Gravesend Lions Charity Walk

On Monday I joined the Gravesend Lions on their annual charity walk starting and finishing at Chalk church and for the first time, in what seems like several weeks, the weather behaved itself.

The walkers were seen off by the Mayor of Gravesham and the vicar. I was roped in as unofficial group photographer.

The walk usually raises around £ 6000 for local charities including the Ellenor Lions Hospice.

We made our way through the churchyard passed then through fields of oilseed rape. It makes an interesting background for photographs but plays havoc with my hay fever and isn't easy on the nose - one of my fellow walkers (a lady) described it as smelling like cat's p*ss!

At the top of the field we walked through a corner of Shorne Country Park. The bluebells are currently in bloom amongst the trees so it made a change of scenery from all the rape seed.

At the half way stage we made a brief pit stop at the See Ho in Shorne. The pub name apparently refers to a hunting call which was given on first sighting of the hare.

We then walked through the village passing the disused Primitive Methodist chapel of 1893. It is due to be converted into a private dwelling. The Primitive Methodists were active from around 1810 until about 1932.

 Back across the fields of rape again.

The line of pylons intersecting the fields made an interesting photo opportunity.

Back at St Mary The Virgin, Chalk for a welcome cuppa before heading off home. Parts of the church date back to the 12th century and it is well worth a visit. The vicar always make a point of flying the England flag daily from the tower making it a very recognisable local landmark.

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