A village walk

A walk through the villages of Castor and Ailsworth

The old and the new 27th November, 1999

Click on the thumbnails for a better image

Saturday morning in late November. The bright sunshine gives an illusion of warmth. We begin just outside the village of Castor on the bridge over the Bypass (opened July 28 1991).

We walk past the turn to Ferry Meadows and Milton Ferry Bridge - the road that used to be the main A47 - onto Castor Heights and the top of Loves Hill.

At the bottom of the hill we turn right into Water Lane. This was Marholm Road until the bypass cut it short.

The first turn on the left leads into Polls Yard, one of the recent developments.

The first left leads to another recent development, The Limes.

Water Lane leads us to the bottom of High Street, a narrow, rutted lane - unsuitable for heavy vehicles. At the top we turn right to Samworths Close.

Returning along High Street we turn right into then left into Stocks Hill. We turn left into Sylvester Road and pass Kyneburgha Close on our left. We leave the roadway and pass through the field using a muddy path rutted by bicycle tyres, down to Clay Lane.

A left turn in Clay Lane takes us to Castor Village Green. There are rumours that a pond will soon be built on the Green - a strange thought.

Turning right takes us up toward the allottments, looking back towards the Green is the new aspect of Allottment Lane.

Fresh winter vegetables are growing in the allottments. The swings are in use on the play ground. We have reached the bleak no-man's land between Castor and Ailsworth.

We enter Ailsworth and walk down to come out on Peterborough Road opposite The Paper Shop. The temporary measures to discourage further ram raiding attacks are not picturesque, but are effective. We pause to buy a newspaper.

Next to The Paper Shop Tracey Baker rushes past the Butchers to try to avoid the camera. She thought she had managed, but only Josh escaped.

A little further along Sue Nash enters the Post Office. Graham said he smiled for the picture but we couldn't see that since he was inside.

After watching Sue Nash trying to persuade some stamps to stick on a parcel we proceed along Peterborough Road, heading back towards Castor, and past the Police House.

Carlton Court is on our right .

We reach Port Lane and look past The Prince of Wales Feathers towards Castor Village Green.

Then down Port Lane to the Cricket Ground. No comments about England's cricket prowess came to mind (the South African cricket team is annihilating England at the moment)..

Continuing along Port Lane we skirt Woodlands Sport and Leisure Centre. I still remember the meeting in the village hall when we were shown the neat models of the proposed building that would scarcely intrude on the village skyline.

We follow the path to Splash Lane, and a good view of Castor Hill.

Back at Peterborough Road we turn left. This house is where the old Village Hall stood.

Next to it the Old Police House still stands.

The healthy walk is almost over, the Royal Oak is close by.

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Saturday morning in late November. The bright sunshine gives an illusion of warmth. We begin just outside the village of Castor on the bridge over the Bypass (opened July 28 1991).
We walk past the turn to Ferry Meadows and Milton Ferry Bridge - the road that used to be the main A47 - onto Castor Heights and the top of Loves Hill.
At the bottom of the hill we turn right into Water Lane. This was Marholm Road until the bypass cut it short.
The first turn on the left leads into Polls Yard, one of the recent developments.
The first left leads to another recent development, The Limes.
Water Lane leads us to the bottom of High Street, a narrow, rutted lane - unsuitable for heavy vehicles. At the top we turn right to Samworths Close.
Returning along High Street we turn right into then left into Stocks Hill. We turn left into Sylvester Road and pass Kyneburgha Close on our left. We leave the roadway and pass through the field using a muddy path rutted by bicycle tyres, down to Clay Lane.
A left turn in Clay Lane takes us to Castor Village Green. There are rumours that a pond will soon be built on the Green - a strange thought.
Turning right takes us up toward the allottments, looking back towards the Green is the new aspect of Allottment Lane.
Fresh winter vegetables are growing in the allottments. The swings are in use on the play ground. We have reached the bleak no-man's land between Castor and Ailsworth.
We enter Ailsworth and walk down to come out on Peterborough Road opposite The Paper Shop. The temporary measures to discourage further ram raiding attacks are not picturesque, but are effective. We pause to buy a newspaper.
Next to The Paper Shop Tracey Baker rushes past the Butchers to try to avoid the camera. She thought she had managed, but only Josh escaped.
A little further along Sue Nash enters the Post Office. Graham said he smiled for the picture but we couldn't see that since he was inside.
After watching Sue Nash trying to persuade some stamps to stick on a parcel we proceed along Peterborough Road, heading back towards Castor, and past the Police House.
Carlton Court is on our right .
We reach Port Lane and look past The Prince of Wales Feathers towards Castor Village Green.
Then down Port Lane to the Cricket Ground. No comments about England's cricket prowess came to mind (the South African cricket team is annihilating England at the moment)..
Continuing along Port Lane we skirt Woodlands Sport and Leisure Centre. I still remember the meeting in the village hall when we were shown the neat models of the proposed building that would scarcely intrude on the village skyline.
We follow the path to Splash Lane, and a good view of Castor Hill.
Back at Peterborough Road we turn left. This house is where the old Village Hall stood.
Next to it the Old Police House still stands.
The healthy walk is almost over, the Royal Oak is close by.