Wednesday 8 July 2015

The Wednesday Walk 8th July 2015







The Plan
A Sturminster Newton walk.

Who Turned Up
Wendy, Sue, Jackie, Trisha, Trudy B, Trudy H, Beatrice and Tony H, Diane and Tony R, David

The Walk
We began our walk at Cutt Mill, just outside Hinton St Mary. The name comes from the Middle English ‘cut’, meaning water-channel. It’s a bit of a ruin at the moment, but it was once a thriving mill. The Romans introduced water mills to England and there has been a mill on this site since Saxon times. The Domesday Book names Hinton St Mary as one of 226 working mills in Dorset. The present building, however, dates back only to the eighteenth century. In 1799, when there were fears of a Napoleonic invasion, Hinton St Mary was listed in connection with the defence of the nation. Two years later, the Dorset poet, William Barnes, was born just across the river from here at Pentridge Farm. Which is a good place to begin this account as we crossed the River Stour and followed the track that led past that same farm. We walked along the narrow country lane until we passed Pleak Farm, then walked across the fields to Sturminster Newton.
After lunch, we took a return route on the Sturminster side of the river, passing through Twinwood Coppice.
A pleasant walk, concluding with tea and cakes at Beatrice and Tony’s. Many thanks B and T.
Thanks to Diane for the photos.

The Pub
The White Hart in Sturminster Newton. The food was good and most of us had the Two Courses for £10 deal. No problems.


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