The North Worcestershire Association of THE NATIONAL TRUST

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1 The North Worcestershire Association of THE NATIONAL TRUST A voluntary Association founded in 1994 to promote and prosper the work of the National Trust Chairman: John Webb NEWSLETTER January 2019

2 TALKS The forthcoming talks and events are listed for your at a glance reminder. Please make a note of these dates and support as many as possible. Meetings take place at the Tardebigge Community Hall, Tardebigge, at 7.30pm on the third Thursday of the month. Admission 2.00 EVENING MEETINGS - January to June January 17 th From Guildhall to beyond the Seas - David Clark. A talk about some Worcester women sentenced to deportation to the Colonies and what became of them. February 21 st There is more to a needle than meets the eye - Jo- Ann Gloger - an insight into the Forge Mill Needle Museum (Redditch) and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre. March 21 st - AGM April 18 th Great Witley Church - Howard Robinson - one of the most amazingly beautiful churches in England. May 16 th Have you ever felt like giving up? Brian Gault and May Gault - Brian is a survivor of the miracle drug Thalidomide - used in the early 1960 s. He tells the story of his fulfilling and exciting life and achievements. Brian s book Look, no Hands will be on sale price 9.00 June 20 th Shakespeare and Me Jennifer Rigby - This talented actress invites us to take a peek at her life with Stratford s Bard. July and August NO MEETINGS. page 2

3 Welcome to the January 2019 Newsletter Dear Member, The National Trust has reported a 6% drop, to 61%, of visitors who rated as excellent their visit to a NT property. Therefore, the trust will borrow 100 million over the next few years to improve facilities including cafés, car parks and shops, some of which were built decades ago and have struggled to accommodate the rising number of visitors. The loan will ensure that no money is diverted away from vital conservation work. Any contributions for the May 2019 Newsletter, preferably electronically, to be with me by 30th April, please. In This Issue Talks From the Chairman AGM Coach Trips Booking Forms Holiday 2018 Report Tea Rota Walks Will Owens page 3

4 page 4 FROM THE CHAIRMAN Winter is going on apace and soon we shall be looking forward to longer days and Spring, with its promise of Nature s renewal. I trust that you all had an enjoyable Christmas, hopefully shared with family members. I wish you all well for 2019 and a peaceful, prosperous and healthy year ahead. As you will see, there is once again an interesting choice of outings hopefully something for everyone s taste. We had 26 members and friends who joined us for the Annual Dinner at the Bromsgrove Golf Centre in October. We intend to review arrangements for the next one, with a view to attracting more support. Please let any committee member know what would persuade you to attend, so that we have a range of ideas to consider. We have a good variety of speakers arranged for your entertainment in the coming months. You will find a report on the last holiday in this issue. I am happy to report that the holiday to Harrogate and surrounding area next October is already fully booked. As we begin our 25 th year as an Association, your support for all that we undertake is ever more vital. We seek to fulfil our twin ideals of raising funds for the Trust s projects and to provide an enjoyable platform to ensure the social element of your membership is also satisfied. Two further and final things please remember to renew your Association membership, a bargain at 7.50 due in January if you don t renew by standing order. If you don t walk with our Ramblers, you might like to give it a try speak to our organiser Penny, who will be happy to give you details. Thanks again for your continued support. If you enjoy your membership, then tell a friend! If you think of anything you are not entirely happy with then tell a committee member. It is, after all, your Association. As ever, Kind regards, JOHN Chairman

5 North Worcestershire Association of the National Trust AGM - Thursday March 21 st at Tardebigge Village Hall at 7.30 p.m. 1. Welcome and apologies 2. Acceptance of Minutes of AGM March 15th Matters arising 4. Chairman's report 5. Treasurer's report and acceptance 6. Appointment of auditor for Election of Officers and committee members for Proposed donations to the National Trust for the year A.O.B. All paid up members of the Association are welcome to attend and vote. Voting will be by show of hands, in the event of a tie the Chairman will cast a second vote. page 5

6 COACH OUTINGS 2019 Once again we have arranged a variety of outings during spring and summer. Details are given below. We are grateful to Jean, who organises and arranges the visits with the venues, and to Robert, who handles all the financial side of your bookings. Bookings should be made through ROBERT TRIGGER using the pull-out centre pages. A receipt will normally be sent to the address on the booking form. If you want a printed confirmation you must include a stamped address envelope. Payment should be made by cheque PAYABLE TO N.W.A.N.T. In the event of your cancelling on the day, or being late, please ring JEAN, the organizer, on mobile In addition to the coach fare, non-trust members should expect to pay the entry fee to Trust properties. Please REMEMBER YOUR N.T. MEMBERSHIP CARD. We look forward to welcoming you on the outings. PICK UP POINTS - Redditch - Community Centre, Easemore Road (Please leave a note to say that you are on a NWANT trip and leave any reserved spaces clear). Bromsgrove - on Stratford Road Droitwich - Victoria Square DETAILS OF OUTINGS MUSEUM OF CARPET, KIDDERMINSTER - WEDNESDAY APRIL 17th. Cost includes - Tea/coffee, biscuits on arrival, short talk about the museum and the history of Kidderminster s role in the carpet industry, a hand loom weaving demonstration, a power loom weaving demonstration and a brief tour of the museum and free time to browse at your leisure. PRICE per person. Pick-up times Redditch 9.30, Bromsgrove 9.50, Droitwich am. SUDBURY HALL, Derbyshire (NT) - WEDNESDAY MAY 15 th. This property includes the Museum of Childhood. There is an interesting exhibition featuring life below stairs. The Museum is a place of fun and fascination, including a Victorian schoolroom. PRICE per person. Pick-up times Droitwich 8.45, Bromsgrove 9.05, Redditch 9.25 am. page 6

7 ERDDIG, Near Wrexham (NT) - TUESDAY JUNE 11 th Discover the story of a family s unique relationship with its servants, and this is depicted through portraits and carefully preserved rooms. There is a collection of fine furniture and textiles. Outdoors is a fully restored 18 th century garden. PRICE per person. Pick-up times - Redditch 8.30, Bromsgrove 8.50, Droitwich 9.10 am. TYNTESFIELD, Near Bristol (NT) - THURSDAY JULY 4 th. This is a Victorian country house and estate, the home of the Gibbs family, who made their fortune from the guano trade. The house has a collection of 60,000 objects. There are Gothic carvings, flower filled terraces and an abundant kitchen garden. PRICE per person. Pick-up times Redditch 8.30, Bromsgrove 8.50, Droitwich 9.10 am. WORLD OF WEDGWOOD, Stoke on-trent - TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10 th. The ultimate experience of the Wedgwood brand, showing the heritage and craftsmanship involved. This is a factory tour and offers a contemporary tea room, retail store, and interactive creative studios, giving an opportunity to learn by doing. PRICE (includes admission). Pick-up times- Droitwich 8.45, Bromsgrove 9.05, Redditch 9.25 am WIGHTWICK MANOR, Wolverhampton (NT) - TUESDAY OCTOBER 1 st. A place where dreams for the future mixed with a love for unfashionable art. The Mander family were inspired to share their home with the nation and fill it with art for visitors to enjoy. They championed women s rights, fairness for employees and confronting Fascism. This is a house of colour and comfort, reflecting the pre-raphaelite and Arts and Crafts movement. There is a specialist shop selling William Morris ranges. PRICE per person. Pick-up times Droitwich 9.20, Bromsgrove 9.40, Redditch 10.00am. page 7

8 . RAFFLES Thanks to all those who support the raffles each month and others who donate items, it all helps the Association. The amount raised averages about 40 per month, almost 500 per year, a useful contribution. Jean Webb Lickey Hills Walk - Saturday 8th September After a week of nice weather, the day of our walk started cloudy, with rain forecast. Sure enough, as soon as we got in the car, the rain started. We met at the Lickey Hills Visitor Centre when they opened at 10:00, and had a drink before setting off. The rain was only a fine drizzle, and there were plenty of trees providing cover. The first part of the walk was downhill, to the Lickey Hills Golf Club. From then on, it was a steep climb up to the summit. The rain had become mainly occasional showers, but we were in low cloud. At the top is a "castle" donated by the Cadbury Brothers to the people of Birmingham in 1907, and is 978 feet above sea level. Inside is a Toposcope, which is a map of what can be seen on a clear day. At times, there was nothing but cloud to be seen, then just seconds later, we could see for miles. We returned to our starting point, but as it was still rather early, and the rain had mainly stopped, we had a short walk around the Country Park, where there are some sculptures. We then drove to the Victoria in Barnt Green, where we had a very pleasant lunch. Our thanks go to David Georgeson for leading the walk. page 8

9 On the following two pages you will find Booking Forms for all of this year's day trips. You can also find these forms on our website - page 9

10 MUSEUM OF CARPET Wednesday April 17th. Send to: R. Trigger, 64 Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove B61 7JY Telephone: Please book each. Total...cheque payable to NWANT We wish to board at Droitwich / Bromsgrove / Redditch (Please indicate clearly) Name/s...Tel:... Address......Mobile:... (please write clearly):... SUDBURY HALL Wednesday May 15 th Send to: R. Trigger, 64 Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove B61 7JY Telephone: nworcsassnnt@gmail.com Please book each. Total...cheque payable to NWANT We wish to board at Droitwich / Bromsgrove / Redditch (Please indicate clearly) Name/s...Tel:... Address......Mobile:... (please write clearly):... ERDDIG Tuesday June 11 th Send to: R. Trigger, 64 Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove B61 7JY Telephone: nworcsassnnt@gmail.com Please book each. Total...cheque payable to NWANT We wish to board at Droitwich / Bromsgrove / Redditch (Please indicate clearly) Name/s...Tel:... Address......Mobile:... (please write clearly):... page 10

11 TYNTESFIELD Thursday July 4 th Send to: R. Trigger, 64 Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove B61 7JY Telephone: nworcsassnnt@gmail.com Please book each. Total...cheque payable to NWANT We wish to board at Droitwich / Bromsgrove / Redditch (Please indicate clearly) Name/s...Tel:... Address......Mobile:... (please write clearly):... WORLD OF WEDGWOOD Tuesday September 10 th Send to: R. Trigger, 64 Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove B61 7JY Telephone: nworcsassnnt@gmail.com Please book each. Total...cheque payable to NWANT We wish to board at Droitwich / Bromsgrove / Redditch (Please indicate clearly) Name/s...Tel:... Address......Mobile:... (please write clearly):... WIGHTWICK MANOR Tuesday October 1 st Send to: R. Trigger, 64 Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove B61 7JY Telephone: nworcsassnnt@gmail.com Please book each. Total...cheque payable to NWANT We wish to board at Droitwich / Bromsgrove / Redditch (Please indicate clearly) Name/s...Tel:... Address......Mobile:... (please write clearly):... page 11

12 Barnt Green Walk - Saturday 13th October After heavy overnight rain, there was still some light rain as we arrived in Barnt Green for the October walk. However, the forecast was that it would soon stop, which it did, and there were only the odd spots of rain during the walk. Despite the weather, there were 11 walkers ready to go. We set off from the Victoria Inn, and soon had a steep climb to the highest point on our walk. We passed under the M42 motorway and went through Withybed Green. Soon we came to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, where we met another walking group going the other way. After leaving the canal, we saw some Llamas in a field. We passed Lower Bittell reservoir, where the water level was very low, as it had to be drained for some pipe works to be carried out. While crossing some playing fields at the edge of Barnt Green, we passed the other walking group we had seen earlier, and stopped for a chat with them. We then had a nice lunch at The Victoria Inn, which had only re-opened that day after a refurbishment. Our thanks to Sallyann for leading the walk. Tardebigge Walk - Saturday 10th November After heavy overnight rain, the weather on Saturday morning was bright and sunny. We met in the car park of Tardebigge Church, and 11 of us set off through the churchyard, then onto the lane past the village hall. Then it was across the fields, where there were good views over Bromsgrove and the Tardebigge Reservoir. We walked past Pratchett's Farm, then along Copyholt Lane until we reached the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Stoke Pound. After stopping for a drink, we continued along the canal tow path on our way back to Tardebigge. As we passed the Tardebigge Reservoir, we noticed that the water level was very low. The weather had clouded over, and it started to rain as we made our way past 17 locks of the Tardebigge Flight. After the Marina, we turned off the towpath, and had a steep climb back to the car park. It stopped raining as we got back to our cars! After the walk, 9 of us had a pleasant lunch at the Foxlidiate Arms in Redditch. Our thanks go to Penny Owens for organising and leading the walk. page 12

National Trust Holiday, Eastbourne, October 2018. On Sunday 7th October, forty seven of us headed off for a few days in the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne.

13 National Trust Holiday, Eastbourne, October On Sunday 7th October, forty seven of us headed off for a few days in the Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne. The day was bright but chill, and after visiting Oxford Services on the M40, we stopped for lunch at Windsor. The River Thames, Castle, and indeed the railway station where some looked at the modern replica of the Great Western Railway's 1894 Royal Train engine 3041, 'The Queen', were all conveniently close to the coach park. We arrived at the Hydro at 4:45 p.m., with time to unpack before dinner at 7:00 p.m. Monday morning was free, a walk on the promenade (a Spitfire flew overhead), coffee or a pot of tea, or a wander round the town and the shops. The afternoon was spent in the 'Old Town' area of Hastings. Full on interest, old buildings back to 1450, quirky shops, RNLI lifeboat station - and a wreck museum! Not satisfied with one cliff railway, 'Old Town' has two, one to the ruins of Hastings Castle. page 13

Still in Kent, we visited N.T.'s Sissinghurst after lunch. Little remains of the Tudor manor house of c.1490.

and created gardens overlooked by a tall brick tower from Tudor times. Gardeners were busy clearing beds, for next year's planting?

A Roman city with its original street layout and a market cross, it has at its heart the eleventh Century Cathedral.

14 Still in Kent, we visited N.T.'s Sissinghurst after lunch. Little remains of the Tudor manor house of c Sissinghurst's fame arises from its association with Vita Sackville-West who, with her husband Harold Nicholson, bought the house in 1930 and created gardens overlooked by a tall brick tower from Tudor times. Gardeners were busy clearing beds, for next year's planting? On Wednesday we travelled to Chichester, county town of West Sussex. A Roman city with its original street layout and a market cross, it has at its heart the eleventh Century Cathedral. Its roof temporarily covered in copper seventy years ago, this is now being replaced with lead (its original covering) at a cost of 5.8 million, and taking five years. The last few miles of our return journey were over the downs and close to the coast and Beachy Head. page 14

The gardens, famed for their lakes and autumn hues were laid out on a gently sloping site by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and others.

15 The name 'Sheffield Park' has two distinct associations. Though the extensive gardens of the Tudor house of that name belong to the National Trust, the house itself is now apartments in private ownership. The gardens, famed for their lakes and autumn hues were laid out on a gently sloping site by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and others. The spectrum of reds, browns and gold together with clear cloudless blue of the sky reflected in the water was memorable indeed. This was Thursday morning. After lunch we travelled half a mile to the other 'Sheffield Park', the southern terminus of the Bluebell Railway. The eleven mile journey behind a 1950s steam locomotive to East Grinstead, then the return, brought back memories of fifty or more years ago when real trains were indeed hauled by steam. Closed by British Railways in 1957, in 1960 the Bluebell was the first standard gauge line to run trains in preservation - a fact of which they are justifiably proud. And we were charmed by a herd of deer in a field near the line, and by the autumnal reds, browns and golds of dying bracken beside the line. page 15

16 Returning home on Friday, we broke our journey at the Trust's Polesden Lacey in Surrey near the M25. This was the home of Maggie Greville, the illegitimate daughter of a Glasgow brewer, she became extremely wealthy and entertained princes, Indian maharajahs, political and literary figures at Polesden Lacey from 1906 till the late 'thirties. She was a close friend of Edward VII, while King George VI and Queen Elizabeth spent part of their honeymoon there. After a brief 'coffee and comfort' stop at the M40 Oxford Services, we returned to learn that it had rained all day in Worcestershire. We had only seen a few minutes' rain on Thursday afternoon, otherwise lovely sunshine for at least part of every day. The Hydro Hotel was warm, the beds comfortable, and the staff helpful in the Crystal Restaurant, reception and elsewhere. The food was good and of adequate quantity. An enjoyable holiday, thanks to all who took part in the arrangements. Here's to Harrogate next year! John Rhead. page 16

17 NWANT MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL To: Mrs B Millward 1 Alders Close Lodge Park Redditch Worcs B98 7JD We/I wish to renew our/my subscription to NWANT for Enclose is a cheque/po/cash for..together with a stamped self-addressed envelope for Membership Card (s). Please X if paying by standing order. Name: (Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms.) Address Important: NT Membership No. NWANT Membership No. Rates: 7.50 per person Please make cheques payable to NWANT page 17

18 N.T. TEA ROTA Many thanks for the Volunteers who made tea/coffee last year. To avoid the same people volunteering, I would like people to let me know if they are willing to help in the future. The following have volunteered for th January Iren Rhead / Carol Trigger 21st February Flo Wheeler / Trish Buckley 21st March Janet Tilley 18th April Penny and Will Owens 16th May Barbara Maud / Carol Christian 20th June July and August - NO MEETINGS What s involved!! Arrive 20 minutes before meeting starts to set up cups and saucers, etc. Make tea/coffee as meeting finishes. Minimum of two people required each date. Wash up and clear away. I will be there to provide support, tea/coffee, milk, etc. and help with the washing up. Looking forward with eager anticipation of your help during Rosemarie Davies. page 18

19 WALKS We meet at 09:45 for a 10:00am start to our walks. There is a 1-50 charge to walkers which helps support various NT projects. Unless otherwise stated, walkers bring their own refreshments for a mid walk break. The following walks have been arranged for Saturday 9th February - Droitwich Water Tower walk. Details to be confirmed Saturday 9th March - To be confirmed Saturday 13th April - To be confirmed Saturday 11th May - To be confirmed Saturday 8th June - To be confirmed Saturday 13th July - Coach outing, probably to Attingham Park, for an optional walk and visit. Please check the website for details of future walks, or late changes to those already advertised. Please contact the Walks Coordinator for further details - Penny Owens SAFETY NOTES: WALKERS are reminded that they walk entirely at their own risk and the Association cannot be held responsible for any misadventure or accident involving an individual or the walking group as a result of the walk. It is for each participant to decide on their own fitness before joining the walk, and to dress and wear suitable footwear appropriate to the walk and the weather of the day. Members who have a mobile phone are requested to bring this with them for use in the event of an emergency. page 19

20 ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS Role Name Tel. No. Chairman John Webb Vice Chair Janet Miller Secretary Carole Trigger Treasurer Robert Trigger Membership Betty & Ron Millward Newsletter & Publicity Will Owens Talks Carol Christian & Carole Trigger Outings Jean Webb Walks Penny Owens Refreshments Rosemarie Davies Raffles Jean Webb Catering Janet Miller Minute Secretary Trish Buckley Committee Member Jean Collins Committee Member John Rhead Unforeseen Weather In the event of inclement weather conditions, and there is a likelihood a meeting may be cancelled, please call one of the above Committee Members. page 20

BAD EMS DROITWICH SPA

BAD EMS DROITWICH SPA Dindy selling raffle tickets at this year s garden party. Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 1 AUTUMN 2016 BROADHEATH WALK. On Saturday 20th August 2016, the North Worcestershire