Thanks to Paul C for leading his first walk with GOC!He treated 20 members to a picturesque ramble through the East Staffordshire countryside, ending at the historic Tutbury Castle, the medieval residence of Mary Queen of Scots. It was a fitting finale to a varied and scenic day.

We enjoyed warm sunshine for most of the walk, with just a brief interruption from a sharp shower during our lunch stop in Rolleston-on-Dove. The rain gave members a good excuse to seek shelter in the village church.

Rolleston-on-Dove, a pretty village on the eastern edge of the GOC Western Midlands region, marked the central point of our route. We followed the River Dove, which not only separates Staffordshire and Derbyshire but also forms the border between GOC’s Western and East Midlands regions.

It was great to see Paul and Kevin, East Midlands coordinators, joining us for the walk.... a lovely example of cross-regional GOC camaraderie!