“Haile to the Ramblers”
Carl & Michael’s Invitation Ramble 6 June
Over the past 18 months or so, we have had a number of new members to the club who we have not had a chance to meet (for obvious reasons). This was a special invitation only ramble which was organised to introduce new members to the club.
We met at the car park to Hailes Abbey church. Once everybody had gathered, introductions were made for all assembled and a brief description of the route was given.
We then headed up the road towards Hailes Fruit Farm following the Cotswold Way up to Cromwell’s Seat and Beckbury Hill Fort. Here we took a well-deserved rest after the climb and admired the views.
Alan gave the group an insight into the ERC and the work we do for footpath maintenance, circular walks and encouraging people to walk in general.
We continued along the Cotswold Way before picking up the Campden Lane Track and following a path back to Farmcote. Field paths took us to the road at Strip Lynchets where we then followed the Winchcombe Way through Little Farmcote before picking up Puck Pit Lane back towards Hailes Abbey and our starting point.
The weather started off a bit overcast but soon cleared to give glorious views all day. After the ramble most of the group headed up to Hailes Fruit Farm for a drink, something to eat and to continue to get to know each other.
Welcome to all new members and we look forward to seeing you on future rambles.
Carl
6.4miles
“And it’s over to Andoversford!”
Geoff & Pat’s Midweek Ramble 9 June
We set out from Andoversford on this perfect sunny day walking through Syreford and enjoying the shady wood leading onto meadows of wild flowers.
Turning uphill there were widespread views across the fields of barley towards the distant hills. After our coffee stop we reached the village of Hampen and admired an unusual wooden sculpture of a washing machine at the roadside. It was also good to see an avenue of healthy Horse Chestnut trees in full flower.
At Shipton (meaning sheep’s farmstead) we stopped to admire a massive combine harvester before returning via Shipton Oliffe and Shipton Solers for our lunch break at Andoversford.
In the afternoon we admired a wonderful group of thoroughbred horses on our way to Foxcote. After the villages of Upper and Lower Dowdeswell we walked alongside a lengthy, old, dry stone wall with an impressive gateway now fallen into disrepair. This belonged to the Grade II listed Sandywell Park built in 1704 and now converted into luxury flats.
We enjoyed the company of a very nice group, some of whom had never been to Andoversford before.
Pat & Geoff
am 6.5miles pm 4.3miles
Pea pickers and Piledrivers
Rachel & Geoff’s Short Ramble 16 June
On a very hot morning, 15 ramblers gathered under the shade of a walnut tree at The New Inn, Clifford Chambers, to welcome new member Viv Morris before setting off along a track towards Milcote.
The large fields of sweetcorn and peas looked like they were feeling the heat as well as us, as we made our way, negotiating a silage hauling tractor, to join the Greenway. The Greenway is also part of the Shakespeare’s Avon Way and is all that remains of a railway line that once ran between Honeybourne and Stratford-upon-Avon. There are plans to reopen this railway, but a walking and cycle way will run alongside it.
Coffee break overlooked the River Avon, where we watched two canal boats negotiating the lock. One of the boats was electric, and used solar energy. The owners had retired, and now live permanently on the boat, enjoying the freedom of a nomadic life. Next to the lock, a huge building site has developed. This is to be the long awaited Stratford Marina. At the moment it looks like a wasteland with huge posts sticking out of the ground. We got close and were deafened by one piledriver, which was working near the footpath. The building works also led to a short diversion of our footpath, so we had a good ‘tour’ of the site.
A challenging stile led us into a field where pea pickers were busy. (‘pea snatching’ as it is locally known). The contents of some stray pods passed the taste test by several members. The ramble then passed through horse paddocks, crossing the River Stour, before returning to the New Inn where eight members stayed and enjoyed an alfresco lunch.
Rachel
5.8 miles
“The hills are alive”
Hazel and Paul’s Sunday Ramble 20 June
Eleven people assembled at the large layby near The Railway Inn, Malvern Wells, on a damp and misty day.
We set off uphill to the Old Wyche Road. We all ascended the 219 steep Pixie steps carefully as the path was slippery in places due to the damp conditions. Fortunately, everybody made it to the Upper Wyche where we all got our breath back. We then followed footpaths south above Jubilee Drive, dodging a group of Geologists where we could, and then some beautiful Highland and Belted Galloway cattle. We then went north again in the woodlands back towards the Wyche Cutting.
A picnic lunch was enjoyed before the afternoon half of the walk began. The views came and then disappeared, but generally improved as the day went on.
North Hill and the Worcestershire Beacon were circumnavigated in the afternoon. We descended along footpaths near St. Ann’s Well and some of the many natural wells that exist on the hills.
Paul and Hazel
am 5.4 miles, pm 5.5 miles
Nearly caught in the rain at Coughton
Carl & Michael’s Evening Ramble 25 June
After meeting at Coughton Fields Lane we headed off along Sambourne Lane. We had an initial bit of excitement when somebody thought they had seen Lesley who had phoned earlier to say she was caught in traffic and would not be able to make the walk. Unfortunately, it was not Lesley and probably left a member of the public bemused as to who was waving to her.
From Sambourne Lane we followed a path along the side of Coughton Park and then through the park itself. At this point we had some light rain which had everybody donning waterproofs. Nobody would admit to bringing the rain with them and tried to blame me instead!!!
A short road section followed up to The Neville Arms. The road was busier than expected and shows the problems with doing a recce during lockdown when everything was quieter.
We then followed the Millennium Way, stopping at the Larches for a drink and to admire the view. We then continued along the Millennium Way back to Coughton Fields Lane and our cars. Fortunately, the rain stayed off and gave us a nice, pleasant stroll.
Carl
5.3miles
