Follow the trail of one of Sandy's most famous sons who built a railway to Potton

This first event for Sandy Town Council is entitled The Captain Peel Walk, and will be held on Wednesday, April 20.

Meet up and enjoy this walk and hear about Captain Sir William Peel, the third son of Sir Robert Peel and who was one of the most remarkable men to serve in the Royal Navy.

He undertook a number acts of heroism in the Crimean War and was one of the first recipients of the Victoria Cross. He built his own railway between Sandy and Potton.

During the Indian Mutiny he was badly wounded and contracted smallpox, and died at the young age of 33. He was nationally lamented and statues were erected to his memory in Sandy parish church of St Swithun’s, in Greenwich and India.

The guided walk starts at the offices of Sandy Town Council at 2.30pm. It then sets off to Sandy Parish Church - to view Peel’s statue - and then proceeds to the railway station to recall the Sandy to Potton Railway.

It continues along the Potton Road and enters The Lodge (RSPB) reserve and continues along the Firs Trail to The Gatehouse – the house built by Captain Peel in the early 1850s as his country residence.

The cost for the walk is £5.50 per person, payable in advance.

Contact Sandy Town Council

SANDY TOWN COUNCIL on 01767 681491 or email [email protected]