November 9th Selsley & Woodchester

On Remembrance Sunday, on a cloudy morning, dry and mild for November, 12 Ramblers set off from St Mary’s Church, North Woodchester, including 3 visiting Ramblers, 1 from South Cotswold and 2 from North Cotswold.

We made our way down lanes and across fields, visiting the site of the original St Mary’s Church and the Woodchester Roman Villa with it’s famous Mosaic, now buried deep underground.

Continuing through fields and along a track we passed the Bell Inn at Selsley, then on lanes to All Saints Church, Selsley, to arrive in time to observe the 11am 2 minute silence of Remembrance, where Alan read the traditional poem. There was also a service at the nearby war memorial attended by local people and several scout groups. Afterwards they proceeded down to the church for a Remembrance service.

After a short break in the churchyard, we climbed up onto Selsley Common to be rewarded by far reaching spectacular views over the Ebley, May Hill, Middleyard and the River Severn. We continued along the western rim of the common, stopping near the far end on fallen logs to enjoy lunch and take in the view from a slightly sheltered position.

Then we crossed the road and continued back towards North Woodchester through fields and a downhill woodland track, then steeply down a field and up again, crossing a small valley, to return to St Mary’s Church green.

I think we all enjoyed this beautiful walk.

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