Ramblers
A most beautiful spring day
On Sunday 14 March, on a most beautiful Spring day with wall-to-wall sunshine, the Pembrokeshire Ramblers celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Ramblers’ Association with two separate walks of varying length from the car park of the Jolly Sailor Public House at Burton.
The long walk of about 10 miles saw the party of 14 walk to Burton Church, then across the fields to Beggars Reach and through Benton Wood before eventually reaching their lunch stop at Llangwm Ferry. Afterwards, the walk continued though the village to Sardis by way of Badger Wood & Little Dumpledale. Crossing over the road, the party turned left and visited the Hanging Stone burial chamber before using a most delightful track that took them to Houghton. Having obtained permission from the landowners, the walk continued along private roads to Williamston & South Lodge before joining the minor road and heading down the track to Burton Church. Instead of retracing their steps, the walkers turned right and walked across the fields towards Barnlake before dropping down onto the Burton road where they turned left and made their way back to their cars at the Jolly Sailor.
The walk was made even more enjoyable by the number of stiles which had been replaced by steel gates and credit is due to the County Council for making not only these improvements but also for installing a boardwalk and wooden bridge in a very wet section in Llangwm.
The short walk of 6 miles saw another party of 14 walking in the reverse direction to South Lodge & Williamston before turning left and walking through Benton Farm into Benton Wood. Passing Benton Castle, the walk continued via Cudlic & Beggars Reach and onto Burton Church before walking down the hill and back to the Jolly Sailor.
It was particularly gratifying that the Chairman of Ramblers Cymru, Lady Helen Lloyd Jones, travelled to Burton from Cardiff to join the Pembrokeshire Ramblers on the short walk on such a special occasion.
The day ended with 16 ramblers enjoying an excellent roast dinner at the Jolly Sailor.
