I was told that 8,000,000 men marched down this road during the first World War. Only 6,000,000 returned.

Members of NCI (National Coastwatch Institution) were invited to attend and were able to lay a wreath. They can be seen behind the somewhat portly Firefighter (it must be the uniform!). Noteably, NCI are wearing Naval issue type caps, not regarded as part of our standard uniform, but I must admit it looks very smart on ceremonial occasions. Perhaps it might be suggested at our next committee meeting?

The Gurhka’s had a strong representation here. I’m not sure of the significance of their link with Folkestone – hoping that someone may add a comment on the end and enlighten me.

Again, Folkestone has significant links with France, so much so that French wreaths were laid and La Marseillaise was sung as well as the National Anthem.

Several times a year Bill Bradley from the National Coastwatch Institution, which has a primary role at the Worms Head, organises walks for NCI volunteers, their families & friends. I have been with NCI as a volunteer for probably two and a half years now, but I had still not “walked the Worm”. It is strange, one looks out at Worms Head each time you are on watch and form an impression of the terrain in the varying weather conditions. But nothing quite prepares you for the reality of ‘Walking The Worm’. It is accessible, as long as you are reasonably fit, prepared with the right clothing and footwear, and ensure that the tide is right. Needless to say, being an NCI inspired walk, the tide and weather conditions had been thoroughly checked by Bill before allowing his party to set out. What I had not calculated on was my historically weak ankles (several breaks as a teenager!),being sixty two and still believing that I am sixteen, a smoker & unfit, the terrain being more challenging than it looks from the mainland, plus Bill Bradley (despite being ten years older than me) being as fit as a juvenile Chamois!

Having said that, it was immensely rewarding and revealing. The beautiful thing about the Worms Head is its changeable nature. Undoubtedly one of the worlds great beauty spots, with its relationship with the sea constantly changing. A breeding place and shelter for a wide variety of wild life, flora & fauna. Dylan Thomas regularly explored its secrets. From his short story “Who do you wish was with us” he wrote;- “… Laughing on the cliff above the very long golden beach, we pointed out to each other, as though the other were blind, the great rock of the Worm’s Head. The sea was out. We crossed over on slipping stones and stood, at last, triumphantly on the windy top. There was monstrous, thick grass there that made us spring-heeled and we laughed and bounced on it, scaring the sheep who ran up and down the battered sides like goats. Even on this calmest day a wind blew on the Worm.”

Before him sailors for generations have used the strange rocky configerations as a landmark. In fact the name probably came from Viking invaders who saw the “Wurm” (also known as Guivre, Worm, and Wyrm) as a sea serpent. The area is reknown for over two hundred and fifty shipwrecks (http://www.gowershipwrecks.co.uk/), ( http://www.nciwormshead.org.uk/worms-head-locality/shipwrecks-introduction/470-whitford-wrecks-22-23-january-1868 ), the Helvetia being the most visible remnant, the prow still standing strikingly on Rhossili Beach.

Generations of local farmers have worked its resources, primarily for sheep grazing. It is reported that one even grew potatoes on the south side of the inner head, which produced an earlier crop than was expected. However the problems of transporting them from the Worm proved prohibitive.

The so called ’causeway’, which dangerously floods rapidly twice a day with the tide, looks benevolent from above. Once approached on foot still has treacherously slippery, sea smoothed rocks, together with deep beds of muscles. I was once asked by a dear lady in an electric wheelchair whether it [the Causeway] was accessible to cross. In simple terms, no. It is very unlikely that anyone with any substantial degree of disability would even get to the causeway. (Having set the challenge, I’m sure someone will prove me wrong. If so, I will buy you a drink!).

Regrouping as we set out on the causeway;-

Warnings of the dangers involved with the rapid currents are strategically placed along the walk from the Worms Head Hotel and the National Trust shop, but have been all too frequently ignored or not understood by visitors to the area. Lives have been lost here.

The path to the southern edge of the “Outer Head” is the safest, and having crossed the causeway, is a welcome relief.

The ‘beach’ area between the Inner & Outer Head comes as a surprise. This is the preferred and safest route if the tide is outgoing, as you will see from following images.

Looking back at the Northern pathway, it is evident why this path can be dangerous, especially if it is wet underfoot. It may be the best vantage point to watch the Grey Seals that come to bask between tides, however it is not the recommended route.

The Devil’s Bridge, viewed from the south side. It look precarious from this angle but in reality this is a reasonable crossing point.

A further view of the Devil’s Bridge taking in the Lower Neck to the right of the picture. Crossing the Lower neck involves a fair degree of scrabbling over some difficult terrain.

Approaching the Devil’s Bridge. The tree trunk, washed up on the right of the picture, serves as an aid to crossing

At one point here I launched myself between two rocks, but ended up straddling them, with quite a drop below me! My thanks to the gentleman who came to my rescue! I did feel foolish!

As this picture demonstrates, crossing at some points can be quite difficult. Injuries often occur on The Worm. The Coastwatch Station are able to offer help & assistance. This will involve informing the Coastguard, and assisting in coordinating any response. If the injury is in any way serious dial 999 for the Coastguard. For further advice the Coastwatch team can be contacted on 01792 390167

A further two views looking back from ‘The Low Neck’ toward the causeway.

A view from the Low Neck of the Coastwatch Station

A welcome relief after traversing the Lower Neck. The pathway on the Outer Head becomes more reasonable once again.

Looking back eastward toward the Inner Head.

A view toward the Outer Head from Devil’s Bridge

Looking back toward the Inner Worm from Devil’s Bridge. It is worth noting the the tide, at certain times of the year, can cover this area very quickly.

A view toward Rhossili beach from the Outer Head

Crossing Devil’s Bridge heading to the Outer Head

One of the main things to note is the sign on the Outer Head where members of the public are asked not to proceed any further between March 1st & August 15th because of birds breeding on the Head. Sadly, a large number of people completely ignore this request. I can understand why this must be frustrating, having walked so far and not being allowed to reach the end. I really feel that the National Trust (who own the land) should have advised people of this restriction well in advance of this point.

The final leg of the journey to the Outer Head

For many, climbing the summit of the Outer Head is the target. There is a right and a wrong way of doing this, and even while we were there other members of the public were taking unnecessary risks climbing an overhang of rock. Needless to say, Bill was quick to advise them of the error of their way!

A view of the southern side of the Worm taken from the base of the Outer Head

The return journey across the southern’beach’.

Our return journey across the top of the Inner Head

…and the descent back toward the Causeway

My special thanks to Bill Bradley for making this such a good and safe day.

For a fascinating article on the geology check out http://www.nciwormshead.org.uk/worms-head-locality/geology/121-geology-worms-head

I’m not sure if I have added this image onto this site – maybe on Facebook. We were in West Wales with Pete & Jean recently. We had walked about a mile before Gwen decided that she had had enough!

And lastly, a shot of Gwen on duty with me on Coastwatch at Worms Head….

The work undertaken by NCI at Nells Point, Barry was also mentioned as providing a vital role on a busy area of coast.

I’ve been asked to produce a panoramic view of the Worms Head when the tide is out. This is to assist fellow NCI (National Coastwatch Institution) members when approached by members of the public reporting an incident. “Over there” is not a great deal of help to a rescue team or helicopter crew. Once I have completed the exercise, and produced a large print to be hung up in the lookout station, I will put something on this site also, with the named sections of the worms Head identified on the photograph.

As a post script, I think that I’m going to start collecting “silly questions” that NCI staff are asked. This first one I was asked – maybe I shouldn’t identify the nationality of the questioners, but I think that it is fair to say that this first person lived in virtual desert surroundings, so they might be forgiven…

“Where does the sea go when the tide goes out?” .
From a British adult, pointing to the Worm, “Is that the Isle of Man”.
From a child, also pointing to the Worm, Is that Spain?.

For alternative views checkout
http://www.enjoygower.com/panos/wormwalk.cfm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/nature/sites/places/pages/weatherman_wormshead.shtml

I like this one – lots of nice honest photographs
http://fiveprime.org/hivemind/Tags/beach,llangennith

Obviously I do not yet have a suitable collection of photographs of the NCI, and have therefore had to raid their web-site, ( nciwormshead.org.uk ). Most of the photographs there are too small a resolution to be of use, so I decided yesterday to take a run down to Rhossilli and try and get some of my own. Inevitably Gwen (our dog) loves being with me when I am on watch at The Worm, so she had to come with me. As I have found out many times before, she has an uncanny knack of appearing in the photographs, a bit like a certain cartoon character in the Western Mail, or Alfred Hitchcock in his films. I managed to Photoshop her out of some, but she appears next to the child’s pushchair in the first photograph.

Here are a couple of the shots I took anyway;-

Gwen managed to get her nose into this one as well. This is the unedited version…

Despite numerous signs and warnings, tourists regularly get cut off. Considerably less though since the NCI have been active.