Founder Gini Mitchell writes -

Wild with Wheelers had a delightful wheeled adventure at the Warren the day before Armistice Day 2022.

Find out more about the Armistice - the agreement to end fighting in the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations. 

The morning was windy but warm enough and the sun broke through the clouds.

Our relatives' wars

Our group shared stories of stoic, brave, and significant relatives from both world wars. We spoke with pride and emotion about decorated brave soldiers, conscientious objectors and those who kept the home fires burning.

We remembered the fallen, those who suffered both mentally and physical injuries, and the entertainers who raised morale amongst troops. 

One Wheeler delighted us with the story of her aunt, who nursed soldiers at Dunkirk - and is still with us at the age of 107. 

Wheelers attached poppies to our scooters to acknowledge Armistice commemorations.

Hellfire Corner and the start of the Western Front

We spoke about this area being named 'Hellfire Corner' during the Battle of Britain, and Folkestone and Dover's significance as a strategic location.

We were right next to Vera Lynn's White Cliffs of Dover and below the Battle of Britain Memorial above us at Capel-le-Ferne.

First World War poetry

Our Storyteller Karen Hart shared poetry from Rupert Brooke, Siegfried Sassoon, Wilfred Owen, and WB Yeats, painting realistic and evocative images of the battlefields of northern France.

She also read a poem of the love of a young Canadian pilot's love for Folkestone, from the Warren down to Sandgate, speaking fondly of Radnor Park and the Leas. 

Crashing waves and sea defences

When we reached the concreted shoreline, our group ventured along the Apron and gazed out to the Channel, watching the waves crashing over the sea wall. 

Down there it is easy to understand why all this concrete was installed to protect the chalky cliffs from erosion.

We rode through and navigated around deep puddles from the recent heavy rainfall, racing back for our deadline when White Cliffs Countryside Partnership Ranger Alfie would open the gate for us to leave this magical and historic space.

For such a meaningful anniversary, this was a lovely adventure - with a lovely group of Wild Wheelers.

📸 Image credit: Support Walker Laura 

#accessiblenature #armisticeday #remembranceday #accessiblebeaches 

#accessiblenaturewalks 

#sharingstories #communitymatters #communitysupport