Is there anything better than an early Autumn walk in the sunshine? I don't think so. Beautiful dark blue skies and still winds set the scene over Weedon Depot , the starting point for today's venture. Somewhere I've been aware of for a long time but never actually visited. Today is the day I put that right. Steeped in history Once known as The Royal Ordnance Depot, constructed as a secure military for the storage of ammunition and weapons for the British Army. The history amazingly goes right back to the Napoleonic wars up to a time of National Service. The Depot supported every major conflict in between. This would have a been a 'Top Secret site with access strictly secured. It is Georgian in style , made up of large store houses,powder magazines and gatehouses. It was completed around 1810. There is even a canal running down the centre of the complex. which would have linked up to Weedon Wharf and the Grand Union Canal.
The storehouses were of brick construction and faced with stone, each of
two storeys and 160 feet long by 35 feet wide, divided into four rooms.
One of the buildings was, at a later date, converted into a Military
prison with three storeys and containing 121 cells.There was even stabling for regimental horses, a Police Station and a Hospital.The depot is surrounded by a high wall, at each corner of which are
bastions, obviously built as lookouts for sentry purposes with patrol
walks along the top. These bastions were adapted during the 2nd World
War for machine gun posts to be used against air attack. Gunpowder was delivered to Weedon by barge, where it was packed into
barrels and boxes and re-issued. The coming of the railway brought a
standard gauge rail connection into the depot but it also posed a
problem as the new main line ran between the depot and the Grand
Junction Canal, severing the branch canal into the depot.
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The Army began the process of decommissioning the site in the late 1960's and in 1984 the Government sold the site at auction. The footprint still remains to this day. To the trained eye there are some subtle reminders of the fascinating history of the place. These include boundary marker stones, horse tethering posts and of course the section of the canal. It is now under private ownership with the buildings used for business and leisure purposes. With the right investment the possibilities are endless and it could become a real destination venue I 'm sure.
Turning right out of The Depot we walk down through the village of Weedon. Taking a short detour to have a look at the Church of St Peter & St Paul. A very friendly black cat goes out of It's way to come and say hello.A parish church of mixed date, combining a late twelfth-century tower
with a body of the church rebuilt in the early nineteenth century and a
chancel of 1863. The doors are open so we take a look inside this pretty church. Unfortunately the Cat has decided to join us. There then takes place some frantic rounding up to get the cat back out and roaming free once again.
We have to show some cat like speed as we cross the busy A5 , heading cross country towards the village of Flore. The perfect scene of a footbridge over running water awaits .Another church comes into view as we progress towards Flore.
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All Saints Church, Flore
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The Church doors are sadly locked this time, there is a Commonwealth War Grave though.F H Rogers, a Stoker on HMS Duke.Part of the Royal Navy Patrol Service , nicknamed 'Churchill's Pirates' or 'Harry Tate's Navy'. No age listed but I suspect he was an older chap. Probably died rather killed in action?
Some lovely field walking as we head towards our next destination 'Nether Heyford'. The village is on the flood plain of the River Nene and used to be subjected to flooding. After the incredibly hot and dry Summer the soil is still firm for the most part. It also has one of the largest village Greens in the country.
Walking through Nether Heyford is very pleasant I must say. It has something of a bygone era feel to it despite it being of some size. Nether Heyford takes its name from 'Hay ford'. Alternatively, 'hedge ford' or enclosure ford'. There is a smaller village of 'Upper Heyford' about half a mile to the north. In 1699, a Roman pavement was found in Harestone Meadow to the east of the village. The natives seem friendly too. 'It's going to rain one tells us as he wheels his wheelbarrow full of vegetable produce. He might not be wrong looking at the sky. Some threatening black clouds are gathering on the breeze..We arrive at the point to join the canal. The left path will take us to 'Bugbrooke'. That may well be for another day. We need to loop back towards Weedon.
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Nothing like a spot of canal walking to quieten the mind.Usually flat too into the bargain. The rain prophecy comes to pass, unfortunately it didn't pass without giving us a wetting. At least I am grateful for keeping faith with my waterproof coat. It is short lived though as the sun takes centre stage once again. The net result being a beautiful rainbow not quite over the water but still spectacular.
We pass lots of traditional Narrow Boats , many moored up close to Weedon Wharf. Who should jump out of the hedgerow but our Old Friend the 'Black Cat'. Equally as affectionate he followed us some way along the towpath. Eventually, and with some relief he jumped up onto one of the moored boats. Maybe that is is home? We will never know, at least he or she is safe for now at least.
It has been a nice shortish circular walk . Around seven miles in total covered. we arrive back at the Weedon Depot. There is a nice Cafe and book shop that is calling. First port of call though (after the toilet) is the ground floor Antiques centre. Strangely one of the first items on display is a 'Black Cat'. Quite fitting really!
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Black Cat
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