Our first walk in Bruton started at the Godminster cheese car park opposite the parish Church. Another beautiful summers day allowed 50% of the group to get their summer shorts out of storage and get their legs out into the fresh air. A notable selection of summer headware, more suited to the Cambridge punters was also on display, perhaps keeping the sun off some thinking tops? A short stroll through Lower Backway led us to the narrow track by the side of the Chinese - not to be confused with the road way up to the Mill on the Brue activity centre - we’ll save that for another day.
A steady climb soon had us onto part of the school senior cross country course overlooking the River Brue in the valley and the school perched on the far side of the Coombe. Many tales were quickly related about the memorable cross country events, the building of Macmillan House, the views across to the sport’s fields and the fond memories so many have for the old place.
The stunning view upon reaching the end of the ridge before dropping down into Wyke is yet another in the area that is missed by so many and so unappreciated in the rush of daily life. The one obvious observation in an area interspersed with some great local cheeses makers is “Where are all the cows”? As far as the eye can see, stretching to Glastonbury Tor and beyond, hardly a field with any sign of cattle.
We dropped down to the small hamlet of Wyke Champflower, past the 12th century church of The Church of the Holy Trinity which dates from 1623 and has been designated as a Grade I listed building. A wooden tympanum between the nave and chancel bears the 1624 Royal Arms, the arms of the then Bishop of Bath and Wells and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Heading back up past the entrance to the Wyke cheese factory we paused for a few minutes to remember Norman, a friend to many of us, the H&S manager at Wyke and also a parent of a Sexey’s pupil, who unfortunately lost his battle with Liver Cancer a year or so earlier. Such a sad loss and certainly someone who would have been most welcome in the group with his dry wit and local knowledge.
The route back into Bruton was down a narrow tree lined track and brought us back in via the upper reaches of a tributary stream in which Sully had a long and refreshing paddle. Breakfast was kindly provided in the garden of Phil and Claire, and was all the more delicious being served in home made bread rolls, something Phil had perfected with his 75kg of flour during lockdown.
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