NEWS IN JUNE

Aston Tirrold Garden Safari Exhibition

Our villages embarked on the first 'Garden Safari' for many years and as a complimentary part of this day The Aston's Artists hosted a small exhibition of local work. The weather was exceptional over the weekend which ensured we had a healthy turn out of visitors.

As is the way with these types of events, when we're stewarding the show we always get to meet really engaging and interesting characters. Dick Greenaway, a local landscape historian, paid us a visit and it was very rewarding to listen to his expertise on the local landcapes. To find out more about his work with the Friends of Pang Kennet and Lambourn Valley you can visit their site here.

The Mere Downland of the Wiltshire/Dorset borders

I often find myself driving up the A303 past Shaftsbury and I've always been intrigued by the wonderful and sweeping downland around Mere.

One weekend in June myself and two sisters walked up WhiteSheet Hill, accompanied by a local friend and expert on the archaeology of the area. It's a fascinating landscape with spectacular 360 degree views. Up at the top is a Neolithic camp and Iron Age Hill fort. To find out more about this area you can visit this link here.

For me this landscape clearly marked the joining of two Counties between Salisbury Plains and the sweeping hills of Wiltshire and the more rolling and hedge lined hills of Dorset. An important place strategically and geologically.