So we are walking in pairs again, Trevor and myself this weekend plus Bill and Scrumpy. First walk of the year on 2nd January 2021. Rendezvous at Casa Oats and we set off down past the railway station through the area acquired by the Newt for another upmarket development. We struck out for Sutton village with the mid-Winter Brue on our left hand side. The path is I believe a section of the Monarch’s Way – as walked now by the commoners.
This area is low-lying agricultural land, generally flat with well-maintained footpaths so pretty easy going terrain. One particularly striking bridge is pictured below. At one stage the path was laid out in a section of paving slabs so it was both clear and dry under foot. What a thoughtful local council or benefactor. The dogs were scouting around together without disturbing wild life or livestock.
After passing through a sleepy Sutton village, we headed towards Alhampton. Trevor regaled me with the tale of his first visit to the Alhampton Inn when he was served a pint of cider in a china mug and was immediately convinced that outside Cornwall this was going to be home.
What interesting history we have on our doorstep. In Alhampton we came across an example of a tin tabernacle. (See picture) A tin tabernacle, also known as an iron church, is a type of prefabricated ecclesiastical building made from corrugated galvanised iron. They were developed in the mid-19th century initially in the United Kingdom. Churches, chapels and mission halls were built in new industrial areas, pit villages, near railway works and in more isolated rural and coastal locations. Alhampton's iron church was erected in 1892 at a cost of £250 as a chapel of ease to the parish church of St Mary Magdalene at Ditcheat, which itself has 12th-century origins and was built by the Abbots of Glastonbury Abbey.
The rector of Ditcheat, Rev. C. E. Leir, determined to supply a chapel for Alhampton, in particular to serve those who struggled or were unable to get to the parish church, such as the elderly and sick.
Rev. Leir, with assistance from members of his family, obtained the iron chapel in 1892 and Mr. Butt of Manor Farm gifted the church's seating. The opening service was held on 12 October 1892. The chapel is still in use today.
Pressing on, we walked through Haddon Wood, as yet a developing area of native trees covering 14 acres or so. There is a central pond but in January it was a bit dormant. This will grow into a special place I think.
We returned to Cary, past the rugby club where Trevor once rucked and mauled, and finished by the Market House having a breakfast snack and coffee. An entertaining and educative stroll.
Comments