Doncaster Ramblers News Today

This now well established monthly event during the summer provides respite for carers and a day out for the cared for

Warm sunny weather greeted 11 of Doncaster’s finest ramblers when we met in the Vicar Water Nature reserve car park.

Six of us met at the starting point, the car park by the lake at Askern, and were greeted by blue skies, sunshine and a frost on the ground.

It did say “could be muddy” but even I was surprised, having hoped the route would have dried out and frozen over, by the amount of mud we covered. I was even more surprised by the crowd that turned up, some regulars, some returners, and at least four first timers.

In what felt like sub-zero temperature on this morning’s walk, 11 lovely ladies plus young Harry joined me on this four and half mile circular route from Bentley Community Woodland.

Today’s walk felt like an early Christmas present. On the shortest day of the year and with the ever present threat of ‘further restrictions’ hanging in the air it provided a real tonic.

Situated beautifully in the valley of Maltby Beck, Roche Abbey is a wonderful place to start a walk. The abbey was founded in 1147, one of the founders being Richard de Busli, probably the great-nephew of Roger de Busli, builder of Tickhill castle.

24 Ramblers met at Pugneys, an area of ex gravel pits and quarry that now form an attractivecountry park on the outskirts of Wakefield.

Meeting at The Coal Garden of the former Terversal pit in a slight drizzle, Peter Gravestock briefed 22 of us on the walk, starting with the history of the immediate former mining area.