TEN walkers joined leader Geraint for a trip down to Newton from where they set off in lovely autumnal sunshine past St John’s or Sandford’s Well, the first of three ancient watering holes which reputedly had healing powers that they would encounter during the day. Heading past St John the Baptist Church which overlooks the village green, they made their way back to the main A4106 and followed Tyn-y-caeau Lane before meandering through fields containing sheep towards Nottage.

A short stretch alongside the main road led to Ffynnon Fawr which reputedly had the clearest and best tasting water of all the wells in the area and which played an important part in supplying fresh water to Nottage and Porthcawl. The inscription on the well in both English and Welsh reads “Water is a necessary blessing which God has given us on Earth; Let us remember ‘The Author of All Goodness’ as we drink from Ffynnon Fawr.”

A pretty sunken lane led into a field of young cattle and tramping along Moor Lane where the hedgerows were thick with ripening blackberries, they passed underneath the old railway arch to Ffynnon Dewi or St David’ Well and enjoyed morning coffee beside this important well in its lovely green dell of Dewiscumbe, that was sanctified by a visit from St David, the Patron Saint of Wales. They continued on to Parc Newydd Farm where a rough track led them towards the landmark yellow painted Sker House where originally a medieval grange stood, but the building was massively altered in the 16th century and having been restored in the early part of 2000, is now in private ownership.

Several metal kissing gates led them onto Sker Point where they encountered ramblers from Newport and Pontypool on a joint walk before passing lazy Welsh Black cattle most of whom were lying down on the common land. The Wales Coast Path was fairly busy with people out enjoying the bonus of sunshine and dropping down onto the beach near Ffynnon-wen Rock, they enjoyed lunch out of the wind whilst gazing at the ebbing tide and the misty coastline of Swansea Bay and Gower.

They noted the coastal walkway that was so badly damaged during last winter’s storms had been repaired as they continued on past the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club and Rest Bay, filled with adult surfers and youngsters being given tuition on surfing on the safety of the beach, to emerge beside The Rest opened in the late 1800’s as a convalescent home for sick and injured ironworkers, colliers and quarrymen and is now a hotel. From Lock’s Common where the original nine holes of the golf course were situated and the promenade at Porthcawl that was bustling with people, they reached the harbour wall and the marina at East Pier before seeking out refreshing ice creams at nearby Coney Beach Amusement Park that opened in 1918.

Crossing Sandy Bay where ponies and donkeys were tethered recovering from giving beach rides, they made their way towards Rhych Point where the lifeguard hut is situated along with an old lookout tower. They descended onto the lovely sands of Trecco Bay, then along the path in front of the many splendid caravans in Trecco Bay Holiday Park to Newton Point, from where they enjoyed sprawling views across Newton Burrows and Traeth yr Afon towards the sand dunes in Merthyr Mawr Warren, before heading inland back to Newton village.

On September 27, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a nine-mile hard walk in the Abercarn area; contact Rachel on 01446 410545.

On September 28, meet 9am at Cogan for an 11-mile strenuous walk up the big four, Fan y Big, Cribyn, Pen y Fan and Corn Du; contact Robin on 029 2051 4051.

Wear suitable clothing, preferably boots and carry waterproofs, food and drinks. Some degree of fitness is required and if you are in any doubt, then please contact the walk leader for advice. To follow the group please log onto www.penarthramblers.wordpress.com Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.