Walking Weekend to Ironbridge 7-10th October 2011
All the leaders left home early to carry out a final check on parts of two different walks that had been planned for the 
enjoyment of the party of 30 members at Madeley Court Hotel, between Telford and Ironbridge. The hotel sits in its own grounds in a very peaceful location. It was recorded in the Domesday Book of William the Conqueror, but a building had been in existence since Saxon England. The building has been refurbished and extended over the centuries with the newer wings fitting in with the original. Some of our members had rooms in the turrets, but no talk was heard of ghosts.
At 3pm on Friday many of the group met in reception to walk the northern part of the South Telford Heritage Trail with its many points of interest, Jean and Mary had completed an extra recce in the morning to clarify a couple of points. We all returned to a cup of tea and rest before dinner. The dining room had a huge mirror on one wall which really added to the atmosphere. There were other guests dining so a very brief welcome was made to all and we raised our glasses to absent friends.
After a hearty breakfast on Saturday we gathered in two groups. Those who intended walking about 8 – 9 miles to complete the Heritage Trail led by Chris and Jean, and the others who were going to complete a shortened version, led by Gill omitting a steep climb. The 17 ‘long’ walkers set off first as the 10 ‘short’, or was it 9 + Tony, were going to be following the identical trail down into Ironbridge, and not wanting to hold them up. Perhaps it was starting later, but we actually had about 6 spots of rain which the ‘long’ walkers did not get – or so they said. The trail keeps largely to paths and old tramways and rail tracks, now cycle paths, as it winds down into the Ironbridge gorge, with a short section up Madeley High Street and again in Ironbridge itself. The industrial heritage is evident all the 
way and could be easily followed by the guide provided by Chris & Gill and the excellent way marking on the route. For example we spent a few minutes looking at the Hay Inclined Plane where they raised and lowered tub boats to the canal, missing out the need for 25 conventional locks – a height of 63 metres. After we had crossed the river, Rosemary spotted a great idea for all gardeners – 2 living topiary bird tables – in the front garden of a cottage.
Both groups had breaks in Ironbridge, the ‘long’ group stopping at the Craft Centre for coffee and the Museum of the Gorge which is also the Visitor Centre before ascending to the picnic site above Coalbrookdale. The ‘short’ group just enjoying an hour and a half looking round and having lunch in Ironbridge before meeting again at the Visitor Centre. Here Mike picked up three of the group who felt they had enjoyed the walk, but wanted to walk on Sunday too. The group then proceeded up the hill out of Ironbridge towards Coalbrookdale where there was an apple festival in full swing. Both groups had to explain to the organisers that we were walking through on a designated trail. On the way the ’long’ group watched clog dancing whilst the short group heard a choir singing, who were to be followed by clog dancers again, all very colourful. Unfortunately by the time the ‘short’ group reached the festival they were sterilising the apple juicing machine so we were not able to taste the fare, although the other group had been able to do so. We then walked up a zig zag path where single seats had been carved with inscriptions on each. We then cut down the hill missing out the Quaker Burial Ground and the view from the highest point. We passed under the aqueduct and eventually along the route of the old tramway from Lightmoor to Coalbrookdale. Our walk then took us back to rejoin the first part of the Friday afternoon walk by the remains of the Madeley Windmill, and so back to the hotel. The other group said the views from the highest point, including the Wrekin, had been well worth the climb.
On Sunday all those who intended to walk left in convoy for the Wrekin, or as it was known in times gone by, the Royal Forest of Mount Gilbert where hunting 
rights had been granted by King Henry 111. The 2 groups left the car park, which was choc a bloc with runners and walkers, with the ‘long’ walkers, led by Chris and Allison, going along the side of the Wrekin and taking a direct steep route up from almost the far end of the hill, whereas the ‘short’ walkers, led by Jean and Gill, took the ‘easier’ route up to the trig point, then descended to a little copse below the summit to have coffee out of the wind. On our way up as we reached a house which seemed also to serve as a cafe, Nansi took the opportunity to have a seat in a pony and trap, but unfortunately the pony was a little too ‘wooden’ to move! Just beyond this we passed a footpath sign pointing 3 directions – This Way, That Way and The Other Way. Not sure which one we took, but we all made it up the hill. We had an added interest in that we realised we were being followed by a lady carrying balloons and a bucket. She told us that she and her husband were raising money for Dr. Barnardos and her husband had vowed to run up and down the Wrekin every Sunday for a year sponsored by local firms. This particular Sunday he was being sponsored by a local dairy farm, so was carrying 2 plastic buckets of milk. Kathleen raised £25 for the cause and sent it to them. Others had a few coins with them which they threw in the bucket. He had obviously just reached the trig point and turned back, which seemed a lost opportunity as there were so many people up there and the ‘long’ walkers did not see them. Our group then took a delightful route down a wide track which was covered in autumn leaves to return to the car park for our picnic lunch. The other group had taken a little longer to reach the summit as it was a good climb, and then picnicked on the way down, taking the same route as the first group to reach the car park. Both groups took the opportunity to make use of a rope swing on the way down – we are all young at heart! Once the groups met up we all decided that we would tackle Ercall Wood, as it had some really unusual twisted oaks near the top, and also a site of archaeological interest with the rocks completely changing from one end of an old quarry to the other. Quite a challenging climb to get to the top, but we all achieved it and were glad we did.
On Monday, those who fancied another walk before returning home or onward, joined Jean, Allison, Chris and Gill with a walk in the Much Wenlock environs. St Milburga of Wenlock had also been connected with Madeley Court Estate when it was owned by the Monastery, so we continued the theme of the weekend, by walking past the Priory and then out past the quarry using tracks and fields. This was a lovely walk that gave real variety of terrain and scenery. We arrived back in Much Wenlock to picnic by the old Windmill tower, though we did have to shelter from a very strong wind and were glad to get moving again. We then descended down into the playing field which has a memorial to the modern Olympic Games which were instigated by Dr. William Penny Brookes, and there is now an Olympic Trail which can be followed. The town is full of fascinating alleyways and is worth a visit on its own, as of course, is Ironbridge with its many museums.
Many thanks to our leaders who kept us on track for the weekend. -----Gill James
