It was Dot to the rescue.

I was struggling to find an angle on the story for a walking piece about the National Forest Way, the new long-distance walking trail though the Midlands.

Thankfully, Dot Morson [pictured above], a stalwart of the local rambling group in South Derbyshire was on hand with mugs of tea, route-planning advice and a potted history of the post-industrial social history of the region – all while guiding me along sections of the then-unfinished trail.

The final story is out now in the latest issue of Walk magazine. Read Exploring the National Forest Way.

And makes friends with your local Dot. Evey local rambling group should have one.

Liked this? Try also Walking the Wales Coast Path.

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