Cllr David Corney writes …
A warm and dry Easter Saturday (19th April), saw a gathering of seventy people from the villages of Clifton Hampden and Long Wittenham meeting on the new permissive footpath where it joins Robin Buxton’s land, to celebrate the formal opening of the path.
Cllr Mark Thompson first thanked both landowners, Robin Buxton, and Christopher Purvis of the Gibbs estate, for their permission to allow the path across their respective land. He then introduced Robin, who spoke eloquently about the decline in biodiversity, in the last eighty years or so, and steps that he is taking through diversifying agriculture to try and counter the decline locally.
Although Christopher Purvis was happy not to speak at the opening, I did have the privilege of meeting him in person for the first time as we walked from Clifton Hampden to the opening site, together with many of his family. Christopher was very pleased to see this strengthening of the reconnection between the two villages – a connection, he explained, that was lost in 1726 when the Dunch family of Little Wittenham sold Clifton Hampden to what was to become in due course the Gibbs family.
Mark then introduced Dr Pete Sudbury, our Oxfordshire County Councillor, and deputy leader of OCC, who had kindly agreed to formally open the footpath. Pete, who is a member of the Green party, and shares strong views with Robin about the current decline in biodiversity, also spoke in support of the work that Robin is doing, and work that he is also planning to undertake in the near future on flood management and improving resilience, particularly for vulnerable rural communities in Oxfordshire. As Pete pronounced the permissive footpath formally (or was it informally) open, a large cheer went up, followed by much applause. It was a lovely moment.
It should be noted that there have been plans for many years to open a cycle path along this route, and many others have been involved in trying to ensure this was achieved. Not least, Christopher Gibbs who made it clear in 2013 that he was willing to allow a cycle/footpath along the front of the car park and field owned by the Gibbs Estate. Sadly, Christopher died in 2018.
Perhaps we will eventually establish a cycle route along the footpath, but I suspect it will take many more years of effort to achieve this, probably involving many more people along the way. Meantime, it just seems wise to get out there and enjoy the path, not only for itself, but also for the links it provides – enabling for example, a lovely circular walk from Long Wittenham, along the permissive path to Clifton Hampden, where, just before the bridge, you can pick up the Thames path towards Dorchester. After a mile or so, there is another path that takes you away from the river at right angles, across raised boarding to a gate. Going through the gate leads you down a grassy track, and eventually into Northfield Lane, where you turn right, and walk a half mile or so back into Long Wittenham past the Long Wittenham Athletic Club.
