WHAT more perfect commemoration of Edward Thomas (died on the Western Front in 1917) than a walk round Adlestrop, Gloucestershire, led by the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens with a group from the Frome Festival.
On 20th July we started out at 11am with a reading of the famous poem “Yes, I remember Adlestrop” by Martin Bax, read at the same sign that Edward Thomas would have seen at the (now disused) railway halt at Adlestrop, preserved in a shelter in the village.
The weather, which was cool and showery to start the day, suddenly warmed up as we walked through the woods up to Chastleton; en route, we heard the poem “Words”, read by Crysse Morrison, spoken as we emerged from the wood into a field of barley, almost ready for harvesting.
Further on, in the large circle surrounded by a wall which is the Chastleton Barrow, an iron age fort, Martin moved us all with the poem “As the Team’s Head-Brass”, recalling a conversation between the ploughman and a passer-by as he sat on a log, in wartime, the ploughman questioning him whether he had been to the front.
After lunch opposite Chastleton House, sun now shining, the churchyard of St Marys at Chastleton seemed an appropriate place for “In Memorium”.
The walk continued back through fields and downhill to Adlestrop and, into the second loop of a figure of eight, onwards south west towards the foot of Adlestrop Park, where we heard the poem “The Signpost”.
The walkers returned to the village past the parsonage, now called Adlestrop House, hearing that Jane Austen used to visit her relatives at the house. Back at the Community Hall with tea and cake, John Payne told us more about Edward Thomas. A day to be remembered.
The walk was led by Margaret Reid, Sheila Wasley and Jenny Powlsl, Cotswold Voluntary Wardens: 5.5 miles, 3.25 hours. For wardens walks (of all lengths and covering the whole of the Cotswolds) see www.escape tothecotswold s.org.uk.
