Walking Group
This sociable group is made up of members, family and friends who are all welcome. A fund raising event is held once a year where proceeds are donated to NCFWI (More about the walking group, click here)
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Considering joining one of the WI Walks? Here’s a review from Lisa, Northampton Town Roses WI
"This was our first time joining a WI Walk, Amanda and myself are from Town Roses WI. Together with my husband, Keith, we joined the friendly group and set off along the canal. It wasn't just Amanda's drone flying - there were lots of gliders being taken up into the skies, ready to be released to swoop over the fields. The morning's adventure was completed with a lovely lunch and chat. We hope to join the group again in the future.
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November 2024
The Group found it was very interesting to see just how much Towcester has expanded over the last 20 years or so. An enjoyable lunch followed the walk at the historic Saracens Head Hotel.
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October 2024
The County walkers braved the inclement weather for a walk from "The Pipers" and alongside the 'River Ise' into Wickstead Park before returning for welcome refreshments. We can see that the walkers all had their waterproofs on!
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September 2024
How lucky that the County Walking Group chose the only bright, sunny day for their walk around Woodford. They report they did not even have muddy boots!
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August 2024
Members and friends met at the Wharf Inn Welford on a lovely summer's morning for Saturday's walk along the canal and footpaths. Amanda, who is a qualified drone pilot, took some great aerial photos of the group as we stopped for a banana break on a bridge over the canal.
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July 2024
It was good to finally have a taste of summer to enjoy! Our group started from the Bell at Odell for a very pleasant circular walk through Harrold Country Park, skirting the village of Harold and Odell Great Wood before passing the sites of Odell Castle and Water Mill.
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June 2024
Thank you to Louise and her team at Lois Weedon WI for a lovely walk this morning which finished with a delicious lunch in her beautiful garden.
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May 2024 Looks as though summer is finally with us! Members and friends enjoyed a lovely walk in glorious sunshine from Rushden Lakes visitor centre. Thanks to Ann Jeyes for leading the walk.
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April 2024 Sue Williams, President of Towcester Evening WI, led the walk from Roade on Saturday 13 April, to explore the Courteenhall area. Linda Llewelyn, Yardley Gobion WI President and a Trustee, is featured in the Churchyard, with Courteenhall House in the background. The house is occupied by the Wake family, who have
been in residence since 1672.
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February 2024 .A rural County walk for WI members and friends who strode out from Tiffield, skirting the village of Gayton and returning to ‘The George’ at Tiffield, through the Pocket Park. It was good to be together again, and out in the countryside with the early signs of spring around us.
The 2023 “Mince Pie” walk in December 2023 gave members and friends the opportunity to explore Burton Latimer on a beautiful winter morning.
October 2023
After a very wet week 21 keen walkers enjoyed a sunny autumn morning exploring old villages within Milton Keynes. The swollen River Ouzel caused the leaders to quickly improvise, and take a new route back to the Cross Keys in Woolstones for our lunch.
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On a glorious September 2023 morning members and husbands set off on a pleasant circular walk from the Star & Garter in Chelveston, returning to the village by way of St. John the Baptist Church with a wonderful carpet of wild cyclamen replacing the snowdrops from spring. Close by is the memorial dedicated to the 305th Bombardment Group who were based at RAF Chelveston.
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In July 2023 the County Walking Group was entertained by the ladies of Weedon Lois WI to a very interesting circular walk, taking us through the villages of Weedon Lois, Helmdon and Weston before treating us to lunch in their village hall.
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Starting from The Barley Mow in Paulespury, the June 2023 Walking Group headed out of the village and through the Hamlet of Pury End to join a section of the Grafton Way. A bank planted with thousands of bright red poppies greeted us as we entered the Plumpton End of the village.
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The March 2023 County walk headed off towards Summer Leys Nature Reserve. It was a grey day, but dry. The cheerful company made it all worthwhile.
February 2023 County Walk went from The Swan at Lamport over the fields towards Pitsford Reservoir then back to The Swan for Lunch. There was always a lending hand to help with the occasional awkward stile. Thanks to those who make these monthly walks possible.
In November 2022, the County walkers enjoyed their stroll round Irchester Country Park even if they did get a little damp towards the end of the walk!
The July 2022 County Walk with members, family and friends, took place in glorious sunshine. It was a circular walk from Ravensthorpe, round their local reservoir, past Coton Manor and through fields back to the Village Hall for lunch prepared by their members.
The June 2022 County walk started from Little Addington and ended at The Bell for a tasty lunch. Photo shows four Barton Seagrave WI members who much enjoyed the event.
May 2022
We started from Queen Eleanor Pub, walked through the woods and across parkland to the Northampton University Campus, before returning via Delapre Lake and Hardingstone.
April 2022
A beautiful sunny day to enjoy the County walk starting from the Winhover and taking in some of the Brampton Valley Way, Dallington Heath, Harlestone Firs, Church and Chapel Brampton. Then lunch ......
March 2022
It was good once again to be out in the early Spring sunshine enjoying the Northamptonshire countryside and each others' company on the Bozeat walk.
February 2022
Forty walkers started from Islip and took a circular route incorporating a section of the Nene Valley Way out of Thrapston towards Achurch. Wonderful to be together again!
November 2021
Our walk started in Stony Stratford and took the group round areas created by the Parkland Trust into Wolverton before returning to the George Hotel for an enjoyable lunch.
October 2021
The County WI walking group were so very lucky with the weather. Photos show members and friends that turned out for the circular walk from Roade.
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September 2021
Our walk near Maidwell took us along by-ways, bridleways, an old railway and of course footpaths. It was so good to meet up again and be back out in the countryside on such a lovely morning.
August 2021 - Hooray, we are out of lockdown
The WI Walk from Isham was well attended and most enjoyable. The route included a field full of horses and foals. It also included a call at Weetabix where everyone to received a goody bag - much appreciated it was too!
August 2020
Members of the WI county walking group met this sunny afternoon to enjoy each other's company on another socially distanced walk at Pitsford reservoir.
July 2020
Very slowly easing out of lockdown, 14 key members (including one dog) of the WI walking group met up at Irchester country park.This was their first socially distanced gathering and walk since February and the beginning of lock-down. They are now looking into how they can extend the numbers and planning further walks.
February 2020 - A spring walk near Blisworth
On a beautiful spring morning, the county walkers set off from Blisworth, along the Grand Union Canal to the Blisworth Arm/Gayton Junction.
December 2019 - Walking off the Mince Pies
The Walking Group sends their Very Best Wishes for 2020. This happy group of 25 walkers paused in Wicksteed Park, Kettering, on their way back to Barton Seagrave.
November 2019
Ashton / Oundle. The morning turned out to be mild and almost dry. Ann had quickly improvised a 'town' walk owing to many of the riverside paths being flooded. We explored Oundle on the way to Barnwell Country Park before retracing our steps to the Chequered Skipper for refreshments.
October 2019
On a Wet Saturday, 23 intrepid walkers braved the weather for a 5 mile walk. Unfortunately the views of the Welland Valley were masked by conditions!
August 2019
A very interesting circular walk from Stony Stratford. We strolled through the Ouse Valley Park, then along the Grand Union Canal over the Iron Trunk Aquaduct before passing the restoration works taking place on the old Buckingham canal on the way back into Stony Stratford.
July 2019
In July the walking group took the route from Ringstead to Stanwick Lakes, followed by lunch at The Axe and Compass. The photos show the gang of 36 walking through a field of Elephant Grass and also heading in the direction of Higham Ferrers church.
June 2019 - Wicksteed Park "One Man's legacy to Kettering"
This month was the annual fund raising event when the group met at Barton Seagrave Village Hall for a talk by the Community Link Manager of Wicksteed Park, followed by tea and cake. We then made our way to Wicksteed Park.
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May 2019
In May the group walked through water meadows, farmland and woodland, across the Nene Valley to Woodford.
April 2019
In April the walking group enjoyed a windy walk to Whiston then onto Brafield-on-the-Green before returning for a well deserved lunch in The Royal Oak, Cogenhoe.
March 2019
For the March walk, members met at Welford Community Centre for a sunny Spring walk. There were plenty of signs that Spring has sprung including daffodils and lambs along the way.
February 2019
What a great way to spend a Saturday in the company of members, family and friends! These regular monthly walks combine good company, exercise, fresh air and are always followed by an enjoyable lunch in a local pub. Photo shows suitably attired members near Bugbrooke.
November 2018
Stalwart members braved the murk to walk near The Bringtons, taking in Nobottle one of our smallest hamlets. They visited the Ancient "ridge & furrow" and finished the day with convivial refreshments in a local hostelry.
August 2018
On a glorious Saturday morning, we followed the combined harvester across the Holdenby Estate.
July 2018
Another beautiful walk, this time near Stoke Bruerne along the canal.
May 2018
A beautiful sunny May morning found the Walking Group in the North of the County near Clipston. Photo shows walkers approaching a vantage point to view the Battle of Naseby site.
March 2018
A rather grey walk around Emberton Park, Nr Olney - just over the border in Buckinghamshire. Whatever the weather, the company is great and all enjoyed the monthly meet up.
February 2018
Latest photo from a gorgeous Saturday morning walk from Cranford St Andrew to Twywell. Thanks to the ladies of Cranford WI who prepared a wonderful spread of soup and cakes on our return to the Village Hall.
January 2018
Everyone was dressed for the weather, which could not dampen their spirits on this rather wet Saturday morning. More than forty members, family and friends completed the walk in the Welford area.
December 2017
The annual "walk off the mince pies" commenced from Islip and followed part of the Nene Way through Titchmarsh Nature Reserve. Once again the Group chose the most perfect day to walk in Northamptonshire's countryside.
November 2017
The walk was started in light rain but it dried up within an hour and the sun came out. After the walk Grendon Wi ladies did everyone proud with ther selection of soups and cakes.
October 2017
This is a view back towards Duston from the outskirks of Harpole - the clock tower at St Crispin's Hospital and the Express Lift tower on the horizon (centre). The walk in favourable weather was followed by the usual good company at the pub lunch. 
September 2017
This enjoyable walk included a section by the canal at Braunston.
June 2017 A walk and lunch were held at Harlestone with proceeds going to the "Save Denman" fund.
May 2017 A beautiful walk around the village and fields of North Crawley.
May 2016. There were 31 on a walk from Sherington on probably the hottest day of the year (so far). It was a colourful walk with the bluebells in Hollington Wood still in bloom. A socialable lunch at a local hostelry followed. A wonderful way to spend a Spring day.
April 2016. Despite the weather forecast not being very good, 28 keen walkers started out from the Rose & Crown, Yardley Hastings. The rain soon relented and even gave way to a weak bit of sunshine at times. Another enjoyable Saturday walk.
