In the 18th century, Ware was the premier malting town in England, specialising in brown malt for the brewing of a beer known as `porter’. Above is a statue of a life-sized bronze sculpture of a male figure with a shovel and cat, The Malt Maker, cast in 1999 by Jill Tweed to commemorate 600 years of malting in Ware. It is an impresssive piece of male modelling, situated in front of St Mary the Virgin church and close to our coffee stop.
Also modelling their outfits in Ware were a group of stylish Windmillers walking down the coffee catwalk unaware (ho ho) that they had been caught in the act by Charles, our own member of the photo-mafia. Beware, Charles can aim his long range lens at you at any time, so always be on your best behaviour.
So who wins the cool catwalk prize? It must go to Simon, surely.
All this was of course at the half way stage. So if you’re sitting comfortably let’s begin at Albury where 15 Windmillers comprising Charles, Deborah, Rod, Simon, Graham, Brian, Geoff, Roger, Keith, Andrew, Ric, Howard, Tom, Jeremy and MartinW met at the Catherine Wheel for coffee before setting off via Ware, Hertford and Sacombe Park. Graham had already stocked up on calories at Pearce’s Farm Shop and Café at Puckeridge on the A10, a popular stop for Windmillers but one that Graham had not experienced previously.
The ride was organised by Maurice who, sadly, could not attend on account of a painful fall on his dodgy hip the previous week. We wish him well for a speedy recovery.
Setting off in three groups of five, after first being warned by Andrew of the risk of bike thefts in Ware, we headed south via Much Hadham on mainly quiet roads before entering Ware, having coffee and returning via the lovely path alongside the River Lea to Hertford before entering Sacombe Park. Before reaching Ware, Andrew’s group stopped to admire the imposing entrance to Fanham’s Hall. a popular wedding venue:
On the journey Charles also captured Windmillers at full pelt,
but was also seen going at full pelt himself on the return leg due to an appointment in Addenbrooke’s with his dog during the afternoon to give patients much respite from being laid up. Well done, Charles.
Sadly, Simon had a puncture in Sacombe Park which meant that the first group led by Howard who had whizzed along at high speed decided to tuck into their lunch before the others arrived but eventually all agreed on what a good venue it was at The Catherine Wheel.
This is where we went:
Thanks to Maurice for planning the route and organising the lunch and coffee venues and Andrew for stepping in on the day. Luckily no bikes were stolen in Ware, but then some were triple locked to deter burglars.
Thanks also to Charles, Simon and Andrew for the photographs.
Martin
The Windmill Cycle Club 