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.

Programme 177 for August/September 2022

August 2022

Walk    1497

Wednesday 3 August    about 3 miles    Easy/moderate    lunch at Brown’s Restaurant.
Meet        Tewkesbury Garden Centre     GL20 6EB    at 10.15 am to order lunch – the restaurant is part of the garden centre. There is plenty of space in the car park, but please park at the top end
Contact    Bob on 01684 294676 the week before.
Directions    The garden centre is on the A38 about a mile north of Tewkesbury
Details    The Mythe and the Severn, the walk takes us through the Mythe Nature Reserve, and along the bank of the Severn, with sight of the disused Mythe Tunnel and of Telford’s Mythe Bridge. Mostly flat, with no stiles, but quite a steep descent at the beginning of the walk, with a corresponding climb at the end.

Bob’s ‘ walk became Andrea’s walk as he had covid (having managed to avoid it all these months).
A select few gathered at the Mythe Garden centre, 4 u3a members and a granddaughter. It was a lovely day for a walk, temperature just right and sun shining. We left the garden centre and went downhill until just before the Mythe bridge where we turned right alongside the Severn along a footpath, very muddy in winter but on this occasion dry and easily passable. Soon we came to the Red Pools and enjoyed seeking out, and eating, plums and a few blackberries by the path side. We hoped to see butterflies but only spotted large whites and one red admiral. We went right at the end and came back along the nature reserve on the old Tewkesbury to Malvern line. We finished by having a good lunch at Browns.
(Thanks to Andrea for saving the day and leading the walk - SF)

Thursday, 4th August      5 miles        Moderate/Energetic
Meet            Golden Valley by the Mill Pond           Grid Ref. 776 371            9.45 a.m. for 10.00 start
Contact        Betty & Graham   01684 594331        or e-mailGraham.Mealand@btinternet.com     week before.
Directions     A438 Tewkesbury-Ledbury Rd. for approx. 8 miles, at cross-roads B4208 T.R., in approx. 1 mile T.L. signed Golden Valley and park near the Mill Pond.
Details          We walk from the Golden Valley, across Castlemorton Common to the British Camp, returning on a moderate path on the Malverns. Coffee Stop at British Camp cafe or take your own.

This walk was added into the programme by Betty and Graham. The day was sunny and warm for the thirteen of us who met near the Mill Pond at Golden Valley. We were greeted by a gaggle of geese and then set off across Castlemorton Common. We walked along the lower edge of the hill, past the reservoir with its low water level and very dry surroundings. Our coffee break was in the shade at the edge of a wood with a view to the Cotswolds. We continued uphill to British Camp and along tracks across the side of the hill and a gentle slope down past Swinyard car park to complete the circuit.
Many thanks to Betty and Graham for an excellent walk. (And thanks too for Sally's report and Graham's photos - SF)

Thursday, 9 August Chaceley Village
Meet         Chaceley Village Hall GL19 4EH Grid 857308 for 10.30. start
Contact Chris and Angela 01684 294325 the week before.
Directions A438 from Tewkesbury (over Mythe bridge). Turn 1st left signposted
Forthampton; left at X-roads signposted Chaceley; pass Forthampton Court to go sharp right at X-roads; straight on at next X-roads to enter Chaceley village.
Park on left outside village hall or church a little further on.
Details This is a very gentle stroll around the peaceful Chaceley village, less than a mile in length, and all on quiet roads, no slopes or stiles. We pass pretty cottages and beautiful houses and may explore the country church. Those with energy may go a little further passed the village pond while others sit on the green to watch wildlife.
Lunch Own arrangements. (Sadly, riverside pub closed this lunchtime; nearest pub is Farmers Arms at Apperley near Tirley).

Nine strollers met outside Chaceley church on a warm August morning under a cloudless sky. Angela and Christopher Cole had researched a pleasant stroll on metalled roads around this small village, largely off the beaten track. Only about 100 people live in this peaceful spot. It is thought that the name derives from old Saxon words for "A Clearing in the Woods". There are some beautiful houses, many quite old and some are Grade II listed. One of the cottages, now known as Church Cottage used to serve as the village Post Office. The neighbouring cottage is The Old Cobbler's. These two houses stood close to a dip in the landscape which used to be an old gravel pit. At some point it was acquired by the village and became the second village green. Surrounded by trees it is next to the Village Hall which at one time was the village school. Just beside the Village Hall stands the Old Vicarage - a grand and imposing red brick house with extensive gardens. A frequent visitor to the Vicarage in her childhood was Barbara Cartland (of romantic fiction fame) - but apparently she was not allowed to play with the local children on these visits - far too rough, I would imagine!

Chaceley is quite close to the River Severn and being very low lying often floods. Evidence of this is the many willow trees which flourish all around Chaceley Some way away from the village is the pub, standing on the bank of the Severn. It has been known by several names - "The Ferry", "The Stock" and currently "The Yew Tree". Behind the pub willows grew in profusion, were harvested and made into baskets by local makers.

Our final port of call was the church - dedicated to St John the Baptist. It is a pretty little church, mainly 13th century but with a Norman chancel arch. There is a series of carved heads, all sporting the hairstyles and beards from the time of Edward II and III. As is normal, there is a roll of honour for those who were killed in WW1. More unusually those who fought but returned to the village are also commemorated. One soldier, AJ Lewis, joined in 1916 but was badly wounded, evacuated back to England but subsequently died of his wounds in March 1918. His grave is in the church yard - one of the many thousands supplied by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Thank you Angela and Chris. It was a delightful stroll - not too long and a wealth of information. You had really done your homework! (hanks also to Christine for the report - SF)

Walk    1498

Wednesday 10 August    5 miles    Easy        Pub Lunch
Meet        White Hart Inn, Maisemore GL2 8HY Grid 816213   09.45 to order lunch for 10.00 start
Contact    Hugh    01452 780460 the week before
Directions    On A417 1.5 miles north of Gloucester. Either A38 to Gloucester then outer ring road west to A417 junction at Over roundabout or A417 from the north.
Details    We circumnavigate most of Alney Island which is said to be the largest river island in the UK. We follow the west channel to Thomas Telford’s Over Bridge (English Heritage) then to Lower Parting where the east and west channels recombine on their way to the sea. We then follow the east channel with a few diversions back to the start. No stiles, level ground, could be some mud if wet.

14 members assembled outside the White Hart on this perfect summer morning, the sun blazing from a clear blue sky with just a welcoming gentle breeze.
Heading south, we crossed the bridge over the Severn and took the tarmacked footpath/cycle path onto Alney Island at a good pace. Pleasant walking with some shade from the trees, the path led us between the A417 to Gloucester and the West Channel of the River, on our right, until we reached Thomas Telford 's impressive stone bridge at Over, sadly too narrow for modern traffic. From here we continued to the Lower Parting in the SW corner of the island. Parting is such sweet sorrow, WS once wrote, but on this occasion it was nice to leave the sun-baked grassland back to the shade of the trees. This was a fascinating walk, with the seemingly rural path taking us through shady glades but within spitting distance of Gloucester cathedral, the prison, Tescos and B and Q, just the traffic noise giving any clue that we were near the busy city. We returned around the periphery of the Nature Reserve following the East Channel to Maisemore Ham. With the mercury climbing to 30c the return to the pub for refreshment was a welcome sight. Many thanks to Hugh for introducing us to this unusual and interesting walk. (Thanks also to go to Terry for the report and some photos, the others are from Margaret - SF)

Telford's lovely bridge     (Margaret)

Walk    1499

Wednesday 17 August     5 or 3* miles    Easy    Lunch own arrangements
Meet        Outside Currys/PC World on the Kingsditch roundabout. Cheltenham
        Grid 932239    GL51 9DU    for a 10.20 start
Contact    Richard & Eileen 01684274197 or richard.hart13@btinternet.com    the week before
Directions    **Catch 41 bus from Tewkesbury Boots (9.39 or 9.54 depending on which one is actually running!) and alight at M&S Home stop, one past Sainsburys.
Details    We will be Chasing the Chelt, following the river Chelt upstream, along the Chelt River Walk, through the centre of Cheltenham and then through Sandfield Park to Charlton Park. The walk ends in Cheltenham centre for lunch/shopping/bus home.
*If you are doing the short walk, meet us by the café at the back of the Town Hall at about 11.30.
    ** If you are coming from the Cheltenham end, then catch the 41/42 out. Parking in the various carparks around is for customers only and then for only 2 hours. There may be some side of road parking in Arle.

Just 6 of us took the bus to Kingsditch to follow the River Chelt through Cheltenham. Our path took us long the Chelt Walk from Arle to join the old railway cycle track, past Waitrose to the point where the river dives under Neptune’s Fountain by the Town Hall, only to emerge in Sandford Park on the other side of town.
After coffee in Imperial Gardens where 3 more walkers joined us for the second part of the walk, we found the Chelt again in the Italian Gardens and after visiting Barretts Mill we followed it through the two parks to Cox’s Meadow where there is a huge flood prevention development.
Then it was back along the river to the Town centre and to various places for lunch, after an interesting walk that took us to parts of Cheltenham that we do not normally see.   After the glorious rain the night before, we stayed dry. (Many thanks to Richard nd Eileen for devising and leading this walk, and to Richard for the report and photos - SF)

Walk    1500

Thursday 18 August        5 miles.               Energetic     Pub Lunch
Meet        Farmers Arms, Wellington Heath. HR8 1LS Grid 712403 at 9.45 for 10.00am start.
Contact     Steve 01684 295438 the week before.
Directions     M50 to Junction2. A417 to Ledbury. Continue through town but by railway station go straight on, on B4214 towards Bromyard. Approximately 5/600 yards take a right turn, signposted Wellington Heath/Hope End. Carry on this road until you see a brown sign for The Farmers Arms, this is a sharp right-hand turn that takes you onto Horse Road. Take care, narrow twisty road through the village. The Farmers Arms is at the end of this road at the bottom of a valley, pub and car parking are on the left.
Details    A Fisher-Price Walk
A fairly hilly walk, mainly through fields with small sections of quiet lane walking. After climbing out of the valley the walk crosses typical Herefordshire countryside and at one point goes through the middle of the beautiful Coddington Vineyard. The route then climbs towards Coddington Church a forerunner of the climb to the top of Oyster Hill. The reward for your effort is a 360 panoramic view of the Malvern Hills to one side, the Black Mountains of Wales on the other and the stunning Herefordshire countryside in between. The descent from Oyster Hill passes by Hope End, the house that Elizabeth Barret-Browning grew up in. It’s all down-hill through the Wellington Heath Valley to lunch at the Farmer’s Arms. Please note there are approximately 16 stiles on route.
Those walkers wishing to lunch in the pub should go on the pub’s website and select their meal and let Steve know what they are eating so the information can be sent to the pub prior to the walk.

On a, thankfully, fairly warm day, ten intrepid walkers assembled at the bottom of Wellington Heath valley and started the steep climb up a mixture of steps and lanes. The route passed houses situated to benefit from stunning views over the nearby hills, fields and woods. Cresting the top of the valley, most walkers obeyed the sign asking them not to pick the apples from an adjoining orchard as they were needed for cider making. A short interval of lane walking led to the group accessing a gently rising footpath leading past Hope End, the childhood home of Elizabeth Barrett-Browning. Approaching Oyster Hill, ribald laughter broke out at a sign attached to a gate -Sheep are regularly checked by Andy (farmer). The views from the summit of Oyster Hill were amazing; wherever you looked there was a breath-taking range of hills, distant mountains, woods and the lovely patchwork of the Herefordshire countryside laid out for all to see. The group descended to Coddington Church and had coffee sitting on the edge of the well-tended churchyard, gazing down the steep wooded valley in front of them. The footpath meant walking between the rows of vines in Coddington Vineyard and crossing the beautifully maintained gardens. The remaining part of the walk crossed large empty fields, include a diversion due to the farmer (Andy?) growing maize across the path, and seeing George perform a vault worth of a perfect 10, across a locked gate. A last stop to take in the quintessentially English landscape stretching back to the spire of Coddington Church, and then it was back via Pub Lane to a delicious lunch, washed down with Ledbury Bitter. A fitting end to a truly stupendous 5-star Fisher-Price walk. (Many thanks to the intrepid duo for yet another grand day out, and to the ever reliable Terry and Margaret for their photos _SF)

Walk    1501

Wednesday 24 August     5miles        Energetic (but steady pace) picnic en route
Meet        Meet in good time at Great Malvern Railway Station WR14 3AU Grid 783456 (park as near as possible) to catch the 9.45 train, single to Colwall £2.90. There is parking on both sides of the railway line in both Station Approach and Thorngrove Road
Contact    Noel     01684 772526    the week before
Directions    Follow B4211 from Upton to Malvern, look for local station signs in Malvern.
Details    Walk back via the Downs School, Brockhill Coppice, Brockhill Road, Hay Slad ('base camp' for spring water), zig-zag up the west face of Worcs. Beacon, down to Lady Foley's Tea Room for tea and cakes on the station.2

It was such a pity there were only six of us to enjoy Noel's walk on what turned out to be a wet, refreshing morning. We assembled at Gt Malvern Railway Station for the ride to Colwall, just one stop away the other side of the hill. After alighting at Colwall a short walk took us to the Charlie Bollard Nature Reserve a mysterious-looking place shrouded in dampness.
On through the little used pathways to Linden and the coffee stop where an upbeat Noel talked of Elgar and his reason for entitling his Enigma Variations. After a few bars rest we were off again in the direction of the Picton Garden Nurseries and Downs School with its miniature railway, all deserted.
By now the rain had eased and the climbing up had started in a zig zag fashion, gradually, until we reached the roadside spring at Hay Slad, water still gushing out despite the drought. From here the climb seemed endless, eventually arriving at the Worcester beacon, a good spot for the lunch stop.
The route downhill went past St Ann's Well, closed today for covid reasons. A flight of 99 steps, some lovely gardens and an upmarket play area, alas no time to play. we were heading for the Lady Foley tea room at the station and the welcome cups of tea.
Many thanks to Noel for finding this varied and interesting route. (Thanks to Margaret for the report and her photos, and to Terry for the others - SF)

September 2022

Annual Meeting Monday 5 September.
Meet Ashchurch Village Hall at 1.45 for 2.00pm
The walking group annual meeting is being reinstated post pandemic.
Many things are different after the pandemic; we need to review what we have done what we are doing and where we want to go in the future – please attend.
There should also be tea, coffee and cake.

Report on today’s Walkers AGM
On Monday 5th September, the day the summer drought decided enough was enough, members of the Walking group, in true rambler’s spirit, all drove to Ashchurch Village Hall for the Annual AGM of the Walking Group. Upon entering the healthy throng, I was met with the ambiguous question, “Have you been a broad/abroad?” I answered to the latter!
This had been the first AGM since 2019 and it was good to see so many faces both old and new. Chair Sylvia kicked off the meeting with her report where she reviewed the events of the past couple of years. She offered her thanks to those who had served on the committee and to those who had responded to organise walks once the restrictions of the pandemic were lifted. She also made an encouraging plea for more walks to be offered and for more walk leaders to offer walks. This became a recurring theme throughout the meeting.
Hugh reviewed the activities of the Walkers Group and Christine reviewed those of the Strollers or, as Hugh calls them, “The Lame, the Lazy and the Disinclined”.
Bob Mackintosh gave his treasurers report, highlighting the fact that whilst the group had made a healthy contribution to the u3a funds, the amount was less than previous years when the group was fully active because the number of walks had reduced.
The Officers made it known they were all willing to stand again and so we were spared the embarrassment of staring at our feet until someone volunteered themselves. The existing committee were re-elected unanimously with any hesitation. Thank you, committee!!!
This year’s ‘Walkers Christmas Lunch’ is planned for December 8th at the Gupshill Manor. Numbers are required by the end of September!!
In AOB we were asked about our individual membership of the Nat Trust as there are now problems for non-members using their carparks at some sites.
Further discussion took place with regard to the description of our walks. Was it better to just give the length rather than stress whether it was energetic or easy etc. It was acknowledged that the short walks offered by Andrea were a good idea and had initially proved popular. The question was raised as to whether longer walks were off putting. The absence of any specific conclusion seemed to suggest that if a variety of walks are offered people will decide for themselves whether they are up to a longer or shorter distance.
Leading walks was also discussed and Mike and Jenny came forward with an excellent offer to co-lead walks with ‘new leader’s’. I hope this idea proves a success as it seemed a positive step forward as well as being a generous offer.
The formalities of the meeting were concluded by Sylvia who offered her thanks to Hugh and Chris for putting together the Walks and Strolls programme, especially during the uncertain times in the midst of the pandemic.
She then gave a special thanks to that fountain of knowledge (both fact and fiction), Stan Fagg, for his tireless work in keeping the website up to date with the programme, reports and photos. A gift from the groups was presented in recognition for his undiluted years of service.
Stan then entertained with a presentation of photos from the walks over the past 12 months.
Finally, we all assembled around the tea and cake table where we gorged ourselves on the delicious home-made offerings, contributed by various members of the group. Thank you cake bakers!! What we all now need is a good healthy walk to help burn off some of those extra calories.
Ian

Walk    1502

Wednesday 7 September    Easy / Moderate    4.5 miles    Picnic Lunch
Meet        Bredons Norton Bus shelter Grid 930391 GL20 7HB    Start 10am
Contact    Mike and Jenny    01684 772194    the week before
Directions    In Bredon take the B4080 towards Pershore and Eckington. Take the 2nd road on the right (signposted Bredons Norton). Carry on through village to traffic island, the bus shelter is to the right. There is limited road side parking, mainly to the north of the church.
Details    We walk to Westmancote where we will have a coffee stop, then walk the new circular John Clarke Memorial Walk. We then go down to Kemerton and return to Bredons Norton on the lower path. Bring your own picnic to eat after the walk in our garden if the weather is suitable. About 500ft of ascent in total and two or three stiles.
Alternate Easy Walk   1 mile, 200ft ascent. Meet us at the top of Westmancote (where the rough track starts) at 10.45 to join us for our coffee stop and the John Clarke Memorial Walk. There is very limited road side parking.

Our walk today was a special one. We were meeting Pamela (who used to join us) to walk along the newly inaugurated John Clarke Walk on Bredon Hill.

John was Pamela’s late husband and was the Kemerton Trust’s Conservation Advisor, who did much valuable work with insects and rare plants on the hill above Kemerton. The area surrounding the walk has arable plant areas, grassland, wildflower meadows and woodland.

The weather was kind to the 20 walkers today. The promised thunderstorms did not materialise, and we stayed warm and dry. Starting from Bredons Norton, we crossed the hill to the Westmancote track to join the John Clarke Walk and, after circling it, we dropped down to a lower path to cross the fields back to Mike and Jenny’s house where we picnicked in their splendid garden.

Thanks to Jenny and Mike for leading us today and for their hospitality. [Photos - Margaret and Terry, Report Richard and Website "Stub"]

Stroll

Tuesday 13 September    Coombe Hill Nature Reserve
Meet        Coombe Hill nature reserve car park GL19 4AS Grid 888273 for 10.30 start
Contact    Christine    01452 780460    the week before
Directions    A38 south to Coombe Hill; turn right at traffic lights immediately after Swan Inn. Very narrow metalled road; go to the end of the road and park in the gravel car park.
Details    We walk along the canal bank to the first footbridge. Then either return on the opposite bank of the canal or a longer loop across fields. We will have two leaders so the party can split if desired to follow both routes. Could be muddy if wet.
Lunch    The Swan Inn at Coombe Hill has a large car park and offers lunches.

Eleven of us met at the Coombe Hill Nature Reserve car park on a mainly cloudy but warm day. We walked very slowly along the canal banks and the board walk to the Grundon hide. Due to the drought, the water was well down. On a previous visit it has been level with the board walk, but not today! However, this also meant that the path was dry and not churned up by horses' hooves. Sadly, the hide was closed as it was being re-painted (creosoted?) and so we did not have the opportunity to observe any wildlife from this lookout.

We then strolled back to the cars along the opposite bank and rested for some time on a unique dragon-fly shaped bench at the end of the canal. On our outward part of the stroll, we saw a family of three near grown cygnets and a single parent swan. On our return we disturbed them. They almost flew away, but then settled back onto the water. See photo attached. Most of us then retired to the adjacent [appropriately named!] Swan Inn for lunch and/or drinks.

Walk    1503

Thursday 15 September    4.5 miles    Easy        Pub lunch
Meet        Eckington Wharf car park WR10 3DD Grid 923422 9.45am for 10.00 start
Contact    Rose     01684 301668 or 07971 672575 the week before
Directions    North from Bredon on the B4080 Pershore Road just before Eckington Bridge. Follow the brown and white tourist signs.
Details    The Eckington Circular walk, adding on a walk round the top of the village to make the walk about 4.5 miles. This is a mostly flat, easy walk starting off from Eckington Wharf Car Park, along the side of the Avon to Strensham Lock, then returning through the village of Eckington, over the railway bridge then around the upper part of the village, pub lunch at The Bell, coming back through the churchyard to the main road before returning to the Car Park. Please notify when booking if you wish to have lunch in the pub.

This was a pleasant, occasional sunny periods day as we, seventeen of us, gathered by the Avon at Eckington Wharf. After her welcome, Rose led us down river and under the main line railway bridge, after which we spotted a grey heron, still ...among the tall rushes. “How can I spend a peaceful morning fishing with all that chattering on the far bank?” she must have thought, and gracefully took off for calmer waters downstream.
    Eventually, we reached our coffee stop at the lock. As luck would have it, a boat arrived from Tewkesbury, allowing our photographer of the day, Bob, to show us what locks are there for.....a pity about the crosswind, which made it awkward for the skipper to steer serenely through the gate.
    Off we set, more at a stroll, up the lane and into the village, where Rose led us on one of those 'keep me in sight, or else!' routes, wending our way around 'the Eckington nobody knows', until we found ourselves entering the rear end of St Peter and St Paul's Churchyard. Along the wall were large numbers of painted stones created by children to remind us of how much we owe to all those in the health and care services during the Covid pandemic.
    Lunch was taken at the Bell Inn where, judging by the high volume of chatter, a convivial time was had by all. Many thanks to Rose for leading us so competently on her first walk and, we hope, with more to come. (Thanks also to Noel for his report and to Bob W for the photos - SF)

Walk     1504

Wednesday 21st September    6miles    moderate    Lunch see below
Meet        Speech House Hotel Gl16 7EL. Grid Reference 06020121
what 3 Words: cringes, irritate, wash.    9.45am for a 10.00am start
Contact    Steve 01684 295438 or stevejanefisher@aol.com the week before.
Directions    A38 to Longford Roundabout. A40 towards Highnam. A48 via Minsterworth and Westbury on Severn. Turn right onto A4151 to Cinderford. Turn left onto B4226 passing Dylke Hospital to Speech House. Car park is at the rear of the hotel.
Details    A Fisher-Price Walk. The walk uses well made (but bumpy) hard core paths through a section of the Forest of Dean. The walk passes Speech House Lake and continues to Mallards Pike Lake for coffee and toilets. Return is on similar paths, some following the old railway track bed from Lydney to Coleford. Lunch has not been pre-booked, but is a walk-in option at the hotel’s Orangery Restaurant, or people can make their own arrangements.
The walk is generally flat, with no stiles and one or two gentle slopes.

Report

Walk     1505

Thursday, 22 September     5 miles   Moderate/Energetic    Pub Lunch
Meet         Wyche Inn, West Malvern WR14 4EQ Grid 768437    9.30 to order food for 10.00 a.m. start
Contact    Graham & Betty     01684 594331 or email graham.mealand@btinternet.com the week before.
Directions    A438 from Tewkesbury, in 2.5 miles right turn onto B4211 Upton, in approx. 4 miles turn left on A4104 Welland, continue on A4104, then Left on A449 for 5 miles to British Camp, then turn right on B4232 for 2miles to Wyche. Roadside parking near the Wyche Inn.
Details    From the Wyche Cutting, walk on east side of the Malvern Hills, stopping for coffee at a disused quarry, then on to the British Camp for public toilets. Returning over the tops, or a moderate path, back to the Wyche Inn for lunch. No stiles and good paths.

Walk    1506

Thursday 29 September       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.

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.