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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.
Thirteen
of us assembled at the A38 layby south of Coombe Hill. The weather was
fine and dry – a pleasant summer day. We walked east across several
fields to the village of Barrow, which is on a back road between the
Gloucester Old Spot and Staverton. Two of our number, being of
military background, knew all about the impressive top-secret base in
Barrow, but we can’t mention that. We headed on for coffee to
Boddington Church, then back towards the A38 via a lane, a wood and
several more fields, one of which was home to some bullocks, who were
not best pleased to see us.
We
walked along the A38 until the right turn to Leigh, which took us
round that village then back to our starting layby, a total of around
six miles. (Thanks to Bob Mac for the report and to Margaret and
Terry for the photos - SF)
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.
Already
hot when 10 U3A members set off from Hinchwick, deep in Cotswold
countryside, prompting Walk Leaders, Mike & Jenny, to change the
walk to 6 miles instead of 8. You could be excused
thinking the locals unwelcoming, with no signpost to Hinchwick from
the Stow Road, which delayed some.
It
was in 2012, when Carl & Liz, who no longer walk with us,
introduced us to this lovely part of the Cotswolds - I felt their
presence throughout the walk today, and certainly miss their absence.
Climbing
steadily uphill through shady woodland, emerging onto Cotswold uplands
with long-ranging views all around, amidst a plethora of inviting
tracks, plenty of wildlife was seen: a buzzard with prey in its
claws, red kites circling overhead, lizards in the grass, a multitude
of moths and butterflies, shorn sheep, curious cows rushing towards
us, and hum of hay-making in the fields. We didn’t make it to
Snowshill village, but could see the lavender fields in the distance,
before gradually returning to Hinchwick along a deep-sided valley.
Thanks
to Mike & Jenny for a really good idea resurrecting this
particular Cotswold gem. (Thanks also to Betty for the report
and to Mike B for the photos - SF)
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.
A
showery morning for 15 walkers, with waterproofs donned and removed at
regular intervals. But it was an interesting route, some of which was
unfamiliar to most of us. We followed the Cotswold Way over Painswick
Beacon, with views to the Severn, the Malverns and Bredon. We had our
snacks in the lobby of Painswick church, built in 1632 and one of the
larger wool churches in the Cotswolds. The large number of box tombs
suggested great wealth in past centuries. There are 99 yew trees in
the churchyard. We somehow missed the blue plaque on the former home
of 20th Century composer, CW Orr, who had put music to some of
Houseman's poems. Our continuing route followed
Painswick
Stream to Damsells Mill and Tocknells Court, then up a steep lane back
to our starting point. Most of the group stayed to enjoy lunch at the
Royal William, still only £10 for 2 meals, as it was several years
ago. Thanks to Calvyn and Steve for arranging and leading such an
interesting walk. (Thanks also to Mike B for the report and to Sylvia
for the photos - SF)
Some
lane walking
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