Great Gidding – The ordinary, the unseen, the everyday.

There is one inescapable fact about the English countryside. As pretty as it looks, man has shaped nearly every facet.

Apart from the last Ice age scouring the contours of hills and valleys, the meanderings of rivers, the coastal pummelling by the sea, everything else has been planted, dug, built, shaped and shaped again.

In this occasional feature by Michael Trolove we will be looking at some of these man-made influences that occur in the parish of Great Gidding and occasionally beyond. We will feature some unusual themes, every day features that are all around us, which we sometimes overlook. The features may be practical or purposeful, ugly or elegant. All will have been influenced by mans interaction with the landscape or should we say “manscape”.

For this feature we look at a feature of some older properties in and around the village – the iron wall ties. More

For this feature we look at a living species that can be found in the hedgerow, wood or standing alone. More

The unseen, unobserved or hidden feature this time around reflects the work of the Ordnance Survey. Benchmarks or cut marks as these markings are known are the lowest order of all OS instruments of measurement primarily for the purpose of establishing levels in a given locality. More

The opening theme for this new series fits the bill perfectly for the everyday, unseen, and ignored until you consider the implications of its wide ranging usefulness, its historical legacy and its versatility. We are talking Corrugated Iron... More

Other subjects to be covered will include: Cheshire railings, land mark trees. bridges and culverts around the parish and others which are fermenting! Watch this space...

Great Gidding – Walks.

Local resident and Parish Councillor in charge of Rights of Way, Rose Foster, has devised some short walks around Great Gidding.

Each walk follows clearly defined footpaths and is described clearly on the map. Rose has also shown some common (and not so common) birds that may be seen en route.

To view Great Gidding Walk 1 larger and for instructions on how to download and and print the map click here.

To view Great Gidding Walk 6 larger and for instructions on how to download and and print the map click here.

More walks on the way. Watch this space...