217th Stowey Women’s Walk

The 217th Stowey Women’s Walk takes place on Saturday 21 June. The Walk departs from The Cross at 3pm.

The historic tradition, of the women of the Stowey’s walking each year, on the Saturday closest to mid-summer, is to honour the memory of Thomas Poole.

Thomas Poole was born in Nether Stowey in 1765. He was a tanner who used his wealth to improve the lives of the poor in the village. In 1806 he started the Stowey Female Friendly Society to help women in times of sickness, childbirth, widowhood and old age.

He funded and built the original village school in Castle Street, which is now our wonderful Thomas Poole Library, café and community hub.
Traditionally, everyone dressed up in their Sunday best for the walk, although this is no longer expected. They also carried a posy of flowers to put on Thomas Poole’s grave.

We will meet at the Cross in the middle of the village at 3pm with the walk to St Mary’s Church, headed by bagpipes, starting at 3.15pm. After a short service in the church, and a visit to Thomas Poole’s grave we will walk back to the Church Centre for Afternoon Tea.

Two minor variations will be introduced:

1: To include more aspects of Thomas Poole within the walk.
2: For the walkers, to actually see the pipers and the banner walking towards them, rather than only seeing their backs.

The pipers and the banner will start at the Thomas Poole Library in Castle Street at 3.05pm. They will walk past Thomas Poole House, which now displays a Blue Plaque, in honour of the place where Thomas Poole lived.

At the Cross the walkers will join the parade.

Further details will be available nearer the time.

A few more volunteers are needed to wear high-vis jackets to walk alongside the parade please.

Telephone: 01278 732266
Janet Phillips, on behalf of the Stowey Female Friendly Society