tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post182219272902156483..comments2024-03-19T16:28:38.686+00:00Comments on Cambridgeshire walks: Somersham fields and allotment gardensJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149441881062721972noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-8731818123939193042023-06-23T07:47:33.702+01:002023-06-23T07:47:33.702+01:00Annabelle's Cakes is now open at Cranbrook Pla...Annabelle's Cakes is now open at Cranbrook Plants.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-79993470432100515792021-11-10T07:09:42.947+00:002021-11-10T07:09:42.947+00:00IMPORTANT NOTE : Chelsea Tearoom closed on Sunday ...IMPORTANT NOTE : Chelsea Tearoom closed on Sunday 14 November 2021. More info to follow if a new owner takes over.John McKinniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14343288656951986095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-47325350373607891292016-07-28T06:30:50.210+01:002016-07-28T06:30:50.210+01:00Thanks for the update, Roger. The map does clearly...Thanks for the update, Roger. The map does clearly show the point you are making. I've already removed the alternative route in question to simplify the walk. Appreciate the follow up. Regards, JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149441881062721972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-21563160463939779302016-07-27T10:55:40.894+01:002016-07-27T10:55:40.894+01:00John
http://my.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/myCambridges...John<br /><br />http://my.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/myCambridgeshire.aspx?MapSource=CCC/AllMaps&Layers=row,row-TROs&tab=maps<br /><br />This is the definitive Map Statement of CCCouncil and illustrates the non connectivity of the footpaths much more clearly.<br />Roger HAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294462120491795516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-29906240794960983592016-07-24T07:56:05.141+01:002016-07-24T07:56:05.141+01:00Hi Roger… Thanks for the feedback.
The Somersham ...Hi Roger… Thanks for the feedback.<br /><br />The Somersham OS map shows the lane turning left from the end of Chapel Lane as a footpath (there’s a dotted red line). You cannot ‘keep straight ahead’, only turn right towards the allotments main entrance.<br /><br />I accept under point 4 the track that carries straight on is not shown on the OS map as a public footpath, although it is a clear allotment track and links to the public footpath running along the backs of houses at King Street. If you're aware of any issues in using this track please let me know and I'll be happy to remove this part of the walk.<br /><br />Here's a link to a great free OS map viewer for you to check this out : http://footpathmaps.com<br /><br />Regards, JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149441881062721972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-40495351078243965232016-07-24T07:55:44.445+01:002016-07-24T07:55:44.445+01:00There are two errors on your descriptions of the S...There are two errors on your descriptions of the Somersham Allotment routes.<br /><br />Route 1<br />"After about 200 yards, at the end of the last row of cottages, turn right into Chapel Field Lane, beautifully green and full of wildlife. Follow the lane as it turns left".<br />Although people do follow the lane as it turns left this is not a footpath, it looks as if it should be, people should keep straight ahead. <br /><br />Route 4<br />You state "As an alternative you can carry straight on along the path". Not correct, there is no alternative, this is not a public path, turn right only.<br />Feedback please.<br /><br />Roger HAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-32495991402591861302016-07-24T07:55:14.425+01:002016-07-24T07:55:14.425+01:00Hi Alan... Here's a quick update on the issue ...Hi Alan... Here's a quick update on the issue you raised. The Rights of Way Officer at Cambridgeshire County Council contacted the farmer and the route has been reinstated by pressing the soil down and marking the route using tractor wheels. Thanks for letting me know of the problem, and I've thanks the Officer for such a quick turn around. Copies of the email texts I received are shown below. Many thanks, John<br /><br />EMAIL 1<br />Thank you for reporting this issue in Somersham. I have just spoken to the farmer’s wife who has assured me that she will let her husband know about this and they will resolve it shortly. I have asked someone to call me back to let me know when it has been reinstated and will let you know when I have been contacted.<br /><br />If you don’t hear back from me by the end of the week and notice that the footpath has still not been marked then please let me know and I will chase it up.<br /><br />EMAIL 2<br />The farmer has phoned me back and reports that the footpath has been levelled, ‘pressed’ and marked with tractor wheelings.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149441881062721972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-2214865890433031512016-07-24T07:54:44.769+01:002016-07-24T07:54:44.769+01:00Thanks for the comment, Alan. I've updated poi...Thanks for the comment, Alan. I've updated point 3 above since it's not the first time the route across that field has been ploughed up. It also makes the going difficult and particularly sticky if the ground is wet.<br /><br />It is definitely a public footpath across the field. A landowner is allowed to plough, but must reinstate the path within fourteen days to a minimum width of one metre (Highways Act 1980 s 134(3) (a) and (b)). I've contacted Cambridgeshire County Council and asked them to take action and give me an update.<br /><br />Regards, JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149441881062721972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-82763694575270291242016-07-24T07:54:23.758+01:002016-07-24T07:54:23.758+01:00Did this walk with a small group about 10 days ago...Did this walk with a small group about 10 days ago. 2nd para of point 3...and just over 300 yards route turns slightly right etc...<br />Half of this path, well indicated, was ploughed up. Dodgy to go across so we went around the field. Did the farmer go halfway and then realise he should not have ploughed?No idea. <br />Good leisurely walk- the parish church is worth some investigation.One gravestone is of a former Guardian crossword compiler.<br />Alan Butler.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-88809899607537708242016-07-24T07:53:41.469+01:002016-07-24T07:53:41.469+01:00Hi Jose, Geoff... really appreciate the informatio...Hi Jose, Geoff... really appreciate the information about the allotments. Being an enthusiastic allotmenteer at Hill Rise Allotments in St Ives, I admire the improvements your association have achieved at the Somersham site. Hope the details you've given generate more interest from Somersham residents. I've happily amended the text in point 1 above to reflect the information you've given.<br /><br />Many thanks, JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149441881062721972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-29580425144905670342016-07-24T07:53:16.195+01:002016-07-24T07:53:16.195+01:00We have read your article with interest but feel t...We have read your article with interest but feel that we should correct you on point 1. The allotments are not owned by the council but are in fact privately owned and run by a committee of volunteers. Somersham and District Smallholding and Allotment Association Ltd. has owned the site which comprises Chapel Field allotments and King Street allotments for many years - the oldest records that we have go back to 1920 but the Association actually began prior to this..You are correct in stating that many plots were overgrown and neglected but in the last few years the committee have worked very hard to encourage new members on site and also have given much of their time to improving allotments and common areas including the roadway. We are very fortunate to have plots of this size as no council plots are as large. Anyone who would like an allotment on this site should apply via the Association website and not through the council.If you would like any more information on the history of the site please contact the current Chairman, Mr, Geoff Parish on 07525 901735.We hope that this information is useful to you<br />Kind Regards<br />Geoff and Jose ParishAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-60835500502671604342016-07-24T07:52:30.241+01:002016-07-24T07:52:30.241+01:00Thanks for the positive comments Bunny... always w...Thanks for the positive comments Bunny... always welcome!<br /><br />I have looked at the walk on the other side of Lakeside Lodge golf courses, but haven't yet added it since it meant some road walking, which I prefer to avoid. Following your recommendation I'll look at it again.<br /><br />If you're after OS maps, you couldn't do better than http://footpathmaps.com. Just put in your postcode, pan out once to see the red footpath routes, and drag the map to where you want to search for walks.<br /><br />Regards, JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149441881062721972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17350035.post-46399264562511729792016-07-24T07:52:05.478+01:002016-07-24T07:52:05.478+01:00Hi, I did this walk yesterday but we took it a bit...Hi, I did this walk yesterday but we took it a bit further at point 3 on your map and went through the little copes into the Golf Course. Although a bit confusing to stumble across a gold course with no obvious sign as to where the public footpath disappeared to, we found it to the left of the fairway, and this went through some woods, across some wooden bridges and was quite charming and then the gravel path that runs straight through the golf course. We turned left at the end of the gravel path and into Lakeside Lodge for lunch and then walked back the same way, picking up your route again at point 3. I stumbled across your blog whilst looking for OS maps, so thanks for posting these. Really well laid out and I love the photo finishes :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com