| Click on links for full details (where available). We also have a Winter Lecture Programme |
| Sunday 13th April 2008 | Afternoon walk in the Forest of Dean |
| Thursday 24 April 2008 | Annual Dinner |
| Sunday 11th May 2008 | Coach trip to Southampton |
| Saturday 17th May 2008 | Industrial Archaeology Conference, Kingswood, Bristol |
| Wednesday 21st May 2008 | Afternoon visit, Aston Down Airfield |
| Sunday 15th June 2008 | Afternoon walk, Saul Junction. |
| Tuesday 8th July 2008 | Social Evening and walk, Northleach |
| Tues 22th July 2008 | Afternoon visit to Severnprint, Gloucester |
| Sunday 17th August 2008 | Afternoon walk, Uley mills |
| Sunday
28th September 2008 |
Coach trip to Derbyshire |
| Sunday
12th October 2008 |
Eastington Section of the Stroudwater Canal and a Few Mills |
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Sunday 13th
April 2008 Afternoon walk, Soudley area in Forest of Dean This walk will be led by Frank Colls and will take in various features close to the Dean Heritage Centre. We will look at the tram road routes and railway lines which followed the Soudley Valley, the Great Western ironworks site, the Soudley Ponds and other features. A visit to the Heritage Centre (which also has a café) is recommended as an optional extra either before or after the walk. The car park costs £2 but this is redeemable when you pay the Centre admission charge, £4.40 adults and £3.70 seniors, this being the reduced rate for a group. For the walk, meet in the car park from 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start. Stout footwear is advised but the terrain will be mainly roads and forest tracks and we should finish about 4.00pm. The Centre is at Grid Ref SO 666106, south of the minor road between Blakeney and Ruspidge and the opening hours are 10.00am – 5.00pm. return to top |
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Sunday
11th May 2008
Coach trip to Southampton We start at Eling Tide Mill, still used for flour grinding, which should be operating for our visit. It’s then on to Hythe for a look at the memorial to Christopher Cockerell of hovercraft fame and the town’s Victorian Pier. We’ll travel along the pier on the unique electric railway to catch the ferry over to Southampton Town Quay, giving good views of the Docks and the ships on Southampton Water. We then visit the Maritime Museum, full of interest about the development of the port, the Titanic story and much more. Finally we have a conducted tour led by a member of the Hampshire IA Society, partly on foot and partly by coach. We’ll see and hear about the Docks and the various shipping and yachting activities, memorials to the historic voyage of the Mayflower and the tragic voyage of the Titanic, and sites involved in seaplane developments and the first flight of R J Mitchell’s Spitfire. The coach will depart from the British Energy main car park, Barnett Way, Barnwood, at 8.30am with return planned for 8.15pm. It’s a full timetable so we suggest you bring packed lunch and tea, although there will be places for teas and coffees. Map Showing Coach Pick-up Point. The cost, including all entrances and the ferry trip, is £21 for adults or £19 for seniors. Some walking involved but no need for boots. Please send your forms and cheques to Frank Colls (1c Edwy Parade, Kingsholm, Gloucester, GL1 2QH) as soon as possible, and phone Frank (01452 538366) if you have any queries. return to top |
| Wednesday
21st May 2008 Afternoon visit to Aston Down Airfield We have the chance for a small group to look around this former RAF station which was very active during the Second World War for aircraft storage, maintenance and training purposes, and as a centre for the important task of ferrying aircraft to and from other airfields. Eventually relinquished by the MoD in 2002 and with plans for a new era of commercial development, the many buildings and hangars still have the potential for modern uses, while retaining their historic character and their heritage value. We will have a guided tour around the buildings and other features but numbers are limited. The entrance is located at Grid Ref SO 905014 about 2 miles east of Minchinhampton. We need to arrive from 1.45pm for the visit between 2.00pm and 4.00pm. Stout footwear is advised and cameras are permitted (apart from at a few of the buildings). Places must be booked in advance by phoning Frank on 01452 538366. return to top |
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Sunday 15th
June 2008 Afternoon walk at Saul Canal Junction (including the new Marina) We are very pleased that Hugh Conway-Jones will be able to show us some of the features and to relate many aspects of the canal developments at this important junction. We will have a walk along the Stroudwater Canal from Saul Junction to Walk Bridge and on to the weir on the River Frome at the site of the former Whitminster Mill. Returning to Saul Junction we can call in to the Cotswold Canals Trust's Heritage Centre where refreshments will be available. Those that wish can complete the afternoon with a visit to the new Saul Marina due to open shortly before our visit. Meet at Saul Junction car park at 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start. This is a Pay and Display car park (£1) at Grid Ref SO 755093. To reach the car park, take the Whitminster turn off the A38 just north of the roundabout near Junction 13 of the M5. Continue past Whitminster church and over the Stroudwater Canal, then turn right, and immediately after crossing over the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, turn right along the towpath as far as you can go to the big car park. Stout footwear is advised. return to top |
| Tuesday
8th July 2008 Walk and Social Evening at Northleach Peter Dawson of the Northleach Local History Society will show us around and tell us of the history of the town, its medieval origins, its importance as a market town and the significance of the wool trade. Much remains to be seen, including the pattern of burgage plots and many interesting buildings. We will meet at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start in the Market Place at Grid Ref SP 114146. As you enter the town from the west (A429) the car park is on the right by the Fire Station. After the walk, those who wish may assemble at The Sherborne Arms, just off the Market Place, for some refreshment and friendly chatter. return to top |
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Tuesday
22nd July 2008 Each year
we try to include a visit to a modern manufacturing plant
and this time we have the chance to visit a printing company
which is making use of the latest digital technology in
its work. Severnprint offers a range of printing services
and also prides itself on its environmental performance.
Their premises are at Ashville Industrial Estate on Bristol
Road in Gloucester, turning off at the traffic lights
just by the Hempsted swing bridge. We will meet at 3.45
for a 4pm start to the visit but numbers are limited.
You must contact Frank (phone 01452 538366) to reserve
a place. |
| Sunday 17th
August 2008 Afternoon walk, Uley mills We are returning to the delightful Uley area near Dursley after a gap of many years. This time we are planning a series of two or even three walks spread over two years. Our first visit will start in Dursley which will give us the opportunity to look at the mill sites on the eastern side of the town as we make our way towards Uley. The advantage of a circular walk from Dursley on a summer Sunday is that, afterwards, we can enjoy a tea at Dursley Town Hall. Members who came on the Wotton mills walk last October will remember that the tea at Wotton Town Hall was a very pleasant way of finishing the afternoon. It also provides valuable funds for the voluntary groups who supply the refreshments. We will meet in the centre of Dursley and take a look at the sites of Howards Upper and Lower Mills, Howards Mill (the Churn Works), Townsend or Phelp’s Mill, New Mills which are all in Dursley. In the case of Howards Upper Mill the building survives, albeit now converted into residential use. At Dursley Mill we will see the remains of the pond and the small two storey mill. Taking a footpath across the fields we will soon come to Wresden Farm otherwise known as Eyles Mill after John Eyles. The surviving 17th century mill and mill house are of particular interest. John Eyles was reputedly the first clothier in the area to produce Spanish cloth, that is cloth made using wool from Spain (Merino). From here we will walk back to the Town Hall for tea. Details: meet after 1-45pm for a prompt start at 2 p.m. at the Castle Street (Long Stay) car park in the centre of Dursley. If coming from Gloucester take the A38 as far the Slimbridge roundabout and then the A4135 to Dursley. Carry on to the town centre as far as the traffic lights at the cross roads at the end of Kingshill Road. Turn left into Castle Street. And after 150 yards turn left into the car park in front of the swimming pool. The car park entrance is next to the fire station. Please note that 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 (13th Aug). Stout footware recommended. return to top |
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Sunday
28th September 2008 |
| Sunday 12th
October 2008 Afternoon Walk, Eastington Section of the Stroudwater Canal and a Few Mills This circular walk will be led by Frank Colls and Steve Mills and will begin just south of Stonehouse at Bridgend. On the outward walk we follow field paths along the Frome valley and will see the impact of the Gloucester to Bristol railway on this rural scene as well as a number of mill sites, some still working. At Churchend we join the line of the canal to follow the towpath back to Stonehouse, passing various bridges, locks, weirs and other features, some rather derelict, some hidden away and some partially restored. While all of this section is in water, there is inevitably much intrusive vegetation and a few places where restoration to navigability will be problematic. It should be a pleasant and fairly level walk with much to see and to hear about. Total walking about 4.5 miles and stout footwear is suggested. Assemble at 1.45 for a 2pm start at the corner of the road in Bridgend by the entrance lane to Stonehouse Lower Mill (Stonehouse Paper and Bag Mills) at SO 803046. There is plenty of roadside parking in Crescent Road, next to this lane, and in the adjacent roads, but note that this is a residential area so please park considerately. If coming from the A419, turn south at the traffic lights (signed to Stanley Downton and Bridgend), follow around a right hand bend and then, at a prominent left hand bend turn right into Crescent Road. Any queries, please contact Frank (01452 538366). return to top |