We often take where we live for granted and get used to the surrounding areas we travel through, without really noticing them any more. Lyminge Millennium Committee came up with a novel way of encouraging people, local and visitors to explore the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

Ancient pathways connect together Lyminge ,Rhodes Minnis and Etchinghill to form a fairly large rural parish, these routes had particular significant meaning and use which could be explored.

Which paths led to the church ? Which to the well? What happened to them when the railway came? How do we feel about a route that used to be an essential lifeline and now is simply a place to stroll on Sunday afternoons?

Six circular walks from the village were identified and thought was given to highlighting them as new access routes. With the help of the historical society and the local footpath warden, lists of points of interest were drawn up.

The six routes were named after trees to be found on them, the first, Pine Walk became the focus of the project. Workshops were held in all three villages to encourage people to make things they were likely to see on the route and way markers made to help others find them. Local children made a variety of animals; hedgehogs, badgers, a large woodpecker to nest in the trees and a variety of insects for the hedgerows.

The way markers were colourful symbols of leaves, plants, trees and animals. A series of leaf prints and drawings produced in the workshops were made into a book and a bench was made from recycled scrap wood carved with leaf symbols, both are now displayed in the library.

Many local people took part in the walk and further way markers were made in the display tent at its finish. The whole day was rounded off with a street party organised by the Lyminge Millennium Committee with entertainment provided by a band, a magician and a group of Morris Dancers.