Groups get together for a springtime ramble

On the balmiest day of the year so far, a group of intrepid walkers gathered together at Whitley Community Centre at the start of a 5-mile ramble from Whitley Grove to Willenhall Woods and back again. This event, led by Lucy Hawker of the Sowe Valley Project (and Sandy her greyhound) brought together the two history groups of Whitley and Willenhall, as well as the Friends of Sowe Valley and Willenhall Wood.

We were able to connect with our historical heritage and the natural world, with stops along the way to point out interesting features. Frances Twyman of the Whitley Group told us the story of the Hood and Petrie families who once owned the Whitley Abbey House. Despite local legends of mysterious hauntings, it was never a monastery. The house is long gone, but the grounds, with their ancient trees, deep gulches and bubbling springs, are a reminder of past glories. Whitley is very much the land of two rivers, as both Sowe and Sherbourne flow through the area, and there is something very special about the atmosphere in the woodland there.

Passing into Willenhall, members of the local history group pointed out the route of Weeping Lane, the original pack road into Coventry, which was later diverted and widened to become the London Road. The very real presence of the Chace Hotel, one-time country residence of city coroner Dr Iliffe, plus historical pictures of the old Willenhall House, which stood on the corner where the Marina chip shop is now, helped us to emphasise that we had our mansions in Willenhall too.

At the Community Centre in Middle Ride, we stopped for refreshments, before  strolling through Willenhall Woods, pausing to admire the imaginative signboard.

After that, it was time to trek back to Whitley for the end of our circular walk and a welcome cuppa at the Community Centre. We reflected on the fact that, for city dwellers, we have an amazing amount of green space at our disposal. How lucky we are to live in a beautiful place, with such a great community spirit.