Hillingdon

The afternoon was spent walking up Hope Bowdler Hill.  The views were stupendous.  To the north lay Shrewsbury and the Wrekin.  To the west stood the ridge of the Long Mynd.  To the east we could see Wenlock Edge. By late afternoon the wind was picking up and although the ambient temperature was pleasant most of us were pleased to make our way down towards Church Stretton.  

After an excellent evening meal, we were treated to a series of short films produced by a local couple.  In one of the films,we learned something of the disreputable Jack Mytton, described by one of the walk leaders as “one of those men your mother warns you about”.  A number of us wondered why a gambler, womaniser, failed politician, and bankrupt should have a path named after him.  Another film explained how the area from Chester to Chepstow, the March, was an area of conflict between the Welsh and English for centuries after the Norman Conquest.  There were other films about Shrewsbury, Ludlow and the Severn Way.  They clearly love the area.  They did not charge for their presentations but as keen walkers themselves they did ask for contributions to the Air Ambulance Service.

 Wednesday 9th September

We were taken by coach towards the border with Wales and Mitchell Fold’s Bronze Age Circle. There are many stone circles and other prehistoric sites in the area and archaeologists have long wondered about the significance of the circles.  They may have provided a focus for funerary rights or, as in the case of Stonehenge, there may have been a calendar function.   Perhaps more interesting are the fanciful local myths and legends surrounding such circles.  In this case the story involved villagers suffering a famine, fairies, a witch, a cow with magic powers and a sieve! The witch got her comeuppance by being turned into one of the stones making up the circle.

Our next stop was the small, one-time lead mining village of Whit Grit just over the border in Powys.  The corrugated iron church took our eye, and we were lucky that one of the villagers offered to give us a few minutes of his time.  He unlocked the door and as we entered, we were amazed to find ourselves transported from a rather dull exterior into a church full of light.  The walls were wood panelled.  The windows let in the sunshine.  Our guide explained that the church had been built in the late 19th century when it was possible to buy “flat pack” churches from stores such as the little-known Jones and Sons, the more well-known Army and Navy Stores and the prestigious Harrods.  We were standing in a superior Harrods church!

The rest of the morning was spent walking through some very pleasant countryside.  Eventually we could see the Stiperstones, the main target for today’s walk, in the distance. The famous rocky outcrops were clearly visible. After lunch we climbed up to the ridge.  The path was strewn with frost shattered rock which made walking difficult in places.  The rocky outcrops with wonderful names such as the Devil’s Chair were impressive.  While most of us were gingerly moving along a young runner suddenly appeared.  If his rapid progress along the path was not sufficiently impressive, he then climbed at great speed up one of the outcrops.  At the top he gave us a cheery wave, then descended as quickly as he had ascended before running on ahead and disappearing from view.  Our progress was somewhat more sedate although one member of the group did manage to climb one of the smaller outcrops.

I was certainly pleased to hear our leader announce that we had now reached the point where we would walk down from the ridge into the village of Stiperstones which boasted a pub and some excellent beer.

After dinner many of us entered the traditional HF quiz.  There were five or six teams, and I’m pleased to report that the winning team contained two Hillingdon members.  

Thursday 10th September

Our final day involved another coach journey.  So far, the weather had been wonderful for walking – dry, not too hot with a pleasant breeze.  Today, rain was on the cards and by the afternoon the Met Office’s 30% chance of rain became a fully realised 100%.  

The walk began in the village of Church Pulverbatch. We found the signpost for the Humphrey Kynaston Way and set off at a good pace.  By the way I’m not sure whether Humphrey deserves such recognition.  He was a notorious 15th century highwayman!  Shropshire folk obviously admire their more notorious ancestors.

The morning’s walk was very pleasant.  The inclines were not too steep and the views were wonderful.  We also found some interesting 18th century field boundary markers. As we descended towards the village of Ratlinghope we found ourselves in the farmyard belonging to Farmer Phil, famous for his annual music festival.  A poster displaying the acts at this year’s festival, held in early August, attracted attention.  Perhaps not surprisingly the band headlining on the final day was the Wurzels.

The walk now took us along the Darnford Valley.  By now we were beginning the ramblers’ version of the Hokey Pokey…. waterproofs on, waterproofs off, waterproofs on etc.  Sadly,the lack of sunshine and late in the season gorse rather took the shine off the next part of the walk, Golden Valley.  As we started climbing towards Haddon Hill the rain became more persistent and the wind picked up.  We passed a number of school pupils setting off on their Duke of Edinburgh bronze expeditions.  They were chatty and cheerful, but we did not envy their evening of setting up camp in the rain while we were looking forward to a hot shower and a comfortable bed.

Eventually we reached Church Stretton golf course, the highest in Shropshire and surely one of the highest in England. Our golfing expert seemed perplexed at times because it was not always easy to discern the greens and tees and the direction of the fairways.  Non golfers, on the other hand, wondered how the sheep, happy to chomp their way around the course, dodged flying golf balls.  Walkers had the advantage of a large bell which could be rung to warn golfers of the presence of ramblers. But today we only noted two golfers out on the course, too wet and too windy for most, and a comfortable looking clubhouse in which to shelter. Nevertheless, one of our number took great pleasure in ringing the bell.

The final stage of the walk took us through the town of Church Stretton and then a final climb up to Long Mynd House and the prospect of that hot shower.

Tonight the evening entertainment involved skittles.  Several Hillingdon members showed off their skills and performed well but, on this occasion, did not secure the winning spot.

A final word….

Many thanks to our HF walk leaders, Mike, Ruth and Ann, and particular thanks to Denise for organising a memorable holiday.