Streetlife

Sounds wonderful and another ' plus' for Watton !

This is indeed a beautiful walk.  Let's just hope that it is treated with the respect it deserves and that it doesn't turn into another unofficial rubbish tip for the people to idle to dispose of their rubbish through the normal channels.

Yes, my husband and dog regularly walk this path, before and post improvements.  It certainly is a lot more busier. I do not like the idea that they are fencing off the green areas, which we like to walk over and where our dog can be let off the lead, plus they have chopped down the bushes that the birds used to enjoy. Does this mean they are going to start building? Hope they keep the past maintained not like the path to the Watton road, I have on several occasions contacted the council about cutting the verges, and dumped rubbish,  it is full of leaves that haven't been cleared. But at least it's not muddy pot holes any more.

The cycleway is called Stans Walk and is for cyclist and pedestrians wishing to travel from Griston to Watton or vice versa.  Hopefully we will not get horse riders or motorcyclists using it as a shortcut.  The land that is being fenced off is to be used as farmland and unfortunately the farmers concerned do not want us dog walkers exercising our doge around their crops.  At present I am one of those still making use of the gaps in the fencing to go onto the green field but I think that very soon we will be stopped. May I make a request to all dog walkers as this is a small space to walk dogs could we all ensue that we clean up after our dogs and take the pooh bags away and dispose of them in the bins provided.o keep this area
At present some of us have been allowing our dogs to have a run on the playing field at Griston and at the last Parish Council a request was made by a mother, whose children use the play equipment, to stop dogs from using the playing field because of the amount of dog mess not being cleared up by thoughtless owners. Once again I am one of those letting their dog have a run but I must admit that this mother has a valid complaint as I have on many occasions taken several poo bags to the bin near the gate. It is not a long journey and we are fit enough to make effort to keep this area clean and safe for all users.

As far as I know,  which isn't much, it is fenced off because the land either side of the path is still MOD & farmers land.I agree with your concerns re building on the site. Generally I think there has been far too much building going on in Watton & of course we still have more to come.Now that could start another conversation!! If anybody wants to enquire re development of this or any site you can go/phone Watton Town Council, 01953 881007, they should know if anything is planned. Re rubbish along Muddy Lane/Gilmans Drift yes it could do with a good sort out. Perhaps "good old Watton Town Council" could gee up the relevant authority and get it cleared up.

The fenced off area is for farming and there should be No building for many years yet. I believe that in the near future there may be some animals grazing up there. MOD have disposed of all interest on the airfield

By the way Sandra your photo was taken from the rear as the pilot would have used his right arm to salute.
I made the same mistake with my first picture.

As my Dad helped get this cycle way idea going I think everyone at Griston is very proud of being involved with its existence. Please look after it so we can really enjoy using it for very many more years to come.

this all makes very interesting reading and many thanks to Watton and Griston, wether it was town and parish councils or other groups of people that made this possible. Cycle ways and walk ways are so important and I know that grants were available for these. The sculptered figures have personlised it and help to preserve the heritage of the area. Long may it all survive and long may people cherish it.

Saturday 23 Feb is the Official opening of the Griston to Watton cycleway.  It will start at 11-00 at Blenheim Crescent Griston. Refreshments will be available at Manor Court Day Centre after.
Would all dog owners Please remember to carry poo bags and to clear up after your dog does its business and take the bags to the dog bins provided at both ends of the cycleway.

I am disappointed that the fields have been blocked off. All the usual ways to get onto the field which have been used for many years by walkers have been blocked.  My dog likes to have a run off her lead, and yes I do clear up after her, although she never uses the concrete. Why is there barbed wire along the walkway, is it to keep us humans and dogs off the field. I believe this could be dangerous if anyone fell against it. What's the law about using barbed wire. I feel we are being corralled like animals along this path. Where can the dog walkers go in Watton now?

I agree with you Jean, where can you let a dog run n Watton now. My dog is very well behaved off a lead but increasingly now on the cycle way we are being given frosty looks by other users when he is off his lead. When this walk was first opened I thought that it would remain much the same as it always had but as you say there is a set route and heaven help anyone that wanders off it

Dogs can be walked very safely around Loch Neaton, there are footpaths and dog bins and the area is lovely for a stroll anyway.  If you have to travel initially by car there is a car park at the Sports Centre that can be used when visiting the Loch area (off the Dereham Road).  Have a look at the website www.lochneaton.org.uk

Yes I agree Lock Neaton is lovely, however I would have to get in the car to get there which defeats the idea of walking. I have a big Collie dog who likes a good run when she can have a good sniff and explore her surroundings. 
and yes, Tracey I think we would be shot if we strayed from the path!! the fence is definitely there to keep us humans out.

I sympathise with the dog walkers and land to walk dogs on is certainly becoming constrained around Watton, but that field is now farmland and I can quite see why the farmer does not want dogs, or for that matter motorbikes, which are real pain over there in the summer, all over his fields! Good luck to the farmer - if it wasn't farmland it would no doubt be built on and I for one am grateful that it won't be ... at least for a while!

Of course, if the dog walkers and motorbikes make it impossible to farm, we'll be getting more housing there sooner rather than later!

p.s. Yes, there is livestock coming - pigs. I hope they stay downwind but I'd still rather have farmland than more housing!

Hi, does anyone have an OS grid reference to the metal "lazer cut" statues on the path depicting an Airman a Farm Worker & Babes in the Wood please.
My family and I have just moved to Dereham and would love to explore and see the statues, my two little girls would love to see them also, thanks ;o)

Hi Dave, assuming you are coming from Dereham on the A1075, they are easy enough to find. When you reach the traffic lights in Watton turn left onto the Norwich Road, take the second turning on the right, Griston Road ( Antiques shop on the corner ). Only takes a couple of minutes. Drive to the end of the road and the walk in right in front of you. You can't miss the statues.

Thanks Tracey, i looked on Google maps after you gave me the route ;o) Can you park in that road?

Nope parking is very poor, space for a couple of cars on side of road at the top, but other than that you run the risk of being a hazzard to people wanting to get in and out of their drives opposite or maybe making it impossibe for emergency vehicles or even deliveries to the residents there.

I walk that way a lot and have only ever seen the odd car parked there.  Let's not put people off visiting Watton or enjoying the walk.

Shame about parking, last thing i want to do is upset anyone. Dereham's not to far, but to far to cycle with young children. I'll take a look sometime  Thanks for the info

I walk from off the Norwich road, there is a walk way opposite Watton Green and next to the park that leads you onto the Griston walk. You could park your car on one of the side roads near there.
Hope this helps, my grandchildren enjoy the walk and spend time on the park on the way back.

Tracey E I was just answering the gentlemans question honestly no point in lying! There is only room for "the odd car" I was actually surprised by this when we went to have a look
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