Whitchurch Canonicorum Walk – history notes
The earliest records of a church in this area date to before AD 881. Alfred the Great, King of the Anglo-Saxons from AD 886 to 899, built it in honour of Saint Wite (pronounced Wheat-a), and bequeathed the lands of this large parish to his youngest son Ethelweard. During the 12th century some parts of the church were rebuilt by Benedictine monks, who had received it from William the Conqueror. And in 1190, the Benedictines renamed the church Saint Candida, the Latin form of Saint Wite, and sold it to the Bishop of Salisbury.
In the 13th century, further rebuilding took place. The church has retained some Norman and early English Gothic styles, such as the lofty bell-tower, an arcade and aisles, as well as a chancel, nave, two transepts, porch and vestry. Its baptismal font is in the shape of a chalice.
On one of its tower walls is a stone-carved panel depicting a Viking longship and axe. This may symbolise Saint Wite, who was martyred by Danish warriors while defending her own people during a raid on Charmouth. After her death, possibly in AD 830, her relics were transferred to the Holy Cross Church.
‘Wite’ is an old English word with no Latin connections. It may, however, mean a sage or a wise man, but not a wise woman (Cf. the Anglo-Saxon National Council, the Witan). In Saxon times, it meant ‘pain or punishment’, and in a legal sense ‘a fine’ or to ‘blame’. It can also mean ‘to guard’, or ‘to preserve’. In consideration of these meanings, it would appear that Saint Wite was a person of much wisdom who protected her people from harm. She probably lived in the ninth century and was of Saxon origin. It is thought that, for much of her life, she was a hermit and withdrew to the secluded cliff tops, where she tended fires that served as a beacon for sailors.
Other theories suggest that Saint Wite may have been a fifth-century Welsh princess, Saint Gwen or Saint Blanche, who married a Cornish prince and was the mother of two saints. It’s even suggested she died in her native Brittany and that her remains were returned to England in the 10th century. Another theory proposes that she was a martyr, Saint Candida, who was killed in Carthage in the fourth century. Such sources are not based on traditions or documents, nor do they appear in reliable folklore.
Saint Wite’s relics are now in the north transept of the Anglican Church of Saint Candida and the Holy Cross. The shrine consists of two parts: in the upper section is a limestone coffin with a leaden case containing the bones of the saint, on top of which is a slab of Purbeck marble. In keeping with such reliquaries of this age, it is supported by a stone base below with three oval openings, into which sick pilgrims insert ailing limbs in the hope of a cure. When a patient cannot make the journey to the shrine, a relative or friend may insert handkerchiefs, requests for intercession, bandages or similar objects on their behalf, as well as lighting a candle after a healing. This custom continues to the present day, where pilgrims leave prayer requests, testimonies of healing and notes of thanksgiving at the shrine. Pilgrims still come here and, while there, many have reported that they feel suffused with great peacefulness, and a sensation of comfort and reassurance when close to the shrine.
During renovation work in the church in 1900, a crack was discovered in the surface of the tomb. On opening it, workers discovered a leaden casket inscribed with the Latin words: ‘Hic requiescunt reliquie sancte Wite’ (Here rest the remains of Saint Wite). Examination of the remains confirmed that they were of a woman who lived in the ninth century, around the age of 40, and of small stature.
Tom Webb
Riou & Laura's Walk
An Elite cadre of 12 walkers met on the Green at 9.15, and drove to Cerne Abbas Giants car park, where we spent a period of time admiring the manlihood of The Giant. Once we had all regained our composure, we set off up onto the ridgeway towards Minterne Parva and UpCerne walking at a steady pace in glorious weather. The team photo was taken overlooking the beautiful Upcerne estate, which was where we had our deserved stop and coffee break rest.
At this junction the nimble and athletic Tony left us to walk back to the car park, with the remaining eleven athletes continuing on our walk out of Upcerne and up onto the ridgeway, with glorious views into both the Cerne and Sydling valleys, and the Red Kite nos: 4163B who continued to follow us, once Sue S had put her binoculars away!! From here we dropped down a steep slope for 1 mile, and back into the car park, to collect our vehicles and drive the short distance to The Royal Oak in Cerne Abbas, for much needed food and drink after our 6.4 mile beautiful walk.
The pub looked after us all extremely well with great food and drink, all enlivened by Laura B and Mike B discussing the various challenges and merits of chip sharing, the Cinnamon ice cream was an absolute joy!!!
Thank you to all the walking team for a lovely special day in the glorious Dorset countryside.
Love Riou & Laura.xo.
Mileaters’ Wareham Forest Walk - 3 June 2025
As any member of the Mileaters will know, an Evans-lead walk invariably involves a monsoon and our last outing on the 3rd June was no exception.
This is a rather belated account of ur 5.7 mile amble through Wareham Forest including Woolsbarrow Fort.
So let’s get the weather out of the way first- it started out with a persistent drizzle, eased off to a light one, dried up and then went almost immediately back to the persistent drizzle.
The good thing about the light drizzle was that it enabled us to see a panoramic view above the pine trees from the fort an ancient monument occupied some 2,500 years ago. It is univallate, meaning it has only a single earthwork providing its defense boundary and it has an ordinance survey trig pillar, about which some musings were uttered in knowing tones.
We passed thick rhododendrons, heather, gorse and boggy areas. We also encountered cows grazing and Sila deer but the otters, lizards and adders hid from us (and the rain).
We stopped for coffee and a snack in a clearing during the driest phase before carrying on past lakes and open heathland back to the cars.
But as ever it was the banter that was the the most rewarding part of the walk and the mattering was non-stop!
Lunch was at the Manor House owing to a scheduling mishap but (even though I am clearly biased) I reckon the fare was perfect for the day chilli with rice and salad and quiche and cheese.
Chris Evans
Mileaters say farewell to Bridehead
On Thursday 8th May, 21 Mileaters walked 6.30 miles from Hardy to Little Bredy and back. We had a special coffee break by the pond and cascade at Bridehead. Sadly, due to the sale of the estate, this lovely place - enjoyed by so many local families - will be closed to the public from 2 June. We completed our walk through the Valley of Stones and a final steep climb back to Hardy. A welcome lunch awaited at the Brewer's Arms.
Sue and Louisa Shephard
Mileaters on Tour - face a "Testing" time…
We could not have picked better weather for our annual staycation, this time in the charming town of Stockbridge on the beautiful River Test in Hampshire. 22 Mileaters and 3 dogs gathered for 3 days of walks, drinks, fine company, drinks, pub grub, and yes, more drinks.
No sooner had we checked in and we were off on our first walk - 4 1/2 miles downhill from the fine viewpoint of Danebury Hill Fort, along the Test Way and back to our hotel, serenaded by the first Cuckoo of the year, and accompanied by soaring Red Kites.
The second day was even warmer as we set off along the shady old railway track that was the former "Sprat and Winkle" line, then onto a section of the Clarendon Way with a delightful crossing of the River Test. Another Cuckoo, and yet more Red Kites, and many a tuneful Blackcap. The 6 mile circuit concluded by passing former Horsebridge Station, fully restored to its late 19th Century condition, and now a wedding venue. No surprise, there was the "John of Gaunt" Inn waiting to revive us.
Our final walk, after an inauspicious skirting of the water treatment works, followed above the River Anton, into the picturesque village of Wherwell, and then up into the cooling shade of Upping Copse and a glorious display of Bluebells especially for Linda who had joined us from the Netherlands for this very encounter. After a picnic lunch with the 5 mile mark now behind us, we faced a dilemma - an extra 1 ½ miles, or back to the cars and the option of a rehydrating drink right on the banks of our friend the Test at "The Mayfly" Inn ? Which option did we take ? A wonderful spot to finish an enjoyable few days.
Our grateful thanks to Phil who filled in for our tour organiser Nick who was recovering from a knee operation, by leading all the walks and he didn't lose anyone; "I counted them all out and I counted them all back". Nick provided important logistical support by researching the watering holes and could be found at various important junctions, normally where there happened to be a pub.
Finally, congratulations to Martin, Lesley and Lesley P (where was Mark ?) for an outstanding performance in the "Name that Dog" competition.
We are already looking forward to next year's holiday in Exmouth, under the stewardship of Frances and Rollo.
Nick Priddle
