TEWKESBURY U3A WALKING GROUP

Meet The King's Head, Birdwood, Huntley, GL19 3EF Grid 737188 9.30 to order food at 9.45

Directions To Gloucester, then A40 west, direction Ross on Wye, for 5 miles, pub is on the left (south) side of the A40

Details We walk part of the Gloucestershire Way, to Huntley Church and return via Solomon's Tump. Footpaths, minor roads and tracks, some stiles. Mainly flat with some gentle slopes, could be muddy in places.

On a warm, balmy, sunny …… winters?? day, 18 walkers, eager to continue their New Year fitness resolutions, gathered in the car park of The King’s Head at Birdwood, near Huntley. After suggesting that coffee would be taken at Huntley Church, a mere one and a half miles away, we set off in the opposite direction. Leaving the busy A40 behind us, we walked on to a section of the Gloucestershire Way and were rewarded with panoramic views towards the Severn Valley and the ill-defined misty outlines of the distant Cotswold Hills. The footpaths lead us past silent, leafless woods, but closer observation revealed buds forming early in the unseasonably warm weather. Fields were saturated underfoot, water literally oozing out of each footprint, but the many sheep we encountered seemed to take it all in their stride. Ascending the foothills of May Hill, we halted for coffee at Huntley Church. The adjacent primary school decided that the influx of strangers in the churchyard, was a cause for celebration and sent all forty-odd pupils out to play. Walkers, unlike a certain member of the Royal Family, were perspiring in the heat and disrobing was the order of the day. Exiting through the rear of the churchyard, past some magnificent pine trees, we headed for Solomon’s Trump, passing the ‘stony-faced ‘character guarding the entrance to a garden centre. Whilst the rest of the group turned right to traverse the lower slopes of the tump, one member was so determined to see the views from the summit that it took half the group and a local with a dog, to persuade him to turn back onto the right track. After skirting the edge of Huntley Village, the final stage of the walk provided an opportunity to strengthen those flabby leg muscles as we walked across fields layered in thick mud. Well, the pre-walk description carried a warning, “could be muddy in places”. Lunch (£8 for two courses!) was very welcome and provided a fitting end to a well-organised, ‘stylish’ walk for which, many thanks go to Fran and Hugh. (Our thanks also go to Steve for his usual entertaining report, and to Terry and Shirley for their photos - SF)

Directions B4080 Tewkesbury to Bredon. Carry on through Bredon to Kemerton . Park in side road just after The Crown.

Details Meet at 9am on the corner. We walk over Bredon Hill to the Tower for coffee then to the Star at Ashton for lunch 12.30pm . Mainly on good paths and tracks. 2 or 3 stiles. After lunch return by Bus to Kemerton. Astons Coaches run bus 540 (Evesham to Tewkesbury) 2.04pm and 3.04pm from Ashton (20 mins)

Walk 2 4 miles Moderate After lunch at The Star we walk back through the villages. Not much ascent but more stiles and more mud. We aim to be back in Kemerton by 4pm. Total walk 10 miles

There is the option for people to only do the afternoon walk. Park at Kemerton as above and catch the 540 bus to Ashton to join us for lunch. Bus at Kemerton 12noon opposite The Crown arrives Ashton 12.19pm.

On this overcast day 19 enthusiastic, but bleary eyed walkers, congregated early in Kemerton ready to tackle the planned 10 mile walk. We commenced a steady climb up Bredon Hill. This is the same track that Christians use to this day, to carry a wooden cross at Easter time. On the way up we passed the King and Queen stones. According to legend, if you walk between these stones all your illnesses will be cured. The route was extremely muddy and a number of walkers slipped and fell. Thankfully there were no serious injuries, so we didn’t need to walk back between the stones! Coffee break was spent sheltering in the leeward side of Bredon Tower, looking towards the Malvern Hills, which were bathed in sunshine. A few ventured down an escarpment to view the unusual bolder formation, known as the Elephant Rock. We then commenced the walk across the hilltop, through arable land, passing the isolated Lalu Farm, eventually joining the Wychavon Way, which took us down towards Ashton-under-Hill. A few more walkers tumbled as we slid down the treacherous muddy slope on the way to lunch.

On arrival, muddy clothes were deposited outside the pub and everyone reached for their stylish blue plastic overboots. After a well earned lunch our leader took a head count of those who wished to continue this adventurous journey. Surprisingly 13 were keen to walk on, the remaining 6 took a leisurely bus ride back to the cars. Therefore, at half time there were 9 falls and 6 submissions!

The afternoon walk took us to Ashton village churchyard, which is reputedly the only church in England dedicated to St Barbara, who is alleged to afford protection from lightening strikes - luckily not needed. We continued through farmland, the unspoilt village of Grafton and a wood well known for bluebells, where we spotted many clumps of snowdrops. We then headed to Conderton and followed the road to Kemerton, through Overbury. Those with Smart phones checked their apps to see that we had actually walked nearer to 12.5 miles! We were all pleased with our achievement. Our sincere thanks go to Mike and Jenny for a well organised, fun filled, splendid walk. (Our thanks also go to Stuart for his graphic and engaging report, and to Graham for his usual excellent photos - SF)

Walk 1355

Wednesday 15^th January 5 miles Easy/ Moderate Pub Lunch

A motley crew of 24 met at Hunters Inn, Buckbury to start our walk at 10.00. The pub was not open at this time of the morning, so having ordered our lunches in advance, we were on our way without delay. Rain was forecast for later in the day and thankfully we arrived back slightly ahead of it. There were no hills as such - the challenges of the day being mud and stiles, mud and stiles and you’ve guessed it, mud and stiles. Nevertheless, it was a very interesting area and so close to the Tewkesbury flood plain, an area Kath and I had never walked before. The route maximised on the village of Forthampton, its church and interesting houses and commanding position overlooking the Severn. The village signs emphasised the rural nature of the location. Hunters Inn accommodated us well, with a good variety of food being chosen. Thankyou Terry and Margaret for embracing our fitness training on the walk - highly preferable to going to the gym and a very social occasion. (Thanks go to Bob P for his report and to Shirley and Graham for the photos - SF)

Directions From Tewkesbury take the A46, at Toddington roundabout take the B4077 for nearly 4 miles, then left onto the B4078. After 2.5 miles right to Wormington.

Details Good paths and tracks. Some lane/road. Across farmland and through quiet villages. 1 longish steep hill (Ascent 130m). 3 stiles.

Fifteen of us met in the centre of Wormington village, the weather suprisingly dry. Not so
the surrounding fields which after the recent rains were now completely saturated; in racing parlance the going was definitely "soft". We set off across waterlogged fields and lanes meeting the Isbourne way at the disused Wormington Mill, then on to Toddington Manor. The Manor is now owned by artist Damien Hirst and for the past decade has been covered in scaffolding and plastic sheets, which unfortunately hide a building which was influential in the design of the present Houses of Parliament.
After a coffee stop we walked on to the foot of Dumbleton Hill, luckily seeing a couple of red kites in the distance, before tackling the steep climb to the top . From here we walked down to Dumbleton passing the impressive Dumbleton Hall , now the headquarters of "Classic Hotels" and the Post Office Fellowship of Remembrance , enjoying its pituresque location and the parkland estate surrounding it. We stopped at Dumbleton church to have our picnic and take shelter from the rapidly deteriorating weather. I shouldn't think the church porchway has ever held so many hungry diners before, all very cosy and good humoured.
The final stretch of our walk back to Wormington was unfortunately in worsening weather and back into "mud". But we can cope! By this time we are experts , having dealt with mud in all its glory, mud of every hue and texture. How did that song go?
Thanks to Kathy and Ian for their planning and their excellent leadership under difficult conditions (Thanks to Jim for his great report, and to our staff photographer Graham for the pictures - SF)

Our project for the new decade is to walk The Cotswold Way. There will be 15 stages and we hope to use bus and train for the outward journey on some of them, along with the inevitable car-shuffles for the rest. So that you can plan ahead, here are the first dates:
Wed 18th March Wed 15th April Wed 27th May Wed 24th June Wed 29TH July

Directions Tewks.-Stow Rd, TL Toddington roundabout, TR to Stanton in approx 2 miles,TL to Stanton Village Club

Details Undulating walk through 3 beautiful Cotswold villages, Stanton, Snowshill, & Stanway, with lunch-time stop at Snowshill Arms Pub for a light lunch! In case of inclement weather, the walk will be shortened if necessary,
omitting Stanway.

Meet Catch the 351 bus at 10.05 outside Boots in Tewkesbury to get off in Apperley. Your leaders will join the bus a couple of stops later.

Details We walk down to Deerhurst and then follow the river back to Lower Lode lane and then into Tewkesbury. The only hill is down. Lots of eating places to choose from.

Directions Past Winchcombe school, straight over at X roads and turn left after library.

Details The Sacred Tombs of Belas Knapp Following the Cotswold Way for the first half of the walk, then fields and lanes. 8 stiles. Long steep hill at the start (Ascent 216m)

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Date Wednesday 5th February   6.5 miles Moderate/Energetic    Pub lunch
Meet        Snowshill Arms WR12 7JU                   9:30 for 9:45 start.
Parking for the first 4/5 vehicles at the pub. Additional spaces at village car park.
(when you book, the pub lunch menu will be forwarded to you for pre-ordering)
Contact    Stuart & Gillian   07971387040    the week before
Directions    Take A438 from Tewkesbury towards Ashchurch. Cross the M5 motorway and pick-up the A 46. At the Teddington roundabout take the B4077 to Toddington. Continue towards Stow, pass the Stanway turning, then take the Snowshill turning on the left.
Details    It is a circular walk - starting downhill from Snowshill to West End, Broadway, returning along the Cotswold Way, via Littleworth Wood (Should be relatively firm underfoot)

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Date Wednesday 12th February    4 miles Easy      Own arrangement for lunch
Meet        Layby where Corndean Lane meets B4362 Grid 018277 GL54 5NH 10.00 start
Contact    Barry     01242 522973   the week before.
Directions    3 km below golf club turn on way down into Winchcombe.
Details    Around Winchcombe and Sudeley.

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Thursday 13th February    11 miles Energetic , ( Including an option for walkers     to join us at the British Camp at 11.30 if a shorter Moderate 4.5 mile walk is preferred ).     Café lunch
Meet        Eastnor Village, near the Castle Gates, HR8 IRL GR 73193711 for a 9.30 start.
Contact    Betty & Graham    01684594331 the week before
Directions    A438 from Tewkesbury to Eastnor
Details    We walk through the Eastnor Estate to the Obelisk en route to Clutters Cave & the British Camp (here we may meet Moderate Walkers at 11.30,Car Park fee) We then take the middle high level route to the Wyche for an H2O Cafe snack lunch by 12.30. ( Please Note - if you want a Baked Potato lunch please order when you book your walk place.)
After lunch we return on the lower path to BC, for a kiosk cuppa , leaving the Moderate 4.5 mile walkers before returning to Eastnor by 4pm. If the weather is against us we can shorten the walk accordingly

Date Wednesday 19th February   4 miles    Easy               Pub lunch
Meet        The Crown Inn Kemerton       Grid    945372     9.45 to order food, 10.15 start
Contact    Noel    01684 772526 by Saturday before
Directions    First stop past Bredon on B 4080. Park in side road.
Details    Across fields to Overbury; across pasture and field for coffee stop and water fowl at Kemerton Church Lake. Return via Kemerton ‘Park’ and the newish traditional English orchard.
NB. two fence ‘stiles’ needing strong hands/wrists.

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Date Thursday 27th February        4.75 miles       Easy       Pub lunch
Meet        White Hart Maisemore    GL2 8HY    grid 817214    9.30 for 10.00 start
Contact    Hugh 01452 780460 or Fran 01684 491698 the week before
Directions    To Gloucester, A40 west to Over roundabout then 1 mile north on A417 (or on A417 from North, via Corse Lawn)
Details    The "Maisemore circular walk" - A very gentle walk on rising ground to Overton and Spring Hill; a steep downhill, then back along the river bank.

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Date Wednesday 4th March   5 miles Moderate/Energetic      Pub lunch
Meet        The Plough, Ford GL54 5RU  Grid 087293   9.30 for 10.00 start.
Contact    Pamela & Mary      01386 725547   week before.
Directions    B4077 from Teddington Hands roundabout to Ford
Details    2 steep climbs, through Temple Guiting, tracks, bridleways and footpaths. Lovely views.

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Date Tuesday 10th March
Meet        Ledbury Market House       10.30 start
Contact    Eileen    01684 274197   the week before
Details    We walk along the old railway track and return through town.

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Date Thurs March 12th         6 miles   Moderate/energetic. Pub lunch
Meet        Duke of York, Berrow, (on A438)   WR13 6JQ   Grid. 782355 9.30 to order food then drive to Hollybush car park for 10.00 start.
Contact    Jim & Margaret   01684 296773   the week before
Directions    From Tewkesbury, over The Mythe bridge on the A438 towards Eastnor. Pub is on left shortly before junction with B4208
Details     We walk along the western side of Ragged Stone hill and down the valley by White leaved Oak. Up to High lift and Howler heath before descending to walk back to base through the woodlands on the Bromsberrow estate.

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Date Wednesday 18th March 6 miles Moderate (567ft ascent)        picnic
Meet    Broadway. Childswickham Rd Car Park    090 376     meet 9.30 for 9.45 start to catch 10.18 bus round the corner. Remember bus passes.
Contact    Mike & Jenny   01684 772194      week before
Directions    From Tewkesbury on A46 turn rt. to Childswickham, just after turning to Aston Somerville.    Continue through Childswickham to Broadway. Car and Coach Park is on the left just before road junction.   (Charges. Over 4h £4)
Details    We catch the 10.18 am bus service 606 to Chipping Campden and walk back to Broadway along the Cotswold way. A short moderately steep climb to Dover’s Hill, then gently uphill to the highest point at Broadway tower where we will stop for our picnic. From here there is a steep descent to Broadway. If anyone did not want to stop for a picnic they could find their own way down. (Only 3 stiles.)

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Date Thursday 19th March        5 miles    Easy    Pub lunch
Meet        White Hart Maisemore    GL2 8HY    grid 817214    9.30 for 10.00 start
Contact    Hugh   01452 780460 or Fran 01684 491698 the week before
Directions    To Gloucester, A40 west to Over roundabout then 1 mile north on A417 (or on A417 from North, via Corse Lawn)
Details    An anticlockwise walk around Alney Island which is said to be the largest river island in England. A completely flat walk with both hard paths and soft footpaths.

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Date Wednesday 25th March     5 miles Easy pub lunch
Meet        Swan Inn Staunton GL19 3QA Grid 793297 9.30 for 10.00
Contact    Margaret & Terry     01684 772278 week before
Directions    From B4211 Corse Lawn take B4213 to Staunton Swan pub at roundabout
Please car share if possible
Details    A walk in a northerly direction from the Swan partly on the Three Choirs way to Lowband, Staunton Mill also a small part of the Whitmore way. some stiles.

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Date Thursday 26th March      6 miles    Moderate      Pub Lunchl
Meet        The Hungry Horse, Seven Springs GL53 9NG    Grid 967170 9.45 for 10.00
Contact    Sonia     01684 298409    week before
Directions    M 5 to Junc 11A, A 417 to Air Balloon R’bout, then follow A.436 to Seven Springs.
Details    We walk through the Churn valley on fields, lanes and tracks, passing through Coberley and Cowley. One steady climb on to Cotswold Way. 3 stiles.
N.B. Please park at rear of car park. Toilets not available at start.

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The Walking Group has a mobile phone to be used before and during walks for emergency contact — see paper programme for number.

We are affiliated to the Ramblers Association and the membership card above may be used to obtain a 10 percent discount on walking gear in most local outlets.

If you require a paper copy of the walking programme, there is a charge of £4 p.a., payable at the Walking Group AGM or at the U3A enrolment meeting. If you have internet access, then all information can be obtained by email, free of charge.

Easy: Undemanding and mainly level with occasional gentle ascents or descents. There may be a few stiles.

Moderate: Some uphill/downhill stretches - unlevel walking - several stiles.

Please book with the leader of the walk by the date given and arrive in good time before the start to boot-up and order lunch etc. Be sure to cancel with the leader if you are later unable to take part. Wear suitable shoes/boots and clothing for the walk and do not over-estimate your abilities. An attendance fee of 50p is charged for each walk attended. Dogs are not allowed on walks.

WALKERS

a) Carefully read the walk description to ensure that you are capable of walking the route at a moderate pace (about 2 miles per hour) without risk to health. Attention should be paid to the EASY/MODERATE/DIFFICULT grading as well as to any references to steep climbs, stiles, etc.

b) Dress sensibly. Make sure that you have suitable clothing and footwear for the weather expected. A walking pole or stick can be of great help.

c) Remember to carry any medications that you might need. Carry food, and water, especially on hot days.

d) Follow instructions given by the leader. Keep those in front and those behind you, in sight all the time.

f) Walk in single file on roads and heed any advice about crossing roads given by the leader.

LEADERS

g) Classify your walk as STROLL/EASY/MODERATE/ENERGETIC. Mention any steep climbs and stiles.

h) Limit your walk to a maximum numbers that you think you can safely manage, given the nature of your walk.

i) Have a co-leader to act as back-marker: count the party at the start and at suitable points during the walk

k) Set a pace of about 2 miles per hour plus coffee and lunch/tea stops. Ensure that those finding the pace difficult have sufficient time to rest and recover, even if this is not favoured by more energetic members.

l) Carry a map, the group mobile phone and GPS receiver to make emergency calls and give exact locations.

To download a copy of the Leader's Walk Plan Form (In Adobe Acrobat Format ie PDF) — Click on the following link FORM

Walk 1355

Wednesday 15th January 5 miles Easy/ Moderate Pub Lunch

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NOTICE BOARD

WALKERS

LEADERS

Wednesday 15^th January 5 miles Easy/ Moderate Pub Lunch