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Our February Social Event took place at Welford Park where we gathered to walk amongst an amazing number of snowdrops. The ground beneath the beech trees had been transformed into a breathtaking scene akin to those televised from the winter Olympics! After a pleasant lunch in the Tea Room there was time to explore inside the adjoining church, and to search out some snowdrop inspired souvenirs in the gift shop. Sulham From Purley Village we joined the bridleway which boasts possibly the best view in Purley. Across the green expanse, through which the River Thames cuts its way along, we worked out our ‘view’. From the far right, The Warren in Caversham, through Park Wood high above Mapledurham, and across to the Viewpoint on the skyline. Next Bottom Wood protectively overlooking Hardwick House, then the ‘green pillows’ of Bozedown with their resident alpacae. It was easy to make out the regimental diagonal rows of the vines at Bozedown Vineyard surrounded by meadows so rich in wildflowers, and on to views of Whitchurch and Pangbourne, with Upper Basildon above. It was satisfying to know that we have explored all these areas close up on previous walks. So, ‘ticking’ each of these stunning areas, we could say “We were there”! The next part of our walk took us into an equally lovely area, right here on our doorstep – Sulham Wood. We gained far-reaching views here too through the bare branches of the trees. Emerging from the wood, we walked between open fields from where skylarks took to the air. Despite their decline, here they thrive to form a large ‘choir’. How glad we were to see and hear them, although we continued our walk with a shudder as we reflected on possible encroaching development in this area.. Twisting and turning down meandering footpaths between houses, we found the entrance to Pikeshaw Copse. Through this oasis set within urban development, we discovered snowdrops, yellow dancing catkins, and green shoots promising a good show of bluebells. Back in Purley Village, after a tour of the snowdrops, aconites, crocuses and hellebores of the early spring garden of Cherry Acre, we gathered indoors for a lunch of warming homemade soup, and cakes. |
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Hurley & Marlow Our next walk began half-way between Oxford and London in the Thameside village of Hurley. We gathered beside the church of St Mary, a site on which a church has existed since 633AD. This fact gives some idea of Hurley’s great age – infact, we were to walk between two of the oldest settlements along the Thames – Hurley and Marlow. It was no surprise, therefore, that there were many interesting historical facts to relate. We gazed through an archway alongside the church to see the cloisters, and the original refectory wall of the Benedictine Priory, built here in the 11th century, but dissolved in 1536 by order of Henry V111. Alongside the Tithe Barn stands a fabulous dovecote with 750 nesting boxes – a source of eggs and meat for the monks. The Thames Path took us along the riverbank to the impressive Temple Bridge. 
Built in 1989, it provided a crossing from Berkshire to Buckinghamshire here for the first time since the ferry ceased in 1953. At 80 metres long it is the longest hardwood bridge in Britain. One of our ladies, a member of Project Purley, recalled a photograph of the wood for the bridge passing through Mapledurham Lock on a barge. We paused on the bridge to look at the lovely views up and down the river, before continuing on the Buckinghamshire riverbank. We passed through the pretty Temple Lock before, further on along the pleasant route, the solid Norman tower of the 12th century All Saints Church at Bisham came into view on the Berkshire side, beyond the buildings of Bisham Abbey. The Abbey had, actually, stood next door and was dissolved by Henry V111. The buildings remaining are Bisham Manor where Elizabeth ! (then Princess) had taken shelter during her exile in the reign of ‘Bloody’Mary. We peered across, hoping to spy any members of the England football team who use the grounds for training. Sadly we saw no-one famous, not even any of the members of Fit Club, also based here! Further on the river became busier as we neared Marlow. A flurry of white swans and multicoloured ducks jostled for the bread thrown to them by toddlers and their Mums – an extra sweet sight with the news full of the threat of bird flu!
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