Leader: Therese Jamin

Therese's information sheets:  Shortstown and The Tragedy of the Airship R101

Merrian's photos and route map https://www.flickr.com/photos/60620372@N07/albums/72177720315082118

We started outside the Shorts Building, whereTherese gave us a brief history of Shortstown and the iconic Hangars we would circumnavigate during the day.

From Shortstown we walked through the eastern margins of the Marston Vale Forest to Cotton End, then along field edges before turning south to cross the Greensand Ridge and reach Haynes for our first break.  On via Deadman’s Cross before turning east near Rowney Warren, with warnings of lethal low lying brambles. We then circled northwards and back over the Ridge with fine views of the Hangars in the sunshine.  During our second break Therese told us the story of the R101 airship and its disastrous maiden overseas voyage in 1930 when sadly it crashed at Beauvais, France.  Back via Cardington, with a visit to the church which has an excellent display about the R101. The cemetery wasn’t open but we could see the R101 Memorial from the path.

A real surprise at the end, Therese took us alongside Hangar 1 - right up close - what an unexpected bonus and a super end to our walk,

Conditions were a bit muddy underfoot and wet in places - we were expecting that – but there was no rain, lots of sunshine and fine views northwards from the Greensand Ridge later in the day.

Thank you to Therese (and backmarker Daniel) for a very interesting and enjoyable walk