Around 30 walkers with a dozen dogs set out from the church, walked over Stanley Common and back to the church for a short evensong service.

During the walk Hilary Adair and Michael Tibbs, both members of the Lynchmere Society, pointed out work which had been carried out over the past few years.

One of the most obvious was the cutting down of silver birch, clearing space for other ground plants such as heather and bilberry.

Bracken has also been cleared with the help of the cattle who trample it as they graze.

Walkers discovered the cattle had also worked their way into one of the dead-hedged areas which have been planted up with more than 1,000 hazel whips.

Although the cattle had not eaten these as they are protected by plastic environmental tubes, they were eating their way through some of the bluebells.

A heavy downpour of sleet and snow put paid to plans for a picnic overlooking the magnificent views and most of the walkers sheltered in the barn at Stanley Farm.