn't impressed and shows the route going pass the entrance to the military range...




....but unfortunately Chris describes another gradual 'uppity bit'. By Jan's assessment this is #4, two more than advertised. Jan has taken to her new role as 'enforcer'.




]]> n8 0.000 Picquet Hill

Picquet Hill is a chalk promontory of with extensive views northwards over the village of Edington and the low lying vale beyond. It is a site of numerous Neolithic barrows.




Brenda points out Luccombe Bottom, an example of a dry valley! Larry thinks this a great success as somebody else is pointing out these wonderful features....




...Alan makes a rare appearance at the rear of the group...




....Brenda demonstrates the force of the wind...




.....we pause at the memorial...




...which was erected by William James Gale to commemorate his 86th birthday and the millenium...




...we then begin our descent passing another geographical feature - strip lynchetts....




...then the official downity bit, with the fishponds of the old priory on view....




....which is as steep as Chris and Brenda had described...




...but we reach the bottom with only one mishap.
]]>

Picquet Hill is a chalk promontory of with extensive views northwards over the village of Edington and the low lying vale beyond. It is a site of numerous Neolithic barrows.




Brenda points out Luccombe Bottom, an example of a dry valley! Larry thinks this a great success as somebody else is pointing out these wonderful features....




...Alan makes a rare appearance at the rear of the group...




....Brenda demonstrates the force of the wind...




.....we pause at the memorial...




...which was erected by William James Gale to commemorate his 86th birthday and the millenium...




...we then begin our descent passing another geographical feature - strip lynchetts....




...then the official downity bit, with the fishponds of the old priory on view....




....which is as steep as Chris and Brenda had described...




...but we reach the bottom with only one mishap.
]]> n9 0.000 The Priory Church

Edington Priory was founded by William Edington, the bishop of Winchester, in 1351 in his home village of Edington. The priory church was consecrated in 1361 and continues in use as the parish church of Saint Mary, Saint Katharine and All Saints.




Approaching the church...




....does this count as another stile?...




.....we find out more about the church and Brenda encourages us to find the 'hunky punks'....




....we look inside the church...




....and explore every corner...




.....and eventually find them on the outside. Hunky Punk is a local term used in areas of Somerset to refer to carved grotesques used as an ornamental feature on towers and exterior friezes of churches!.....




...but Alan is more concerned with sheltering from the drizzle.
]]>

Edington Priory was founded by William Edington, the bishop of Winchester, in 1351 in his home village of Edington. The priory church was consecrated in 1361 and continues in use as the parish church of Saint Mary, Saint Katharine and All Saints.




Approaching the church...




....does this count as another stile?...




.....we find out more about the church and Brenda encourages us to find the 'hunky punks'....




....we look inside the church...




....and explore every corner...




.....and eventually find them on the outside. Hunky Punk is a local term used in areas of Somerset to refer to carved grotesques used as an ornamental feature on towers and exterior friezes of churches!.....




...but Alan is more concerned with sheltering from the drizzle.
]]> n10 0.000 The return to Bratton

We walk across the fields back to Bratton passing Bratton’s stream – known as the Milbourne or Stradbrook - which powered woollen and grist mills since the Middle Ages.




Steve wonders where our leaders are. Still looking at the hunky punks....




..we then walk through Edington passing thatched cottages...




...then descend....




...to cross Stardbrook, where the many mills used to operate....




...then along the outer wall of Bratton House...




...to reach the car park where Tony admires his car.
]]>

We walk across the fields back to Bratton passing Bratton’s stream – known as the Milbourne or Stradbrook - which powered woollen and grist mills since the Middle Ages.




Steve wonders where our leaders are. Still looking at the hunky punks....




..we then walk through Edington passing thatched cottages...




...then descend....




...to cross Stardbrook, where the many mills used to operate....




...then along the outer wall of Bratton House...




...to reach the car park where Tony admires his car.
]]> n11 0.000 Lunch at The Duke

The present site of The 'New' Duke dates from around 1900, but The 'Old' Duke dates from the 18th century and was located beyond the playing fields next to the car park.




We settle in for lunch...




...but there seems to be an extra person on this table...




...Jem has joined us for lunch...




...and shows off his gear for driving his new Morgan car...




...Tony, rather surprisingly!, went for the mains + pud special....




...then another surprise...




....a cake to celebrate Roger's 80th birthday....




...Roger then says a few words...




....and readys himself....




...to blow out the candles...




...the cake is then shared around. There was some surprise! that Tony had room after his pud....




...and then clears the crumbs from Maggies's plate!...




....Roger has his card and the remains of the cake for later...




....then we depart after a very enjoyable occasion.
]]>

The present site of The 'New' Duke dates from around 1900, but The 'Old' Duke dates from the 18th century and was located beyond the playing fields next to the car park.




We settle in for lunch...




...but there seems to be an extra person on this table...




...Jem has joined us for lunch...




...and shows off his gear for driving his new Morgan car...




...Tony, rather surprisingly!, went for the mains + pud special....




...then another surprise...




....a cake to celebrate Roger's 80th birthday....




...Roger then says a few words...




....and readys himself....




...to blow out the candles...




...the cake is then shared around. There was some surprise! that Tony had room after his pud....




...and then clears the crumbs from Maggies's plate!...




....Roger has his card and the remains of the cake for later...




....then we depart after a very enjoyable occasion.
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