Slip Slidin’ Away
Geoff & Pat’s January Ramble Lite – 3 January
Our small group set off from Childswickham along the brook on a chilly but dry morning. The church spire was still under repair and our walk title described the condition of the Wychavon Way past the static homes leading to Broadway.
The allotments were in their Winter rest period and we paused to read about the flood defences before climbing the Cotswold Way to Broadway Coppice.
After a short coffee break we continued downhill to Buckland where we stopped to admire one very pretty garden. We were pleased to see the first snowdrops and daffodils in a sheltered spot near Buckland Gallery. Walking carefully along the slippery brookside path and across sodden fields we arrived back at the cars where, after discarding muddy boots, some people popped into the local pub for refreshment.
Pat and Geoff
5.6 miles
Elmley Castle, Bricklehampton and The Combertons not forgetting three churches
Lindsay’s Midweek Ramble and Annual Lunch – 10 January
After the recent horrendously wet weather which left fields saturated and paths full of deep puddles, the Midweek Ramble saw a dry, sunny and clear day with patches of frost here and there; a perfect day for walking.
Outside the Queen Elizabeth Inn at Elmley Castle, 20 enthusiastic members congregated, including new members Jenni and Steve Kay. After booking lunch at the pub, we set off down the lane towards Elmbrook Farm turning right onto a well signed muddy footpath and across fields with views of Bricklehampton Hall to the right.
Following the base of Bredon Hill on the left the route took us over several fields where we were lucky to have uninterrupted views towards the villages of Little Comberton and Great Comberton. A tree-lined gravel path and a very muddy bridle path led us into the village of Great Comberton which dates back to Saxon times and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Entering the churchyard of the medieval church of St. Michael’s we enjoyed an early coffee break owing to the fact that we arrived earlier than scheduled as walking was much easier than anticipated when we did the recce several days earlier in continuous mud! A few members had time to look inside the church which apparently was almost rebuilt in the 14th century.
Leaving the churchyard through a gate in the north-western corner, we headed through the picturesque village passing the war memorial. As the lane bent towards the left, we crossed over the road and entered a very boggy field, across a footbridge and another boggy field towards the village of Little Comberton. Entering Manor Lane, passing several thatched cottages and St. Peters Church, we crossed over to the right-hand bank, through a kissing gate to a field with a couple of grazing horses.
Several members had somewhat of an encounter with them when the horses decided to block the gate at the far end of the field. Heading across two other fields, still quite muddy, led us to the village of Bricklehampton and through the lychgate of the Church of St. Michael’s where deeply carved chevron mouldings decorated the doorway.
Snowdrops pushing their way through the earth gave us a touch of spring! We continued past the church, leaving at the eastern side onto a partly tarmacked track. Carrying on along the muddiest of paths, we crossed the lane and through a gated gap in the hedge.
Two more fields took us back to the village of Elmley and having adorned our muddy boots and in some cases trousers, we made our way to the Queen Elizabeth Inn where two other members joined us for Annual Midweek Lunch.
Thank you to everyone who attended.
Lindsay
Approximately 6.2 miles
Hills and Woods of Worcester
Hazel & Paul’s Short Ramble – 17 January
We met in the carpark of Bluebell Farm, Whittington and were introduced to our two new members Jenni and Steve.
The route took us slowly away from the traffic noise, through Whittington village, and then down into Battenhall, with good views of the New College above us, and the Malverns below. A coffee stop was made in the playground, where we were asked if an adult was supervising us!!
We then made our way past Perry Wood over to Gorse Hill and Elbury Mount Local Nature Reserve, the highest point of the City of Worcester, with good views again. The return route took us over Leopard Hill, past the hospital to Nunnery Wood. A carvery was then enjoyed by most members.
Hazel & Paul
7.8 miles which is slightly longer than normal since everyone chose to do the extra loop to the top of Elbury Mount.
A Wandering in the Wyre – Take 2
Carl and Alan’s Sunday Ramble – 29 January
Why Take 2 you might be thinking? This was a walk I first led for the club in December 2021.
The Wyre Forest is an area I have always loved walking in but have not been to for quite a while so what better reason to return. Of the 14 people who walked in 2021 only three of us attended this time around so I was able to introduce the area to a new audience.
Twelve ramblers met at the Blackstone Picnic Park, including new members Cathy and Mark. Right at the start it looked like we might have trouble when Rob told me that the path to Bewdley was diverted due to some groundworks. When we started walking, he then realised it was on the opposite side of the river so all was well.
Being a border town, Bewdley was once seen as a safe haven for rogues and robbers so the group should have felt at home there. Upon reaching Bewdley, Jayne kindly stood next to flood gauge to show how deep the flood waters have been over the years. They have been deep. Upon leaving Bewdley we came across hundreds of ducks, geese and swans crossing the path. I refused to allow them to join us as none of them had booked or were even club members!!!
Upon reaching Dowles Bridge we then turned left and followed Dowles Brook for a couple of miles. The route partly followed the old Tenbury Railway line and partly followed the track that served a number of grain mills that used to work along the Brook. One, Knowles Mill, still stands but is sadly not in working condition. Heading through the forest itself saw easy walking on good, well-made paths. However, the group did get split by some Sunday strollers who were just meandering along and it wasn’t until we had passed them that I was able to regroup everybody.
A picnic lunch was taken at a very busy Wyre Forest visitor centre. As we left the visitor centre I had to warn everybody about the distressing sight of a dead Gruffalo lying on the ground. In the interests of decency, we will not be publishing a photograph here. The afternoon route took us through some lovely little hollows and a lightly wooded area, at the end of which we came across a woman walking a very friendly sausage dog who wanted to hello to everybody.
We then headed towards Ribbesford and into the atmospheric church yard of St Leonards Church. St Leonard is a very hard working Saint but we do not have space here to list all that he represents. Parts of the church yard have fallen into disrepair and would make a spooky walk on Halloween. It was then a short walk back to the Severn and our starting point.
Carl
am 6.8 miles pm 4.6 miles