That’s week 2 of walking in memory of Michael complete!

This week started with snow and ended with beautiful sunshine.

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported and donated so far. I am so grateful for everything, thank you so much!

At the time of writing (Sunday 14th January) I have completed 46.32 miles of the 1071 miles.

On week days, I walk around my local area, but at weekends I am aiming to get to locations that were of great importance to Michael’s life and story.

You can donate here  to help raise funds for the IBCC’s new Learning Centre.

This week I have walked:

Walk 8 was around Fairford, and even though you cannot see it in this photo, it was snowing consistently but didn’t come to much!

Walk 9 was around Lechlade on Thames and the photo was taken on St Johns Bridge.

Walk 10 was completed in Fairford, I wasn’t impressed after a bramble bush tried to pinch my hat!

Walk 11 was in Fairford and this photo was taken outside the old Lloyds bank.

Walk 12 was proudly completed in Fairford, wearing my new event t-shirt.

Walk 13 was once again completed in Fairford and the photo was taken at the Mill on a wonderfully sunny Saturday.

Walk 14 led us from one of Michael’s primary schools to his family home in Mersey Hampton

Here’s a bit of backstory of a young Michael: Michael lived at Southill Cottages with his father Richard Owen, mother Eva Emily, my grandfather Arthur Joseph, his other brother Anthony and his two sisters Alice Mary and Dorothy. Sadly one of his brothers Richard passed away at the young age of 2. The cottage where Michael lived was on a farm called Southill Farm where his father worked as a farmhand/herdsman.

From his home to Meysey Hampton Primary School, it is roughly 1.5 miles each way, with much of the journey along country roads. Today it was a lovely walk in beautiful weather, but I can’t imagine completing this journey at primary school age in all weathers.

I am not sure of the exact location of the cottage that Michael grew up in, as the farm and cottages were knocked down shortly after RAF Fairford’s runway was extended in 1953, but have a general idea.

My family have some photos of the building before they were demolished, which you can see below to go along with some other photos that have been found throughout my research.

I have come across a website where some aerial images are available and show Southill Farm in August 1938.