Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve on Saturday 31st May led by Beryl and Sue

 Clophill Lakes Nature Reserve

On 31 May, a beautiful day – perfect for walking, 10 members set out on a 3 mile stroll around the nature reserve.   It has been set up by The Greensand Trust and was opened just a couple of months ago.  We were – Anna, Beryl, Judith, Lynn, Maureen, Penny, Ruth, Sandra Hawkins, Sue F and Tony R

We arrived at the huge carpark and after waiting until the appointed time, we set off down the drive to the Visitors’ Centre where  we made use of the facilities.

 

We took a leisurely stroll round the lakes, through open country and a wooded area.   We visited several bridges over the River Flitt which, considering the lack of rain recently, was fairly fast flowing.

 

We all set out to walk up the grass path to the Castle Mound of Cainhoe Castle where we had a drinks stop and then one by one we peeled off back down to meet at the metal gate at the bottom of the hill. 

 

   Then we walked back to the Café in the Visitors’ Centre where we bought drinks and ice creams and also ate our own picnics.

 

 Everyone said that they thought it was a great place to visit and some plan to bring other friends and family to the Nature Reserve in the future.

Steppingley Church Stroll on Saturday 24 May 2025 led by Beryl

 

Eight of us set out from Churchill Drive (Froghall Road end) Flitwick by the Katherine’s Walk Information Notice Board.  We followed Katherine’s Walk and our first stop was at the wooden sculptures of a frog surrounded by several unusual “seats” featuring frogs.  At Fordfield Road we crossed the road and continued in the same direction towards the Fishing Lake.

Some of us ventured up to the entrance of the Lake where we saw several fishermen enjoying their sport plus some ducks, moorhens etc.   We continued at a very gentle pace outside the fencing of the Lake and up the hill towards Steppingley.  

We entered the Church and received a very warm welcome.  Some of us ventured to the new toilet in the shed in the Churchyard.   It was very interesting to learn how to cope with the special composting toilet.

As ever there was a wonderful choice of savoury goodies and lots of tempting cakes.

We were joined by Penny who had driven especially from Woburn Sands to join us for lunch.

The Flitwick & District U3A Ukulele Band entertained us all for quite some time and just before we left we joined them in the chorus of “Diana”.  

We took the shortest possible route back to Flitwick and had completed a total walk of 3.8 miles.

Woburn Stroll on Thursday May 22nd led by Hillary

......at the same time as Tony's longer walk in the same area  ......

Hilary led a lovely 3 mile stroll around Woburn. 

We met at Woburn car park and 8 of us had such a nice time. 

Hilary pointed out the reflection of the beautiful rhododendrons in the pond. My photo does not do them justice.

 

 

We stopped for coffee at a twisted interesting tree and Beryl enjoyed trying out its strength!

 

A Parks Warden stopped and joined us and answered all our questions about the house, which is still closed and under constant repairs.

 

After our walk we enjoyed lunch at Flutes  

Thank you Hilary for a lovely day.

Thursday 22nd May Woburn walk led by Tony Roberts

The programmed walk for this day was only 3 miles in length so the Chairman offered a longer walk of 7 miles.  8 walkers started off from the Woburn car park 15 minutes before the shorter walk was due to start. We walked into the deer park, past Upper Drakeloe Pond & Park Farm before leaving the road to walk up the hill passing Stump Cross. We then crossed the road & followed the footpath to walk alongside the estate road. Here we saw a black bear on the other side of the safari park fence & also many stags. We continued to the cattle grid but instead of crossing it we turned sharp right following another footpath. We came to some large fallen trees where we stopped for a coffee break. After this break we continued past Berryend Plantation leaving the deer park at a tall kissing gate. On our right we noticed many newly planted saplings which replaced the trees felled a few years ago . We continued downhill to pass through another kissing gate and join Berryend Road. Here turned right & walk in single file downhill to join the main Woburn road. We walked along the grass verge before crossing over to join a footpath diagonally across a field. At the far edge of this field we turned left following the field boundary to join the Greensand Ridge track to Eversholt. Here we crossed the road & entered the cricket field where we stopped on some benches for our second coffee stop. We left the cricket field & walked through the churchyard, past the village school to join the Milton Bryan road. we followed this for a short distance before passing through a gate back into the Woburn estate.  Here we stopped for a group photo.

Jean, Anthony, Kate, Mike & Sheila Briggs, Diane, Geoff & Tony R.

We walked across a footbridge & after missing a turn we walked through a bamboo plantation & when we attempted to regain our footpath we encountered a very wet bog so we retraced our steps & soon joined our intended path. This led, following yellow marker posts, past much contractors equipment & works to pass Stew Pond.with its horse statue. We followed the footpath, still the Greensand Ridge path, where after passing through another tall kissing gate to the London road. We followed this back into Woburn village & hence our cars.  A 7 mile walk enjoyed by all.

Track of walk, walked in clockwise direction

Thursday 15th May 6.25 miles Toddington – Tebworth - Chalgrave

Today 14 ramblers left Toddington village hall car park heading towards Herne Farm. On
nearing the farm we turned right along a metal road then left along a path enclosed by
fields of Rape. We then circled a field to join the Lane, appropriately named, leading us into
Tebworth.
From Tebworth we followed a footpath that merged with the Icknield Way before crossing
the A5120 into Chalgrave Church stopping there for refreshments, we then made are way
back to Toddington via Dropsholt Farm.

Track of walk, walked in anti-clockwise direction

 

Thursday 8th May Old Warden 7•5 miles Led by Tony P

 Twelve walkers set off from the church of St Leonard’s on a very chilly morning.

Walking through the car park we headed out to join with the North Beds Heritage Trail through Palmers wood, then on through open fields. Heading towards Park Farm & Warren St and some road walking we were soon heading back into Old Warden.

Stopping for a well deserved coffee break at the old village water pump, we were soon on our way tackling the steep gully leading us up to Warden Warren.

On leaving the Warren, we walked along the road where we could hear & see a Spitfire overhead practicing for the weekend air display at Old Warden.

Stopping at 12.00 for a two minute silence to remember VE Day, we were once again on our way along the NBHT for second coffee break was taken in a small copse with the stream meandering through

With the spitfire still overhead, we were also treated to a couple of Tiger Moths also flying overhead.

Walking past the irrigation ponds, we turned and had an excellent view of the airfield.

The sun was now shining on us and it became hot &. humid, so another stop was taken to remove yet more layers.

Heading for home we continued along the tracks leading us back towards Church End and the final climb up the road to the church car park.

For the end of a very enjoyable walk on what started out as a chilly morning, but ending with some lovely sunshine. 

 

Track of walk, walked in anti-clockwise direction