3rd February 2010

A Stroll Around Frimley

Walker at Frimley Fuel Allotments Get your walking boots out and
come and discover some of the rural routes around Frimley on a pleasant guided walk on Friday 19th February organised by the Blackwater Valley Walkers’ Link that takes you through a variety of different landscapes. Meet for a 10.30am start at Frimley Lodge Park.

For anyone wanting to see the countryside areas in and around Frimley this walk offers the perfect opportunity. The route takes in part of the Basingstoke Canal and the Blackwater Valley path as well as passing through woodland and Frimley Fuel Allotments, a heathland area that not only provides an important habitat to a range of wildlife, but one that is also a popular recreational area for local people. Covering a distance of five miles, the walk should last about three hours. The route offers easy walking with some slopes, but does include some potentially very muddy tracks, so wet weather clothing and suitable footwear are recommended.

Anyone is welcome, just meet at the car park inside the main entrance of Frimley Lodge Park off Sturt Road, Frimley for a 10.30am start on Friday 19th February. Booking unnecessary but children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Dogs on leads welcome. For more details ring Blackwater Valley Countryside on 01252 331353.

The Blackwater Valley Walkers’ Link, is a group which aims to keep members informed about walks and walking groups in the Blackwater Valley area whilst regularly providing advice and encouragement about walking. Membership costs £15 pa and anyone interested in finding out more can write to Walkers’ Link(LP2), Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS. For details about the Frimley walk or the BV Walkers’ Link ring 01252 331353, email blackwater.valley@hants.gov.uk.

END

For more information contact:
Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353.
Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS

WHAT IS FRIMLEY FUEL ALLOTMENTS?

In 1801 the Government enclosed common land, which previously everyone had shared for grazing their animals and harvesting peat and wood for fuel. Land was distributed to the rich for farming increasing the poverty of the poor. Locally the authorities and richer people tried to help by putting aside an area of heathland for the poorer villagers to harvest fuel, this area is still known as Frimley Fuel Allotments and is cared for by the Frimley Allotments Trust. The army bought a lot of the surrounding common land and today the army use the area for exercises, local people use it for recreation and, like all heathlands, the site provides an important habitat to a range of wildlife.