The winter walk cards and newsletters are now available. If you can help with distribution to lessen postage costs please contact the Chairman on his usual number.
About 23 walkers set off from The Blue
Bell pub in Easton on the Hill on a very damp misty morning. We paused briefly in a parkland space to look
at and hear about the Polish memorial.
This was a Stone pyramid on a square base topped by a stone sphere.
The dedication is engraved on a triangular brass plate with the badge of the
Polish...
Airborne Forces (a swooping eagle holding a victor's wreath) who were stationed
here prior to their participation in OP. Market Garden from which they
sadly didn’t return.

Polish Airborne Forces Memorial, Easton on the Hill Pocket Park.
The walk then continued via footpaths to Stamford
where we enjoyed our break overlooking the river Welland.
Heading back to Easton we passed under the A1 and
then over the railway line, through fields and wooded areas back to
Easton. Arriving back at the pub just as
the rain started. We were joined by
David and Stephen for lunch.
Thanks to Julie and John for an interesting walk.
Thanks to Sue H for providing this report.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who were kind enough send or sign cards following my recent surgery.
Things are progressing slowly.
Kind regards,
David H.
26 members attended the 2017 club weekend which took place
at the beginning of October.
We stayed
at The Lion Hotel in Shrewsbury. This
Grade 1 listed 16th Century Coaching Inn is situated in the heart of
Shrewsbury in Shropshire. Everyone thought that the rooms were comfortable and the food good.
The weekend was planned in conjunction with Secret Hills who
organised and led the walks.
On the Friday afternoon we did a short walk along the River Severn
cutting up through Shrewsbury School and
then back through the town. We explored
some of the tiny medieval streets that were named after businesses eg Fish, bakers
etc. We walked up Grope Street!! No
guesses for knowing what went on there!
On the Saturday we took a coach to The Bog centre in the
Stiperstones area. From here we split into two groups. The longer walk of 9 miles went up to the
Stiperstones Ridge before desending to
Snailbeach and onto the pub in the village for lunch. We passed several old tin
mines and Squatters cottages with
interesting history.
The shorter route
of 6.5 miles took in the same sights but kept to a lower level. After lunch we
made our way across grassy and muddy tracks back to the centre for a welcome
cup of tea and for some, cake! The
weather was really kind to us with only a very short light shower. The views were
spectacular and a good day was had by all.
After checking out at the hotel on Sunday all made their way
by car to Church Stretton.
Here we split
into two groups. A small group headed off for the Longmynd up a steep and fairly long climb finally
reaching Polebank. This is the highest point on the Longmynd and the 360 degree views were wonderful
thanks to the beautiful weather.
They
then headed down using some beautiful grassy tracks to Little Stretton for a pub lunch. Afterwards they completed the walk back to
Church Stretton.
Meanwhile the other group walked along Cardingmill valley
and into the Batch Valley. A few deviations were added to stretch the legs a
bit more before heading back to Church Stretton
for lunch.
An excellant weekend was had by all thanks to the organisation
from Secret Hills and the lovely
weather.
Some members were already getting enthusiastic about next
year’s club weekend in The Forest of Dean.
Thanks to Sue H for providing this report and for all her efforts in organisng the weekend. Thanks are also due to Sue C for looking after the money side of things.

Friday Shrewsbury Walk.

Mine on Stiperstones Walk.

Shrewsbury Chain Bridge.

Top of Longmynd.
20
walkers set off from Sweethedges Farm on what proved to be a glorious autunm
day. A slight breeze and quite sunny and
warm Sweethedges Farm is situated in a
beautiful countryside setting that is extremely pretty and peaceful.
Our
walk was only about 4 miles. As some of
the walkers were away on the club weekend the following day they were pleased
to not feel too weary at the end and be able to get home a little earlier than
usual.
The
walk, which was rather muddy at first, took us over the A47 through pleasant
footpaths and villages. The views were
stunning and after the first section the terrain was easy and dry.
Gervais
joined us for lunch where the food was plentiful and good value.
Thanks
to Keith and Lou for organising and leading the walk.
Thanks also to Sue H for providing this report.