Gloucestershire Outdoor Group: Walkers rescue trapped sheep

RECENTLY four walkers from Gloucestershire Outdoor Group were on a walk between Slimbridge and Sharpness.

We had only been walking for under an hour when we walked through a large field of sheep.

Just as we were approaching the stile towards the edge of the field we saw a sheep trapped in the hedge.

We walked slowly towards him and noticed he was caught up in the brambles.

Viv, bent down to have a look.

He then asked for someone to pass him his secateurs from his rucksack which we did.

We set about trying to untangle and cut free the sheep.

It was soon apparent that the sheep had been trapped in the hedge for a considerable time as there were so many brambles interwoven into his thick coat.

It took us some time to cut the brambles and gently pull them out.

We did not want to cause any undue stress to the sheep.

We finally managed to free him but it took him a few minutes to realise he was actually free!

He then trotted off with the other sheep in the field.

We felt really proud that we had rescued the sheep from his scary ordeal trapped in the hedge.

We were so thankful that Viv always carries his trustee secateurs with him on the walks.

Viv nearly did not make the walk on that day.

Three of us met at the start.

Viv was supposed to be there too.

As he had not turned up, the leader gave him a call.

Viv had misread the start time of the walk and thought it was later.

Luckily we waited for Viv to turn up.

If we hadn't waited we would not have been able to help the sheep - then the sheep might have been waiting much longer if no one else came along to help him.

The group then continued on their walk, through the fields to Brookend and Sharpness where we stopped for lunch by the River Severn.

We then returned via the scenic Gloucester and Sharpness canal via Purton where we saw the boat graveyard and the remains of the old Severn railway bridge.

It was a very interesting and enjoyable walk.

The group has a walk every Sunday (or occasionally Saturday) and also evening walks in summer.

We also do other outdoor activities and socials including meals, theatre, bowling, skittles, cinema and themed nights.

If anyone is interested in finding out more about our group they can see our website for more details glosoutdoor.co.uk

Alternatively email glos-outdoor-group@hotmail.co.uk

The group also has a facebook page - Gloucestershire Outdoor Group