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Hebe Willis

My Frontline Walk 2024

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My Activity Tracking

63
mi

My target 100 mi

I've created this page because I want to make a difference

I'm inspired by the work of the Army Benevolent Fund and wanted to support them by raising money as part of my participation in My Frontline Walk. Please help me help them by giving whatever you can use the 'Donate' button.

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My Updates

Walk 9 - My Final Walk - 12.6km

My Final Walk! 

It felt pretty significant to be setting off on my final walk to achieve the 100km distance I set out to complete. 

Trying to walk another loop of the Essex costal path, I set off from Salcott to walk the Old Hall Marshes. Another remote stretch of the coast that was home to a variety of birdlife and hundreds of sheep on around 1,560 acres of meadow with brackish open water fleets, reed-beds and salt-marsh. Suprisingly this was the busiest route that I walked, with many keen bird watchers coming out in full force to enjoy the beautiful morning light.

The marsh was owned by Brigadier R Colvin during the war who served with the Essex Yeomanry regiment. The area has many oysterbeds that date back to the medieval times and were a source of food during the war. Oysters, along with coal, flint, shrimps and fish were often unloaded in the Old Hall Marshes and carted up to the top of Old Hall Lane to a railway and loaded into wagons to be delivered into London as well as other local destinations.


Apart from the 240+ species of bird Old Hall Marshes is home to, it also contains 268 recorded plant species, among them the rare saltmarsh goosefoot, sea barley and golden samphire. There are also over 24 mammals and about 1,000 species of invertebrates, over 100 of which are rare.

On the final stretch of the sea wall, I got a beautiful view back on my initial route from Tollesbury with the bright red light ship being a prominent feature on the horizon. Such a lovely full circle moment.

I have now proudly completed over 43km of the Essex costal path. Which feels like a little achievement in itself. 
I started this challenge just 11 days ago, and walked 9 out of those 11 days. I have really enjoyed it, but I am more than ready to not see my walking boots for a couple weeks. Thank you to everyone who has supported me. 

Walk 8 - 17.5km

The Maldon to Mundon 17.5km walk was started in rain and finished in blustering winds. It is exceptionally remote along the sea wall where the closest alternative footpaths in the center is 6km either way with little to no shelter should you need it. This was probably my toughest day of walking. There were points where my walking boots were so heavy with mud that they nearly came off and others where I purposely had to remove my boots to cross over a overflowing river. The water came up to my knees, but I wanted to preserve my dry socks and shoes for the later parts of the walk. 

The walk started and finished with sightings of the traditional Thames Barges. They are stored at Cooks Barge Yard in Maldon which was a supply point for Montague Whalers during WW2. They were requested to turn one out every 3 weeks - they made over 100 during the war years. The yard has been in use since the wars, repairing barges and other boats over the years, as well as being a key filming location for the Essex Serpent in 2022. Osea Island opposite to Mundon sea wall is also a key filming location for many films (best known for the Black Widow) and has become a bit of a celebrity hotspot due to its private nature including housing Olly Murs for his wedding! 

A quick visit to the 2 commonwealth graves at the end of the day finished a tough walk with a bit of rememberance and appreciation. 

Walk 7 - 10.9km

Today I set off from Goldhanger up to little Totham. It was a bit of a change walking across the fields and all roads, but I enjoyed the variation to the sea wall. I passed a few black shadow soldiers that are placed around villages to commemorate the war. They all had lovely poppy wreaths at their feet remembering all those brave soldiers. The walk showed a lot of creativity of the local people. There was an exceptionally clever design of a character on a tree stump which made me smile. The walk was 10.94km.

Walk 6 - 5km

I have been lucky to have the support of my mum on a couple of walks, however it was special to walk 4km of the sea wall with all my family. This has been a good excuse to get out and appreciate the people and the places nearby to me. 

Walk 5 - 21km

Today I did round loop from Goldhanger up to Tollesbury just missing out the part that I did on my initial walk. The route took me through Field and villages and was amazing to see the changing landscape. I was joined by my mum. We visited The Victory Recreation Ground which was given over by Frederick E Hasler to commemorate the men and women of the village who took part in the First World War. We also visited the church, which housed the 7 men who gave their lives. The walk was full of wildlife. It was very interesting to see the change in grass quality along the sea wall where the sheep had and hadnt been. Many of the cattle had been taken into barns for the winter, and in their place, the geese had come to house on the grassland for the season. The walk was approximately 21km and we managed to finish in the dark!

Walk 4 - 3km

Trying to get the bonus miles in wherever I can, so I did a 3km walk around Langham Hall estate. I visited the church and the single soldier buried there - Private Ernest George Dines, who served in the ESSEX REGIMENT and was just 19yrs old when he died on 26th August 1915. Just 5 minutes down the road is Boxted Airfield. The airfield was one of the most important american airfields of the Second World War, however now (bar a plaque that now stands where it lay) the fields are now used for growing onions. 

Walk 3 - 19km

On my third walk, I headed up from Goldhanger via Haybridge basin and then around Langford. I was joining by my mum for the later part of my walk which took just an hour. The entire walk was 19km and took under 4 hrs. 

Heybridge basin is known for its Sea lock. However the bungalows placed right opposite were originally accommodation huts on HMS Osea during WW1.
It is also home to The Blackwater Sailing club, which is placed over the original location of the Marine Salt Company. There is a rather tumulus mound surrounding the sailing club lake, which people suggest could either originate as a burial mound, red hill remains from Roman salt extraction or a safe land for cattle and sheep in times of flood. However, during WW2 an air raid shelter was dug into it, which served many local farm workers. On the morning of 11th January 1943 four bombs were dropped on the Basin. One of these landed on the two rows of cottages. Five villagers lost their lives that day and a sixth died in hospital 4 weeks later. All are remembered on the Heybridge War Memorial.  A little further in is St George’s Church which started out as the sergeants’ mess on Goldhanger Airfield during WW1. From Heybridge Basin we travelled up towards Langford following the old railway route. The railway was officially shut down in 1964 however the platform for Langford and Ulting still remains. The line was a vital connection for the port in Maldon, however during the second world war, the passenger service was shut down to encourage the movement of goods around the country. In Langford church yard lay two commonwealth soldiers -  Private G Dorking (17) of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and Driver F S Joslin of the Royal Army Service Corps. 

Walk 2 Hyde park 5km

Up to London I went to show my support in the famers protest and ended up having a bonus walk around Hyde Park in the rain. Wearing wellies was definitely suitable for the weather, but not tarmac tracks! I went for a short 5km loop to make use of the time I had and added a nice and heavy rucksack to make it a little more challenging. I walked past the Barracks at Knightsbridge, as well as the animals in War Memorial and The Cavalry memorial, which commemorates members of the Cavalry Regiments killed during World War 1. Designed by Adrian Jones, an army vet, the sculpture contains bronze which came from the melted down guns captured during World War 1. 

Hyde park was used as a recruitment area throughout the wars. As well as this buildings were constructed across the park housing an array of things from post offices to Airplane parts. The land was also given over to local residents for Allotments, however after the wars a large land recovery scheme was put in place to restore the grounds. This meant removing many of these buildings and taking back the allotments from residents.

In the second world war, the park took more demolition than ever before. In early 1940, a mine damaged the Ranger’s Lodge. There is also said to be shrapnel in many of the trunks of trees due to the demolition that occured.

Walk 2 Hyde park 5km

Up to London I went to show my support in the famers protest and ended up having a bonus walk around Hyde Park in the rain. Wearing wellies was definitely suitable for the weather, but not tarmac tracks! I went for a short 5km loop to make use of the time I had and added a nice and heavy rucksack to make it a little more challenging. I walked past the Barracks at Knightsbridge, as well as the animals in War Memorial and The Cavalry memorial, which commemorates members of the Cavalry Regiments killed during World War 1. Designed by Adrian Jones, an army vet, the sculpture contains bronze which came from the melted down guns captured during World War 1. 

Hyde park was used as a recruitment area throughout the wars. As well as this buildings were constructed across the park housing an array of things from post offices to Airplane parts. The land was also given over to local residents for Allotments, however after the wars a large land recovery scheme was put in place to restore the grounds. This meant removing many of these buildings and taking back the allotments from residents.

In the second world war, the park took more demolition than ever before. In early 1940, a mine damaged the Ranger’s Lodge. There is also said to be shrapnel in many of the trunks of trees due to the demolition that occured.

My First Walk

After finding out about this wonderful event being run by the Army Benevolent Fund last weekend, I decided to sign up. I have for a long time wanted a good excuse to walk some of the wonderful routes that are history rich and situated in the surrounding villages to where I have grown up. 

So, with just 2 weeks left to complete this challenge I set off on my first walk. A quick 8.5km loop around Tollesbury Wick Marshes on a Monday afternoon. 

The area is now a conservation spot. There is varying terrain on either side of the sea wall down to the saltmarsh and freshwater grazing perfect for the local sheep and cattle. Alongside these farm animals are self enhabiting birdlife who thrive on the marsh. On entrance to the conservation area is a small leaflet produced by the RSPB encouraging you to try to spot these birds. Without binoculars and the birds being rather small I believe I only saw 3 of the 10 birds listed; a Shelduck; a Ruff; an Oystercatcher; In addition to the Brent Geese who have travelled in from Northern Europe for the winter.

Coastal defences were set up all along the sea wall path during the wars. Three hexagon pillboxes have survived in the local area which were traditionally manned with light machine guns ready for immediate use if necessary. In addition to this was a railway Pier. However, during World War II the pier was destroyed as an anti-invasion precaution, along with the area used for defensive guns. This was a way to control electrically operated mines blocking the River Blackwater. 

There is also a prominent Radar tower just overlooking the marshland which was used to monitor submarine activity. It was built in 1940 to house maritime radio direction finding equipment to monitor the approaches to the estuary for enemy shipping. It is also assumed that its secondary usage may have been as a minefield control post, overlooking the minefield across the river blackwater. It has now been converted into a lovely holiday home, aptly named “The Hexagon”. 

Tollesbury is also famous for its Lightship - LV15 Trinity Lightvessel. However, according to the Trinity House records, during the wars many of the lights were eqtinguished and the traditionally red ships were painted in camouflage - I cannot find any specific details about the one is Tollesbury however it was originallly in Harwick until 1988 when it was moved to Tollesbury to be used by the Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust (FACT) to support the youth training center previously catered for by a Thames Sailing boat. Something that is a tradition to this area.

As you leave the marina at Tollesbury there is a number of Ship wrecks. Some of decaying boats that look of more recent heritage and others much older. Once I was home, I decided to look up if any of these were related to the great wars. I believe there may have been some smaller boats destroyed closer to shore, but the closest ship, HMT Staunton built in 1908, was located roughly 20km off Tollesbury shore heading towards the North Sea. This trawler ship was one of 266 lost in the second world war. It was hit by a magnetic mine and took with it 13 causulties on the 28/07/1940. 

Across the estuary you get a extremly promenent view of Bradwell powerstation which is situated on the Bradwell Bay Airfield which was in regular use throughout WW2. Traditionally a grass-surfaced landing ground, it was rebuilt from 1940 to house a concrete runway, hangars and ancillary buildings. The airfield was unique as it was the only fighter station where the Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation (FIDO - A system used to disperse fog and pea soup fog to enable safe landing on airfields) was ever used. Unfortunately this is now unnaccessible to the public due to its location so close to the power station. 


I thoroughly enjoyed the first leg of the walk and I look forwards to the next 91km!

Thank you to my Sponsors

£52

Jane & Jono

Brilliant ! Well done Hebe! Lots of love from the Clark Clan! X

£52

Robbie C

Great effort for a wonderful cause.

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Charlie & Becky

Well done Hebe - you have broken the back of it - not far to go 🙌 xx

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Bray Family

Amazing Hebe and great cause - Good Luck! X

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Anne-marie Hardwick

Great effort Hebe, best of luck with the final 40!!

£26

Claire Newman

Congratulations, tremendous effort x

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Emma Good

Huge well done Hebe. Xx

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Genevieve

Brilliant effort Hebe and for a great cause! Well done you! Genevieve x

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Lisa Worsick

Well done Hebe from the Worsick’s x

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Jamie And Lucy Telfer

Well done Hebe. What a fantastic achievement

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Tetta Ley

Brilliant effort - well done!

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Barty

Well done Hebe. Fantastic effort for a fabulous charity xx

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Juliet Scantlebury

Well done Hebe!

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Lucy Pohl

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Sandra Ashworth

Well done Hebe

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Lulu Harmstorf-pearl

Well done Hebe!! X

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Catherine Xx

Well done Hebe

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Hebe Willis

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