The short cut


The area then (picture from SWOP website)	The area today

How picturesque this river scene
With church in distance, field between,
No doubt a pleasant way to walk
Especially now when time is short,
And here, where water flow unites,
And ducks may rest from lengthy flight
A playground gives our young today
A safe and happy place to play.

An early view of the river at this point shows how pleasant a walk by the river was in less hurried times. The path is now used mainly as a short-cut between the recreation ground and the London Road. Just beyond the bend to the right of the early picture is where the Wye reunites with the Back Stream on its way to the Thames - hence the pub being called the Happy Union (see early photo).

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