Home page Walks photos Archive 2006		southcotswoldramblers.org.uk Selsley Common and Woodchester 27 December 2006 Mike leads a 4.5 mile walk which forms part of the Ramblers' Festival of Winter Walks and is pleased to welcome several people who have never walked with us before ..
		We start from Selsley Common and cross briskly to Boundary Court .
		And head down towards South Woodchester .
		Alongside the top edge of Dingle Wood .
		We emerge on the hillside with views to Woodchester Church and Rodbrough Common beyond .
		The fragrant viburnum bodnantense is flowering well .
		We zig-zag down the steep slope .
		To the stile where we turn left .
		Along an enclosed lane, The Lagger .
		We wonder what the name means? Googling, we later discover that in Corsham, Wilts there is another, "The Laggar – a field name “Leggan Ground” (enclosed paddock). Shepherds would leave their sheep in enclosures while they stayed overnight at “The Pack Horse” (now known as “The Flemish Weaver” in the High St) before driving the animals to market and shearing." As the Woodchester Laggar leads up to enclosed fields could this be the same? Please let us know if you know better. If you are into history, you might like to follow this link .
		The whole of this very peaceful valley has recently been given to the National Trust .
		So we are free to wander anywhere. We decide to turn right down to the valley bottom .
		Where we view the source of the Woodchester stream .
		Then return on the North side to this amazing skeleton .
		Which makes a perfect coffee stop venue .
		Penny for them, Keith .
		Then we decend .
		To pass the Parish Church .
		A local keeps an eye on us .
		And then we meet the extremely well-behaved local dogs being exercised.
		Heading up again to Dark Wood we spot a house that has been extended extensively .
		And has either a very high class garden shed, or maybe a sauna .
		Mike's camera zooms in on the new Stroud College (top right) and the old one (top left) which is due to be demolished and houses erected there in due course .
		Jim leads the way up a sunken tramway route .
		Misty views of the Stanleys .
		It has been really good weather for late December .
		The unmistakeable shape of Selsley Church tower .
		Nearly on top of the common now .
		Where some of the party pose for a group photo .
	Most photos and all captions by Mike. Thanks to Trish for two skeleton photos.
		As you can see, we thoroughly enjoy getting to know the South Cotswolds. We try to keep fit and succeed in 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.