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A walk number that is underlined has been altered since its original posting or is a new inclusion
Earlier walk programmes have now been removed from the web pages to save space, but copies including the reviews going back to 2001 may be obtained from Stan
Walking Group Mobile phone numbers are : 0754 6069085 and 0752 2958435 - Please note that the phones will only be operative on the morning of a walk to enable members who are running late, are lost or delayed, to contact the walk leader. If one number does not work, try the other !
NB 1. Walkers are requested to carry both their U3A membership cards and their ICE (in case of emergency) cards with them on all walks and strolls.
NB 2. Members may bring a guest but the guest must not displace a member if spaces on the walk are limited.
NB 3. Members should always carry hand sanitizer and a face covering.
NB 4 Barry leads short walks of 2.5-3 miles on Thursday mornings for U3A members only. These short walks will be graded as "easy" and Barry will choose the walk to suit the participants. To book onto one of Barry's walks please ring him on 07751170833 (or 01242 522973) by the Tuesday before. Barry may decide to vary the day depending upon the weather forecast.
NB 5 In future unless a walk leader specifies 'picnic en route' then lunches will be own arrangements be that pub, home or picnic until such time as the hospitality industry achieves some new-normal status.
WALKS PROGRAMME No 164 July 2021
Walk 1417
Thursday 1 July Moderate 5 Miles
Meet (For roadside parking) WR13 6PL (Adjacent to Cafe H2O) Walwyn Rd, Upper Colwall,) known to most as' near Wyche Cutting’ 9.45 for 10 start.
Contact Graham & Betty 01684 594331 the week before
Directions Take A438 from Tewkesbury over Mythe Bridge. Continue on A438 and take B4208 right to Welland. Here turn left on A4104 to British Camp (WR136DW in case you're lost). You'll see on your right Jubilee Drive B4232 which takes you to our walk start.
Details This is a Walk of 'Convenience' as there are toilets at both the start and at half way (British Camp Kiosk) where an ice cream also beckons.With no stiles we take the contour path on the eastern side of the Malvern Hills, stopping for coffee at a disused quarry. Just before halfway we see a magnificent view towards the Worcestershire Beacon so bring your camera.We return on another contour path on the West (unless we have any athletes in our group walking on the Hilltops)
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a u3a Walking Group in possession of an early start must be in want of a toilet. Today’s walk, fondly known as ‘the two toilets walk’ or more recently ‘the walk of convenience’, has two such establishments – one at the start and one at the halfway point. Indeed, it is possible for the incontinently inclined to ‘go’ three times – at the start, midway and the the end. Like the little piggy on its way back from market, you can ‘wee, wee, wee all the way home’.
After the first flush of excitement of meeting in the largest group for a long time, 21 of us followed Betty up to the Wyche Cutting and down the eastern side of the hills on a walk that we had not done for many years. We took coffee in a quarry and learnt about the Malvern Festival from Betty as we neared Wynds Point where we turned for home after a picnic lunch. Several members then took to the high path back but others found that the steepness and dryness of the track made some of the descents somewhat hazardous.
Thanks to Betty and Graham for taking us on this old favourite on a dry but slightly humid day. We saw foxgloves in profusion, admired the splendid views
and even caught a glimpse of the sun. (Thanks also to Richard for the report and to the photographers, Margaret M, Terry and Graham, whose photo today tells us just what it is that makes the walking group so special! - SF)
A grand day out (Graham)
Pick a rock (Margaret)
Betty tells all (Margaret)
No caption needed (Terry)
Just a reminder from the webmaster that although we all enjoy the descriptive and entertaining reports from some of the group, a long and detailed report is not essential. A short piece that tells us how many walkers took part, what the weather was like, and just a couple of words about the nature of the walk is ample. _ SF
Walk 1418
Thursday 8th July 5 miles Easy Lunch own arrangements
Meet By Worcester Cathedral South door via Kings School entrance
Grid 850544 (toilets in Cath. might not be open but convenient bushes 20 mins
into walk) 9.45 for 10.00 start
Contact Richard & Eileen 01684 274197 the week before
Directions A38N. There are two P&D car parks near the Cathedral.
Details We follow the river to the Diglis basin and then cross over to follow the west bank back to town. Then, passing the Hive, we find the canal and return via a Civil War site.
We were 15 today, walking in bright, hot sun around Worcester. Starting from the Cathedral we crossed the Severn at the Diglis footbridge and followed the opposite bank back into town. After a stop opposite The Hive, we threaded our way through the back streets to the Worcester and Birmingham canal which we followed back, diverting just before the end to Fort Hill which overlooked the city and commemorated the last battle of the Civil War in 1651. (Thanks to Richard and Eileen for leading the walk, and to Richard for both the report and his photos and to Stuart for the extra pic - SF)
Stroll (Cancelled due to low demand)
Tuesday 13 July 1 mile stroll & simultaneous 2-3 mile easy walk
Meet Ewe Pen Barn National Trust car park (GL54 3DT) Grid 158143 10.15 for 10.30 start
Contact Christine 01452 780460 after 7 July or text to 07523847312 before
Directions A40 East from Cheltenham for about 15 miles, after roundabout junction with A429 look for Lodge Park NT right turn signs at crossroads. DO NOT follow the Lodge Park sign, but but instead turn LEFT at crossroads. Entrance to car park 500m on right.
Free parking for NT and NT for Scotland members, otherwise pay and display £1 coins only accepted
Details A choice of two simultaneous routes:- a short, flat circular stroll of 1 mile, initially through an avenue of beech trees on marked paths.
OR
A longer circular route of 2½ miles with views over Sherborne Brook and the valley beyond. Sculptures of rural and wild life along the route.
Report
Walk 1419
Thursday 15 July Easy 4 - 6 miles
Meet A38 layby at The Leigh Grid 875256 09.45 for 10.00 start
Contact Barry 01242 522973 or 07751170833 the week before
Directions A38 south, past Coombe Hill. Layby is opposite the second right turn to The Leigh.
Details A walk towards and around Barrow. The distance will be decided by Barry in accordance with the walkers wishes.
Report
Walk 1420
Wednesday 21 July Moderate/Energetic 8 miles picnic lunch en route
Meet Hinchwick Manor off the Stow Road. Grid 145301 Meet 9.15 for 9.30 start
Contact Mike & Jenny 01684 772194 the week before
Directions B4077 Stow road, 3m after Ford, turn L. In 1 m park on verge at Hinchwick. Please share cars if you are willing, as parking space is limited.
Details We walk through Snowshill Hill to Buckle Street and return via Coronation Plantation and Hornsleasow Farm. Easy walking, mainly on tracks, only one stile but energetic due to the distance. Allow 5 hours including lunch stop.
Report
Walk 1421
Wednesday 28 July Energetic 5.5 miles Pub Lunch
Meet Car park of The Royal William Inn GL6 6TU Grid SO879127 9.45 for 10.00 Contact Steve 01684 295438 the week before.
Directions M5 to junction 11A onto A417. Turnoff at first junction and take the A46 towards Painswick. Look out for the pub on the right- hand side not far after passing the turning for Cranham. The car park is at the rear of the pub.
Details A Fisher-Price roller-coaster walk that includes Painswick Beacon, Painswick, Painswick Stream and Damsells Mill. A contrast of panoramic views over the Vale of Berkeley and beyond, Cotswold houses and cottages at their best, and a beautifully wooded ascent , following the bubbling Painswick Stream.
Lunch- Before contacting Steve please go to the on-line menu and make your selection for lunch, and he will record your choice(s) when you phone. Steve has to send the pub a list beforehand.
Report
Walk 1422 Sorry! - Walk cancelled
Thursday 29 July Moderate/Energetic 5.5 miles Picnic Lunch on Route
Meet Hailes Abbey GL54 5PB Grid 051302 9-45am for 10am start.
Contact Ian & Kathy 01684 290542 the week before
Directions Leave Tewkesbury on A46. At Teddington Hands roundabout take B4077 to Toddington roundabout. Take B4632 towards Winchcombe and after a mile or so turning on the left to Hailes Abbey and Hayles Fruit Farm.
Details Circular walk onto the escarpment. 4 or 5 stiles.
Report
Notes for Guidance
Information for all members (revised July 2020)
Group Leader Walks Co-ordinator Treasurer
Sylvia Murdoch Hugh Bennett Tony Barrett
01684 437462 01452 780460 01684 276960
sylviamurdoch@outlook.com candhbennett@gmail.com tonyandjenniferbarrett@btinternet.com
Walking Group mobile phones: 07546069085 and 07522958435
Details of all walks and reports can be seen at http://home.freeuk.net/stanfagg/u3a.html
Nearly all the photos on this page have been reduced in size and resolution to save both space and bandwidth. Should you want a copy of any of the photos, Stan would be happy to supply a copy of the original file - just quote the walk number and the photo title.
To go to The Tewkesbury U3A main site click here; Tewkesbury U3A
Contacts:
Sylvia (Group Leader) 01684 437462
E Mail sylviamurdoch@outlook.com
Tony, (Administrator) 01684 276960
E Mail tonyandjenniferbarrett@btinternet.com
Hugh, (walks coordinator) 01452 780460
E Mail candhbennett@gmail.com
Webmaster . . . Stan Fagg stanfagg@freeuk.com Updated 15th July 2021