The walking group uses all the footpaths and by-ways around Overton and occasionally to other nearby villages and hamlets. This gives them a first-hand knowledge of the state of these paths and tracks and as a result they have instigated a ‘footpath clearing team’ which operates in conjunction with the Hampshire Countryside team and the Parish Council to keep the paths in a decent state for walkers. This is co-ordinated by committee member Bernard Flood. He writes-
Summer months:-The footpath maintenance team meet most Friday mornings. Some of the paths are checked to see if they are in need of a good cut back and walkers also let us know if there are other paths that need cutting.
The path from Waltham Road to Berrydown Farm is a prime example. It is well used all year round, but it still needs to be cut back on at least 3 occasions during the growing season. That is what happens to most of the paths around Overton during the Summer months.
The work is entirely voluntary. Between 6 to 10 volunteers turn up every Friday morning. The equipment is nearly all battery operated.
Winter months:-We have started working on the Harrow Way for the first time this winter. Again, it is entirely voluntary and usually between 4 to 7 volunteers turn up on any pre-arranged morning. The work is a lot heavier than during the summer months
The equipment for this work is nearly all hand saws, loppers, petrol hedge strimmers and other heavy equipment. In some parts of the Harrow Way we have widened the path by a good 2 – 3 metres by cutting overhanging branches, taking down rotting trees and generally cutting back a lot of the wild vegetation that was, in a lot of places, narrowing the Harrow Way.
Much of the work done by the team, especially the larger projects like steps and handrails, are done in conjunction with Hampshire Countryside Service. Their website can be found at https://lookingafternature.co.uk
The phots below are from Gemma Clinch at Hampshire Countryside Service and show some of the work done in partnership between them and Overton Walking Group.
Today, 15th March 2022, the team installed a handrail and steps where FP2 from the Harrow Way to Kingsclere Road comes out onto the road. The 7 volunteers spent almost 4 hours completing this task.
Installing the handrail in Waltham Road prior to the steps being installed
Putting in the steps opposite Ashe Church.
The team have done a lot of work in Straight Lane with steps, handrails and gates, plus scalpings to make the approaches more usable.
The exit from the ‘Vineyard walk’ onto Popham Lane was impassable before the team attacked it!
Another major undertaking was the overgrown entrance to FP2 from the Harrow Way.
FP2 before the team’s efforts
FP2 after the teams efforts