​​No less than 19 members of the Walking Group met up on a cold grey day in November and enjoyed a brisk 4.7 mile (7.6 km) walk along the Dever Valley.
Starting from Sutton Scotney the route passed through the quaintly named settlement of Egypt, then followed the river Dever to Wonston village. We then headed along the ridge which overlooks the valley from the north and descended back to the river through the impressive grounds of Hunton Manor. Crossing the water meadows from Hunton to Stoke Charity, we returned to Wonston along the parallel ridge to the south of the valley and then back over the hill to Sutton Scotney through the fields of Manor Farm.​

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Warings Craft Bakery is an award-winning family business which has been providing original recipe bread and cake products to the Reading area for four generations. 26 Questers took the short minibus ride to their Tilehurst Demonstration Centre on a fine morning in November. On arrival, 6 brave volunteers were immediately conscripted to mix and knead dough to make their own loaves. These were then left to ‘prove’ while our two hosts talked us through the creation of sumptuous-looking batches of tiger rolls, cheese & onion baps and mini pizzas and a huge olive focaccia. 

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On 21st August, twelve members of the Walking Group enjoyed a four-and-a-half mile stroll across Blackmore Down and through Collingbourne Woods. Although the day was fairly hot there was a pleasant breeze on the Down and the Woods, which are more famous for their spring bluebells, were nicely shaded. The route skirted the remains of Ludgershall Castle, which was a royal hunting lodge in the thirteenth century, and later crossed Church Ride, the last surviving equestrian hunting trail from that time. After re-crossing Blackmore Down to the east, the group were joined by three non-walking members for a fine lunch at the Queens Head in Ludgershall courtesy of landlady Jane.

Submitted by Rosemary Crumplin
 
Sadly, our day started with the news that Bob Taylor had been taken ill and would not be able to lead the group, but the day still went ahead with me picking up the reins.  We are pleased to say that Bob is making a slow recovery and we all wish him well.
 
We had a good turn out for the day and a beautiful drive across the Wiltshire downs to Chedworth, near Cirencenster, where the Roman Villa is situated.  Although the site was first discovered c1870, it has only been in recent years that they have come to realise that it is of significant importance. 

The Smales family have an organic farm and dairy herd to produce the milk from which the Lyburn Cheese is made and also grow vegetables for the organic market. They run a few open evenings each year in July and the money raised is given to charity.
 
On July 12th after weeks of uninterrupted sunshine the heavens decided to open as we were setting off for the New Forest. The journey there took us through scenic countryside (which was in great need of the rain) and by the time we arrived at the farm thankfully the rain had almost stopped.

Approximately 20 members of the very active AHA Group visited Wilton for a ‘walk through history’ on 29th June; guided by our old friend David James who is one of the most knowledgeable Blue Badge Guides in the area.  It was a fascinating visit to the town which gave Wiltshire its name & which was founded centuries before England was a united country.
There is evidence of Roman, Saxon and Norman habitation, but the most extensive & important era for the town remains the Saxon period when, it benefited from Royal patronage, with an extensive Abbey re-built in stone by Edith wife of Edward the Confessor. The Benedictine Order prospered there from about AD830 through to the Dissolution in 1539. Much of the stone was then utilised by Earl William Herbert, one of Henry VIII’s favourites, to build Wilton House.