Summer Visits 2011
Click on links for full details (where available). This programme has now finished and a new one will appear in Spring 2012. The old programme has been left here to give an indication of our activities. We also have a Winter Lecture Programme
| Saturday 2th April 2011 | Regional IA Conference (near Abertillery, South Wales) | ||||
| Sat & Sun 9th-10th April 2011 | Robert Mushet Weekend, Coleford | ||||
| Sunday 17th April 2011 | Afternoon Walk, Wilts and Berks Canal (part 2) | ||||
| Sunday 15th May 2011 | Afternoon Visit to Sharpness Docks | ||||
| Saturday 4th June 2011 | Gloucester Docks Tramroad Event | ||||
| Sunday 3th July 2011 | Social afternoon and visit to Lechlade and Inglesham | ||||
| Sunday 24th July 2011 | Afternoon walk - Cheltenham's Ornamental Ironwork
| Wednesday 24th August 2011 |
Afternoon visit to Redland Tiles, South Cerney |
Sunday 11th September 2011 |
Afternoon walk - Lydney Docks |
|
Regional IA Conference (near Abertillery, South Wales)
Robert Mushet Weekend, Coleford
A group in Coleford have organised some events to
celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Robert Mushet, the
renowned metallurgist and iron master of the Forest of Dean which may
be of interest to GSIA members. On Saturday 9th April at 10.45am,
Ian Standing (a GSIA Member) and
Colleen Mushet will be giving a talk entitled "A
Celebration to Mark the Bicentenary of the Birth of Robert Mushet of
Coleford” at The Main Place, Old Station Way,
Coleford, GL16 8RH.
There will be an exhibition on Robert Mushet at this venue on the 8th
and 9th April. On Sunday 10th April there will be a visit to the
Darkhill iron works site. We hope to have a GSIA visit to the
area later in the year.
Afternoon Walk, Wilts and Berks Canal (part 2)
On a walk in 2009 we began at Latton to visit sections of the Wilts and Berks Canal and this time we will continue the exploration, again with Will Harris, to see further sites between Wootton Bassett and Lacock. It will involve about 4 or 5 short walks linked by car journeys, taking in various sites including Vastern Wharf, Dauntsey Lock with its canal-side settlement, a section of the branch to Chippenham, locks at Middle Forge Farm, and finally a restored access bridge at Reybridge. Walking will be mainly level and on good tracks but boots are advised since some muddy paths are likely. We will meet in the centre of Wootton Bassett, on the High Street (A3102) at the Town Clock by the prominent war memorial. There is plenty of roadside parking and we assemble from 1.45pm ready for a 2.00pm start. Will will provide handouts and route instructions, and car sharing arranged to minimise the number of vehicles. We hope to finish at around 4.30pm for people to get back to their cars at Wootton Bassett by 5.00pm. Landranger map 173 (Swindon) will be useful.
Afternoon Visit to Sharpness Docks
It is many years since we last visited Sharpness. This visit will be led by Ray Wilson as a follow up to his talk in the Winter Lecture series, looking first at the Old Dock area, starting near the Dockers Club. We will walk out past the former Merchant Seaman Training School (Vindicatrix) camp to the Severn with its stunning views downstream. Here is the tidal basin for the Old Dock (opened in 1827) with the former entrance from the river. The Dock master's house (now the HQ of the Severn Area Rescue Association) and the old stables are notable features, together with the barge and ship locks. Depending on the state of the tide we may see the remains of the Arkendale H and Wastdale H barges wrecked 50 years ago when they collided with the Severn Railway Bridge. For the second part of the afternoon we will drive round to the picnic area at the entrance to the New Docks. Here we will see the entrance piers, the two large grain silos and the North Warehouse along with various other features such as the entrance lock, tidal basin and Company housing. If it is fine, you may like to enjoy a cup of tea at the end of the walk in the picnic area. Please bring your own refreshments.
Details: Meet after 1.45pm for a prompt start at 2.00pm on the open ground to the right of the approach road up to the Dockers Club (GL13 9UN, SO671029). From the A38 at Berkeley Heath take the B4066 towards Berkeley. After 1.1 miles turn right at the roundabout (signed A4066 Sharpness). Continue for 2.3 miles and enter the Docks at a small roundabout. Turn right here and take the docks perimeter road northwards for about 0.7 miles and cross the end of the dock on the Low Level Bridge. After a further 150 yards turn right and after another 100 yards there is room to park on the right.
Gloucester Docks: Gloucester and Cheltenham Tramroad Event
On this, the actual day of the bi-centenary of the formal opening of the Gloucester and Cheltenham Tramroad, GSIA has arranged a small celebratory event. It will be held by the gateway where the tramroad entered the Docks on Southgate Street. We are delighted that Sir Neil Cossons (former Chairman of English Heritage) and Professor Angus Buchanan (former Honorary President of the Association for Industrial Archaeology) will be with us. After a few speeches, we will walk along a very short stretch of the tramroad route before returning to the Docks to see the area by the Victoria Dock where an old Midland Railway crane has been installed. Assemble at 10.45am for an 11.00am start at the replica tram wagons by Albion Cottages, at the entrance to the Docks next to the Tall Ships pub on Southgate Street. Members are invited to attend the ceremony and the short walk, and then (around 12.00 noon) you will be free to explore the docks area further, find a good spot for lunch, visit the Waterways Museum – or even all three options! There is no need to book for the event but please note that parking in the Docks is Pay and Display and adjacent parking is limited.
Social afternoon and visit to Lechlade and Inglesham
This year's social event takes us to the eastern end of the Thames and Severn Canal near Lechlade and this is a good chance to support the work of the Cotswold Canals Trust. We have an hour's river cruise on their trip boat as well as a guided walk around the current CCT restoration work at Inglesham Lock and a chance to see the Round House. Meet from 1.30pm to 1.45pm by the CCT gazebo in Riverside Park (SU 212993) just west of the south end of Ha?penny Bridge. Because the boat has limited capacity, we will divide into two groups, one for the river cruise and one for the short walk and tour at Inglesham Lock, and then swapping over with a finish time around 4.30pm. The riverside path (about ¾ mile to Inglesham) and the lock area will require stout footwear. This is an "own transport" visit and you need to find roadside parking in Lechlade or use the pay car park a short way to the south of Ha'penny Bridge on the A361. Please make your own arrangements for refreshments before and/or after the trips - there are several pubs and cafes in the town or you may want to bring a picnic. The cost will be £5 per person, cash or cheque to GSIA on the day. Members may also care to make further donations to the CCT; a collection box will be on the boat. With the limited boat capacity, you must book places in advance by phoning Frank Colls (01452 538366).
Afternoon walk - Cheltenham's Ornamental Ironwork
GSIA members Elaine and Geoff North will lead a town walk to see the many fine examples of ornamental iron work, spanning 200 years, which enhance the visual attractiveness and character of Cheltenham. Balconies, railings, gates, decorative panels, lamp standards and other architectural features are everywhere, some in cast and some in wrought iron, and all of interest and meaning. Geoff and Elaine are following in the footsteps of GSIA President Amina Chatwin whose 1974 book on the subject is a comprehensive and fascinating guide to what can be seen.
Meet from 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start at St George’s Road Car Park, near the corner of Bayshill Road. This is Pay and Display or find free roadside parking in St George’s Road. All pavement walking, about 2 –3 miles in total. Planned finish time around 4.30pm. Geoff’s mobile is 07889 128022.
Afternoon visit to Redland Tiles, South Cerney
Our modern industry visit this year is to see the manufacture of roofing tiles at the South Cerney works of Redland Tiles (now Monier Ltd). Numbers are limited for this visit in working hours and participants must have steel toe capped footwear. Hard hats are not required but the company will provide Hi-Vis jackets and ear protection. The works are located in Broadway Lane, GL7 5UH, and this is the road leading south from South Cerney village at SU051963. Meet from 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start. Cameras are allowed but you must book a place in advance by phoning Frank Colls (01452 538366).
Afternoon walk - Lydney Docks and its Environs
The final event of the summer programme will be a walk led by Frank Colls, looking at Lydney Docks and some of the nearby historic features and transport routes. Formerly a busy port for exporting Forest of Dean coal and handling many other cargoes, the area has been subject to some good restoration work over the last few years and is now an attractive leisure site with a marina. With its natural features and wildlife, and splendid views of the Severn Estuary, it is a popular place for visitors. The walk will also cover aspects of the water, tramroad and rail links with Lydney and the Forest and take a brief look at the second world war plywood factory. Meet at 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start at the car park of Lydney Station (SO 634019), approached from the roundabout on the A48 Lydney bypass. The walk is around 4 miles and will finish no later than 5.00pm. It is mainly on good tracks and pavements but a short 'off path' section may be a little rough and, depending on the weather, somewhat muddy.