Summary
Matters have slowed during January, mainly for administrative reasons, although preparation for a memorial gate dedicated to Stanley Hughes was completed. A snag in planning a route through part of Kingsland has altered selected routes for two memorial walks although this will not affect any of the project’s staged objectives. Activities will accelerate as the weather improves.
Situation, 5th February 2018.
Pte Stanley George Hughes’ gate has been installed. It is situated just west of the Weir on the riverside path to Pembridge. The memorial walk takes Broom Lane up to Twyford, crosses a field to the main road and turns back to Eardisland using the footpath following the line of the River Arrow, which is picked up just after the bridge in Pembridge. Waymarks are in place. The bulk of the funds used for oak, and of course the gate’s making, has been provided by the Royal Irish Regiment.
The E-Team installing Pte Stanley George Hughes’ gate
Pte Thomas George Cook’s walk is waymarked, although with some additions required to ensure that the route is made clear for walkers without a guide brochure. The memorial gate is in position on the parish border with Kingsland, accessed via Lyme Lane. The walk is our longest at 16 miles, but it takes in some grand stretches of paths and views above Shobdon, plus a recommended stop at the Riverside pub in Aymestrey. Alterations make available a bar area – so it’s not all restaurant seating – and the tables outside are ideal for use in good weather. An option might be to arrange a pick-up at the pub, although walking back includes a good route following the direction of the River Lugg to Kingsland, and then back over fields and roads to Eardisland.
Future intentions
Opening ceremonies will be arranged both for Thomas Cook from the Herefordshire Regiment and Simon Hughes (he lived at Little Broom) who served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Invitations will be sent out as appropriate and anyone from the Parish with good intentions is welcome to come along.
A walk named for Harry Smith will be waymarked. It goes up to Street Court farm, over the old railway to Shobdon and back via a path around the aerodrome. Likewise, a walk dedicated to William Jones which takes in his home in Bearwood will be waymarked over the next two weeks.
Guide brochures will be available at the community shop, Rita’s and the Caravan Park in Eardisland.
Involvement
Many thanks to Ronnie Steed, Reg Curtis, Phil Milchard and Sandy Ross for their work in installing the Stanley Hughes’ gate. As usual, Stuart Staples put all the furniture on with the precision needed to make it swing.
Graham Madeley is, apart engaging in the research activities relating to our soldiers and thus key to the overall aim of the project, in charge of assuring that the oak used for the gates is prepared to memorial standard. Without space provided by Bill Tong, this activity would be severely constrained. Elaine Harper edits the guide brochures and ensures that the author’s ramblings make sense and maintain consistency with the highest standards of syntax and grammar. Where not, it’s the author’s fault!
The project would be grateful for volunteers to act as custodians (kind of) for each path. They would check on upkeep, ensure waymarks are correctly in place, clean up and burnish plaques, and generally ‘own’ the path. This will not impact or substitute the responsibilities of the Footpaths Officers or Herefordshire Council.
There are also tasks to do with guide brochure production and distribution which volunteers might be interested in.
Research
OS Maps up to editions revised in 2005 show a footpath – though not a Public Right of Way – from Shirl Heath (Woodgate Farm track) to Eardisland, in fact entering the Parish by the Thomas Cook gate. It’s shown clearly on older maps including the Series 2 used in the guide brochures. If anyone recalls walking this path, or has heard of it being used, please let us know at contact@eardislandmemorialwalks.org.uk