River Foss Society keeps busy with a packed calendar of walks, visits, litter picks and canal boat trips. There’s more about these in our newsletter, but the reports below will give you an idea of the variety of things we do.

March 10 Foss Walk 1 Circular Farlington via Whenby

The first walk of the year was a circular of around 5 miles based on the Blacksmith’s Arms in Farlington. Despite a horrible rainy weather forecast, eight of us turned out, and whilst we did have some light drizzle, it was by no means unpleasant. Underfoot it was obvious how much rain we have had recently with puddles everywhere and a fair bit of mud. The paths we took were generally easily passable, although we had to climb one gate which a kindly farmer had tied up with binder twine as you’ll see in the photos below. There wasn’t a lot of scenery to be seen as it was rather misty, but the countryside in that area is slightly undulating and always easy on the eye.

Part way round, at Whenby Lodge Farm we noted how high the water was in Farlington Beck, and saw next to it a large lagoon heavily contaminated with manure (stacked nearby), which was duly reported to the EA. Coffee and nibbles came out at Whenby church after which, having completed the walk by 1245, we partook of a welcome lunch at the pub. A most enjoyable morning out – thank you Bob for organising it!