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Reunion 2023

The 2023 Reunion was organised by Hilary & Keith Ward, Johnny Birks, Mike Wilkinson and Peter Holmes and took place as follows:

 Wednesday 7 June: The Malvern Hills Area
Directions to Castlemorton Village Hall which is at SO 7861 3765, post code WR13 6BS
What 3 Words: ferrets.campfires.monopoly
By road: From Malvern take the A449 south. Turn left onto the A4104 and drive to Welland. Turn right onto the B4208. The Village Hall is 1.8 miles south on the B4208 on the left. It is at a turning off the B4208 to the left signposted to Castlemorton Church.
By public transport: The nearest train stations are Great Malvern and Colwall (the latter is a few yards from the hotel). Bus travel would be difficult. Transport to and from the sites can be arranged – please contact Hilary Ward.
OPTIONAL SELF GUIDED VISITS FOR THOSE ARRIVING EARLY OR ON THE PREVIOUS DAY
If you choose to stay in or near Malvern on Tuesday evening, or if you are within easy reach from home, you might wish to explore parts of the Malvern Hills. Alternatively, in preparation for our pre dinner talk, Colwall Orchard and Village Garden is open to the public and a short distance from the Colwall Park Hotel. Car parks and maps shown on websites below:
www.malvernhills.org.uk/
www.malvernhills.org.uk/media/1473/map-and-guide-website-page-1.pdf
www.colwallorchardgroup.org/
www.colwallorchardgroup.org/our-sites
MAIN MEETING
12.00 Meet at Castlemorton Village Hall. Toilets available.
Pre-lunch introductory talk.
Picnic at Village Hall – BRING YOUR OWN. Tea and coffee will be available but there is nowhere nearby to purchase sandwiches etc.
13.30 Departure on walks:
Longest walk – led by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (about 3 miles)
Leave on foot, taking in Castlemorton Common and Hollybed Meadows.
Shorter walks – led by Malvern Hills Trust (1 mile or less)
By car to Swinyard Hill Car Park (car sharing advised as there is limited space and a parking charge of £4.80 per car).
16.30 Everyone returns to Castlemorton Village Hall and disperses to their accommodation.
Reconvene at the Colwall Park Hotel, Walwyn Rd, Malvern WR13 6QG for the annual dinner.
18.00 For those who would like to learn more about Colwall Orchard and Village Garden there will be a presentation by the founding members Helen Stace and Tim Dixon (retired NCC, EN, NE staff – many of you will know them).
Bar open on request for pre-dinner drinks.
As usual, there will be no seating plan for dinner. Please collect your place card and choose your seat. Those not attending the presentation will have a chance to meet in the bar.
19.15 Annual business meeting at tables.
20.00 Annual dinner; a three-course meal, chosen in advance from the enclosed menu. Drinks may be purchased from the bar.

Thursday 8 June: Woolhope Dome Area
Colwall Park Hotel can provide packed lunch for June 8 at £10 per person. Please request these by Tuesday June 6th. There is a small convenience store, Colwall Provisions, 200 yards North of the hotel. The Morso café, 100 yards North of the hotel, could do pre-arranged take away food.
Directions to our meeting place at Woolhope Parish Hall, HR1 4QS
NGR SO 61033598
What 3 Words: jugs.horizons.punt
By road: From Ledbury take the A438 towards Hereford. After crossing the A4172, take the left turn signposted (on the A438) to Pixley and Putley Green. Then follow the signs to Woolhope. In Woolhope turn right after the Crown Inn. The Parish Hall is 350m on the right.
By public transport: Difficult
9.30 Members assemble at Woolhope Parish Hall for introductory talks about the walks on offer. Toilets available.
10.30 Depart by car for a short drive to the start of one of the three walks. Car sharing will be required.
1. Walk to Joan’s Hill Meadows led by Plantlife Reserves Manager, Jonathan Stone.
 
(Park at Haugh Woods Car Park SO 5923 3658)
THIS WALK IS LIMITED TO 40 PEOPLE – 1ST COME 1ST SERVED.
The walk to the edge of the reserve takes about 15 minutes on a forestry track which for the most part is level but with a few moderate inclines. The meadows themselves lie on moderate to steep slopes.
2. Butterfly walk led by Kate Wollen and Dave Sykes, Forestry England.
 
(Park at Haugh Woods Car Park SO 5923 3658)
This walk is on mostly level forestry tracks (a few short, moderate inclines).
3. Stroll across Broadmoor Common led by local wildlife enthusiast, Sally Webster.
 
(Park at Broadmoor Common Car Park SO6055 3622)
This will cater for the less energetic as the site is flat and there are some paved tracks.
13.00 Return to Woolhope Parish Hall for picnic lunches – BRING YOUR OWN. Tea/coffee and cake will be provided.

14.30 Farewells and disperse, but there will be the opportunity for further self-guided exploration if so wished.

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