*19/05/2025 Today, Peter led 15 members of the walking group on the 4 mile Miserden Farm Walk. The walk started in the centre of Miserden village and proceeded through tranquil Cotswold countryside composed of a patchwork of grassland and fields of grain and woodland, some of which were carpeted in wild garlic. After the climb back up to Miserden in the latter stages of the walk, they enjoyed refreshments of food and drink at The Carpenters Arms in the centre of the village.
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*15/05/2025 Our first trip of 2025 was to Oxford, a lovely city with architectural gems around every corner. The party of 45 arrived at 10:30 and after refreshments enjoyed the myriad of key landmarks including the Cathedral, the world-renowned Museums, the many Colleges and the Botanic Gardens. Several of our party also took a guided and self-guided walking tour of the City or enjoyed the very tranquil walk along the River Thames through the Christ College Meadows. The return journey went as planned and we arrived back at 17:30.
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*29/04/2025 Today, Brian Chilvers led 11 group members southwards from the Active Lifestyles Leisure Centre in Stroud on a walk just short of 6 miles. It started with a climb of about 300 feet to Whiteshill church before taking a down and uphill route to Painswick Stream near Pitchcombe where we saw an old watermill built to produce woollen garments, but switched to pin production when the demand for army uniforms plummeted after victory over Napoleon. The glorious sunshine meant the views, stone buildings, fresh green leaves, lush pastures and other signs of spring were all looking at their best. The return on the western side of Painswick Valley via Hawkswood Farm included a pause on some tree trunks for photographs. Almost back at the start, all but one of the walkers visited the Old Nelson pub for welcome refreshments.
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*24/04/2025 Minutes of the AGM have been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*02/04/2025 Today, Marty led a small group on a fact-finding tour of Tewkesbury. They started by walking through Bloody Meadow, the site of one of the most decisive battles of the War of the Roses in 1471. They followed the River Severn to where there used to be a crossing to the Lower Lode Inn before heading back upstream to the Abbey and Abbey Mill. Here Marty pointed out that a further waterway, the Mill Avon, was dug out to power the water wheels at the Abbey Mill. They walked across the Ham, Tewkesbury's flood plain, via the newly installed eel pass. They then checked out the weir at the confluence of the Rivers Severn & Avon. With Mythe Bridge viewable in the distance they turned away to pass the deserted Healing's Mill and newly refurbished Black Bear pub before walking down the High Street to the Royal Hop Pole for a very pleasant lunch/drink/chat in the garden.
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*01/04/2025 The April newsletter has now been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*28/03/2025 The April 2025 Tina Gilchrist Update has been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*27/03/2025 Today, Coleen Hunter told us about her work at Worcester College, part of the University of Oxford. Coleen said that Worcester College was founded in 1714 from a gift by Sir Thomas Cookes on the original site of Gloucester College, which dates back to 1283. Gloucester College had originally been a Benedictine institution until the dissolution of the monasteries and some of the buildings from that time, known as the cottages, are still in use today. Coleen provided a series of photographs of the cottages and the various other buildings that form part of the college. There were also photographs of the extensive grounds and lake, 26 acres in all, to add clarity to her talk. Coleen told us about her involvement in fund raising for the college and the more recent additions of the Sainsbury building and Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre. Coleen finished by telling us about some of the economic aspects of running the college and how the financial endowment is currently £60 million.
*04/03/2025 Today, eleven of the walking group enjoyed a five and a quarter mile figure of eight walk in glorious sunshine alongside the River Severn at Worcester. The first loop went northwards from the Cafe Viaduct around the racecourse. The southbound loop went across the river and along its west bank past the Diglis Weir, lock and newly installed fish-pass, before using a footbridge to return via the east bank past many interesting buildings including the cathedral. The walk coincided with graduation day at the university so there were many smartly dressed students and proud parents to be spotted near the river, similarly savouring the very welcome early spring weather.
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*27/02/2025 Today, Kate Peake treated us to a series of films, with her running commentary, about Gloucester Cathedral. The first film followed the history from the original Abbey of St Peter in 679, through the rebuild after a massive fire in 1089 to the present day. The second film centred on the stained glass with the massive Great East Window taking centre stage. The third film was a tour of the tower, climbing the 269 steps, passing the 12 bells and belfry to reach the top of the 225 foot tower. The fourth film showed local groups Morris Dancing outside the cathedral, with the last one detailing Kate's favourite cathedral treasures. Kate also told us about the small drone that she uses for aerial shots and showed drone photos of the A417 development at Crickley Hill and the Shab Valley.
*20/02/2025 Today, Brian led seven group members on a town walk of about four miles starting in Sandford Park's Annecy Gardens. It passed buildings and landmarks telling something of the area's history thanks to facts gleaned from local websites. The route followed the river Chelt through the park and Cox's Meadow and then Lilly Brook to Sandy Lane Road and the Old Pat's ground. The return included a short section of the Banbury & Cheltenham Direct Railway (now the Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve) and pavements passing Naunton Park, the College and hospital.
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*30/01/2025 In today's talk, Mike Aggleton gave us a potted history of Winnie-the-Pooh. He told us how Alan Alexander Milne, already a successful playwright, produced poems about his son, Christopher Robin. Milne then wrote short stories about Christopher Robin and his toy animals. Mike explained the origin of the Winnie-the-Pooh name and how Ernest Shepard became involved with the illustrations. He followed the history of the bear, with Stephen Slesinger purchasing the trade rights to the character in 1930, to them being licensed to Disney by Slesinger's wife after his death. He concluded by mentioning the long running legal disputes in the USA between Disney and the Slesinger and Milne families regarding unpaid royalties.
*29/01/2025 The February 2025 Tina Gilchrist Update has been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*21/01/2025 Today, Marty led ten members of the Walking Group on a 4.4 mile circular trek starting at The Royal Oak in Gretton. After a short stretch on the Winchcombe Way, they circled around Stanley Wood before starting the long ascent up to the top of Langley Hill (275m). From there they followed the Winchcombe Way down to the village before returning to the pub for a splendid lunch. Perfect sunny weather allowed the group to enjoy stunning views across to Bredon Hill, Oxenton Hill, Cleeve Hill and more.
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*01/01/2025 Happy New Year! The January newsletter has now been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*20/12/2024 The fourth and final of our 2024 Brickhampton Christmas meals was held today. Once again, the food and the service were excellent.
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*16/12/2024 The third of our 2024 Brickhampton Christmas meals was held today.
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*12/12/2024 The second of our 2024 Brickhampton Christmas meals was held today.
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*11/12/2024 The first of our 2024 Brickhampton Christmas lunches was held today.
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*02/12/2024 The Reading Christmas lunch was held at the Southcote Beefeater today. This was enjoyed by 26 members and their partners in an event organised by Barbara Webber.
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*29/11/2024 The December 2024 Tina Gilchrist Update has been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*28/11/2024 Today, we had an excellent talk from Chris O'Grady entitled "Walking to Rome". He undertook the 2,000 kilometre walk from Pershore to Rome to mark his 50th birthday. With plenty of photographs of places he visited and people he encountered, he told us of the route he took and his progress during the 107 day walk. Although he took a tent it was rarely used and he relied on the extraordinary kindness of strangers he met along the way to provide him with a meal and bed for the night.
*21/11/2024 Ken and Marjory Brightwell led the annual outing to London this year. A few late cancellations left us with 45 on the trip, to take in the sights, visit shows and museums or simply do some Christmas shopping. The return trip was delayed as a few of the passengers were a little late returning to the coach, but otherwise the day went well.
*07/11/2024 Today, nine members of the walking group met at the Cafe H2O Upper Colwall for a walk up the Worcestershire Beacon at the northern end of the Malvern Hills. Unfortunately the area was covered in thick cloud making visibility very low. Luckily Angela, the leader, thought of an alternative walk not far away starting from the Woodshed Cafe near Eastnor Castle. From there the nine enjoyed a 5 mile walk beneath the clouds. The photo was taken at the highest point on the walk at Eastnor Obelisk which, at 700 feet above sea level, is about 100 feet lower than the cloud-enveloped Cafe H2O.
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*05/11/2024 Owing to a large number of cancellations, there are now spaces available on the London trip on 21st November. The trip departs Cheltenham Racecourse at 08:00 arriving at Park Lane approx. 11:00. Return from Park Lane is 18:30 and we hope to be back by 21:00. £15 per person. To book this trip please email Paul Cresswell at trips@zpach.uk.
*31/10/2024 Today, Peter Petrie presented the story of Gustave Eiffel. He told us how he was born Alexandre Gustave Boenickhausen in 1832 but changed his name to Eiffel. He gave some history behind his building of the Maria Pia Bridge over the River Douro and Garabit Viaduct in France, as well the dome for the astronomical observatory in Nice and other buildings. Further information about his involvement with the Statue of Liberty and Panama Canal followed before detailing the building of the Eiffel Tower.
*08/10/2024 Today, nine hardy members of the walking group met on Minchinhampton Common to be led on a walk by Andy Doel. Although rather damp underfoot, it started in fine weather which lasted until the tidy village of Box was reached, at which point rain started to fall and carried on for most of the remaining walk. There followed a trudge via Ball's Green to Minchinhampton where a brief respite from the rain was found beneath the 17th century Market House. The rain finally eased and the sun came out just as the start of the walk came back into view.
*28/09/2024 The October newsletter has now been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*27/09/2024 The October 2024 Tina Gilchrist Update has been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*26/09/2024 This afternoon we held our annual quiz. Unfortunately attendance was poor, but three teams battled it out to win the cup. The photo shows Steve Wright presenting a cup to the winners. The questions and answers are available via the 'past quizzes' menu option.
*19/09/2024 The last trip of summer was to the Dorset seaside town of Bournemouth. After a good journey down, the group arrived on time to find a lovely, warm sunny day. The party of 38 split up to enjoy the various delights of town and seafront, including strolling along the extensive beach and gardens, paddling in the tide and enjoying a pot of tea on the lawn of the Royal Hotel. Two were even brave enough to venture into the sea for a swim! Unfortunately, one member fell ill, but after a thorough examination by the Paramedics they were pronounced fit enough to return on the coach. There was still time for the odd ice cream or two before returning home.
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*15/08/2024 For our August trip we visited Tredegar House near Newport, a splendid seventeenth century property owned and lived in by the wealthy Morgan family for almost 300 years. In the 1950's the house was sold and became a catholic school until bought by the Newport Council and subsequently leased to the National Trust in 2012. The house features rooms decorated and furnished for the main periods of its history. With a range of gardens and a lake walk, there was plenty of time to enjoy the afternoon sun before our return to Cheltenham.
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*14/08/2024 There were 20 people in attendance at the Reading Summer Lunch today, the highest number for this annual event. These included two 90-year-olds and one new member, who was delighted to have been able to catch up with many of her old colleagues. Everyone had an enjoyable time.
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*13/08/2024 Today, Marty led ten of the walking group on a sunny walk with glorious views up Conderton Hill from the Yew Tree pub. They continued over Beckford Hill, Great Hill and along a bit of the Wychavon Way before returning via the paths that the group had used to start its ascent of Bredon Hill in October 2018. The route was just under 5.5 miles long and involved about 700 feet of ascent. Afterwards most of the walkers tucked into enjoyable lunches at the Yew Tree pub.
*02/08/2024 The August 2024 Tina Gilchrist Update has been uploaded and may be viewed HERE.
*18/07/2024 Today, Ken Brightwell led a trip to the medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon. With many Shakespeare connections and notable historic buildings there were plenty of things to see and do on a lovely warm and sunny day. A 90-minute trip on the River Avon completed a most enjoyable day out.
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*11/07/2024 Today, Fiona led the walking group from the Shutters Pub at Gotherington on a 5 mile walk across a pleasantly pastoral landscape and past a few picturesque hamlets. At the highest point, which was just over 400 feet above sea level, the group paused to be photographed. Later, after passing through a field in which muck was being spread and another with some cows and several bullocks, they stopped again to admire the privately-owned preserved Gotherington Halt on the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Steam Railway. After the walk, most of the walkers and a few other group members enjoyed a convivial lunch at the pub. Two novelties - the group's first Thursday walk and the first with more diners than walkers.
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