Meet Report: 19 July 2025.

In a change from the usual weekend meets, the club decided to organise a day meet around the historic battlefield of Towton in North Yorkshire.

After a lengthy spell of dry weather it was inevitable that the heavens would open on the day of the walk. And open they truly did, only relenting for a short period of time during the duration of the 10 mile route.

The walk started and finished at the Crooked Billet pub near the village of Saxton. After crossing the Cock Beck, where during the battle, the water is said to have ‘run red’, the first stop on the walk was ‘Lead Church’ (St Mary’s Church, Lead). Lead being the name of the common pasture where in the 9th Century a small hamlet stood. The current chapel dates back to the 14th Century but was restored in 1931 by a group of walkers, and therefore, quite aptly is known as ‘The Ramblers’ Church.’

On leaving Lead Church  the circular walk progressed through fields and pasture on good paths. One surprising feature of the walk as it passes near Hazlewood Castle, is the full size horse racing circuit and accompanying gallops. The walk progresses through the interior of the track which is currently home to a sizeable wheat field being readied for harvest. The aforementioned Hazlewood Castle dates back to the Domesday book and was crenelated from a manor house to a fortified castle in 1291. With its earlier links to Duke William of Normandy and the Vavasours (carving of Robert Le Vavasour on York Minster’s west façade) the castle became a Lancastrian stronghold in the Battle of Towton on 29th March 1461. The castle has excellent sight over the battlefield and would have proved a useful operating base.

After crossing a couple of stiles a short lunch break was taken before heading down a long straight tree lined track where a right turn is taken in the village of Stutton. By this point, it had rained pretty much non-stop but as usual YRC spirits could not be dampened.

The next point of significance on the walk is the ‘Bridge of Bodies’. So called due to retreating Lancastrians treading over the bodies of their deceased comrades in an effort to escape the onslaught from the Yorkists.

After leaving the bridge, progressing up the leafy path and turning right the group arrived at the actual battlefields. By this point, the rain was relentless so speedy progress was made reading the information boards and progressing to Dacre’s Cross (dates back to 1500).

A decision was made to ask the group if it would like to split up so that some could return to the pub via a shorter route whilst others returned via Saxton. Decision taken, the Saxton group visited the All Saints Church, Saxton where the bodies of the fallen were re-interred in 1500 after being exhumed from the battle site a short distance away. A small medieval headstone stands by itself in the graveyard to denote the burial area.

A further short walk via a path through a clayey wheatfield took the party straight back to the car park of the Crooked Billet. After drying off we all convened in the pub for food and refreshments. A very enjoyable, if wet day was had by all.

Attendees: Beverley Eastwood, Ian Hawkes, Mark Longmore, Mick Borroff, Robert Crowther, Helen Smith, Michael Smith, Adam Linford, David Hick, Christine Harrison, Steve Richards, Wendy Richards, Barbara Salmon, Ian Greatbatch (G), John Dobson (PM), Christine Marriott, Conrad Tetley.