Briefing notes for the trip may also be viewed by Clicking here.

Friday, May 9th to Sunday May 11th

We had a long weekend with the Berkshire branch of the Cambridge Society. Thirty-five of us met up for a visit to the Severn Valley Railway, and Iron Bridge.

First we met up at the Wenlock Edge Inn near to the market town of Wenlock. Had an excellent baguette for lunch and a pint of Hobsons. Afterwards there was a geological walk along the Wenlock ridge for the able people, and a visit around Wenlock and the priory for those not so able. I had to succumb to the leg and visited the priory.

Afterwards we went back and booked into the hotel in Telford, had drinks, dinner and a presentation of the local geology by Peter Worsley, professor from Oxford University.

The next (Saturday) day was a tour around Bridgnorth, highlights were the castle, as seen by Time Team, the church and the ride on the Cliff railway. Next it was on to the Severn Valley Railway and a tour of Country Park, led by a very articulate and enthusiastic guide who had set up the park.

Back at the hotel it was time for dinner, and then a talk about Ironbridge by Ken Jones, a guide and author of an Ironbridge book.

Sunday was a tour of Ironbridge; we started with the Coalbrookedale Museum of Iron and then Darby House. Abraham Darby was the first person to smelt iron with coke instead of charcoal. He started this in Coalbrookdale. Another Darby, Abraham Darby the Third built the first to build an iron bridge.

After this we went and walked over the Ironbridge, and then had lunch in Mrs Peacock?s Pantry.

The afternoon was spent in Blists Hill. This is a museum located on another mining and smelting site. The museum has also been set up to recreate a village. People recreating the feel of the house inhabited each house. These people interacted with the visitors, and in the shops also traded with the visitors. We visited here 10 years ago. It had changed over the time, and was well worth the visit.

Much thanks to the organiser Catherine Side.

The Berkshire branch of The Cambridge Society arranged a weekend in Chepstow for the 10th - 12th May 2002. We all stayed at the Beaufort Hotel in Chepstow for the two nights, eating our evening meals there. The hotel was right in the middle of the town, and served good food and beer. Food service was a little on the slow side, but does that matter.

Saturday morning we walked from Chepstow to Tintern Abbey along the Wye Valley. Excellent views of the valley, the Severn bridge and Chepstow castle. The day was hot, and the blue bells and wild garlic were very picturesque.

At Tintern we had lunch, and then a tour of the Abbey, bus back to Chepstow for another tour of the castle.

Back at the hotel for the evening, supper and some Celtic music for the harp and voice.

Sunday was a trip around the Roman fort of Caerleon, the amphitheatre and the baths. Lunch and then to Cardiff Bay. At the Bay we had a tour of the new docklands, the barrage and a boat trip back.