Roll on the summer!
Alan & Pauline’s Saturday Ramble 7th February
The heavy persistent rain over several days leading up to the ramble resulted in a detour to get to the start of the walk as the road between Upton-upon-Severn and Hanley Castle was under water.
Still unsure how much of the ramble route would be under water as well, we set off in a northerly direction along pleasant field paths which were slightly above the flooded Pool Brook that we were following. As we started to descend, the fields became increasingly sodden and we splashed our way past Sink Farm (it hadn’t quite!) to arrive at Priestfield. After a short break we crossed the brook on a bridge just inches above the water.
By Broadacres Farm, what is normally a farm track with the odd puddle or two was now severely flooded with the narrowest of grassy margins on one side which we managed to squeeze along. Thinking how lucky we were to survive this obstacle without getting our feet wet, we were now faced with the prospect of two very muddy fields which took us to Horton Manor Farm. We succeeded in dislodging much of the mud that was clogging our boots as we made our way along wet field paths back towards Hanley Castle. The last hurdle was another flooded path leading to a large footbridge that spanned Pool Brook, but this was easily circumvented and we headed for The Three Kings with its welcoming roaring fire, delicious bakes and ‘unique’ décor.
Suitably refreshed, we returned the short distance to the cars.
Well done to those who joined us – we all managed without a single fall.
Alan & Pauline
5.5 miles.
Slip Slidin’ Away!
Glyn’s Midweek Ramble – 11 February
It was pleasant to take a break from constructing our arc, such had been the weather recently. And, after some anxious days, it is good to report that whilst a little wet and slippery under foot, conditions on the route were manageable and the threatened rain held off throughout.
We gathered in the Back Lane Car Park, Winchcombe and welcomed guests Gary and Hayley and new member Nick for his inaugural walk.
.
The route for the day first took us past Sudley Castle and then on to Watershatch. Here we explored the derelict waterwheel, which was surrounded by a carpet of snowdrops looking quite magnificent. Little remains of the farmhouse, which collapsed when the inhabitants decided to remove a supporting wall. Geoff recounted how he once spent a night camping in the farm outbuildings with his pack of cubs and, disturbingly, some rats!
From here we walked on to Charlton Abbots, a hamlet clinging to the side of the valley. We had our coffee break here, taking the opportunity to admire the delightful little church with its 13th century origins. During the recce a local resident explained that archaeologists are hoping to excavate the site where a leper house once stood.
Red Kites soared overhead as we left the village and headed down the valley, picking up the course of the Beesmoor Brook. Thirty years ago, such a sight would require a trip to central Wales. Today, Red Kites can be seen regularly on club walks but for those twitchers amongst us the pulse still races a little at the sight of these magnificent birds of prey.
Conditions under foot required care but also provided Carl with an opportunity to demonstrate his Triple Salchow in celebration of the Winter Olympics taking place at the time!
As the skies darkened, we arrived back in Winchcombe where our Vice Chair, Dennis, offered a vote of thanks before most of us retired to the White Hart for a well-earned lunch.
A special thank you to Alan for acting as back marker on the day.
Glyn
7.0 miles
A Pinch of Salt
Alan & Pauline’s Short Ramble – 18 February
Pauline gave a brief history of the Gaudet Luce Golf Club before we set out around the edge of the course to reach a quiet lane at Hadzor. We paused in front of the manor granted by Henry VIII to his first wife Catherine of Aragon as part of the marriage settlement and bearing her coat of arms.
The weather was cold but dry as we followed the Wychavon Way towards Droitwich, joining the link between the Worcester to Birmingham Canal and the Droitwich Barge Canal. On reaching Vines Park we pointed out several features involved in, or associated with, the salt production industry – the last remaining brine spring outlet, the outline of a salt barge, the sculpture of a salt worker, the statue of St Richard de Wyche, a brine pit and a modern mosaic.
Once in the centre of Droitwich, we stopped by several historical buildings and the Tower Hill Brine Pumping Station. We admired three impressive murals, including the Rik Mayall Comedy Emporium, before arriving at the Salt Workers statue situated in front of The Raven Hotel, ravaged by an arsonist fire in 2025.
Entering Droitwich Lido Park, we took advantage of the picnic benches and café for a coffee break. We heard how the lido pool uses natural brine diluted to allow for swimming, though it maintains a buoyancy that is comparable to the Dead Sea. Re-opened in 2007, it attracts over 25,000 visitors during the summer season.
Our route across the park took in the wooded wetland boardwalk before heading to a tunnel under the M5 motorway which was flooded but with an improvised ‘boardwalk’ that allowed us to continue. We followed a narrow path through woodland between the motorway and the golf course before emerging on a quiet lane that brought us back to the start, right on time for our lunch at the ‘19th Hole’.
Alan & Pauline
5.5 miles
Beneath the Bells and Over the Hills
Geoff & Rachel’s Sunday Ramble 1 March
Luckily the wet weather stayed away for this ramble, which had been postponed from November 2024 due to Storm Bert.
The church bells from St. Peter’s in Willersey welcomed us on our way as we set out towards Saintbury Church. There were definite signs of meteorlogical Spring, which began on March 1st with buds bursting in the hedgerows and lambs playing in the fields. It was fitting, on St David’s Day, that the black lambs, keeping close to their mothers, were from the Welsh Black breed of sheep.
After a short climb we reached Saintbury Church, which is under the care of The Churches Conservation Trust. The Church is dedicated to St. Nicholas, who is the Patron Saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, toymakers, unmarried people and students. It is well worth a visit to see many fascinating historical features, including early medieval wall paintings, 11th Century sundial and an ancient stone figure set sideways in a window, which is thought to be a Sheila-na-gig: a Celtic fertility figure.
On reaching the old Roman road of Buckle Street, we met an assortment of sports cars negotiating the muddy track. It was the beginning of a hill climb event, which was kindly halted to allow us to cross. After a short stop to watch some of the cars start on their way, we began our climb to Dover’s Hill. This took us up a narrow muddy track and across a road where we could see the top of the climb. We were encouraged by knowing a coffee stop was waiting for us when we reached the top!
Dover’s Hill was bought by F L Griggs in 1926 at auction, when it was threatened with going into private hands, and later given to the National Trust, who still own it. On our way up we passed The White Lady’s Gate, where local folklore tells about the ghost of Beatrice, a forlorn lover, who can be seen here on the first night following a full moon.
After a coffee stop, with clear views across the Vale, we descended through Lynches Wood to reach Weston Sub-Edge and its historical manorial site. The Manor was built in the 12th Century on the site of a still older building. It was completely demolished in c.1800 but its site is easily traceable by the moat and fishponds, all now dry, which surrounded it.
After a pleasant lunch at The Bell in Willersey, muddy boots and gaiter were put on again and we set off towards Broadway via Foxhill Manor and Bibsworth Coppice. After passing under the A46 we followed footpaths behind the High Street and new housing estates to reach a disused railway line. This was once a main line between Birmingham and Cornwall, with several trains a day and where Alan used to train spot when he was a boy. It was closed in 1964 and is now a well maintained footpath.
This led us back to Willersey with its Cotswold stone buildings and picturesque duckpond.
Geoff & Rachel
11.2 miles