Forest of Marston Vale
6 great walks we had this October!
The student society Cranfield University’s Walks had a busy month. Following our attendance at CSA student societies and clubs fair on 1st and 4th October, 6 local walks were organised for students and staff. The aim of these events was to show that Cranfield University and its surrounding areas are located in the midst of beautiful countryside that is ideal for walking.
A quick glance at the walks we’ve done in October:
Sunday 2nd October, a circular walk to Cranfield village: Fantastic turnout for our 1st walk! More than 40 students and staff set off from Cranfield University and continued on the cycle path to Cranfield village. The cycle path had been only recently completed; it appears to loosely connect to the national 51 cycle route that goes from Cranfield village to Marston Moretaine and Bedford.
In Cranfield village students were shown the site of the St Peter & St Paul’s church, Swan pub, and Budgens and Co-op supermarkets . Our group admired the views towards the Forest of Marston Vale, a community forest stretching behind the village high street towards Marston Moretaine. Return journey was led via the public footpath that circumnavigates Cranfield airport.
Saturday 7th October – A walk & shop trip: Discovering Bedfordshire’s best kept secrets! Following a short drive, 7 of us set off from the village of Great Barford, known for its beautiful medieval bridge. The walk continued along the River Great Ouse to Danish Camp and with a stop at the historical Willington Dovecote and Stables. Final stop was at Go Outdoors store on the outskirts of Bedford, a perfect place to unwind for some shopping – new walking boots, base layers, hiking socks and more!
Sunday 8th October, special interest walk – geology of Dunstable Downs: A minibus took our group of 13 about 30km south of Cranfield University, to visit the highest point of East of England. After a lunch at The Chiltern Gateway Centre run by National Trust, we met with our guide who teaches geology at Birbeck College, University of London. This was a circular walk, circa 10km in length. It included a stop at at the Whipsnade Tree Cathedral. We learned about the fascinating history of the area going back millions of year – think of dry valleys, shallow seas and lots of chalk!
Saturday 15th and 22nd of October, a walk to Lodge Farm and Farm Shop: There was a group of 25 and 8 of us respectively on these short walks from Cranfield University across the fields to the quintessentially English village of North Crawley and then to Raw Milk Dairy and Farm Shop run by Angela and Gary Adderson on the outskirts of the village. Homemade cakes, bread, fresh raw milk and cream awaited us. We enjoyed complimentary teas and coffees whilst sitting in Angela’s garden and even got a tour of the dairy and learned about milking cows.
Tuesday 25th October, a special evening walk in the dark: 31 of us headed in the dark from Cranfield University via the footpath that circumnavigates the airfield to Cranfield village and beyond, via Marston Thrift to the village of Marston Moretaine. On the way students learned local ghost stories. Huge thank you goes to The Bell pub at Marston Moretaine for accommodating our large group for refreshments. Special spooky-themed cakes were made for us by Angela from Raw Milk Dairy and Farm Shop at Lodge Farm.
Our October walks were attended by staff and MSc and PhD students from across different schools. European countries were well-represented; we also had students from Australia, USA, Guatemala, Mexico, Cameroon, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Malaysia, China, and India.
More walks are planned before Christmas. Would you like to get involved helping Andrew and Kristina organise future events for students and staff at Cranfield University? There are volunteer positions available to join our award-winning team, visit our Committee page to learn more. Or do you have a car and would you be willing to be one of our volunteer drivers and thus help us cut out transport costs? We like to hear from you, get in touch! Finally..
Congratulations! Our 1st star walker is HoiKen, an MSc student from Malaysia, who attended
all of our six walks in the month of October!
Marston Moretaine forest – Spooky Walk (Thu. 31/10/13)
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Activity date:
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Thursday 31st of October 2013
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Meeting point:
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The Café Bookshop (Cranfield University)
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Departing time from Cranfield:
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19:00
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Arriving time to Cranfield (approx):
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22:00
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Walk length:
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6 Km (approx)
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Club members only?:
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No
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Sign up at:
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walking@cranfield.ac.uk with “SPOOKY WALK” in title
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Sign-up deadline:
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Tuesday 29th (this is absolute as we need to order transport, cakes and book tables in the pub)
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Price:
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£5 for members £8 for non-members. Have with you the exact amount of money the day of the walk.
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Meal provided?:
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Cake and warm drinks at
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Gear:
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Check the weather forecast beforehand, warm clothing is advised
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Other information:
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Walk involves areas of recorded paranormal activity!
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Sunday 2 December – Earth sends S.O.S.: Help, plant trees!
The world is in peril. And Gaya, the Spirit of the Earth, can no longer stand the terrible destruction plaguing our planet. And she now asks us, to give her a helping hand. — A call for the planeteers to give a helping hand, to heal the world!
Cranfield University Student Association and Walking society Presents:
Heal the world – take part in tree planting @ Forest of Marston Vale
Cranfield University students planting trees last year
The CSA and the walking society ‘Cranfield University’s Walks‘ have joined hands to promote a good cause. A public tree planting event in Forest of Marston Vale.
Tea/coffee/biscuits/tools/toilets etc are provided for all participants. Now all we need is YOU.
Plantation Timings: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Date: 2nd December
NOTE: We would require you to register at the CSA office 1st floor, by Thursday evening, so that we get an estimate of the number of people for whom transport has to be arranged.
COST: 3 pounds (a meager sum for a much better Earth) and this includes the refreshments as well as transport.
It’s your chance to make a difference!
Walk on Saturday 17 November: exploring Cranfield Part II
Walk itinerary:
Meet in front of Cafe Bookshop, Depart at 12.30 am 1.15 pm – meeting Paul, our guide, at Cranfield village; by the gate where the footpath from Cranfield University leads into the road (click on the hyperlink to see the point as an arrow on this map). For those who live in Cranfield village, you can join us there at 1:00 pm. Total walk length: circa 6 miles
Return: circa 16.30 hours Bring with you a packed lunch and a drink (optional stop at Co-op supermarket) Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for a walk on country footpaths. Also, a some clouds and drizzle is predicted, please come prepared.
There is no cost associated with attending this walk.
Have a look at this website on the day of the walk to see if there’s an update.
On Saturday 17 Novemner we are going to do a walk led by Paul from Cranfield village. We met Paul during the last guided walk Exploring Cranfield Village Part 1. We did a 16 km walk last time where we had an amazing walk in and around Cranfield. Now, to continue on this wonderful exploration, we are having a follow up walk.
Paul is an experienced rambler from Cranfield Village. And he has kindly agreed to lead the follow up walk as well, to explore a few more areas near by. So here it is; we are going to do a walk with Paul this coming Saturday. But first, Kirstina Sodomkova (the pillar of our walking group) asked Paul couple of questions:
Paul, could you tell us more about the planned walk on 17 November? We will be leaving Cranfield a south westerly direction going across fields to a little used church that can only be reached on foot paths, taking in the splendid views and the Autumn colours, then having a short break. Returning through the woods partly on the John Bunyan Trail. And back to Cranfield Tell us something about yourself. I was brought up in London and started rambling in my early teens, with school friends, catching the train on Friday evening out into the countryside, then walk to a youth hostel. Next day, after we done the chores, on to another for the night, then back home on Sunday in time for tea (or so we promised). I have lived in Cranfield for some 22 years now. What is your favourite walk? In England there’s many pleasant walks taking the views, going somewhere of particular interest or just want to get out. But my favourites are the expeditions with my son and grandson. What advice would you give to our walkers or what useful information could you share with us? Get an ordnance survey map of the area you’re in or going to, 1:25000 scale Explorer map – the one with orange on its cover ( there is a problem for Cranfield as it’s on the corner of four maps) This link gives some independent help in choosing walking boots: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2010/04/which-reveals-the-best-walking-boots-207719/ Sometimes TK Max, a shop In the Centre Milton Keynes, has reasonable quality walking boots at discounted prices. Thank you, Paul. We look forward to our walk on Saturday. Kristina SodomkovaWednesday 31 October: All Hallows Eve Walk
Walk itinerary:
Meet in front of the Main Reception Depart at 7pm Return: before 22.00 hours Total walk length: 7 km ( circa 4.5 miles). Terrain: suitable for wearing trainers Walk leader: Andrew Potter from School of Applied Sciences. Event organisers: Sarah, Kristina & Vikas (Committee Members) Refreshments at the end of the walk at The Bell pub, Marston Moretaine.
Only limited places available. Please book your place by 2:00 PM Friday 26th Oct.
UPDATE ON 28 OCTOBER; ALL PLACES BOOKED
Cost: £5 for members of Cranfield University’s walking society, non-members £8
Book your place at the Cranfield Students’ Association’s office, 1st floor Show you membership card to claim a discounted rate when booking a place.
Have a look at this website on the day of the walk to see if there’s an update.
Join us for this special Halloween walk in the dark on Wednesday evening. After a short journey to Cranfield village where the walk will start, we will continue on the National Route 51 of the National Cycle Network towards the Forest of Marston Vale; through the wooded Marston Trift to the neighbouring village of Marston Moretaine; ending there by the 15th century church of St Mary. This is a beautiful ancient church with an unusual detached tower that perhaps served once as a watchtower, or a place of refuge. A very special event not to be mised!-)
Light candles with us in the church graveyard for the upcoming day of “all souls” and soak up the magical atmosphere of the church lit up at night.
Did you know? Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Halloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago. See also: http://www.halloween-website.com/history.htm
Cranfield University's Walks 