Places To Visit
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Killerton House - Glorious landscape garden surrounded by parkland, fine 18th-century house with renowned historical fashion collection:
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Quad World - Come to multi award-winning Quad World where everyone can join in the fastest growing sport in the UK!
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Escot Park - The roots of this East Devon estate lie in Norman times and it has been the home of the Kennaway family for over two hundred years. The Escot of today is a place of great natural beauty for our visitors to enjoy. It retains its role as a family home and is increasingly a flourishing centre of rural enterprise. For all lovers of Nature, Escot is a totally new gardens experience. It is uniquely attractive to garden enthusiasts and families alike. Here are champion trees and elegant shrubs amidst woodland paths, picnic spots and forest playgrounds. |
Devon Walks
PROGRAMME OF WALKS MAY - DECEMBER 2009 Please wear suitable clothing and stout footwear and bring refreshments if required. Dogs are to be on a lead at all times. Please note you can just turn up on the day but prior booking is preferred. It is advisable that anyone using public transport and walking across the East Devon Commons and/or Dartmoor to the start of a walk should be competent with a map and compass. Recommended maps: Explorer Series Nos. 110, 112, 114, 115, 116, 126, 139, OL9, OL20, OL28 & an Exeter A-Z. Distance 2-4 miles unless an all day walk which will be about 6 miles.
Tuesday May 5 th 6.00pm BICKLEIGH MILL EVENING WALK - Meet at Bickleigh Mill car park (please use area under the bridge). Grid ref: SS937077. This is one of the nicest stretches of the Exe Valley Way and a good area for kingfishers and dippers. Wild flowers will feature strongly today. Bus 55 to Bickleigh. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday May 6 th 10.00am HALDON - Meet at the Haldon Forest car park. Grid ref: SX882846 (pay and display - £2). Take sharp turn to Dunchideock off A38 just before racecourse. Butterflies and other insects. 4 hrs £5
Friday May 8 th 2.00pm ORCOMBE POINT, EXMOUTH TO SANDY BAY - Meet near the toilet block at the eastern end of Queen's Drive, Orcombe Point (pay & display £2.40). Grid ref: SY019798. Out along the beach and back along the cliffs – sandwich terns, kittiwakes and green-winged orchids. Bus 57 or train to Exmouth plus 40 minute walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Tuesday May 12 th 6.00pm EXMINSTER MARSHES EVENING WALK - Meet at the RSPB car park (cross over railway bridge and turn sharp right). Grid ref: SX954872. Bus 85 to Swan's Nest roundabout. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday May 13 th 2.00pm FIRE BEACON HILL - Meet in the Bowd Inn overflow car park, Sidmouth. Grid ref: SY107901. Bluebells and birds. Bus 52 to the Bowd Inn. 3 hrs £5
Friday May 15 th 10.00am STEPS BRIDGE, NEAR DUNSFORD - Meet at Steps Bridge car park. Grid ref: SX803884. Bus 359 to Steps Bridge. One of the Devon Wildlife Trusts best nature reserves. 4 hrs £5
Sunday May 17 th 9.00-11.00am Spring Bird Song Walk at Knightshayes. Price £10. Booking in advance only through the National Trust, contact Elaine on 
01884 254665 . Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Monday May 18 th 11.00am BELLEVER, Dartmoor - Meet at the Postbridge car park (just after the clapperbridge coming from Exeter direction - 50p charge). Grid ref: SX647789. Dartmoor birds. Bus 82. 4 hrs £5
Tuesday May 19 th 6.00pm STOKE CANON EVENING WALK - Meet at the level crossing. Grid ref: SX938979. Pleasant river walk with chance of little owls. Bus 55 to Stoke Canon Inn. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday May 20 th 11.00am VENFORD RESERVOIR - Meet at North car park. Grid ref: SX686713. Wood warblers, cuckoos and flycatchers. 3 hrs £5
Friday May 22 nd 10.00am WARREN HOUSE INN, Dartmoor - Meet at King's Oven car park. Grid ref: SX675811. Moorland birds. 4 hrs £5
Saturday May 30 th 2.00pm BRANSCOMBE - Meet at the Village Hall car park, Branscombe (donation in wishing well). Grid ref: SY197887. Wildflower walk. This walk is not suitable for anyone with vertigo. 4 hrs - £5
Monday June 1 st 10.00am CHUDLEIGH KNIGHTON HEATH & LITTLE BRADLEY PONDS - Meet along the road verges at Chudleigh Knighton heath. Grid ref: SX837776. Good weather could lead to some great dragonfly watching. 4 hrs £5
Tuesday June 2 nd 10.00am GRAND WESTERN CANAL - Meet at Sampford Peverell car park. Grid ref: SS033143. Attractive canalside walk. Dragonflies will feature again today if the weather is kind. Bus 55B to Tiverton then change for Sampford Peverell, or train to Tiverton Parkway plus 20 minute walk to start. 5 hrs £5
Tuesday June 2 nd 6.00pm GRAND WESTERN CANAL Evening bird walk - Meet at Sampford Peverell car park. Grid ref: SS033143. Attractive canalside walk. Bus 55B to Tiverton then change for Sampford Peverell, or train to Tiverton Parkway plus 20 minute walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Friday June 5 th 2.00pm MINCINGLAKE VALLEY PARK & DRAKE'S MEADOW, EXETER - Meet at Stoke Hill car park at bottom of Stoke Hill road. Grid ref: SX935945. A chance to explore this little known valley park that is rich in wildflowers and insects. Bus F to top of Mincinglake Road. 3 hrs £5
Sunday June 7 th 2.00-4.00pm Knightshayes Court – Wildflower and Insect Identification. Price £10. Booking in advance only through the National Trust, contact Elaine on 01884 254665. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Monday June 8 th 10.00am EAST BUDLEIGH COMMONS & WOODBURY CASTLE CIRCULAR - Meet at Fire Point 4 Wheat Hill car park (not the car park under the trees at Squabmoor). Grid ref: SY041847. Heathland wildlife. Bus 57 to Lympstone plus 45 minute walk.
Tuesday June 9 th 8.00pm MUTTERSMOOR NIGHTJAR EVENING - Meet at Peak Hill car park (not Jacob's Ladder car park), near Sidmouth. Grid ref: SY109873. An evening walk finishing with nightjars, hopefully! Bus 52 to The Triangle, Sidmouth plus 45 minute walk up Peak Hill to start. 2 hr walk - £5
Wednesday June 10 th 10.00am LYMPSTONE TO MUDBANK LANE – Meet at Lympstone (Underhill) car park behind the Globe Inn (pay & display 90p or free parking in nearby streets). Grid ref: SX991840. Wildflowers and insects. Bus 57 or train to Lympstone plus 15 minute walk to start. 4 hrs. £5
Friday June 12 th 2.00pm DUNSDON NATURE RESERVE, West Devon - Meet in the car park. Grid ref: SS302080. From Holsworthy, take the A3072 west towards Bude. After about 2.5 miles, take a right turn signposted to Pancrasweek. Continue north past Pancrasweek church for about 1 mile, and then right at the T-junction, through Lane, following the lane round a sharp left bend. The entrance to the reserve is on the left, just before Gains Cross. We will be looking for lesser butterfly orchids and marsh fritillary butterflies on this National Nature Reserve. Stout footwear essential. 3 hrs £5
Sunday June 14 th 2.00pm FERNWORTHY RESERVOIR, Dartmoor - Meet in the main car park. Grid ref: SX669838. Scenic lakeside walk. Birds, flowers and insects. 3 hrs £5
Tuesday June 16 th 8.00pm AYLESBEARE COMMON NIGHTJAR EVENING - Meet Joney's Cross car park on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth Road (by turning for Hawkerland, about half a mile on the Sidmouth side of the Half Way Inn). Grid ref: SY057897. Our first visit to Aylesbeare for nightjars. 2 hrs £5
Wednesday June 17 th 2.00pm ORLEY COMMON - Meet at the car park that is just west of Ipplepen village towards Torbryan. Grid ref: SX827665. Wildflowers and insects. Bus X64 to Ipplepen plus 15 minutes walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Saturday June 20 th 10.00am RIVERSIDE VALLEY PARK & MATFORD SCRAPES - Meet at bottom of Salmonpool Road (off Topsham Road ), Exeter . Grid ref: SX932911. Parking is limited so please use nearby Rivermead Road and walk to start. The first of two walks today - this area is a good one for a variety of dragonfly species. Bus ‘T' to top of Salmonpool Lane/Buckerell Lodge. 3 hrs £5
Saturday June 20 th 2.00pm LUDWELL VALLEY PARK - Meet at Pynes Hill (from Countess Wear roundabout, Exeter , take the B3181 towards Honiton (then ignore slip-road for Honiton and look for left turn to Pynes Hill). Meet in front of NFU building. Grid ref: SX949908. In search of bee orchids. Bus 52, 57 or 85 to Countess Wear roundabout plus 15 minute walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Friday June 26 th 2.00pm STEPS BRIDGE , NEAR DUNSFORD - Meet at Steps Bridge car park. Grid ref: SX803884. Bus 359 to Steps Bridge . In search of the high brown fritillary. 4 hrs £5
Saturday June 27 th 2.00pm COLATON RALEIGH COMMON - Meet at “Woodbury Castle Fire Point 15” car park (not the estuary view car park) on the Exmouth side of the castle. Grid ref: SY033872. We will be searching for the silver-studded blue butterfly today. 4 hrs £5
Monday June 29 th 2.00pm MELDON RESERVOIR – Meet Meldon Reservoir car park. Grid ref: SX562918. New territory to explore. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday July 1 st 2.00pm STOVER - Meet at the car park (pay & display £1.20). Grid ref: SX832749. Dragonflies. Bus X38/39 to Drumbridges . 3 hrs £5
Friday July 3 rd 2.00pm MANSANDS - Meet at Woodhuish car park – (follow signs from the B3205 for Colaton Fishacre. When the road turns left then right, take the left turn then continue ahead signed to Woodhuish Farm. The car park is on the right after half a mile). Grid ref: SX910523. Please note there are two steep ascents, one of them very steep, the other prolonged. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday July 8 th 2.00pm TOPSHAM - Meet at Holman Way car park (pay & display 80p). Grid ref: SX968882. Birds, flowers and insects. Bus T to Holman Way or bus 57 to Station Road plus 5-minute walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Friday July 10 th 2.00pm ASHCLYST FOREST - Meet in the Forest Gate car park. Grid ref: SX999995. One of my favourite butterfly venues with a chance of white admiral, silver-washed fritillary and purple hairstreak. 3 hrs £5
Tuesday July 14 th 8.00pm MAMHEAD NIGHTJAR EVENING - Meet at the car park. Grid ref: SX920807. 2 hr walk - £5
Wednesday July 15 th 2.00pm HALDON - Meet at the Haldon Forest car park. Grid ref: SX882846 (pay and display - £2). Take sharp turn to Dunchideock off A38 just before racecourse. Butterflies and other insects. 4 hrs £5
Friday July 17 th 2.00pm CULVER COMBE, CHUDLEIGH KNIGHTON. Grid ref: SX847784. A chance to visit the home of Gina Rooth and Robin Khan to see how they are creating a haven for wildlife. Gina will be providing refreshments after the walk. BOOKING IN ADVANCE ONLY – DIRECTIONS WILL BE SENT BY POST. Sorry no dogs allowed on this walk. Bus 39 to Chudleigh Knighton plus 15 minute walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Saturday July 18 th 2.00pm PULLABROOK WOODS - Meet at Reddaford car park, first turning on the right after crossing the cattle grid on B3344 Bovey Tracey to Manaton Road. Grid ref: SX785794. Butterfly walk. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday July 22 nd 10.00am MUSBURY & LOWER BRUCKLAND PONDS - Meet at Musbury Village Hall car park. Grid ref: SY273946. Dragonfly watching at Lower Bruckland Ponds. 4 hrs £5
Friday July 24 th 2.00pm BRANSCOMBE - Meet at the Forge car park, Branscombe (donation in wishing well) Grid ref: SY197887. A small colony of chalkhill blue butterflies were discovered recently in this area. 3 hrs £5
Saturday July 25 th 2.00pm CHUDLEIGH KNIGHTON HEATH & LITTLE BRADLEY PONDS - Meet along the road verges at Chudleigh Knighton heath. Grid ref: SX837776. More dragonfly watching. 4 hrs £5
Sunday July 26 th 2.00pm MUTTERSMOOR & BULVERTON HILL - Meet at Peak Hill car park (not Jacob's Ladder car park), near Sidmouth. Grid ref: SY109873. Heathland butterflies. Bus 52 to The Triangle, Sidmouth plus 45 minute walk up Peak Hill to start. 3 hrs £5
THERE WILL BE NO WALKS BETWEEN 27 JULY AND 25 AUGUST
Wednesday August 26 th 11.00am ORLEY COMMON - Meet at the car park that is just west of Ipplepen village towards Torbryan. Grid ref: SX827665. Wildflowers and butterflies – we will search hard for the elusive brown hairstreak. Bus X64 to Ipplepen plus 15 minutes walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday September 2 nd 2.00pm ORLEY COMMON - Meet at the car park that is just west of Ipplepen village towards Torbryan. Grid ref: SX827665. Wildflowers and butterflies – we will search hard for the elusive brown hairstreak. Bus X64 to Ipplepen plus 15 minutes walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday September 9 th 11.00am WEMBURY - Meet in the beach car park. Grid ref: SX518484 (pay & display). Birds, wildflowers and insects. 5 hrs £5
Wednesday September 16 th 11.00am EAST PRAWLE – Meet in the village car park at East Prawle . Grid ref: SX781364. First of a series of walks in the South Hams. Please note you need to be sure-footed for this route. 5 hrs £5
Friday September 25 th 11.00am START POINT – Meet at North Hallsands . Grid ref: SX817288. Birds, wildflowers and insects. Please note you need to be sure-footed for this route. 5 hrs £5
Wednesday September 30 th 11.00am EAST SOAR – Meet at East Soar car park (Higher Soar). Grid ref: SX712376. Migration. 5 hrs £5
Friday October 2 nd 11.00am THURLESTONE – Meet at the beach car park. Grid ref: SX676419. Last walk in the South Hams this year. 5 hrs £5
Saturday October 3 rd 2.00pm AYLESBEARE COMMON – Meet at Joney's Cross car park on the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth Road (by turning for Hawkerland, about half a mile on the Sidmouth side of the Half Way Inn). Grid ref: SY057897. Autumn heaths and woodland. Bus 52A/B to Joney's Cross (request stop). 3 hrs £5
Monday October 5 th 10.00am STOVER COUNTRY PARK – Meet at the car park (pay & display £1.20). Grid ref: SX832749. The fungi season begins with a double-walk day. Bus X38 or 39 to Drumbridges. 3 hrs £5
Monday October 5 th 2.00pm OUT ALONG THE BOVEY – Meet at Station Road car park, Bovey Tracey (with the toilet block and small wooden tourist information building – pay & display £1). Grid ref: SX814781. Bus 39 to Bovey Tracey. 3 hrs £5
Friday October 9 th 11.00am BRIXHAM & BERRY HEAD – Park along Berry Head Road and meet at start of Brixham Breakwater. Grid ref: SX931566. In search of purple sandpipers, cirl buntings and seabirds. 4 hrs £5
Sunday October 11 th 11.00am-1pm KILLERTON – An Introduction to the World of Fungi. Cost £7 . Booking in advance only through the National Trust on 01392 881345. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Sunday October 11 th 2.00-4.00pm ASHCLYST FOREST – An Introduction to the World of Fungi. Cost £7. Booking in advance only through the National Trust on 01392 881345. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Monday October 12 th 10.00am HALDON - Meet at the Haldon Forest Park car park (pay & display £2). Grid ref: SX882846. From Exeter take sharp turn to Dunchideock off A38 just before racecourse. Annual fungi walk. 4 hrs £5
Thursday October 15 th 10.30am-12.30pm ABBEYFORD WOODS, NEAR OKEHAMPTON . Fungus Foray. Cost £5. Booking in advance only through Forest Enterprise on 01392 834233. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Thursday October 15 th 1.30-3.30pm ABBEYFORD WOODS, NEAR OKEHAMPTON. Fungus Foray. Cost £5. Booking in advance only through Forest Enterprise on 
01392 834233 . Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only
Sunday October 18 th 2.00-4.00pm ASHCLYST FOREST – An Introduction to the World of Fungi. Cost £7. Booking in advance only through the National Trust on 01392 881345. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Monday October 19 th 10.00am MUTTERSMOOR & BULVERTON HILL – Meet at Peak Hill car park (not Jacob's Ladder car park), near Sidmouth. Grid ref: SY109873. Heath and woodland fungi. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday October 21 st 2.00pm BOVEY VALLEY WOODS - Meet at Reddaford car park, first turning on the right after crossing the cattle grid on B3344 Bovey Tracey to Manaton Road. Grid ref: SX785794. Annual fungi walk. 3 hrs £5
Thursday October 22 nd 11.00am-1.00pm ROSEMOOR GARDENS , Great Torrington . Fungus Foray. Cost £8 members of Royal Horticultural Society, £14 non-members. Booking in advance only through Rosemoor Gardens on 01805 626800 .
Saturday October 24 th 10.30am-12.30pm ABBEYFORD WOODS , nr Okehampton. Fungus Foray. Cost £5. Booking in advance only through Forest Enterprise on 01392 834233. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Saturday October 24 th 1.30-3.30pm ABBEYFORD WOODS , nr Okehampton. Fungus Foray. Cost £5. Booking in advance only through Forest Enterprise on 01392 834233. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Wednesday October 28 th 11.00am DAWLISH WARREN - Meet at the far end of the car park (pay & display - £1). Grid ref: SX980787. Birds, birds, birds. Please note no dogs allowed on this particular walk. Bus 2 or train to Dawlish Warren. 4 hrs £5
Friday October 30 th 10.00am FINGLE BRIDGE , nr DREWSTEIGNTON - Meet at Fingle Bridge car park. Grid ref: SX744898. More mushroom hunting. Please note you need to be sure-footed for this route. Bus 173 to Castle Drogo plus 30 minute walk to start. 4 hrs £5
Sunday November 1 st 11.00am-1.00pm KILLERTON – An Introduction to the World of Fungi. Cost £7. Booking in advance only through the National Trust on 01392 881345. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Sunday November 1 st 2.00-4.00pm ASHCLYST FOREST – An Introduction to the World of Fungi. Cost £7. Booking in advance only through the National Trust on 01392 881345. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Wednesday November 4 th 10.00am NEWTON POPPLEFORD Route 1 - Meet at Newton Poppleford car park. Grid ref: SY086896. Up the river to Tipton St John – mainly birds. The first of two walks today. Bus 52A/B to Newton Poppleford Memorial. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday November 4 th 1.30pm NEWTON POPPLEFORD Route 2 - Meet at Newton Poppleford car park. Grid ref: SY086896. An exploration of the Harpford Woods area. Bus 52A/B to Newton Poppleford Memorial. 3 hrs £5
Friday November 6 th 1.30pm HEMBURY WOODS & HILL FORT - Meet at Hembury Woods Grid ref: SX729681. Take the Buckfastleigh turning off the A38. Go past Buckfast Abbey and very shortly afterwards take the next turn on the right to Buckfast (easily missed). Go through Buckfast village and take right fork signposted Hembury Woods. After bridge, ascend the hill and park on left hand side of the road where it levels off at top or turn in on the left to park at the picnic area. Late fungi walk. 3 hrs £5
Monday November 9 th 1.30pm STEPS BRIDGE , NEAR DUNSFORD - Meet at Steps Bridge car park. Grid ref: SX803884. Annual fungi walk along the wooded Teign. Bus 359 to Steps Bridge . 3 hrs £5
Tuesday November 10 th 11.00am-1.00pm ROSEMOOR GARDENS , Great Torrington . Fungus Foray. Cost £8 members of Royal Horticultural Society, £14 non-members. Booking in advance only through Rosemoor Gardens on 01805 626800 .
Wednesday November 11 th 1.30pm KNIGHTSHAYES COURT, NR TIVERTON - Meet at Knightshayes Court car park. Late fungi walk in National Trust parkland. 3 hrs £5
Friday November 13 th 1.30pm CASTLE DROGO - Meet in National Trust car park. Grid Ref: SX725903. New territory to explore. 3 hrs £5
Sunday November 15 th 11.00am-1.00pm KILLERTON – An Introduction to the World of Fungi. Cost £7. Booking in advance only through the National Trust on 01392 881345. Book early to avoid disappointment – limited numbers only.
Monday November 16 th 10.00am RIVER AXE – Meet at the lay-by on the Seaton to Axmouth road shortly after crossing the river bridge at Seaton. Grid ref: SY254902. Winter bird watching. Please note that if we visit Seaton Marshes & Colyford Marshes dogs are not allowed. Bus X53 to Seaton plus 15-minute walk to start. 4 hrs £5
Wednesday November 18 th 1.30pm BUDLEIGH SALTERTON TO OTTERTON – Meet at White Bridge , near Budleigh Salterton. Grid ref: SY077831. Potter along the Otter. 3 hrs £5
Friday November 20 th 10.00am SIDFORD – Meet at Sidford main car park. Grid ref: SY135900 (pay & display £2). An all day level walk of about 6 miles out along the Byes and back, with chance of purple sandpipers on Chit Rocks and a tea-stop at Jacob's Ladder café, Sidmouth. Bus 52A/B to Sidford. 6 hrs £5
Monday November 23 rd 1.30pm KILLERTON - Meet at Killerton car park. Grid Ref SS977002. Winter ramble. Bus 1 to turn off to Killerton (request stop) plus 15 minute walk. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday November 25 th 1.30pm STOKE CANON – Meet at the level crossing. Grid ref: SX938979. Riverside ramble. Bus 55 to Stoke Canon Inn. 3 hrs £5
Friday November 27 th 10.00am EXMINSTER MARSHES – Meet at the RSPB car park (cross over railway bridge and turn sharp right). Grid ref: SX954872. Winter bird watching. Bus 2 to Swan's Nest roundabout. 3 hr s £ 5
Saturday November 28 th 1.30pm RIVERSIDE VALLEY PARK & MATFORD SCRAPES -Meet at bottom of Salmonpool Road (off Topsham Road ), Exeter . Grid ref: SX932911. Parking is limited so please use nearby Rivermead Road and walk to start. Exploring the watercourses of the Exe where kingfishers and green sandpipers are regularly seen. 3 hrs £5
Monday November 30 th 1.30pm POWDERHAM TO TURF – Meet at Powderham Church . Grid ref: SX972844. Birdwatching along this popular estuary path. Train to Starcross or bus 2 to Kenton. Both entail 30 minute walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Wednesday December 2 nd 1.30pm TOPSHAM – Meet at Holman Way car park (pay & display 80p). Grid ref: SX968882. Birds, birds, birds. Bus T to Holman Way or bus 57 to Station Road plus 5-minute walk to start. 3 hrs £5
Friday December 4 th 1.30pm STARCROSS – Meet at Starcross car park (free). Grid ref: SX976822. Not a great distance covered on this walk but plenty of birdwatching. A good area for turnstone, kingfisher, greenshank and goldeneye. Wellingtons recommended. Bus 2 or train to Starcross. 3 hrs £5
Saturday December 5 th 12.00pm ROADFORD RESERVOIR – Meet at the dam car park SX425895 (pay & display £2). Winter bird watching. Cafe and toilets at start. A walk of two halves with wellingtons needed for the second half. Goosanders to roost. 4 hrs £5
A NEW PROGRAMME WILL FOLLOW IN JANUARY 2010
Tel: 01392 882005 Email: thearlington@talktalk.net