Home Walks Photos Archive 2005		southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Minchinhampton Christmas on the Common - 24 December 2005
		Minchinhampton is the starting point for our Christmas Eve walk and the day has dawned bright and sunny - not too cold either!
		All eyes go up to the magnificent new golden weathercock and restored stonework on the Parish Church.
		Olivia, our leader, meets us in the Market Square.
		What a glorious morning for our seven mile walk around the common - off we go towards Box.
		Heading towards Rodborough Common
		Doverow Hill in the background
		We pass by the Belted Galloways and Welsh Black cattle grazing the extremely steep slopes of Rodborough Common. A nearby poster explains: The National Trust in conjunction with English Nature use these cattle to graze a large number of important wildlife-rich Cotswold grassland in the Stroud area. Many of these areas have very steep, exposed slopes, are often small in size and yet frequently have high levels of public access. These factors, combined with the low quality grass forage, has deterred farmers from grazing these sites. Both of these cattle breeds are very tough and are quite content to spend the winter outside. The limestone grasslands of the Cotswolds are home to nationally important plants and insects. Many of the grasslands are commons and have been grazed by livestock for centuries. Lack of grazing in recent decades has led to an invasion of scrub and the loss of the more delicate plants and those insects that depend on them. All cattle are checked at least once a day and both herds are accredited to the RSPCA Freedom Food welfare scheme.
		Across the valley we spot part of North Woodchester, and above it Selsley Common and the farm buildings near the cattle grid (top right). The Royal Oak pub is the white buidling at bottom right. Zooming in is rather like flying over the village!
		What are they looking at???
		It's the famous Dog Tree - where regular visitors to the common traditionally send their greetings to each other each Christmas. Also they leave many many gifts of pet food for the local animal sanctuary, Teckels.
		Woof, woof!
		Next stop, Winstones, the best ice creams in the West! Mike catches Cynthia abd Olivia in a sweet mood to encourage them to offer a walk in the next programme.
		We walk through Bagpath.
		Through the lanes at Burleigh ...
		... and on Besbury Common some of us try to identify a bird of prey.
		Pausing for a chat.
		A very friendly pony
		We climb a very awkward stile and head back to the centre of Minchinhampton.
		Photos and captions by Mike
		As you can see, we thoroughly enjoy getting to know the South Cotswolds on foot, as well as keeping fit and having a good old chat. If you are interested in coming with us, see our walks programme and ring the leader if you have any questions about a particular walk. After two or three walks we hope you will then want to join the group as part of the national Ramblers' Association.