Sheepwash Chronicle Spring 2017

Lots of things have been going on in the village since the last issue hit the streets.
Welcome to Sheepwash
Welcome to Gary Silver and Ruth O’Malley, who have moved into Lake Cottage, South Street. We hope
you’ll enjoy joining in with all the community activities in the village.
Ladies Walk and Talk
The inaugural Ladies Walk and Talk took place on 4 th February with a circular walk to Black Torrington (3.5
miles). The weather gods were smiling and it wasn't raining!
We met at the bus shelter in Sheepwash and made our way down South Street, taking the first right on
the road after the bridge and coming back through Black Torrington and up West Road. There were six
walkers, a pair of twins in a buggy, and a very well-behaved dog.
Conversation ranged from children to the environment, and to what jobs we had done in previous lives
before coming to Sheepwash. It was noticeably quieter
on the uphill sections! We finished back at the Village
Hall for tea and cake.
Our second walk on 11 th March was slightly longer (4.25
miles), and in the opposite direction. It was another
circular walk, this time with seven of us (with twins in
the buggy and another well-behaved dog). We headed
out of the village on North Road, turned left at the
vineyard, through Upcott, and then turned left back
towards Black Torrington before turning left again to
come back up West Road.
Once again the weather gods were smiling, although
there were black clouds and some raindrops, but it was
warm with no wind and what little rain there was didn't dampen our spirits. There were slightly more hills
this time, but that didn't diminish the conversation, sharing local knowledge about people and places
(who knew there had been mussels in Musselbrook?) as well as enjoying the amazing countryside on our
doorstep and seeing things that you don't see when you are driving.
After saving a rather stunned pheasant on the way, it was back to the Village Hall again for cake and tea.
We want to make this as inclusive as possible for lady walkers of all abilities and ages. We only walk as fast
as the slowest walkers - it is not about getting from start to finish in the quickest time possible. We move
the dates to enable as many people as possible to come and join us, and we will be doing some Sunday
walks soon. We also hope to do some local “off road” walking when the weather improves and the fields
are drier.
The tentative plan for next month’s walk on 1 st April will be a linear walk along the Tarka Trail. This will
allow those who only want a short walk to go as far as they want, whilst those who want to walk further
can do so. It is also a flatter walk.
If you would like to join us or you would like more information, either drop me an email or speak to Anne
in the shop.
Sally Pooley
Email: sally-alexander@hotmail.co.uk
The rather stunned pheasant.
(A good name for a pub?!)
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