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Countryside on the southern edge of Wokingham

Just to the south of Wokingham, the other side of the railway line, is some very attractive countryside. I have regularly walked there since the 1960s. (See also some early pictures of the area and pictures of Gorrick Wood ).

In July 2008 I took my camera on two walks, to record an area that was under threat of being covered with houses and a main road. The first was my usual walk around Chapel Green, starting and ending at the footbridge over the railway. The second was a longer walk from Finchampstead Road, ending at Star Lane crossing on Easthampstead Road (see map below).

A few years later another development proposal for Chapel Green was successfully defeated. But then the Council planned to designate this whole swathe of open country as a Strategic Development Location, and despite huge opposition the planning inspector approved the plans. The indicative route of the road is shown on the map below, and much of the land either side will be covered with houses.

When this area is built over, we will lose a well loved natural amenity (quite apart from the wider effect on the town of yet more over-development ). Future generations will not be able to enjoy what we have enjoyed since much of this lovely stretch of countryside will be lost under brick and tarmac, with no way of bringing it back. Some green space will remain between the houses and roads, but that cannot replace the tranquility that is there now.

Surveyors at Chapel Green in May 2017

As a reminder of what is to come, in May 2017 I came across a couple of surveyors near Chapel Green during my morning walk. They were only doing their job, but they signal the beginning of the end for this beautiful stretch of countryside. Where they are standing will be a street surrounded by houses, with the main road and a roundabout in front of the trees. Enjoy what is there now in the little time that remains. And after it has been changed I hope you will continue to enjoy these pictures.

My original walks were in the summer, but the area is beautiful all year round. I well remember the autumn day when I read the sad news that the planning inspector had sealed its fate. The sun, combined with mist hanging above the ground made the area look especially peaceful.

Over the years I seen the area under heavy snow and in heavy frost (which highlighted the delicacy of the foliage). I saw the removal of trees to open up the area where the main path crosses the stream, and later extensive work to improve the paths (some of which deteriorated the following year). There is always something interesting to see as the landscape and wildlife evolves.

Map of the area


Pictures

I hope you enjoy the pictures of this unspoilt part of Wokingham before it was lost to development.

Each group has a brief description and a set of thumbnails. Click on any thumbnail to see the full size picture.

You can use the arrows to move between pictures, or return to the main page.

Use the links below if you are interested in a particular section or just start at the beginning .

First walk Second walk Other walks Later pictures

All material and pictures © 2008 to 2019 John Harrison


Southwest and across the Emm Brook

The walk starts on the footbridge where Luckley Path crosses the railway to Waterloo. For over a century, the railway has marked the boundary between the town and the countryside here. Stand on the footbridge and look along the track, as well as out towards open country (though the trees next to the railway hide much of it from here. Over the footbridge Luckley Path continues south, but leave the main path and climb over a stile. A shady path leads down through the trees. It emerges amid luxuriant grass, with open ground on the left, and overgrown land between the path and the railway on the right. Wild flowers abound if you stop to look at them. When the path reaches the Emm Brook, there is a stile at either end of the bridge. 

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The railway bounds the town
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Trees beyond the railway
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South over the substation
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Train glimpsed from the path
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Walker heading south
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The style off Luckley Path
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Path through the trees
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Vegetation either side
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Out into the long grass
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View across the fields
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Rushes by the path
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Meadow-sweet
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Passing under a tree
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Birds foot trefoil
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Great hairy willow herb
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Purple vetch
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The stile over the stream
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Path worn in the grass
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Looking back at the stile

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Through the pasture

Past the stream, the path goes through the meadows of Chapel Green Farm where horses graze. Look among the meadow grass, and you will see many other plants growing as well.

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Horse and jumps
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Footbapth sign
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Chapel Green farm
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Dew on cobweb in the grass
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White clover
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Purple clover
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Buttercups
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Scabius
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Colts foot
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More horses grazing
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A scavanging crow

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The track south

Here you meet a cart track that is well used in all weathers by people tending horses, as well as people out strolling, since it is part of an easily walked circuit from Finchampstead Road. Past the farm, the track is metalled as it passes Lucas Hospital. Where it turns right, take the style straight ahead towards Ludgrove Lane.

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Footpath signs by the lane
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Towards the town
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Boys strolling
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Gipsy Lane behind the trees
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Hemlock growing by the fence
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Walking the dog
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Leading a horse
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The stile by Lucas Hospital

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Ludgrove Lane

You approach Ludgrove Lane along a path through the field in front of Lucas Hospital. Some years ago the meadow was ploughed to encourage wild flowers. By 2008 (early pictures) many were flourishing and by 2015 the whole area was a riot of colour (later pictures).

After the meadow turn left along the lane, which is a tarmac drive giving access to both Ludgrove Farm and Ludgrove School. You can walk or cycle along it from Finchampstead Road to Easthampstead Road, but a gate in the middle ensures that vehicles only use it for access. This first walk follows it for a short way, almost as far as the farm.

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Path across the field
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Wild flowers by the path
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Yarrow
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Thistles
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Poppies
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The town in the distance
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Sheep grazing
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Sheep resting
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Wild flowers in the meadow (2015)
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Closer view of the flowers (2015)
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A deer crossing Ludgrove Lane

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Luckley Path

Just before the farm, the lane meets Luckley Path, an ancient route that runs from near Wokingham Market Place to Gorrick Wood, north of Crowthorne. After crossing Ludgrove Lane it heads south, past the school and the market gardens, and into the forest, but we turn left and head back along it towards the footbridge over the railway where we began. The path crosses the Emm Brook, on a bridge that is good for children playing 'Pooh sticks'.

[Update spring 2011] The trees next to the bridge have been felled to protect the structure, giving the bridge a very different feel, see pictures .

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Thistle flowers in the field
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Grass flowers
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The stream (Pooh Sticks bridge)
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Looking across the field
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Undergrowth flanking the path
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Trees forming a tunnel
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Narrow path by the fence
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Path snaking round a tree
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Hedge parsley by the path
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A clump of hemlock
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Path nearing the railway
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The view to Lucas Hospital

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The second walk ...

The first walk of just over a mile, takes you around only a small part of the area under threat to the south of Wokingham. The longer walk from Finchampstead Road through to Easthampstead Road is shown below.


The lane from Finchampstead Road 

Walk down Finchampstead Road, over the Emm Brook, and take the lane on the left, just before the roundabout. You soon leave the sound of traffic behind. Passing through the gate, there are views of fields to your left. Then the lane turns sharp right by some stables.

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Leaving Finchampstead Road
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Gate across the lane
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Northeast towards the town
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Sorrel growing in the field
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Morning walk

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The track across Chapel Green

The lane turns into a track between fences. Camomile growing in the track contrasts with the red brick hard core. You join the route of the first walk and pass alongside Lucas Hospital. The lane turns sharp right where you can pause to look briefly into the garden. You meet Ludgrove Lane by a house restored and extended some years ago. A few yards to the west is the narrow bridge under the Guildford railway line. More or less opposite you is the broad track heading south towards Gorrick Wood.

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Track across Chapel Green
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Camomile growing in the track
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Passing Lucas Hospital
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Looking in to Lucas Hospital
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Where the track joins Ludgrove Lane
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Bridge under the Guildford railway
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Walk this way!
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The track into Gorrick Wood

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Ludgrove Lane (west)

Walk east along Ludgrove Lane, joining the route of the first walk as you pass in front of Lucas Hospital. Whereas on the first walk, the views were all north towards the town, on this walk, we look south, across pasture land.

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Lucas Hospital from Ludgrove Lane
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Looking southwest
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Blackberries in flower
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Cows and calf
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Bullock feeding
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Majestic oak trees
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Looking southeast
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Where Luckley path goes south

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Near Ludgrove School

Go straight on where the first walk turned left, and you pass Ludgrove School and Farm. The accommodation next to the lane was converted some years ago from farm buildings. To your left, the broad sweep of pasture continues to the east. Just beyond the school is the duck pond. It is surrounded by trees. Thirty years ago, I remember it freezing over, and the boys from the school skating on it, but normally only the ducks are there.

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Student accommodation
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Trees along the Emm Brook
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Thistle flowers
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Hens at Ludgrove
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Ducks on the road
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Taking to the water
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Leaving wakes
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View across the pond

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Ludgrove Lane (east)

The eastern part of Ludgrove Lane has fewer 'chocolate box' views, with more evidence of working agriculture, and fields full of raspberries, cabbages or pens for rearing game birds, but there is still plenty of interest to see as you walk along, with views across the fields, and several glimpses of Star Lane crossing in the distance. At the end of the lane is an attractive old house.

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Across to Star Lane crossing
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Looking back northwest
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Past the duckpond
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Fields of raspberries
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Game bird pens
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Cabbages and flowers
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View towards the town
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Houses by Star Lane crossing
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The end of the lane

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Easthampstead Road

Turn left on the road, but before you do so, admire the parkland on the other side. As you walk along, you get views of the open land to west and east through the gaps in the hedges. Look closely for detail as well.  The road rises as you approach Star Lane crossing, allowing you final views of open country to the east and west. Cross the railway and look back towards the green fields that might not be there in future.

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Parkland across the road
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Walking towards the town
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Southwest towards Ludgrove
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West from Easthampstead Road
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Convolvulus flower
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Sapling oak tree
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New growth on oak tree
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Ragwort in flower
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Star Lane crossing
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East along the railway
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West beside the railway
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Looking towards Ludgrove

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Later walks

A sunny autumn morning

I was walking down from the railway bridge to the bridge over the Emm Brook early in the morning before starting work, and although I hadn't intended to take pictures, the view was so stunning that I took a couple using my phone camera.

01FieldMist.jpg
Mist lying over the meadow
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Horse peacefully grazing

The misty autumn walk

A few days later, armed with a 'proper' camera, I went to take some pictures. The landscape was beautiful even without much sun, and there was much detail to look at, even though it was long past the flower season. I followed the same route (the first of the summer walks). The pictures below are in order, but I haven't broken them up into sections, like the summer walk.

10RailwayMist.jpg
Railway disappearing into the mist
11MossLichen.jpg
Moss and lichen growing on the bridge
12Sign.jpg
Glimps back to the town from above the style
13PathLeaves.jpg
Leaves strewn on the path
14MeadowTreeMist.jpg
Trees receding into the mist
15Willowherb.jpg
Remains of a willowherb flower head
16Hogweed.jpg
Cobwebs on hogweed seed heads
17GrassDew.jpg
Dewdrops on grass seeds
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Path beyond the style over Emmbrook
19Trees.jpg
A pair of Ash trees
21SignLichen.jpg
Lichen growing on the fence post
22FieldView.jpg
Gypsy Lane viewed across the valley
23Yarrow.jpg
Yarrow still in flower
24Deadnettle.jpg
Seed head and deadnettle leaves
25Fungi.jpg
Autumn fungi among the leaves
26HouseReflect.jpg
House at Chapel Green reflected in last night's rain
27Walker.jpg
Morning walker near Lucas Hospital
28Bracken.jpg
Golden bracken
29RoseHip.jpg
Rose hips
31Path.jpg
Path across the meadow
32Can.jpg
Someone doesn't respect the countryside!
33Cows.jpg
Cows peacefully grazing
34BeechLeaves.jpg
Beech leaves turning colour
35Hogweed.jpg
Hogweed head and holly leaves
36Groundsman.jpg
Groundsman at work
37Crows.jpg
Crows roosting in the bare trees
38Runner.jpg
Morning runner along the lane
39Path.jpg
The path back to the railway bridge

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Winter walk

This area looks beautiful in winter as well. On the first morning after the big snow in January, I went for a walk, along with scores of others to judge by the extent to which the snow was trampled along the paths.

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Walking into the wood
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Emerging from the wood
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The path by by the field
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Droplets on the fence
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Passing trees
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Across the field in Chapel Green
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A red kite soaring overhead
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Branches weighed low by Lucas Hospital
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View across the field
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Walkers on Ludgrove Lane
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Lucas Hospital
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Looking towards the town
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A friendly cow
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Mixed trees beyond the fields
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Walker on Ludgrove Lane
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On the frozen pond at Ludgrove
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The path entering the wood
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Walking through the wood
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Back at the railway bridge
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Looking west along the railway

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The Emm Brook

On the winter walk, I took particular note each time we crossed the Emm Brook. A couple of weeks earlier it was in flood as the pre-Christmas snow melted, and the south eastern tributary was heavily polluted – covered from bank to bank with diesel for several days. On this occasion, things looked more or less normal.

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Footbridge near Chapel Green
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Ludgrove Lane crossing the southern branch
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Luckley Path crossing the southeastern branch
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Ducks near Luckley Path bridge
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Southeastern branch going under Ludgrove Lane
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Flowing away from Ludgrove Lane

Later pictures 

2011 – Tree removal

In April, several trees were felled by the 'Pooh sticks bridge' on Luckley Path. What used to be a shady spot is now open to the full sun. Only the trees close to the bridge were felled, so I assume they were cut down to protect the bridge structure. Damage done by the tree roots the the abutment walls are clearly visible.

One of the cuts shows barbed wire deep within the trunk, which must have been growing around it for years. It's not clear whether the chain saw cut through the barbed wire, or had a lucky escape.

The trees were not cut down to the ground, but left as stumps a few feet tall. By the summer, fresh growth was sprouting from these stumps.

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Bridge looking north 2011
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Bridge looking west 2011
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Tree damage to the bridge abuttment 2011
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Barbed wire deep in the trunk 2011
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Barbed wire emerging from the trunk 2011
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Fresh growth sprouting from the tree stumps 2011

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December 2012 – frosty weather

After a hard frost the previous night, everything was covered in white, and looked beautiful in the sunshine on my morning walk. The next day I took a camera with me. It wasn't sunny, so the pictures are more muted, but things looked beautiful despite the more subdued tones. The route I took is the same as the original first walk.

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Looking east from the railway bridge
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Looking west from the railway bridge
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Path down through the trees (mud frozen hard)
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Hoar frost on hedge parsley near the path
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Frost in a felled area beyond the ditch
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More frost near the bridge over the stream
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Horses wrapped up against the cold
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A frosty briar arch
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Frosty grass near the style onto the lane
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The lane past Lucas Hospital
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Contrasting bushes in the 'wild' field
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A mass of frozen vegitation in the 'wild' field
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Close up on a frozen clump
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Rose hips with frost spikes as well as rose spikes
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Frost rimmed blackberry leaves on Ludgrove Lane
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Cows in the frosty field
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Cows feeding on hay
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Ivy in the hedge
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View of trees towards the town
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Gate where Luckley Path goes south
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Signpost at the junction of Luckley Path & Ludgrove Lane
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Grassy track through a gate
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Oak leaves on Luckley Path
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View to Chapel Green houses among the trees

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2014 – Path work

By 2013 both Luckley Path and the path SW from the railway were suffering seriously with many patches turning into deep mud. Standing water near the paths made it clear that the drainage was inadequate. In June 2014 a lot of stone rubble was spread on top of the mud. In the least bad areas this may prove effective but within days the stones were starting to sink into the mud in the worst areas. The depth of the mud is clear from the picture of the dump truck sunk up to its axle – in June! The only attention to drainage seems to be the addition of one small drain on Luckley Path.

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Dumper sunk in deep mud after spreading stones – June 2014

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2015 – Various

  These pictures were taken on various walks. They illustrate the continuing variety and beauty of the area and seeing the deer was a lucky break. The recent work on the path from the railway bridge down to the style over the Embrook was long overdue and very welcome. No longer do you need to squelch through the mud or duck under the overhanging trees.

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Himalayan Balsam near the footbridge
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Flowers in the meadow in front of Lucas Hospital
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More flowers in the meadow
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Wild blackberries near the path
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Path surfaced and overhanging trees cleared
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Path nearing the Emm Brook
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Looking back up the path with Himalayan Balsam
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Flowers alongside the resurfaced path

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 2016 – Various

The next four pictures were taken on a frosty day early in 2016. The following two were taken in late spring after the ground had mostly dried out, showing how some stretches of the path that were improved last year have already deteriorated, with the newly laid rubble swallowed by the mud. In other places the less trodden edges of the rubble are already being colonised by flowers. The other pictures were taken in May and June when the area was as beautiful as ever but for how long? 

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Early morning light with frost still on the grass
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Frozen puddles by the path south of the railway
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The same puddles looking north showing frozen mud
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Recent vegetation clearance seen from the bridge
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Rubble laid last year that has been swallowed by the mud
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Flowers colonising the untrodden edge of the rubble
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Hogweed growing by the path
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Deadnettle growing in an old fence post
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Path beyond the bridge over the Emm
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Buttercups among the meadow grass
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View across the meadow with grass in bloom
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Profusion of grass flowers where the path meets the lane
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Colour contrast - an oak seedling
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Diverse vegetation near Lucas Hospital
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Path across the meadow by Lucas Hospital
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Campions near the exit to Ludgrove Lane

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2017 – Various

The winter of 2016-7 was mild, with some attractive misty scenes. The dry spring was followd by a wet May, which left the low lying meadow under water. May also saw the field in front of Lucas Hospital ploughed up., with a rustic fence erected to separate most of it from the public path. The field had been full of wild flowers since the original pasture was ploughed and re-seeded around 15 years earlier,

Summer brought the usual crop of wild flowers, in all their diversity, along the paths and around the fields, with fungi starting to appear in August.

The path from the railway down to the stream, which was so much improved after the Council installed drainage under the path and built it up with rubble, has deteriorated significantly this year. Some of the drainage has become blocked, forcing the spring water to run over the path, with subsequent build up of mud on the surface.

In December some of the overhanging trees were cut back, by this path and the main Luckley Path.

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Cattle on a misty winter morning
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Flooding in the meadow in May 2017
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Buttercups flanking the path across the meadow
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The field of wild flowers by Lucas Hospital re-ploughed...
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... with a fence along the path
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View of the path looking back
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View towards Chapel Green from Luckley Path
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Another view from Luckley Path
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Himalayan Balsam and seed heads of hogweed
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Convolvulus climbing old stalks
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Birds foot trefoil surrounding the fence
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Thistle heads along the electric fence
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Parasol musrooms growing in leaf litter by the path
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Cows chewing the cud near Ludgrove
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Remains of vegitation clearance on the path
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This section was much more enclosed than this before the vegitation clearance
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Path down from the railway flooded by drainage failure - in the summer!
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Selective tree reduction on the path down to the stream
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Selective tree reduction on the main path south
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Looking east on a clear December morning
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Frosty grass in the shady part of the field
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An early morning dog walker
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Recent mowing in the newly sowed field near Lucas Hospital
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Flooded field looking towards Ludgrove
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Looking the other way towards the trees
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Dramatic light along the path south of the railway
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Autumn colours and sunlight by the style
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A dog walker returning towards Wokingham

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2018 – various

A mysterious blue pipe appeared in one field, with a red flag not far away, maybe related to the plans to build on this area. Trees were pruned next to Luckley Path where it goes under the power lines. Even in July some of the renovated paths have reverted to mud were still wet. One of the drains under the path running SW from the railway is much smaller than the other and had become blocked, with ground water running across the path even in the driest weather. However, a few minutes with a drain rod cleared the roots blocking it and it now works again.

Wild flowers abounded, especially in the meadow by Lucas Hospital, which was re-seeded last year. There was a long drought in the summer, and as it progressed, plants resistant enough to remain green showed up against the parched grass. Green quickly returned after the drought ended, and before long was succeeded by the start of autumn colours. 

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Mysterious blue pipe
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Red flag – sinister?
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Pruning work by the main path
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Cow seen from Ludgrove Lane
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More cows grazing
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Very muddy path down to the stream bridge
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Mud on the main path south – in July
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Running water across the path down from the style – in July
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Horse grazing amid buttercups
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Hedge Parsley almost meeting across the path
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More Hedge Parsley near the path
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Penny Daisies in the meadow by Lucas Hospital
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Campions by the path past the meadow
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More Campions
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Cornflower in the Meadow
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... and a Mallow
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Ragwort by the hedge
HogweedJul18.jpg
Hogweed with parched grass
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Cyclist and runners
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Another cyclist shortly afterwards
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Green shoots poking through dead vegetation after the drought
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Looking north along Luckley Path as the green returns
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Fresh growth and berries with plants turned brown by the drought
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Looking across the meadow towards Ludgrove School
HimBalsamRainAug18.jpg
Himalayan Balsam growing in the hedge
LucasMeadowMowedOct18.jpg
Recent mowing in the meadow near Lucas Hospital
PathSTunnelOct18.jpg
A sunny day on Luckley Path with the first autumn leaves
TreesFieldSky1Oct18.jpg
A view from the path towards distant trees

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2019 – various

Another blue pipe appeared (obviously to monitor ground water ahead of the development) as well as a bright red stake near where the road will cut through. No pipe needed to detect the flooding in June though when the river rose a couple of feet and submerged the paths on either side of the bridge. Meanwhile the cycle of life continued with abundent green and wild flowers progressing through the summer to the autumn.

BurrowMay19.jpg
Evidence of subteranian life
CoppicePathSApr19.jpg
Tree beneath the power lines after coppicing
NewGrowthMay19.jpg
New growth on the coppiced stump
PathPlantainFenceMay19.jpg
Plantain along the path near Lucas Hospital
NewFenceMay19.jpg
Fence replaced along Ludgrove Lane
DownReedsMay19.jpg
Seed down blown onto patches of reeds
FloodedBridge2Jun19.jpg
Flooded bridge – The Emm rose a couple of feet after heavy rain
FloodedPath1Jun19.jpg
Flooded path where the swollen Emm has overflowed
StylePathMay19.jpg
Leaving the lane to cross the fields
CranesJan19.jpg
Cranes in the distance – shades of things to come
Pipe2May19.jpg
Another pipe monitoring ground conditions
StakeMay19.jpg
Stake in the ground – along the route of the planned road
lCamomileInPath.jpg
Camomile growing in the path
lRagwortMeadowJul19.jpg
Ragwort in bloom among the flowering grasses in the meadow
lWillowHerbRushesAug19.jpg
Rushes among Willowherb flowers near the stream
lFungusAug19b.jpg
Autumnal fungus by the side of the path
FloodedFieldDucksOct19.jpg
Ducks on the flooded meadow
DrillRigNov19.jpg
Drilling along the line of the new road
FrostyFieldNov19.jpg
Frosty field on an autumn morning
OakLeavesNov19.jpg
Frosty oak leaves by the path

2020/21 – Various

The in January the flooding around the Emm Brook was even worse than it is in most years. The water level rose and spread along the path, leaving the bridge as an 'island'. After a few more days heavy rain it rose even further – over two feet higher than its normal level, and several inches above the surface of the bridges. A large area around the stream was flooded with the path in both directions too deep to wade. The new road will go over here – on a 5m embankment, and in the summer another hole was bored to monito the soild conditions. Also near the route an area in the middle of a field was rotavated to create a mysterious patch of rejuvenated grass.

Spring saw the start of the CoViD-19 epidemic, with more people walking for exercise, but preparations for the new road continued with test boring near where it will cross the Emm Brook. Nature also continued with prolific growth everywhere – for now.

During the Covid pandemic far more people were exercising by walking the paths, with heavy use continuing during the winter, when mud and the weather would normally reduce traffic. As a result wet paths became even more muddy than normal – in places with the consistency of soup.

EmmBridge17Jan20a.jpg
Flood extending along the path after the first rain
EmmBridge17Jan20.jpg
The bridge under water
PathFlood17Jan20.jpg
The view beyond the bridge
PathDrillJul20.jpg
Close up of drilling from path where embankment will be
TowardsBridgeSep20.jpg
View along the route of the new road
FreshGrassSep20c.jpg
Mysterious patch of rejuvenated grass
AcornsPathAug20.jpg
Prolific display of acorns across the path
FungusChippingsAug20.jpg
Fungus growing on a pile of chippings
NestDugSep20.jpg
Remains of a raided bee nest by the path
HeronOct20.jpg
A heron by the duck pond
DewFieldOct20.jpg
Dew on grass heads glowing in the autumn sunshine
LaneMistNov20.jpg
Autumn mist at Chapel Green
HorseOct20a.jpg
Horse in autumn sunlight
CowsFloodOct20.jpg
Cows huddled in the flooded meadow.
WalkersJun20.jpg
Walkers during CoViD epidemic
PathMudNov20.jpg
Rain and heavy use turn the path to mud

2022 – Various

The rhythm of nature and weather through the seasons continued to provide delightful images for all to enjoy. 

SeedHeadsFrostBJan22.jpg
Frosted hogweed heads in the January sun
OakDownBMar22.jpg
Oak tree felled by spring gales
FungiInTrunkOct22.jpg
Fungi inside the dead oak tree in autumn
DeerDollAug22.jpg
A strange visitor by the path
ViewThroGateMay22.jpg
Abundent spring flowers
BerriesAug22.jpg
Summer berries
SunTreeMeadowDec22.jpg
Sun and frost on a winter meadow
FloodSkyTreeDec22.jpg
Reflections across a flooded winter meadow

Enjoy it while you can

These pictures show the attractiveness of this area of countryside. But following the Council's decision to build 2500 houses and a new road in the area south of Wokingham, it won't be like that for long, Some of the green space will be preserved, with more access to the space between the houses and the road, but the next generation will not be able to enjoy these walks in the way that we can, or to see these views.

Take pictures like I have, so that you can tell your children and grandchildren how attractive it was before it was changed for ever. See my views on development .

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All material and pictures © 2008 - 2019 John Harrison


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