We ran a swim intro day, a swim walk and a swim cycle, and several guided history and wellbeing walks (co-led in Brandon, Mildenhall and Stoke Ferry); all great ways to immerse in and learn about the fascinating history of the Brecks!
Introduction to outdoor swimming, Sunday 9 August
We had a joyful day of fun intro to outdoor swimming sessions for adults and young people, families and anyone with additional needs, held at Brandon Staunch.
Family session at swim intro day at Brandon Staunch 9 August
A total of 48 people, of which 20 were children or young people, came along to have a go and pick up safety tips. See this set of the 16 best photos on Flickr, then see the four previous albums for photos from each of the sessions and a set showing lifeguards and volunteers.
Adult and young people’s session at swim intro day at Brandon Staunch 9 August
As for all of our previous 12 intro days, lifeguards provided by David Ebbs and volunteers from @OSBrecks made it a safe, fun and friendly event. Supported by @BrecksLP, @HeritageFundUK – as part of the Brecks Outdoor Festival 2026 – and Environment Agency, Brandon Remembrance Playing Fields and Brandon Town Council.
Family and additional needs sessions at swim intro day at Brandon Staunch 9 August
Guided river history and wellbeing walks, swim walk and swim cycle
Brandon’s Town Street walk 100826. Guided history and wellbeing walk, jointly with @Brandon Wellbeing Walks Mondays 9.30am – which anyone is welcome to join – attended by 23 people (14 of which were the local regular walkers, plus 4 OSBrecks volunteers and 2 Ramblers/well-being walk leaders, Wendy and Jon. Thanks to @Abbeycroft Leisure and the Brandon Leisure and Health Hub for hosting the start and finish of the walks with tea and coffee and biscuits and the chance to chat afterwards. Our large group set off on what became a very warm morning, first through the churchyard to look at the war memorials then at the original workhouse building in Church End – the medieval town centre – before making our way down tracks and paths from the Town Street part of Brandon. We stopped to talk about Brandon Hall and greet the donkeys – who were rather vocal! And then to the river Little Ouse where we talked about the busy navigation and industry on the river, now much enjoyed for recreation of all sorts and for its abundant wildlife. See Photos on Flickr.
Brandon Town Street walk 100826
Mildenhall Walk 110826. Guided history and wellbeing walk, jointly with @Mildenhall wellbeing walking group, 13 in total of which just over half were local, plus 3 OSBrecks volunteers and the regular Ramblers/well-being walk leader, Sally. Everyone is welcome to join the regular weekly Tuesday walks at 10 AM from the Hub. Thanks to @Abbeycroft Leisure/@Mildenhall Leisure Centres and @Mildenhall Library. On a hot sunny morning we enjoyed a lovely walk by the river Lark, Wamil area then past the Gas Pool and across Jubilee Fields – with a few stops to talk about river history of navigation and leisure. At its height in 1845 the river carried 10,000 tons of goods a year, hit by railway competition it dwindled till by the 20th century was mostly used for leisure activities and appreciated for nature, with common sightings of otters and kingfishers and popular fishing and duck and swan feeding. Finally we returned through the historic marketplace and church for tea and chats back at the @Barleycorn Hub café. See Photos on Flickr.
Mildenhall walk 110826
Brandon Swim Cycle 120826. Guided swim cycle (with River & Landscape History), with eight participants and four OSBrecks volunteers. On a sunny day this varied 10 mile cycle ride took us off road through the forest and down wide rides alongside the railway for a welcome cooling dip and lunch stop in the Little Ouse at Santon Downham, before returning along quiet tree-lined lanes and through part of the town back to Brandon Staunch for a final dip. Along the way we talked about how the landscape had been shaped over time and how people interacted with it and the river. See some photos on Flickr.
Swim cycle ride 120826, Brandon and Santon Downham
Brandon Swim Walk 150826. Guided Swim and River History Walk, six attended with 3 OSBrecks volunteers. A small and enthusiastic group explored some of the town’s lovely paths and had two delightful dips in the river with kingfisher fly pasts (welcome on a warm day in dry conditions), and also got to meet the local donkeys and other animals and their owner. And we heard about the history of river navigation and recreation, and how things have changed over time. We also discussed public rights of way as some riverside paths are currently sadly impassable but ought to provide long and interesting walks along and to the river Little Ouse. See photos on Flickr.
Swim walk 150826, Brandon
Stoke Ferry Rivers Walk 170826. Guided history walk, jointly with @Stoke Ferry Walkers, total of 22 plus four leaders/volunteers, followed by teas and a showing of an aerial film of the area by Jim of the Stoke Ferry and District Local History Group. See river Wissey narrated film on their website, and photos from the walk on Flickr. See historic images and maps associated with the walk, map of route and walk plan. Report from Rosie from OSBrecks who jointly led the walk with Marion and Alexis from the local group and Julie from OSBrecks:
“The regular walkers knew the route backwards (and forwards), and after the usual welcome notes we set off at quite a pace. We stopped at several points so that I could talk about the historical interest and noteworthy buildings, and read quotations to bring the walk alive for everyone. Along the way, near the river, we made way for a handsome grey horse being walked along to his paddock which was a nice sight for us all. A lovely, friendly group having with lots of chats along the way, and we all really enjoyed the whole morning. Along with the large group of walkers there was also one little dog with a thick fur coat who travelled part on foot and part in a back pack to save her little legs! One of the visitors came all the way from North London and was kindly offered a lift to Downham Market to catch his return train. On our return to the pavilion we were shown an aerial film by Jim from the local history group, which was excellent. Everyone really enjoyed seeing the route walked and the village and surrounding countryside from the air. The group had set up the hall so nicely for us, with chairs and tables, plates of cakes, biscuits, teas and coffees – a lovely way to bring this joint walk collaboration with the local walkers to a conclusion. And that wasn’t all. In an extra treat, separate to the event, six of the visiting walkers returned to the lovely river Wissey for a swim and picnic lunch afterwards.”
Stoke Ferry walk 170826
OSBrecks walks and events were part of the Brecks Outdoor Festival 2026 (8-23 August); the third festival was even bigger with nearly 60 events across the Brecks.
OSBrecks walks and events in Brecks Outdoor Festival 2026
- 9 August Intro to Outdoor Swimming
- 10 August Brandon Town Street Wellbeing and History Walk
- 11 August Mildenhall Wellbeing and History Walk
- 12 August Brandon Swim Cycle (+ River & Landscape History)
- 15 August Brandon Swim and River History Walk
- 17 Aug Stoke Ferry River History Walk
See report of 2025 Brecks Outdoor Festival swim, walk, cycle events