It was a damp beginning to 2015 when 16 members of the Westbury Walkers set off on a gentle six-mile ramble from The Downlands, Warminster, led by Paddy Yerburgh , on New Year’s Day.

The route took them around the town, stopping for lunch in the playing fields alongside the church at Bishopstrow, where picnic tables had been thoughtfully provided.

The return route included a trip through Smallbrook Meadows where a swing in the trees was too tempting for some to ignore. On their return mulled wine, soft drinks and mince pies awaited them.

On the second Sunday of the month 22 members members met at Westwood for a seven-and-a-half mile walk led by Mary Taylor. The route took them from Westwood Manor through fine countryside via Avoncliff and Freshford.

They stopped for lunch on the picturesque bridge over the River Avon at Iford and then followed field and woodland paths towards Farleigh Hungerford Castle and from there made their way back to Westwood via the village of Stowford. They made the most of the bright winter sunshine in the morning and though it was more cloudy in the afternoon, it remained dry throughout.

Seasonally heavy mud and a drowned water meadow were challenging but did not deter the group. They encountered a good number of West Wilts Ramblers on roughly the same walk but going in the other direction, and reflected on the growth of walking as a pastime in the last 20 years.