Sunday 16th May 2010
Visit to Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Steam Railway

This visit will start at Winchcombe where we’ll have a talk about the GWSR before a steam train ride to Toddington. Here we will have lunch, a guided tour around the loco sheds, and a look at the small museum. We then take the steam train to Cheltenham with good scenery and many features to look out for, before the return to Winchcombe. Plenty of parking is available at Winchcombe Station (SP 025298) on the B4078 Evesham road about a mile north of Winchcombe itself. We need to assemble from 11.45am ready for the talk at 12.00 noon. After this, we catch the 12.42pm train to Toddington where we are booked in for lunch  at 1.00pm in the Flag and Whistle. After lunch we assemble at 1.45pm for a tour of the loco sheds and then there is some free time to see the small museum and other parts of the GWSR headquarters site.

We then take the 3.15pm steam train to Cheltenham Racecourse. After the loco has “run around” the train gets us back to Winchcombe at 4.22 pm for journeys home.

The main cost is the train ride since the GWSR provide the talk and the tour for free. With our group booking this will be £9.50 for adults and £8.50 for seniors. You may of course want to make a further donation on the day for the various GWSR restoration projects. The lunch arrangements will be notified later and we ask that people pay for this individually on the day. Please use the booking form and send with cheques to Frank Colls, 1c Edwy Parade, Gloucester, GL1 2QH. 

Any queries, phone Frank on 01452 538366

PLEASE NOTE THE EARLIER START TIME 11.45am for 12.00 noon.

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Sunday 20th June 2010
Afternoon walk, Droitwich Canal

Following the completion in 2009 of a major project to restore the Droitwich Canals, we have the chance to see many of the new and restored features in a walk led by David Viner of British Waterways. David was much involved in the project to remake a navigable link between the River Severn and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, and he gave us a talk on the project at Cheltenham in October 2009.

We meet at 1.45 for a 2pm start at the new visitor car park (Pay & Display) in Hanbury Road, 1 mile east of Droitwich town on the B4090, map ref: SO 916631. Here we start with a walk around the locks on the stretch known as the Droitwich Junction Canal (close to the W&B), partly realigned in the project. We then drive to the town centre to view Vines Park where the 2 canals join at the restored Barge Lock. Parking is in the Pay & Display car park opposite the canal, and directions will be supplied on the day. The final part of the afternoon will involve driving about 7 miles south west to the new A449 bridge. Free parking is available at map ref: SO 847597, approached by taking a left turn into Lock Lane from the A449 dual carriageway just north of the roundabout with the A449 into Worcester. Here we will see the locks and a new tunnel at the river end on the section known as the Droitwich Barge Canal. Total walking around 2 miles on good tracks, but stout footwear is advised.
 
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Sunday 25th July 2010
Afternoon Walk, Upper Chedworth

Alan Strickland will lead a walk across Chedworth airfield and upper Chedworth. Although predominately agricultural, a number of features of interest are to be found, including  remains of the MSWJ railway and tunnel entrance, ancient trackways and a grade 2 listed stile, fine examples of local blacksmith’s work, a reconstructed waterwheel, weavers cottages and the remains of a WW2 airfield battle control centre. Around 3 miles, including field tracks and a couple of steepish climbs, so boots are advised.

Meet 1.45 pm for 2.00pm start at the public road on the former airfield where roadside parking is available, grid ref: SP 039133. From Cirencester, take the B road north for 5 miles (Whiteway) towards Withington. Alternatively from Cirencester, take the A429 Fosseway for 5 miles north, then a left turn marked Chedworth/Denfurlong Farm for approx 2 miles (Fields Road) and then right onto airfield public road at a prominent junction “Five Ways”.

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Sunday 15th August 2010
Afternoon Walk, Mills of the Uley (Part 3)

This will be the final walk in our series looking at the mills of Dursley and Uley. Having explored the Uley valley from both ends there is now only the central area to do. However, by starting at Dursley, as we did two years ago, but this time missing out the Dursley mills, we will be able to revisit at least two very interesting sites (Dursley Mill and Eyles Mill) en route to the central area.  We can then look at the pond and a few surviving buildings at Rockstowes Mill and the sites of Marsh Mill and Rockstowes Saw Mill.  Members may recall that the advantage of a circular walk from Dursley on a summer Sunday is that, afterwards, we can enjoy a tea at Dursley Town Hall. This proved to be a very pleasant way of finishing the afternoon.
 
Meet at 1.45 pm for 2.00pm start in the temporary Long Stay car park off Long Street Dursley. The entrance to the car park is at the foot of Long Street and is immediately to the left of the main entrance to the Lister-Petter factory (ST 758983 - note the blue "P" parking sign directing you up the slope. The car park is not visible at this point). Take the 'hairpin' bend at the top of the slope and drive on a hundred yards  to the car park which is at the rear of the Gazette newspaper offices on Long Street.  However tempting, please note you should not use the Lister-Petter car park at the foot of the approach road nor the car parking off  the 'hairpin' bend but carry on to the space currently leased by the council. We need to give the organisers some idea of how many people will want the optional tea. If possible (but not absolutely essential) please let Ray Wilson (01453 860595, ray.wilson@coaley.net) know numbers by the preceding Wednesday (11th August). The total distance will be 3.3 miles on level footpaths and as always, stout footware is recommended.

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Sunday 12th September 2010
Coach trip to Staffordshire

We are going ahead with a coach outing despite the setbacks last year and we hope this will be well supported. We shall visit the Mill Meece water pumping station which will be in steam with its coal fired Lancashire boiler and horizontal compound tandem steam engine. Started in 1913 and housed in a finely preserved building, it was used until 1979 when electric pumping was installed. It is now run by a preservation trust which has set up many displays and exhibits on the story of water supply. They are also having a rally of various vehicles and engines to add to the interest. No visit to this area would be complete without a close look at the pottery industry and we will spend some time at the comprehensive Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston (currently under threat of possible closure, so in need of support). Finally we have the chance to visit the home of David Hulse to see his unique collection of models of 18th and early 19th century steam engines. David has researched the development of a range of engines from Newcomen onwards, and his models (many with working mechanisms) show the key developments of this technology. His search for authenticity is matched by his superb model making skills so this is something not to be missed.

The cost will be Adults  £23 and Seniors £22, including all entrance fees. Drinks and snacks will be available at Mill Meece but it may be best to bring a packed lunch. The coach will depart from British Energy main car park at Barnwood at 8.30 am with a return planned for 7.30 pm. Early booking is advised, please use the form and make cheques payable to GSIA. Send to Frank Colls, 1c Edwy Parade, Kingsholm, Gloucester, GL1 2QH. Any queries please phone Frank on 01452 538366.

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