SEVEN ramblers joined Joy on the Vale train and disembarking at Bridgend station set off down Court Road where rather aptly a number of Solicitor’s offices are located and passing through Bridgend town centre to the tall spired Church of St Mary’s, Nolton they found the underpass was closed, so crossed the very busy A473 at the traffic lights.

Joining a path beside the River Ogmore (Afon Ogwr) then onto open parkland at Newbridge Fields with its stone circle placed there in 1947 as the Throne for the Royal National Eisteddfod for Wales, further on a low bridged underpass led into a field containing sheep and lambs and across to New Inn Road.

After stopping to view the 15th century four-arched stone bridge that carried the main south Wales coaching route across the River Ogmore, with holes in the parapets where sheep were pushed through for their seasonal dip in the river, a short piece of road walking led them back into fields.

Crossing a cropped field to Verville, then Ogmore Moor with its collection of grazing ponies and fine views of the ruined Ogmore Castle, the white painted suspension bridge led them across the Ogmore River into the delightful thatched cottage village of Merthyr Mawr, where morning coffee was enjoyed in the churchyard of St Teilo’s Church.

This mid 19th century church was built on the site of an old ruined church and after visiting the interior the group viewed the interesting collection of ancient memorial stones contained in an open shed at the rear of the building.

Continuing along the road past Ton Farm and Candleston Castle partially hidden behind trees in full leaf, sandy pathways and several wooden kissing gates led them southwards along the edge of Merthyr Mawr Warren to the Ogmore estuary, garlanded with thrift and rock samphire.

Turning onto the beautiful pebble and sandy beach of Traeth yr Afon the dunes were awash with rock-rose and the stunning deep blue Viper’s-bugloss. Continuing past Black Rocks and turning inland by road to pass St John’s Well (or Sandford’s Well) in Newton, the group utilised seats for their lunch break in sunshine outside the lovely St John the Baptist Church, which dates back to the 1180’s and was most likely built as a fortress and where a wedding was taking place a bit later, and very smart members of Cor Meibion Porthcawl were assembling in order to sing at the ceremony.

Following narrow paths through the fern-covered dunes into Cwm y Gaer and then woodland they re-joined a road making towards Candleston Farm passing through tumpy fields beside Coed Cwintin, where a broken stile that was also partly blocked by a fallen tree caused a few problems and which has since been reported to Ogwr Council.

Joining the road past Whitney Farm, then crossing a series of old stone stiles in fields to the northwest of Merthyr Mawr House hidden from view within its own parkland they exited onto a road which led back to the dipping bridge.

Crossing the busy A48 and joining a footpath near Pandy Farm to the rear of a housing estate, the pace picked up as the race was on to get back to the station and motoring up beside the river, then back through Bridgend town, thankfully everyone made it with more than five minutes to spare in order to get their breath back for the leisurely ride home on the train.

On July 4, meet 9am at Cogan Leisure Centre for a 10-mile hard walk in the Brecon Beacons taking in Gist Wen, Fan y Big and Cefn Cyff, contact Joy on 01446 737131.

On July 5, meet 10am at Cogan for a six-mile moderate tramp in the St Fagans area; contact Pam on 029 2025 5102.

On July 9, meet 7pm at Rhoose Railway Station car park for a 3.5-mile easy walk in the Rhoose area; contact Joy on 01446 737131.

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 log onto penarthramblers.wordpress.com. Programmes and membership advice can be obtained from Pam on 029 2025 5102.