Huttoft Beach 7th May 2025

John Rickett met up with Tim Newbery at Louth’s Leisure Centre and we were hoping to meet up with Ty Harness at Huttoft Beach and perhaps Paul Linder too. We had anticipated meeting up with Steve Croton at Withern.

 

Our outbound journey through Stewton and Legbourne Furze was surprisingly pleasant with skies brightening and a breeze that was increasingly giving assistance. We arrived at Withern at 10.45 am and Steve for once didn’t have to wait on the bench for too long.

 

The fine, newly re-surfaced Roman Bank and Huttoft Bank was a bit of a shock to Tim as he had missed out on the last journey here a few weeks ago. 

 

Arriving at The Vista at The Boatshed café at Huttoft Beach about 11.30 am we were delighted to be greeted by Paul and Ty who had themselves only just arrived. 

 

The Boatshed Team were busy sweeping and hoovering the sand from the benches by the patio which provided us with shelter and a perfect spot to take refreshment. Great views of National Trust’s new 30-hectare wetland nature reserve from what used to be the golf course. Walkways, boardwalks, benches, bird hides and a visitor centre could be seen to take shape. The hope is to create a habitat that will encourage migratory birds to return to the area including marsh harrier, curlew and the rarer black tailed godwit and spoonbill among others. Work on the infrastructure is due to be completed this Autumn.

 

The next leg of the journey towards Alford was straightforward enough, although by now cloud was slowly building and it was feeling cooler. Steve would head across the road to home at Bilsby with Paul departing in Alford itself. Ty too would head to work at Aby which would leave Tim and John to continue through Muckton and Little Cawthorpe noting the May blossom. Perhaps soon we can ‘cast a clout’! 

 

Arrived back at the Meridian Centre on schedule at 2 pm. 42 miles covered by the Louth contingent.

 

Tim’s ‘Relive’ video: https://www.relive.com/view/v36AV9DYpZq