The Shakespeare's Avon Way - Weston Under Wetherley and Offchurch (9)

 

It is what what you can only really describe a s a drab sort of morning. Cloudy and overcast but at least it was dry. We are starting off from the Church at Weston Under Wetherley, there is a photo of the church on my previous Blog write up. 

We are walking in an anti-clockwise direction towards the ancient woodlands of South Cubbington. It soon became clear that it was not going to be a straightforward path....

The planed 'High Speed 2' (HS2) Railway network first phase between London and Birmingham is literally cutting its way through. We met one local dog walker who was totally devastated that this glorious ancient woodland is literally being ripped open in the name of progress. The scenes are horrific and back in 2020 protesters set up a protest campsite for several months until evicted by Bailiffs in October 2020.  Judging by the amount of signs warning of 'trespass' finding a route wasn't going to be easy.

We continued through what remained of the woods until we met double strength metal fencing preventing any further walking. That wasn't all we were met with as Security quickly arrived, we had obviously been picked up by surveillance cameras. 

A diversion route around the site has been created, unfortunately it is not open as yet. We had to make our way through the woods back to the road (B4453) to Cubbington. Even walking down the road we were under the constant watch of Security from their vehicles. I expect we will see more extent of the devastation as we progress on this circular walk. 

 

We pick up the footpath from the road and are back on track an in Cubbington. Until the mid-1820s the population of Cubbington was larger than that of Leamington, which now dwarfs Cubbington.

The Church of St Mary is decked out with flowing Poppies ahead of Remembrance Day tomorrow. Interestingly Jane Austen's brother James was vicar of St Mary's between 1792 and 1820, but never visited Cubbington as he lived in Hampshire where he was vicar of a place called Steventon. Because of the distance between Hampshire and Warwickshire, he employed a curate to perform the vicar's duties at Cubbington. 

We head off in the direction of Leamington Spa through some wide open spaces. That feeling of being watched is still there though... A large ugly tower block from the 1960's seems to be ever present wherever we roam.    

 

 

 

 

 

 The first footbridge of the day! Albeit a slightly broken one. On the hillside in the distance two horses stand resplendent. We take a path that leads us to Newbold Comyn Country Park. This extensive park, over 120 hectares (300 acres), was laid out in the 1970’s. There looks like there was also a golf course there at one time too. 

We have now arrived in Offchurch on the River Leam as we brush past the edge of Leamington Spa. The next leg will take us into the heart of LS. 

The origin of the name is from 'Offa's church' suggesting a connection to Offa King of Mercia from 757 to 796.

A stone coffin is on display in the current church (St Gregory's), but there is no direct evidence that this dates from Saxon times. 

A local legend says that if you go to the top of the church and jump off, King Offa will rise from the ground and catch you. Funnily enough I didn't put that theory to the test.

 

 

There is something quite poetic about seeing cows in the water. Conjures up images of yesteryear, some like Constable's Haywain perhaps? The River Leam is actually pronounced 'Lem'. It rises at Hellidon Hill in Northamptonshire, flows through Warwickshire, including Leamington Spa. It then flows into the River Avon near to Warwick and onwards into the River Severn.

It looked as though this poor Cow had come unstuck in search of richer pickings. I cleared a few brambles to ensure safe passage. I don't think the Cow was too bothered actually. 

It's a peaceful scene but we have to move on in the direction of the small village of Hunningham. 

The scale of damage done by HS2 becomes even more apparent from this view. In the distance you can see Cubbington Woods with the huge gap gouged out in It's centre. The damage is actually quite shocking.

Even as I type this there is still confusion as to the future of HS2.Reports say the £40bn section set to cut through parts of South and West Yorkshire to link the Midlands and Leeds have been scrapped. As usual it's down to money with the project already way over budget. Lets hope these beautiful woods haven't been stripped in vain.

On a happier note there is a lovely old Oak tree standing proud in full Autumnal colour. A couple of friendly sheep approach for a closer look. The sabotage all around is going to spoil the walk. These walks are all about getting out in the countryside and appreciating the beauty of nature. It is always there , you just have to loo a bit harder sometimes. 

The small church of St Margaret's Hunningham is worth the small detour. It is actually unlocked too which is rare in these times.   

We are on the last leg now as we pass the Red Lion Pub. The sun even puts in a hazy appearance through some gaps in the cloud.

It has certainly been a disturbing walk but interesting as always.

In total including the detours 10.5 miles covered!