The Moonrakers Walkers made a special seven-mile pilgrimage through the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Reserve in Coombe Bissett, arriving at a bench dedicated to one of their members who died in 2022.

Professor Simon Olding had served as professor of modern crafts at the University of the Creative Arts since 2004.

When he died of cancer in 2022, his university colleagues raised £3,000 for the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and engraved a plaque on a bench chosen by Simon on his last visit.

He had lived nearby during the early part of his distinguished career in the arts and enjoyed walking there.

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Moonrakers Walkers group leader John Turley planned the walk to enjoy the view from Simon’s bench. Simon’s widow, Isabel, joined them.

John said: “Simon was a very loyal and active member of the group and joined us on many walks in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset; he is sadly missed but never forgotten. The 16-strong attendance on this walk bears testimony to his popularity, and several others would have been there but for illnesses.

"We have visited many of the Trust’s sites, and we are very grateful for their work in maintaining and protecting such superb areas of natural beauty.”

Moonrakers Walkers is an independent, 40-strong walking group whose expeditions include explanations of the history and geology of the places visited.

For those who may be interested in joining the group, John can be contacted via email.