Ramble Reports for November 2018

We met in the car park of the Mason’s Arms, Castle Hill, Wichenford and then the heavens opened. The rain barely let up all day, although was a little lighter in the afternoon.

The morning route took us over many stiles towards Martley. We walked to and up onto the Worcestershire Way. Frank forgot to stay upright up some particularly slippery steps, but soon recovered with a coffee stop. We continued to Martley walking by the Chantry School and the village church, before turning back towards the pub after negotiating some very muddy fields.

After a warming lunch stop, we set off again in the opposite direction, and arrived at The Cobb House Fisheries and lakes, where the footpaths were easier and well signposted.

Hazel

Blessed with a fine Autumn day, we had an excellent attendance of 22 walkers including 2 visitors.

Starting on time we quickly and fairly easily achieved the majority of the climb up Bredon Hill. The last section of about 200m proved a little more challenging but was accomplished safely by everyone and we were rewarded with fine views all around. It proved a little too breezy to enjoy a coffee break by Bredon Tower (Parsons Folly) so we continued into the nearby woods which proved sheltered and a pleasant stop for a short break.

We then enjoyed a fairly easy descent still enjoying lovely views and autumn colour arriving back in Great Comberton after a walk of 5.3 miles.

Graham

With the promise of a dry day, 17 ramblers gathered at The Weighbridge Inn at Alvechurch Marina. Alvechurch is named after Aelfgyth – a lady who founded a church in AD780 on the site of the present church.

The morning ramble started with a short walk along the Birmingham Worcester canal and a quick climb up Coopers Hill. After crossing the M42 ( thinking how lucky we were to be walking rather than driving) we rejoined the canal as it ran beside Lower Bittell reservoir. Following a lane, we arrived at the pretty little church of St Michael’s and All Angels at Cofton Hackett, with its distinctive 2-bell tower. The church, said to be built in 1182 as a chapel for Cofton Hall, was substantially rebuilt in 1861 under the direction of renowned architect Henry Day.

The North Worcestershire path led us to the edge of the woods on the Lickey Hills. After a short climb through the fallen leaves we enjoyed a welcome stop at the Lickey Hills Visitors Centre. We followed the Squirrel and Woodpecker trails down through Pinfield Wood to Barnt Green station. This was a sentimental journey for David and Jo, who used to live in this area.

We were soon back in the countryside and climbing up to cross the M42 again before descending down to Witheybed Green (no doubt it was hereabouts that many willows were grown for making into baskets) and back to the Weighbridge for lunch.

After an enjoyable lunch, and several of the specialist beers tasted, Charles left us. He still has a few things to sort out before he moves to Poland at the beginning of December. We can’t really say this was his final ramble with ERC as he hopes to be back for the Walking Festival in July!

The afternoon ramble started off along the canal towpath for a short distance, before crossing the railway at Alvechurch Station. After heading across a huge field, which seemed daunting at first as there was no clear path, we followed a lane up to the village of Rowney Green. After walking through Newbourne Wood Nature Reserve we stopped to admire the views across to Alvechurch before tramping down Newbourne Hill and returning to our starting point via Alvechurch church, to complete our 12.4 mile ramble.

Rachel