Thursday, March 19, 2009

WALKING IN HARROLD COUNTRY PARK



Today was one of those a rare sunny English days with blue skies and a mild breeze - a perfect day for a country walk. This morning I went on a one hour Health Walk in Harrold-Odell Country Park led by Ed Burnett of the Countryside Access Service. The Country Park was purchased and developed by Bedfordshire County Council in 1983 and
will be transferred to Bedford Unitary Council on 1 April 2009.

These Health Walks will continue fortnightly through the summer so if you fancy a beautiful country walk visit Harrold Country Park on Thursday 2, 16 or 30 April, meeting outside the cafe at 10.30 am.

I had a wonderful scenic drive to and from Harrold through some of Bedfordshire's loveliest villages - Turvey, Carlton, Chellington, Odell, Radwell, Felmersham and Milton Ernest. After our walk I enjoyed a coffee and some homemade carrot cake in the cafe, watching the ducks and swans on Harrold's large lake. It is a haven for wildlife and spring flowers and the Park is very popular at weekends.

Harrold Bridge, pictured above is one of the many single track low bridges in this part of North Bedfordshire, criss crossing the River Ouse which is prone to flooding.

In 2004 I was selected as the Conservative candidate for Harrold Division, replacing County Councillor Phyllis Gershon who had decided to retire. However Phyllis changed her mind and stayed on for another 4 years. Instead I now represent Elstow and Wilstead villages on the County and Borough Councils. Sadly Phyllis died suddenly in January after a long and distinguished local government career representing the 14 villages in the Harrold Division.

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