Newsletter September 6, 2024

 This newsletter has been almost ready to send for about two weeks. But things kept getting in the way of finishing it off. The result is that the paragraph below is slightly out of date. But we’ve decided not to tamper with it anymore. 

We are now approaching the end of summer.Throughout the south of England the fields are golden brown with hay, barley and wheat. Even if the crops have been mowed, this still leaves a distinct colour -not found in the north of England. We may not have mountains but we do have fields of gold.

The photo was taken near Avebury near the start of The Ridgeway. Beyond the hayfield you can see Silbury Hill, one of the many neolithic monuments built in the area.

Whilst August is one of our quietest months, September is one of our busiest. Last week welcomed 14 members from the Worshipful Company of Pewterers who followed the Thames Path from Marlow to Pewterers Hall in the City of London. So a word about Worshipful Companies also known as livery companies on account of the uniforms they wear. These are the “descendants” of guilds (craftsmen) that were formed in London in the middle ages. There are 111 guilds, the top 5 (in order of precedence) being the mercers, grocers, drapers, fishmongers and goldsmiths. Today the livery companies aside from electing the Lord Mayor of London (not to be confused with the political Mayor of London!) bestow significant funds to charities. Two of the livery companies, the Vintners and the Dyers, participate in Swan Upping.

The Pewterers lie in a respectable 16th place being one of the oldest guilds, pewter being a cheap alloy. The Pewterers are raising funds for the Institute of Neurology, a world-class organization dedicated to translating neuroscience discovery research into treatments for patients with neurological diseases such as strokes, epilepsy, dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The Institute is closely associated with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. If you would like to support them, you can donate here.

Thames Path Route News

Shall we start with some good news? The riverside walk behind Craven Cottage, Fulham FC’s football ground, is finally open. No need to walk around three sides of the ground anymore. Note that it will be closed on match days.

The tunnel below Halfpenny Bridge at Lechlade, which we reported in the last newsletter as having opened, has since closed and re-opened. Work appears to be being done on the structure of the bridge. If walking downstream and find the gate locked, exit on the bridge into Lechlade and follow the footpath through the churchyard which will take you to St John’s Lock and to the next diversion! If walking upstream, it might be best to follow the diversion in case you get all the way to Halfpenny Bridge to find your way blocked. Discretion is the better part of valour!

Another diversion has started just past Goring where the river bank has collapsed. The diversion makes use of a parallel road and is therefore relatively short.

Also under “new”, part of the Path between Osney Bridge and Folly Bridge is being repaired. Diversions are supposed to be in place (not verified) but we would imagine you will cross to the other side of the river at Gasworks Bridge.

But without a doubt the most disturbing report we’ve heard is that of cows getting onto a bridge due to broken fencing as you approach Inglesham. The photo below was sent in by a concerned walker. We have notified the National Trails office.

Other existing diversions:

Just downstream from St Johns Lock (past Lechlade) another wooden footbridge with the exotic name of Bloomer’s Hole is deemed unsafe and is to be repaired. There is a small diversion using the pre-existing Thames Path Alternative. It briefly follows the road to Kelmscott, past the caravan park on your left, taking a footpath to your right which rejoins the Thames on the left bank just across from the bridge.

At Culham there is a small diversion on account of a wooden bridge that needs attention. This is one where the diversion signs have been cast aside. We think the work has not been completed.

Benson Weir is still closed. The ferry is operating as the river is no longer red-boarded. The good news is that work is underway to repair the weir.

There is a new diversion to avoid the closed boardwalk at Marsh Lock Henley. This starts at Shiplake and takes you briefly into the Chilterns. The diversion adds an extra 1.0 miles to the walk although feedback that we’ve received is that it feels much longer!  The diversion is supposed to add an extra mile. But, bear in mind that the distance from Shiplake to Henley is already 2.4 miles. So the diversion is therefore 3.4 miles in total.

The diversion at Temple Bridge is still in place following its closure.

And damage to a bridge has caused a diversion from just past the Runnymede Hotel to shortly before Staines. The diversion uses the A308 (pavements) returning the walker to the riverbank just before the bridge at Staines. The diversion takes about 0.6  miles of the route with minimal added distance. The diversion, which was expected to last 6 months from February 2024, is now set to be in place until 2026. The signage for this diversion is not that obvious. Note that this is one of those diversions where locals and officials are engaged in a running battle of the barricades.

For a full list please see our route alerts page on the website.