From Marnhull stone to Enid Blyton, Stourton Caundle’s stile trail celebrates community spirit, rural creativity and our local footpaths
surrounding landscape
When a broken stile was repaired in Stourton Caundle, it provided local resident Catherine Speakman with a blank canvas: ‘A neighbour of mine re-did one of the old stiles which was in a bad state,’ she says.
‘It was really well done and immediately I thought it would be fun for me and my two girls to go round and paint the local stiles and jazz them up. But then I had the idea that other people might want to take part, so I asked the question on social media and Simon Gudgeon from Sculpture By The Lakes was really interested. That made me think “hang on, this could be quite good …”. Although he was ultimately unable to get involved, his interest gave me the confidence to approach other businesses, and it grew from there.
‘I wanted to make it varied: not only with the type of materials used but also the people involved. So we have stone, metal, wood and also natural plants. The stiles have been designed, made or sponsored by schools, charities, businesses and artists. I wanted to make it really varied in order to attract different people.’
The trail features nine unique stiles and is a brilliant example of a successful community project, as well as providing creative inspiration for other villages who might also be looking for ways to maintain their footpaths.
The trail
The stiles along the two-mile route have all been repaired and decorated to be unique, and they have QR codes so that walkers can learn more about the businesses or groups behind them. The first one was made in Marnhull stone by Dean Harris Creations, and the structure was built by JST Building Services. Another was designed by Alweston-based Dorset Forge and Fabrication, using their trademark recycled metalwork to create the stile – look for a delightful woodpecker, butterflies and a snail.
A stile leading off Cat Lane was designed by All Saints Primary School in Bishops Caundle, and invites walkers to take a pebble to reflect on their journey. Either side of a bridge, the pair of Village Stiles embody collaborative local creativity – look out for wind chimes and playful chalks encouraging creative art. Countrymen UK created a wood stile which acts like a portal into the countryside. The ninth stile is not yet complete. It will have a theme reflecting the village’s connection with Enid Blyton. The beautiful, tranquil route opens up some of the most spectacular views of the Blackmore Vale.
Trooper Inn landlords Debbie and John are delighted that the route starts and finishes at the pub: ‘It’s opening up people’s eyes to what North Dorset has to offer,’ says Debbie. ‘We come from Poole, and everyone knows about the Dorset beaches, but in the north of the county, it feels as though we are literally Dorset’s hidden secret.’
Walkers’ differing abilities have also been considered, as Catherine says: ‘You can easily split it up. There’s a shorter, mile-long option that takes you up into the fields and back on the road, or you can head further to loop around the lakes and into the older part of the village.
The all-accessible route uses a bridleway that is hard surfaced, so anyone can get up there – this one doesn’t use the stiles, obviously, but you can see the two on the route.’
A tricky ask
Catherine planned the routes to suit as many walkers as possible, but the most challenging part of the project was asking people to give their time, expertise, materials …
‘There was absolutely no budget for this – everyone has done everything themselves. I felt bad asking for that, it is crucial times for everybody. Things are tight. I didn’t want to take advantage of people. This was an opportunity for everyone to do something they loved and in whatever way they wanted … They could judge how much time they wanted to put into it.
All of them are individually brilliant.’
Do it ourselves
Steve Harris of BBC Radio Solent opened the trail: ‘Catherine is amazing at blowing Dorset’s trumpet. I think the project is terrific. I’m excited about walking it myself and have brought all the family with me. But just the idea that you can fall in love with and care for your local community and follow that through with the force of will that Catherine has … I think most of the time it’s very easy to look at some of the things where we live that are crumbling or need a bit of love and think “oh, that’s up to the parish or the local council.” But actually, to turn around and say, “you know what, we can do this ourselves” is amazing. And the fact that all these people have turned out today and are supporting the local pub too … long may it continue and be replicated.’
Catherine is understandably proud of what she, and the community, have achieved. ‘I’m proud of what it has become. It is more than I expected and all the creators have been unbelievable.
The village has been so welcoming to the project and together we have made something unique. I’m hoping it can be replicated nationwide.
‘We are not going to get more footpaths, so we need to look after the ones we’ve got.’
To find out more about the stile trail and see the routes, read Catherine’s blog Tess of the Vale here.
Well done obviously a lot of hard work has gone into this interesting village walk .
Constructive criticism that it needs more way markers as after stile one we had no idea where to go but after going the wrong way came back on track ,shame it’s not easy for dogs and some of the stiles need a bit of maintenance as stile six with the flowers very difficult to go across .
Maybe special route discs would prevent walking on farmers land that is private .
But must say Thankyou as lovely once we found the start .