WILL’S WALKS

Water is almost a constant companion on this walk. Difficulty rating

Park on the main road in West Deeping, near the Red Lion, or on the wider section of The Lane. Walk east down The Lane into the cluster of smart new houses at the end and look for the path off to the left. You will immediately be out into open country, with what is technically the river Welland on your right. It looks more like a stream here because the bulk of the water is diverted by the Maxey Cut for a few miles in this section, and even then the remaining Welland is split into two branches. But regardless of the name of the waterway it’s a very pleasant stretch of walking until you reach the A1175 at Molecey’s Mill. Cross the road here and turn right, then cross over the Greatford Cut and look for the footpath on the left before White House Farm. Go over the stile and follow the path and you will soon come to the dual carriageway, which is the Deeping bypass. Take care crossing all four lanes and then keep going straight ahead. When you get to Millfield Road turn right and then left almost immediately on to the footpath. Stay on this footpath when it crosses Tattershall Drive and then follow it as it bends around to the left. You will then come into Kesteven Drive, a cul-de-sac with some mock Tudor houses. Take the next right into Meadway and you will see the footpath straight ahead leading to Hal eet, the main road into town, with smart Holland House right in front of you. Turn right here and pass St Guthlac’s church and a series of fine Georgian buildings along the way into the town ACTIVE INFO centre. Molecey’s Mill is a former When you reach the main roundabout cross over watermill on what was the Stamford Canal, which was in use from the 17th century for 200 years. The canal was and keep heading south. Immediately after the bridge you will see the footpath on the right. built so the merchants of Stamford could Drop down here and you will soon be back on get their goods to the coast and was the banks of the Welland as it meanders back completed by 1673. The river Welland towards Molecey’s Mill. Stay on the path along was too shallow and had too many mills the riverbank, through the woods and under the on it. Today Molecey’s Mill is still an A15. You will then skirt around the eastern edge of important part of the heritage of the grounds of the Mill and, keeping the river on Market Deeping and the area. your immediate right all the way, follow the path all the way to Mill Road on the top edge of Maxey. When you get to the road turn right and then right again in 50 metres just before Maxey Mill. Follow the signs and keep to the footpath as it crosses the meadow back towards West Deeping. When you get to the road at the end of the meadow turn right and walk back into the village where you can enjoy refreshments at the Red Lion, I’d recommend it.

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WHERE TO PARK On the main road in West Deeping or on the wider section of The Lane.

DISTANCE AND TIME Six miles/two hours.

HIGHLIGHTS The river Welland in its various forms, Molecey’s Mill, some grand old buildings in Market Deeping and West Deeping.

LOWLIGHTS Take care crossing the Market Deeping bypass.

REFRESHMENTS The Red Lion in West Deeping, the food is excellent here.

THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE I didn’t see any livestock when I did this walk in late October and there is great access to the water at various points on the way round. The dogs will love you for this walk.

DIFFICULTY RATING Two paws; it’s on the Fens so it’s fl at but it’s still six miles with a few stiles too.

For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.

It’s a charming route - particularly around Molecey’s Mill.

CARLBY PARISH COUNCIL realised there was an issue in the village when complaints were increasing about the amount of dog poo in and around Carlby’s footpaths. This was becoming quite a problem especially on the paths to the scenic walk down to the River Glen, across the fields to Witham on the Hill and towards Monks Wood. These are used by villagers and their dogs and also by visitors to Carlby walking with or without dogs following one of the many interesting local routes featured in Will’s Walks.

It was decided to tackle the problem in a couple of ways. Some new covered bins labelled suitable for dog waste replaced the old open bins and were placed in strategic points around Carlby especially with dog walkers in mind.

New bright red notices were positioned around the village to remind all to pick up and to inform walkers by way of a QR code linked to a map where they could find the bins to dispose of dog waste if they were not able to take it home. A poster competition was also held over the summer to encourage the general conversation to make sure residents and all visitors to Carlby clear up after their dogs. The posters also promoted ‘bagging it and binning it’ and ‘Keeping Carlby Clean’. They also had some locally produced posters put up around the village to promote keeping Carlby’s footpaths dog waste-free.

Ten pound book vouchers were awarded for posters placed around the village where dog walkers regularly go to encourage all residents and visitors to pick up after their dogs. This will help keep Carlby’s roadside verges and both permissive and public footpaths clean for all to enjoy while out walking. Agnes Turner pictured with her poster said: “We need to make sure everyone picks up after their dogs because we want our village to stay nice.”