We’re looking for participants, helpers and supporters for this event in the Spring, the day after the Royal Wedding which hopefully will have brought us all some sunshine!

The Basing Trail is an attractive circular walk which will start from The Millstone pub. We will then go past Basing House and its civil war site, through Eastrop Park to Basingstoke, through the War Memorial Park, past Black Dam ponds, through Crabtree Plantation then back across to the picturesque village of Old Basing, Oliver’s Battery, then lastly through the Mill Field Nature Reserve back to the start point.

This walk is estimated at 7 miles, but there are two points where short cuts can be made, which would allow walkers to choose smaller circuits if they didn’t want to do the whole thing.  It is a mixture of walking on footpaths, roads and grassland. The official map shows all these routes, and we would assume anyone asking for sponsors would advise them of the length of circuit they intend doing, or just ask for a set donation amount.

The helpers we require would be non-walkers to marshall/steward a small number points on the route, to be a reference point for walkers and point them in the right direction where sign posts may be lacking.  Also to shake collection tins if they don’t mind. There are green “Heritage Trail” stickers and reference boards at stages along the route, but in places they could possibly do with some extras!
There is car parking at the Millstone, and dogs and children are allowed in. There are at least two public toilets on the route. There is only a small stretch where dogs are not allowed, (on Old Basing Recreation ground) this can be walked around easily for anyone wishing to take dogs.  There are a couple of places where ducks can be fed, if anyone with children wishes to stop for this sort of recreation, and I spotted a picnic table in the Crabtree plantation.

This walk will take around 3 hours at a leisurely place, and would therefore bring walkers back to the Millstone pub for a convenient well earned rest at lunchtime.  Even allowing for a couple of distractions en-route most people should be back for some form of refreshment, unless you’d rather bring your own picnic.  If it’s hot, bottles of water maybe a good idea anyway for during the walk.  If you wish to reserve a table for lunch please ring The Millstone on 01256 331153 to arrange.

A map of the walk can be downloaded here.

I can provide sponsorship forms immediately, maps and full instructions nearer the time.

Please let me know if you’d like to join, and in which capacity; Walker or Marshall, we could do with knowing numbers so we can forewarn the Pub, and we need to work out whose manning which marshall points etc.

Please respond to me, Anne Taylor (Treasurer), either by e-mail or telephone:-
annie_taylor@tinyworld.co.uk           Home telephone (evenings & weekends) 01256 331344
Mobile: 07763 342360                          (leave a message on the answerphone if you wish)

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