IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Norton Malreward, Pensford, BRISTOL, BS39 4EZ

Near Norton Hawkfield

An old path has been altered, but the marker discs don't seem to have been welcomed.

An isolated and somewhat leaning tree in among the more traditional greenery near The Rookery.

This one happens to have a good view over the valley near Norton Malreward, but its presence was not expected. The path runs through farmland and is not exactly on a popular route. Still, nice to have a sit down when the opportunity arises.

Deep in the lush undergrowth, the stream runs down past The Rookery and off to meet the River Chew near Upper Stanton Drew.

A farmer with a crop spraying attachment waits momentarily: the breeze would have carried the chemicals this way and it was appreciated that he paused.

The village of Norton Malreward, like many other locals, has recently had broadband services brought in. The smell of creosote (or whatever the modern version is) must be a breath of fresh air for the inhabitants.

Norton Malreward has a fine hall for community use. It was given to the parish by Yda Richardson in February, 1927. Yda, of the Manor House, Abbots Leigh, was the niece of Lord Winterstoke (formerly Sir William Henry Wills, member of the tobacco company family). She was well off and made many contributions to places all around the wider Bristol area; she donated, amongst others, 7,500 guineas to the Colston Hall for the restoration of the organ, some £1,000 to Brandon Hill infants school and also founded the village hall at Abbots Leigh.

A gate, marking the Community Forest Path as it makes its way from the road and around the back of Holy Trinity in Norton Malreward. Intriguingly, there are small notices: one urging dogs to be kept on leads and another offering dog grooming services.

Turning right from Image and facing almost due south, Norton Malreward appears, its parish church can be seen among the trees. An interesting story is told in: http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/39162/maes_knoll.html "This [Maes Knoll] is where Hautville's Quoit was thrown from, by Sir John Haut(e)ville (you can read more about this on the Hautville's Quoit page). He was just rehearsing for a throwing match with the Devil, which he ended up winning by throwing a rock from Shute Shelve to Compton Bishop (about a mile and a half) - the Devil threw 3 furlongs shorter. (From Grinsell's folklore book I think.) Sir John is apparently bured [sic] in Chew Magna church, where there's an oak effigy of him. This gentleman was remarkable for prodigious strength, as the Irish oak is probably intended to denote. Vulgar tradition informs us, that Edward the First having requested Sir John to shew him a specimen of his abilities, the knight undertook to convey three of the stoutest men in England to the top of Norton Tower [Norton Malreward is at the foot of Maes Knoll], situated in a neighbouring parish. Accordingly, taking one under each arm, and a third in his teeth, he proceeded on his task. The two in his arms, making some resistance, were squeezed to death, but the other was carried up without sustaining the smallest injury"