TEWKESBURY U3A WALKING GROUP

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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 should consider carrying hand sanitizer and a face covering. Members are urged to continue with appropriate measures to minimise covid transmission.
NB   3.    Numbers on walks are as always at the walk leader’s discretion. This may well be limited. This may depend upon a number of factors including any government diktats as well as the nature of the walk, e.g. number of stiles.
NB     4.    Where two walks are offered in a week, if you wish to go on both walks please do not book onto your second choice walk until the end of the week before. This is so that members are not denied a place on any walk by early second walk bookers.bookers.

Programme 175 for June/July 2022

June 2022

Thursday 9 June    5.25 miles     Moderate/Energetic     Picnic lunch
Meet             Mathon village hall    Grid 743453 . WR13 5NY 9.45 am for 10.00 start                (A donation of £1 per car for the village hall please.)
Contact       Jim and Margaret 01684 296773   The week before
Directions   From West Malvern take the road, Croft Bank which is at the junction of West Malvern Rd.(B4232 ) / De Walden Rd. /Westminster Bank. Follow Croft Bank for just over 1 mile to a junction with a signpost at Lane End. Turn right, the road to Mathon. The village hall is almost immediately on your RHS.
Details.       The walk is through pasture and wooded countryside , good views of the area from the top of Cockshot Hill and a stop at the ancient church in Cradley.

Fourteen of us met at Mathon village hall on a day with slowly deteriorating weather. The day had started with bright sunshine but by the time we started walking it was overcast and after about twenty minutes a gentle rain started. It rained lightly on and off for the rest of the walk but not enough to get us really wet. Our route took us behind Rowburrow Wood to near the top of Cockshot Hill where we had coffee with a splendid view to the northwest over Cradley. We walked through Lambridge Hill Wood down into Cradley where we had our picnic lunch in St James' churchyard. Some of us sheltered from the rain under the lychgate and some of us under the magnificent yew tree which must be at least 500 years old. A short walk back to Mathon concluded a very scenic walk - thank you Jim and Margaret. (Thanks also to Hugh for the report and to Margaret for her photos (an additional photo from Sylvia that I think you will like too) - SF)

Stroll

Tuesday 14 June    2 miles but can be shortened to suit individuals
Meet        St Nicholas church, Kemerton. GL20 7HY. Grid 945375. Park alongside in road. 10.15 for 10.30 start
Contact    Lesley 07917097286 the week before
Directions    Bredon Road, straight on to Kemerton, turn right after Crown Inn by war memorial.
Details    We walk south past Kemerton Court, around and past a managed orchard.
Almost returning to the church there is then a small loop around a tiny lake.

Lesley, our leader, gathered nine of us together at St Nicholas Church for today's stroll. In the fine sunshine Noel spoke of St Nicholas, the patron saint of children and the historical 'Father Christmas'; the church itself full of flags and Jubilee regalia.
In first gear, Lesley led us in a loop through dense woodland, opening out to reveal a lakeland scene on one side and Upper Court and gardens on the other. Then, along a winding wooded lane, the Old Manor with its milk churns to our left and the 'new' Court to our right complete with an Edward Rex VII post box embedded in the wall.
A long winding green track led us eventually into the newly created Kemerton Park; its long grasses, cattle half-hidden in the lush meadows, Bredon Hill laid back beyond cried out for a Constable to immortalize it.
The final 'stretch' took us through an orchard full of traditional apple trees, before returning down the lane to St Nicholas.
Thanks go to our leader Lesley for such a green and pleasant stroll and for the photographs too! (Thanks also to Noel for the report and to Lesley for the photos + SF)

Walk    1486

Wednesday 15 June    5 miles    Easy        Lunch – see below
Meet        Old Kennels car park, Cirencester GL7 1XU    Grid 014014     9.45am for 10am start
Contact    Hugh and Sue    01452 780460    the week before
Directions    M5/A417 to Cirencester. Follow A419 Stroud signs on ring road. At roundabout at end of dual carriageway take A419 Stroud road, 50m turn right by Caravan Club sign, straight on to the Old Kennels car park (second entrance). Share cars, £3 for 4 hours, pay by card or pay by phone or the paybyphone app (no cash).
Details    We walk through Cirencester park over the Bathhurst estate. Deer park, woods and farmland. Footpaths and estate roads, flat, no stiles.
Lunch own arrangements - could be picnic in the park, snack from the Beano wagon or many possibilities in Cirencester.

Six of us met at Cirencester, on a beautiful sunny morning for a walk round the Bathurst estate.
We set off along some new paths, but soon arrived at a wide grassy walk, where we reached a statue of Queen Anne. We then continued along tree-lined paths towards the polo field.
We were all enjoying the warm weather and the magnificent trees on the estate. After stopping for coffee we followed a path along the edge of fields full of barley, with good views across the valley to Stratton.   We then turned back into the main park, passing the Hexagon, and reached the Beano wagon, where we stopped for snacks and ice-cream. Walking finally back to the car park we admired the avenue of ancient limes, and noted all the new trees which are being planted for future generations. A lovely walk on a beautiful morning. (Report by Christine R, photos by Richard W - Many thanks - SF)

Walk    1487

Thursday 16 June    8 miles    Moderate/Energetic          Picnic en route
Meet        By roadside along from Black Horse Pub, Naunton    GL54 3AD Grid119235    10.00 Start.
Contact    Graham & Betty 01684 594331 or graham.mealand@btinternet.com the week before.
Directions    B4077 Stow Rd then 1+ miles after Ford, turn right on Bourton Road and after 4 miles turn right onto B4068. After 1 mile turn right to Naunton.
Details    Gently undulating Cotswold countryside with 4 stiles. From Naunton we walk by the River Windrush and through the Slaughters (ice cream?) along the River Eye. Return to Naunton for a pint at the Black Horse?   (serving beer since 1870)

Ten hardy walkers met in Naunton to embark on a 8/9 mile walk. As it promised to be an extremely hot day a couple of men even wore shorts to reveal winter legs. In order to ‘warm up’ we started with an upward climb towards an impressive, newly built racing stable where it is said that Harry Redknapp’s horses are trained. This was followed by a shady, tree lined walk down towards the River Windrush. We progressed through picturesque Cotswold countryside, which attracts many overseas walkers. We chatted to folk from Canada, Holland, USA and even Peterborough! After a coffee break in the shade we walked through hay fields cut ready for baling and watched birds of prey in the clear blue sky. The Gloucester Way was joined to reach Lower Slaughter. After a welcome organic ice cream we progressed to Upper Slaughter, known as one of the ‘Thankful’ villages, as it did not lose any men in both World Wars. After lunch in the shade by the River Eye we joined Warden Way for our hot, homeward walk, encouraged by Betty's promise of a drink in the Black Horse Pub.

Thank you Graham and Betty for organising a splendid walk, with wonderful views and plenty of interesting plants to see, including spotted and bee orchids.
Report by Gillian - Pictures by Margaret M, Sylvia and Graham Many thanks to them all - SF

Walk    1488

Thursday 23 June 6.5 miles mod/energetic pub lunch in or outside approx 1.15pm
Meet        The Bear Inn (Elizabethan), Bisley GL6 7BD Grid 903060 09.10 (choose from menu) for 9.30 START!
Contact    Noel 01684 772526 the week before
Directions    B 4070 south from Birdlip. At Foston's Ash Pub left fork south for 3 miles or so along winding lane to Bisley. Looking at front of pub, its car park is behind, half right across the road.
Details    This was the late Anne Trott's last walkover. Ups and downs into and above various valleys: ancient, secluded, early industrial, 'holy', and forgotten. Ascent 700ft. Wysis Way to Oakridge; then Far Oakridge, Waterlane, Litteridge Wood, Hayhedge Lane. Going: generally good along paths, tracks and lanes.

Late News: Noel advises: "Owing to summer overgrowth, oil seed rape and nettles etc, I would advise only thick skinned members to wear shorts."

17 walkers assembled outside the Bear at Bisley, which, Noel informed us, was the former Court house, on this warm, sunny morning. With varying reports of when the anticipated cloud and rain might appear,(after all, it is Glastonbury tomorrow) we set off, most choosing to chance their arm that we would get back in the dry. And what a pleasant start too, through the lovely church yard of Bisley All Saints, through the primary school playground and then down a steep shady series of steps to the lower part of the town. Following the Wysis way to the south we soon reached the village of Bournes Green. Continuing south for a while to Oakridge Lynch we then turned east to Far Oakridge where we turned back north along the mile-long green lane for the return leg via Waterlane and nearing Battlescombe, through delightful orchid-strewn meadows, then along the "forgotten valley".back to Bisley Despite the sky clouding over the rain kept off making it a very pleasant summer walk. Many thanks to Noel for a superb, undulating walk, height gain 484ft to max elev.967ft. Noel explained at the start that the walk was in memory of sadly missed Anne Trott, who first planned it. (Thanks to Terry for the report and his photos and to Bob W and Margaret M for their photos too - S

Walk    1489

Wednesday 29 June      5 miles Moderate/ Energetic    Lunch own arrangements*.
Meet        Bredon village car park   Grid 928369     10.00 start
Contact    Richard & Eileen   richard.hart13@btinternet.com the week before
Directions    1st turning on left after B4080 turn, if coming from Tewkesbury.
Details    We cross the fields to Westmancote and then climb to see the King and Queen stones, returning via the Kemerton lakes.
*There are picnic benches by the car park or a pub in the village for lunch.

Thirteen of us set out from Bredon on a sunny morning. We walked along a narrow footpath to Westmancote and through a ripening field of barley. The path uphill took us to look at the King and Queen Stones in woodland below us. (Quote from the book Bredon Hill by Brian Hoggard: “large natural outcrops of ‘gull rock’ regarded as sacred for an extremely long time.” Our route was lined with orchids, poppies and lots of colourful wild flowers. Coffee break was with super views and a skylark singing above. Downhill took us to Kemerton lakes, shelter in a wood from a short shower and back across fields to Bredon. Thank you to Eileen and Richard for this lovely walk.   (Report from Sally and photos from Tony B - SF)

Meet at the Fleet Pub in Twyning. Use the lower car park; drive past the Fleet and turn left.

This is a 3 mile walk along lanes, footpaths, and farm tracks, one track is quite overgrown so perhaps long trousers are a good idea. There are 4 stiles, all sturdy, the ground is firm and there is only one easy slope upwards. We will return along by the River Avon. We should see butterflies and hear many birds, including Curlew.

I anticipate that we will be a small group so have not booked any tables at The Fleet, but I expect that some of us will stop and have lunch there afterwards.

Walk    1490

Thursday 30 June 6.5 miles Mod / Energetic Picnic en route
Meet        Notgrove (west edge of village) GL54 3BT Grid 106201     9.45 for 10.00 start
Contact    Terry & Margaret 01684 772278 the week before
Directions    From Tewkesbury A4077 Toddington, right at Ford through Kineton/ Barton, right onto B4068, left on A436, right to Notgrove.
Details    An undulating walk from Notgrove to Cold Aston and Turkdean partly on the Macmillan and Diamond ways. Fields, tracks and lanes, a few stiles.

July 2022

Walk    1491

Wednesday 6 July       4.5 miles      easy/moderate      picnic en route in Sue’s garden – gazebos in place for shelter from sun or rain.
Meet        Haw Bridge Tirley, layby in front of old Riverside Inn, (opposite side of road to Haw Bridge Inn) GL19 4HJ   Grid 844279   10am for 10.15 start   Please share cars.
Contact    Sue & Libby   01452 780395 or paulmartin123@btinternet.com the week before.
Directions    A38 towards Gloucester, at second traffic lights turn right onto B4213.   Continue for 4 miles to the river Severn bridge. Layby is on right side just after the bridge.
Details    Short walk along the river before crossing sown fields and grazing meadows (some containing horses, sheep, cows and alpacas – byroads can be taken to avoid the cows if necessary),   Good views of Malverns and Cotswolds. One short fairly steep hill and 2 stiles.

Report

Walk    1492

Thursday 7 July    4.7 miles Moderate. Own lunch arrangements but there is The Old Post Office Café and the Farmers Arms pub in the village.
Meet        Guiting Power - at the long layby on the North West end of the village Grid 093249, but there is also plenty of road side parking in the village. The nearest postcode is GL54 5UT.
Contact    John and Sylvia    07811164417 the week before.
Directions    From Tewkesbury over M5 J9 to Teddington onto Toddington taking the Stow road towards Ford. Before Ford turn off right to Temple Guiting carry on through Barton then next turning right into Guiting Power, long layby is though village over the brow of the hill.
Details:- A walk through woods and fields with good views. One uphill section ( not too steep but long ) which is why I have given it a Moderate rating.

This walk is 3 miles long, mostly flat, with 2 stiles and Barry will lead this circular walk through the lanes and fields around Apperley.

Afterwards lunch can be available at The Farmers Arms. If you wish to stay for lunch tell Barry when you book.

Stroll

Tuesday 12 July about 0.9 mile on country lane and footpath.
Meet        Odda’s Chapel Deerhurst    GL19 4BX Grid 869299 at 10.15 for a 10.30 start
Contact    Christine 01452 780460 the week before
Directions    A38 south. Right at 2nd traffic lights onto B4213 Ledbury road. Fork right at sharp bend after 1 mile. In Deerhurst follow local signs to (Odda’s) Chapel. Park either opposite chapel or at side of road outside church.
Details    After seeing and hearing about Odda’s Chapel (English Heritage) we walk past Deerhurst church and along the flood dyke back into Deerhust church yard. We hear about this 7th century Saxon church, can visit both the church and “the Angel”. We will also hear the story of the infamous Jimmy Saville, the BBC and “Jim ‘ll fix it”.

Report

Wednesday 13 July     3.2 miles     Easy    Picnic lunch after the walk in Andrea and Bob’s garden who will provide drinks.
Meet              Outside ‘ Glenavon’ , 6th house on the left after passing the school going round the Twyning village green clockwise, but park in Goodiers Lane adjacent. GL20 6DQ
Contact         Andrea 01684 294676 the week before.
Directions     Take the A38 out of Tewkesbury towards Worcester and after 2 miles turn right and follow signs to Twyning.
Details           Easy walk around Twyning. 4 stiles and a bit of a climb.We will follow the village footpaths through an orchard, over Hill End Common and on through the Manor field, coming back down to the village via the wood that the village is fighting to preserve against developers. Good views of the Malverns along the way.

Walk    1493

Thursday 14 July       6 miles    Moderate    Picnic en route
Meet        Condicote Village Hall     GL54 1ES    Grid SP153282     for 10am start
Contact    Mike and Jenny    01684 772194    the week before
Directions    B4077 from Teddington Hands towards Stow.   About 4 miles after Ford turn Left at minor cross roads to Condicote and Hinchwick. Take 2nd road on the left, the new Village Hall is on the right just as you enter the village. We can park in the car park but can’t use the toilets as the Hall is used by a Nursery School. There will be no suitable comfort stop during the first 1.5 miles.
Details    We follow in the footsteps of the Romans along Ryknild Street to Hinchwick Manor. Up a wooded valley then a short climb out of the valley where we will have our picnic by the ruins of Cutsdean Lodge. We return on field paths across the high wold and along a track to Condicote. We can call at The Plough at Ford for suitable refreshments on our way home. One stile.

Report

Walk    1494

Wednesday 20 July        4 miles    Easy        Pub Lunch
Meet        The Anchor Inn 69 Main Road, Kempsey. WR5 3NB 9:45 for 10:00 start.
Contact    Andrea on 01684 294676 the week before.
Directions    A half hour drive from Tewkesbury via the M 5 coming off at the Worcester exit. Junction 7. Then follow the A4440 and the A38 to Kempsey.
Details    This is a joint walk with the Discovering Britain Group. We will follow the Severn Way with views to Callow End and Stanbrook Abbey and on through Kempsey. We return via the Old Roman Road. This is one of the oldest and quietest lanes in the area. Look out for the wildlife both here and on the river part of the walk.

Report

Walk    1495

Wednesday 27th July    6miles    Moderate/energetic     picnic en route
Meet        Next to the Fleet Inn Twyning GL20 6FL Grid 904365 for 10.00a.m. start
Contact    Sonia 01684 298409 the week before
Directions    A38 from Tewkesbury to Twyning, along the High St to the River.
Details    We walk along footpaths, lanes and tracks, firstly along the Avon and back beside the Severn. Mostly flat, with some rough parts and 2 climbs up from the 2 rivers. Several stiles.

Report

Walk    1496

Thursday 28 July 9.75 miles Moderate/Energetic Picnic en route.
Meet        Bourton on the Hill, by the Horse & Groom Hotel, Grid 175325 GL56 9AQ. Then drive downhill and take the next turn on the right. Straight on for approx 100 yds and then turn left where you can park roadside for a 9.45 start. Share transport if possible.
Contact    Graham & Betty graham.mealand@btinternet.com or 01684 594331 from Monday 18th July.
Directions    A46/B4077/B4632 to Broadway then A44 Oxford Rd for about 5 miles to Bourton on the Hill.
Details     It’s 3 years since we invited you to join us on this walk which takes us through beautiful Gloucestershire countryside along part of the Heart of England Way.
A full day’s walking - which includes afternoon tea at the Blockley tea shop after two thirds of our walk has been completed (where Father Brown solved many mysteries in his TV series). A walk which generally sees gentle undulations with occasional energetic overtones and 3 stiles at the last count.- Our picnic lunch 3 years ago was disturbed by a passing Badger!

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

Walks are graded to give some idea of what to expect:

Stroll: A short walk at an easy pace with frequent stops. Warning is given about inclines or difficulties

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

Moderate: Some uphill/downhill stretches “ uneven walking“ several stiles.

Energetic: Some longer steep hills and rough ground - may be many 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 subsequently unable to take part; one of the group phones will be turned on on the morning of the walk so that you can make contact in the event of a last minute delay or you become lost.
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.
Members may bring a guest but the guest must not displace a member if spaces on the walk are limited.
We usually stop for a 15-20 minute coffee-break after about an hour; so, as well as refreshments, something to sit on can be useful on wet ground.

SAFETY POLICY

Walkers

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. Remember that a short moderate walk may be more demanding than a longer easy one.

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.

Remember to carry any medications that you might need. There will normally be a coffee stop so carry food, and water, especially on hot days. It is sensible to carry a small first aid kit. A whistle is a good way of attracting attention if you need help.

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

Keep to the route indicated by the leader: do not devise shorts cuts, etc. If you wish to leave the walk, you must let the leader know.

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

Be aware of the danger from ticks and hence tick-borne diseases, particularly in the summer months and near animals. Dress appropriately, e.g. long trousers rather than shorts; trousers tucked into boots, socks or gaiters.

Each walker is ultimately responsible for carrying out a personal risk assessment for every walk they undertake.

Carry identification in case of accident: name, date of birth, emergency contact number, doctor's number, essential medications. (ICE Card)

Carry your U3A membership card which may be checked.

Leaders

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

    Aim to carry out a walk-over (with your co-leader) of your proposed route not more than     two weeks beforehand.

    Consider all the points in the national U3A walk leaders risk assessment (attached below).     Take action as you consider necessary.

    Limit your walk to a maximum number that you think you can safely manage.

    Have a co-leader to act as back-marker: count the party at the start and at suitable points during the walk. The back marker needs to know the planned route in case the party gets split.

    Liaise with Sylvia Murdoch to obtain the leader's pack (contains: phone & charger, first aid kit, hi-viz vests)

    Carry the walking group first aid kit; however remember that you may not be qualified to give medical advice. However there may well be a member with medical training and experience on the walk.

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

    Carry a map, the group mobile phone (as well as your own). A GPS receiver is useful for pinpointing location. Switch on the group mobile phone before you leave home and keep it on until the walk is over.

    If your walk is along roads where traffic is expected, use the Group yellow vests for the leader and back-marker. Walk in single file and face on-coming traffic except where visibility is obscured.

Ask for volunteers to write a report on and take photos of the walk and forward them to:     stanfagg@btinternet.com.

Having collected 50p from each walker, pass the money together with a note of date, walk number, number of walkers and total to Tony Barrett or Sylvia Murdoch.

General Information

Walkers on the email list will be sent full details of walks every other month. If you require a paper copy of the walking programme, there is a charge of Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£4 p.a., payable at the Walking Group AGM or the Enrolment Meeting. This will be sent to you by post.

Reports on walks already done can be seen at http://home.freeuk.net/stanfagg/u3a.html

We are affiliated to the Ramblers Association and the membership card may be used to obtain a 10% discount on walking gear in most local outlets. Please contact Richard Hart or Tony Barrett if you need a copy of the card.

All walkers and leaders are covered by U3A third party insurance even in the case of negligence, although it is assumed that all will conduct themselves with common sense.

Walk Details

Leaders, when sending details of their walks to the walks coordinator for inclusion in future programmes, need to supply the following details:
    Preferred date; length of the walk; grade, i.e. stroll/easy/moderate/energetic; lunch arrangements, e.g. pub, picnic etc
    Meeting Place with post code and/or grid reference; meet time and start time.
    Directions to the meeting place
    Details of the walk, e.g. outline of the route; type and state of ground; steep gradients;     number of stiles.
    Any special instructions or information.
.

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.