In October 2020, a small group of 14 parishioners set out on our “Parish Plod”, a circuit of London by way of 15 stages of the Capital Ring, a strategic walking route promoted by 33 London councils. With the intent of walking one section each month, we planned to complete the endeavour around the end of 2021 but, as with many things over the last 12 months, the pandemic has intervened so that the final stage is unlikely to be before the second half of next year.

Starting at Section 5 (Streatham to Wimbledon Park) the group has now completed 7 sections, (most recently Hendon Park to Highgate) and is looking forward to the walk from Highgate to Stoke Newington on Saturday 2nd October. On each walk, one of our number reconnoitres the route to avoid any missed turnings on the day, and on occasion we have been treated to insights on the history and geography that we pass.

The walks have proved to be very enjoyable – so much so that those who have been unable to make the “official” date have often completed the section on another occasion – and the common sentiments have been firstly, how little we know of our own capital, and secondly, surprise at the quantity of green space,
often in the most unexpected areas!

All are welcome on these walks, so if you are interested in joining our intrepid explorers – either on 2nd October or for a future stage – please get in touch with Robin Field-Smith on robin.fieldsmith@icloud.com to be included in our Parish Plod WhatsApp group.