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Stratton Cemetery and Canadian Pilot's Memorial

Difficulty Easy Access

Walking time 54 minutes

Length 3.0km / 1.9mi

Route developer: Jane Baldwin

Route checker: Grahame Lee

Start location Stratton Community Centre, Grange Drive, Swindon
Route Summary A flat, accessible, circular walk, featuring a parish church, attractive wooded churchyard and large cemetery, and an unusual memorial to a WWII pilot. The walk includes wide grassy areas, small woods and alleyways. Good car parking and bus access.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there No details available.
Description

[1] Turn right from the main entrance of the Stratton Centre and go in front of the entrance of Grange Junior School. Continue to Grange Drive. Turn left. Go along Grange Drive to Ermin Street.

(A) Ermin Street is the route of the ancient Roman Road.

[2] Go right at T-junction. Continue south along the right side of Ermin Street. Pass the Floral Expressions and News kiosk shops.Continue to the end of the houses.

[3] Cross Ermin Street and go left down Park Street. Keep on the pavement to the end. Turn right and go along the cycle / pedestrian route down the alleyway to Watermead (look out for cyclists)

[4] For Easy Access continue straight across the road and along the tarmac path.

For a short alternative route (not recommended for wheel chairs or push chairs): turn right and pass the new houses. Go into the green area on the left. Cross the green and into the wooded area. This could be a muddy, slippery path in places. Turn left at the ditch and continue until rejoining the path of the main route. Return to the original route and continue along the tarmac path, as per instuctions below. 

The main Easy Access route continues along the tarmac footpath, through pleasant grassy park and passes between the railings of a brook bridge. Continue on the path.

[5] After some time, the main route goes left into Kenwin Close.

Alternatively: for a little more greenery, you can cross the grass area to the right. Hug the hedge, going around to the left and emerge into Kenwin Close. Continue straight ahead along Kenwin Close to rejoin the main route. (Due to the unsurfaced path, this section may not be suitable for those using wheelchairs or pushing buggies).

If you took the main route, follow Kenwin Close to a T-junction (where the alternative route rejoins). Go left down Kenwin Close. Pass the new houses to St Margaret's Centre for Church and Community on the right hand side of the road. Turn right into the Car park.

[6] Go through the car park of the St Margarets Centre to the rear and follow the signs to the Church (B).

Take care when crossing the car park.

[7] When reaching the tarmac drive, turn right. (Don't cross to the Church wooden gate) .

[8] Continue along the drive to the cemetery. It is a large open space. You can follow the path / road all round the cemetery if you wish and when back at the churchyard gateway, turn right into the churchyard.

[9]  Follow the narrow, firm path through the churchyard.

[10] Continue along path to main gate. Go into Church Street (unnamed at this point). Go left. Pass the Nursing Home and houses to the main road, Ermin Street.

(C) The red seat with a maple leaf is a memorial seat to a Canadian pilot who crashed into the tree which is still on the pavement, during World War II.

At the junction with Ermin Street, bear right, keeping on the pavement (going north up Ermin Street). Pass bus stop for the number 7 and 20 bus routes and the Wheatsheaf Pub. Continue until reaching the pedestrian zebra crossing.

[11] Cross Ermin Street. Turn left, then right down Churchway. Continue along a narrow path, with houses on the right and playing fields on the left. On reaching Grange Junior School, opposite Goulding Close, take the path to the left through a gap in hedge along the edge of the playing field.

Keep to the tarmac path back to Stratton Community Centre and car park and the end of your walk.

Feel welcome to use the facilities of the centre.

POI information

Information about the Canadian WW II Pilot:


Name:BARBEAU, NORMAN WILLIAM
Nationality:Canadian
Rank:Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service:Royal Canadian Air Force
Age:20
Date of Death:07/12/1941
Service No:R/88806
Additional information:Husband of Florence Marguerite Louise Barbeau of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:N.W. of church.
Cemetery:MINCHINHAMPTON (HOLY TRINITY) CHURCHYARD
More info here.http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/conte..._feature.shtml
Also http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/united-kingdom/6731-canadian-airman-crashed-swindon.html

Notes

Large free car park at start. Bus routes, Thamesdown Route 20, Stage Coach Route 7. 

The Stratton Community Centre provides good facilities. WC, nappy changing , changing rooms, refreshments in bar from noon, vending machines for drinks.

OS grid reference SU175868

Acknowledgements No details available.
  • Stratton St Margaret Parish Church in it
    Stratton St Margaret Parish Church in it's wooded church yard. Waypoint 9
    By - Jane Baldwin
  • The tree still stands, scarred on the pavement. A Canadian pilot was killed crashing into it in a Spitfire during World War 11
    The tree still stands, scarred on the pavement. A Canadian pilot was killed crashing into it in a Spitfire during World War 11
    By - Jane Baldwin
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