We saw an inundation of walkers in and around the Stoweys with rucksacks and walking poles. The event was the second Quantock Walking Festival run by Sedgemoor Ramblers, assisted this year by Stowey Walking. Over the weekend nine guided walks of varying lengths took place, all setting out from the Nether Stowey Church Centre. Over 100 people took part in the festival, mostly from Somerset but some from further afield with walkers from Kent and the West Midlands staying at local B&Bs and pubs in Nether Stowey.

Aided by a small grant from Sedgemoor District Council’s Community Fund we were able to arrange for a mini-coach to take some groups further afield this year to Holford and Kilve and take linear walks back to Nether Stowey across the Quantocks. Other walks were circular walks around Nether Stowey and Over Stowey. Two of the nine walks were led by members of Stowey Walking. One was a walk with a historical and literary theme run by the Coleridge Society. Ian and Terence, with the help of some excellent visual aids and some short poetry readings, spirited the group back to the late 18^th century when Coleridge and Wordsworth walked the Quantock Hills and combes.

Despite threats of rain the weather stayed dry for the weekend, but some strong winds on the hilltops proved challenging!  Once back at the Church Centre members of Sedgemoor Ramblers supplied reviving cups of tea and slices of wonderful homemade cake.

Sedgemoor Ramblers have a regular programme of guided walks throughout the year. For more information see: www.sedgemoorramblers.co.uk