Riverside beauty spot set to be restored

A beauty spot that forms part of a popular riverside walk is set to be restored for future generations.

Daniel's Well and surrounding farmland in Malmesbury, an 8.5 acre site near Foxley Road, could be bought by an alliance of local groups including Malmesbury Town Council.

The group hopes to repair the walk's riverbank and restore a stone clapper bridge, which has been damaged by flooding.

Councillor Steve D'Arcy, who is leading negotiations to buy the land, said: "We have long wanted to acquire this land, to restore and preserve it for the local people of Malmesbury."

"It's an incredibly popular place for walkers, dog owners and people in general and is a wonderful facility for the town," D'Arcy added.

The site is named after a 9th Century monk who was known to submerge himself in the cold well water.

The alliance planning to buy the land includes St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council and Malmesbury League of Friends (MLOF).

Keith Maslin, from MLOF, said the trustees were "delighted" to support the "crucial" work.

Describing the site as an "invaluable area", he said the project would ensure its future accessibility for the public.

Councillor Roger Budgen, from St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council, said they wholeheartedly supported this initiative.

"Not only for the benefits already mentioned, but as a means of preserving the much-loved pedestrian route into town for parish residents living in Foxley and Common Roads," he added.

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