Anne Bartlett the Gloucestershire Tour Guide

Getting Deeper into the Forest of Dean

2011-10-13T01:43:00.000-07:00

The countryside between the lower reaches of the River Severn and the River Wye is known as the Forest of Dean. It's a very special place that I enjoy exploring, and is an area with a unique history and heritage. My good friend - free miner Dave Harvey wouldn't live anywhere else. But there is more than natural beauty in this land between two rivers, it was very much a working forest as conversations with Dave reveals..

Dave was the model for the sculpture in Cinderford, pictured on the right. Life was tough and dangerous working underground extracting coal from the seams under the plateau on which the centre of the Forest stands and many accidents occurred.

Dave himself narrowly escaped death when the rocky roof of a coal seam that was being worked in the Northern United Colliery collapsed. As everyone tried to escape, he was half buried by falling rubble and timber pit props. A fellow miner turned to see Dave trapped. With rock from the roof still crashing down into the mine shaft, a giant of a man known as 'big Phil' - with super-human effort grabbed his colleague under the arms and pulled. He got Dave out just as the rest of the roof came down. Dave's narrow escape left him with deep cuts and bruises but no bones broken. The scars from that dreadful day will never ever disappear

On the left is a picture of Dave standing beside a chainsaw carving of that fateful day in 1963 with 'big Phil' pulling him out of the rubble. It has been carved by Clayton Ryder and is on display in the grounds of the Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley in the Forest of Dean. Dave has written a poem which is displayed alongside.

Despite the horrific accident (coal face twenty three was totally destroyed and no longer workable) Dave returned to his job within weeks joining the other miners who all began working on another coal face. He said that he was very nervous but continue working underground for a further two years. Then, the unthinkable happened! The Northern United Colliery was closed down - on Christmas Day 1965! It was sudden and unexpected. Over night everyone was out of work.

The mine buildings are still there today but the pit has been filled in and capped. Below is the sign outside the colliery gates which is still there today.

The sign says it all - the end of an era in the Forest of Dean.

Today Dave is a great Ambassador for the Forest, a place he loves. He describes his life and life in the Forest in his amazing poems. His collection of poetry and songs are published on three CD's and are for sale at the Dean Heritage Centre.

Dave has been booked for an evening show with the Forest Male Voice Choir on Friday 21st October 2011 which will be filmed for ITV. We look forward to seeing him on National TV later in the year.

Above - a picture of the glorious and mysterious Dean we know today, but its a fascinating place of great contrasts.

Take a train journey from Stroud along the Chalford Valley to Kemble and enjoy the views (part 2)

2011-09-12T07:14:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Stroud railway station

The second part of the journey will take you in an easterly direction towards Stroud across a brick built viaduct high over the A46. As the train pulls into the Victorian station at Stroud, you’ll notice on the right hand side a beautifully restored, red brick building, which was originally a factory for making garments, one of a number of successful clothing factories that were around the town in the 19th and 20th century. The coming of the railway added to Stroud’s prosperity providing transport for the workforce, the faster movement of goods, cheaper coal and better access for the shops, but at the same time it was economic disaster for the canals.

The restored Hill Paul Building Stroud

As the train leaves the station, look at the map and you will see that the railway line runs alongside the Thames and Severn Canal and they both run through the Chalford Valley, supposedly called the “Golden Valley” by Queen Victoria. In autumn the valley looks beautiful as the trees are changing colour but in Victorian times it would have been full of sulphurous smelling smoke as noxious fumes poured out of the factory chimneys. The golden valley referred to, not so much to the beauty here but to the wealth created through the production of cloth. This area was famous for the red cloth known as Stroud Scarlet which clothed the soldiers across the British Empire.

As you travel along, look out of the left hand window to see the channel of what was once the Severn and Thames Canal, now disused and without water. And imagine the enormous hard work and manual effort involved in building this canal in the 1780’s it was a huge undertaking. Not only did thousands of navigators or navvies as they were called have to dig deep into the ground along the whole course of the proposed waterway to create a channel, wide and deep enough to take the boats. They were doing all the hard work by hand using picks and shovels; and wheelbarrows were needed to cart the spoil away from the site. They built many locks as the boats had to be gradually lifted up the hill towards the top of the Cotswolds, they built the longest tunnel ever built at the time between Sapperton and Daneway to take the boats through the top of the hill. A large port was built at Brimscombe with wharves, warehouses and stables (it was horses that pulled the boats and carts before steam engines were used).

Once built, the canals required a considerable army of workers to keep the water borne traffic moving efficiently. Each stretch of canal would have a lengthsman who was responsible for the maintenance of his section of canal. Lock keepers were needed to open locks and collect tolls. At Brimscombe they needed dockers, warehousemen, carters, blacksmiths, wheelwrights - all sorts of different trades.

When the railways started to be built, the navvies who had dug the canals transferred their skills to building the railways. The canals were often taken over by the rail companies to transport building materials to the sites, then, once the railway was built the canals were no longer needed and they were eventually allowed to fall into decline.

The train will continue to climb the valley and you will see scattered houses on the hillside then suddenly the view is lost as the train disappears into the Sapperton rail tunnels, before reaching the Victorian station at Kemble. Here we will have reached the Gloucestershire border. The train will continue on to London Paddington, via Swindon and Reading.

It's a fascinating journey, full of interest and worth taking time to watch the passing countryside.

Take a train journey from Gloucester to Stroud and enjoy the Cotswold countryside (part 1)

2011-09-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

A rare sight in Gloucester these days

Today I'm going to suggest a fascinating train journey across to the eastern borders of Gloucestershire, where you can get great views across the countryside of our glorious county and see historic developments in the Stroud valleys over the last three centuries. And I suggest that you take an ordnance survey map with you, such as Explorer 179 to follow the route as you travel along.

As the train pulls out of Gloucester from probably the longest platform in the country and heads south, you’ll pass the districts of Tredworth and Tuffley and you’ll get a very different view of Robinswood Hill and Country Park, which is quite a landmark in the area, it will be the western side of the hill that you see from the train, whereas it’s the eastern side that you see as you travel along the M5 motorway. Once south of the city, the train crosses over the M5 and you get clear views across the flattish countryside of the Severn Vale. The views to the left are towards the Cotswold escarpment which you see in the distance, and to the far right the views are of the Forest of Dean.

Shortly on the right hand side you’ll see the industrial site of Dairycrest, part of the Dairycrest group which supplies milk to grocery stores and supermarkets around the country, produces butters and spreads, powdered milk and numerous brands of cheeses, particularly the appropriately named Cathedral city cheese.

Selsley Church

As the train travels on, across to the right on the hillside in the distance, you’ll see All Saints Church, Selsey, built in 1862 which has a tall tower with a distinctive French style saddle back roof. This church is renowned for its craftsmanship as well as its stained glass windows by founder of the Arts and Crafts movement, William Morris and fellow artists Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Samuel Marling's memorial in Selsey Church

The church was commission by wealthy Sir Samuel Marling a cloth manufacturer who lived at Stanley Park and was a great benefactor. So much so, that a little further on you’ll pass Marling School which is the oldest Secondary school in Stroud, which started way back in back in 1887. Sir Samuel gave a substantial amount of money towards the building of the school.

If you look at your map of Gloucester and Stroud, it’s from the Cotswold town of Stonehouse that the journey becomes really interesting as the train will travel parallel to the Stroudwater Canal which was built between 1775 and 1779 to link the River Severn to Stroud so that the Severn trows could bring their cargo inland. It was the wool industry that financed the building of the canal and you will see stone chimney stacks from some of the cloth mills rising through the trees.

Enormous amounts of work have gone into restoring this section of inland waterways by the Cotswold Canals Trust. If you look at http://www.cotswoldcanalsproject.org/ you will see lots of photographs of the restoration work that is taking place between the towns of Stonehouse and Stroud.

Caught on Camera - a boat trip on the River Severn with probably the best Showman in the business

2011-09-04T04:25:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

I love my job as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide but sometimes, on a tour, one comes across the unexpected, as happened to me in a nice way, the other day.

I was taking a group of holidaymakers on a coach trip around the riverside towns of Worcestershire. We stopped at Stourport-on-Severn to look at its fascinating history and heritage.

Stourport was a pioneer town of the canal age and very important during the Industrial Revolution. We took a look at the canal basins at the end of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, which links the River Severn with the Trent and Mersey Canal. I explained how and why Stourport became one of the busiest inland port in the Midlands.

The town grew rapidly and by the 1780's there were brass and iron foundries, a vinegar works, tan yards, worsted spinning mills, carpet mills, barge and boat building yards, warehouses, shops, houses and inns. It was incredibly busy. Today, the industry has all but disappeared and Stourport has reinvented itself, catering very well for the leisure industry and holidaymakers.

We strolled alongside the River Severn to see the locks and then into the town. During our walk we met up with Henry Danter who owns Treasure Island, a funfair that is probably one of the oldest funfairs still operating in this country.

After introducing Henry to my group, Henry was keen to welcome everyone and to show us the River Severn by boat.

Being a glorious morning we thought a boat trip would be fun, so we all boarded his pleasure cruiser moored just under Stourport bridge and Henry took us on a cruise up the river to the end of the navigation before turning around and taking us down river as far as Lincombe Lock then back to his berth at Stourport. You can see a photo of some of my holidaymakers sitting at the stern of his boat called 'The Skylark,' with a 'Jolly Roger' - a pirates' flag, fluttering in the wind behind them!

Here is Henry giving us a commentary. What we hadn't realised was our arrival coincided with him being filmed for a television programme about English Showmen and their families. So the camera crew joined us on board for the river cruise and we got ourselves in the picture!

The programme was recorded for television - channel 5 and is due out in November.

The Royal Wedding - a preparation for enjoying the pageantry.

2011-04-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

The west end of Westminster Abbey

I had a very enjoyable visit to London just before the Royal Wedding. Friends and I went to explore Westminster Abbey and other places that would be seen on the television on the morning of the 29th April.
Once inside the Abbey, we broke away from the congested north transept and made our way to the west door (normally the exit) and started our audio tour of the Abbey from the back of the nave. This would be the view that the TV cameras would have of the bridal procession as they made their way towards the high altar. So, in effect we worked backwards through the official tour of the Abbey and in so doing found it to be a more logical route.

The Royal Mews

The nave was almost empty because the visitors were so engrossed in finding out about the magnificent chapels behind the high altar. I suspect they were confused by the detail, they had forgotten the geography of a church, so by the time they came through the cloisters into the nave, they were ready for the exit.

After spending hours enjoying the architecture and the treasures of the Abbey, we went on to the Royal Mews to see the carriages and the cars that are used for state occasions such as state visits, royal weddings, state openings of parliament and official engagements.

A state landau

I was allowed to take photographs so can show you the carriages that were used in the procession: This one on the left is one of 7 state landaus in the Royal mews, and there are a further 5 semi-state ones in the collection. The one that Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, travelled back from Westminster Abbey after their wedding was a 1902 landau, the newest one in the mews and was especially built for Edward VII's coronation, however not used. For Prince William's wedding it was pulled by 4 Windsor Grey horses with a Captains escort of 12 troopers of the Lifeguard and 12 troopers of the Blues and Royals.

The Scottish State Coach

This is the Scottish State Coach that the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh used, to travel back from the Abbey. It was drawn by four Windsor Grey horses. The coach was specially commissioned by the Duke of Cambridge in 1830 and first used for King William IV's coronation. It is a light bright coach with large glass windows and a transparent roof so the crowds have a good view of the occupants. It has a Scottish crown on top with a gilded frieze of thistles round the edge of the roof. For the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh there was a sovereign's escort of the Household Cavalry. The 1st and 2nd divisions were provided by the Lifeguards consisting of twenty five men. The 3rd and 4th divisions, again consisting of twenty five men followed, provided by the Blues and Royals.

The Australian State Coach

This is the Australian state coach, the coach that Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and Mr and Mrs Middleton used to travel to Buckingham Palace from the Abbey. It was drawn by two Cleveland Bay horses. This coach was presented to the Queen in 1988 when she was in Canberra for Australia's bicentennial celebrations. On the door is the coat of arms of Australia; a shield representing the six states - New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Above, is a seven point star over a blue and gold wreath. The shield is supported by a red kangaroo and an emu and they are surrounded by a wreath of wattle the official Australian national floral emblem.

Gloucestershire's Royal Connections - King Edward VII

2011-04-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

by: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

This is a statue of King Edward VII in Montpellier in Cheltenham. He reigned from 1901 -1910 and is the great, great, great, grandfather of Prince William, who was brought up at Highgrove House, Prince Charles' country house near Tetbury in Gloucestershire.

When Albert, Edward (known affectionately as Bertie by his family) was Prince of Wales, his wait to become King was a long one.  Towards the end of his life, he famously said, "Everyone has an eternal Father but I'm blest with an eternal Mother."   Queen Victoria died on 22nd January 1901 after 40 years of mourning for her beloved husband Albert. Bertie chose to be called King Edward rather than Albert, because he said he didn't want to "undervalue the name of Albert" and "diminish the status of his father with whom, among royalty, the name Albert should stand alone."

Here King Edward VII is informally dressed and holding the hand of a ragged child. - The huge disparity between rich and poor at that time, was one of the social evils of the period.

King Edward was related to the Royal families across Europe and was uncle to Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. He could see that his nephew might well push Europe into war.  King Edward was a diplomat and used his family contacts to maintain peace. Through state visits to France he helped pave the way for the signing of the Anglo-French entente Cordiale of 1904.

Sadly in 1914, four years after King Edward's death, war with Germany was declared and so ended the Edwardian era in Britain.

and there's more....

If you would like a guided tour of the Cotswolds contact:   anne@tourandexplore.com

Gloucestershire's Royal Connections: Gloucester Cathedral and Westminster Abbey

2011-04-09T00:31:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral is very proud to have the reputation of having held the one and only coronation for a king of England outside London since William the Conqueror was crowned in Westminster Abbey, the traditional place for all coronations.

The Coronation of Henry III

When the very unpopular King John died in 1216, London was under the control of Prince Louis of France who was trying to invade England. In order to thwart the ambitions of the French prince, King John's heir, his nine year old son Prince Henry was hurried to Gloucester to be crowned, and the famous event is commemorated by a stained glass window in the south aisle of the nave.

The young King Henry III had a passionate interest in religion and his great hero was Edward the Confessor, a King of England from 1003 -1066, who had had been canonized in 1161 by Pope Alexander III. King Henry decided that this rare English saint, whose tomb near the high altar in Westminster Abbey attracted huge numbers of pilgrims, should have an even more sumptious tomb in a magnificent chapel. Over the course of 24 years from (1245 - 1269) Henry transformed the east end of the Abbey into a church which rivalled the magnificent Gothic cathedrals of France and a fitting place for future coronations.

Westminster Abbey - London

The large area between the high altar and the beginning of the quire will provide the stage where the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton will take place on Friday 29th April. Millions of people across the world will be tuned in to watch this royal event. So, as the television cameras record the great day, do admire the magnificent Gothic architecture and the rich decorations and remember that these are a monument to a young prince who became king in Gloucester.

and there's more...

To book a guided coach tour of the Cotswolds contact:
Anne Bartlett - Blue Badge Tour Guide

Sightseeing Tours of Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds

2011-02-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

A Guided Coach Tour of the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley

Arranged by Blue Badge Guide - Anne Bartlett

During the morning our tour revealed some of the mysteries and beauty of the Forest of Dean, which lies between the River Severn and the River Wye and then in the afternoon we explored the picturesque and dramatic limestone gorge of the lower Wye Valley.

We took the scenic route into the Forest to enjoy the broadleaved woodlands and conifer plantations carpeted with dense green bracken and grazed by deer, wild boar and sheep. This wooded red sandstone plateau was once very heavily mined and quarried for its rich sources of coal, iron ore and building stone. Today we got interesting glimpses of The Forest of Dean’s past industrial activities. From the comfort of our luxury coach, we enjoyed the tranquil and natural beauty of the landscape and heard stories about Free Miners, Admiral Lord Nelson and even the fictional Harry Potter.

For lunch we stopped in the historic town of Monmouth, which lies alongside the River Monnow. In the town centre are interesting statues to two of its most famous sons, King Henry V who was born in Monmouth Castle (now a ruin) and Charles Rolls who created the Rolls Royce Car Company with Henry Royce. There's also a museum with a gallery containing memorabilia of the famous Admiral Lord Nelson which people enjoyed looking around.

After lunch we set off to travel alongside the dramatic and picturesque River Wye. In the early 19th century this area attracted the first English tourists, including famous writers, poets and artists. We continued this tradition and admired the river valley. We stopped to view the romantic ruins of Tintern Abbey, which had been much painted and written about by previous visitors.

We drove into Chepstow, known as the gateway town to Wales. We saw the towering Norman castle, probably the first stone castle to be built in the country perched right on the cliff edge above the mouth of the tidal river Wye. We stopped for some refreshment and took the time to look around this interesting border town before making our way home.

A Guided Coach Tour of the North Cotswolds

Arranged by Blue Badge Guide - Anne Bartlett

Our full day tour started from Gloucester and we drove into the Regency town of Cheltenham, famous for its 19th century spas. We explored the historic town centre with its impressive buildings, beautiful gardens and attractive ironwork. There were stories about its famous sons, composer Gustav Holst and explorer Edward Wilson before travelling north passing Cheltenham Race Course, home of the National Hunt Festival and the Gold Cup. We drove along the western edge of the Cotswold escarpment to enjoy stunning views across to the Malvern Hills. We travelled through the ancient Saxon town of Winchcombe, through some charmingly pretty honey coloured Cotswold stone villages as we made our way to Broadway for coffee. This famous village, was much enjoyed by our visitors, it had lots of stylish cafes and historic coaching inns to enjoy, as well as many individual quality shops to discover. After coffee we travelled further into the Cotswolds to enjoy the beautiful landscape and discover more medieval towns and villages.

We drove through some of the best know places like Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh.

Our lunch stop was Stow-on-the-Wold, famous for its market square and many antique shops. We enjoyed the town's hospitality, explored the narrow lanes and courtyards, browsed around the interesting shops and even sat on the village green to study the medieval buildings.

After lunch we continued on through some lesser known villages, a little off the beaten track, towards the town of Burford. Here we stopped for afternoon tea before taking a look at Bibury, nestling alongside the River Coln which William Morris described as ‘the most beautiful in England.’
Finally we dragged ourselves away, got on the coach and returned home.

A Guided Coach Tour of the South Cotswolds and the Severn Vale
Arranged by Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

From Cheltenham our full day tour took us via Gloucester to the edge of Coopers Hill where the weirdest of sports takes place. Coopers Hill is the venue for the internationally famous Cheese Rolling Competition. We drove on to Painswick village, known as ‘The Queen of the Cotswolds’ which is famous for its church and 99 yew trees. We took a coffee stop in Stroud, a friendly town famous for its quality art and craft work and its local produce, before travelling on to explore the variety of Cotswold stone villages that nestle spectacularly in river valleys.

After lunch we drove toward the town of Berkeley where a dramatic sandstone castle, still lived in by the Berkeley family, overlooks the east bank of the River Severn. It was here in the town that Dr Edward Jenner famously inoculated a young boy with cowpox to prevent him from getting the deadly and virulent disease smallpox. We explored some riverside villages and see how people have lived, worked and enjoyed the longest river in Britain which, in the past, has brought trade and prosperity to the area. We made our way to Gloucester which, because of the river, became an important inland port.

A Guided Coach Tour of the East Cotswolds
Arranged by Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

The Cotswolds cover 790 square miles and is the largest area of outstanding natural beauty in Britain, so this week we travelled east from Gloucestershire into the county of Oxfordshire to discover more of this historic and beautiful area and admire more Cotswold towns and villages that have been frozen in time. Stone and wool have shaped this landscape. We saw fine merchants houses built by the wealthy medieval clothiers. There are many interesting scenic routes to take and today we drove past stone relics left by prehistoric man, as we made our way towards the glorious village of Woodstock for a stop. We visited the museum, also spent time browsing around the shops and lunched in one of the selection of fine coaching inns and quaint little tea shops. Here we found out about Blenheim Palace built as a reward for the Duke of Marlborough for winning a great battle.

We made our way back through The Cotswold Water Park, said to have more lakes than the Norfolk Broads to Lechlade a riverside town on the banks of the River Thames. St Laurence church with its tall spire was where Percy Bysshe Shelley composed his poem ‘Stanzas in a Summer Evening Churchyard.’ We enjoyed an interesting stroll over Halfpenny Bridge and watched the boats on the upper reaches of the navigable river.

We enjoyed our riverside walk and feeling refreshed we made our way back to the coach for our journey home.

To book a Blue Badge Tour Guide contact Anne Bartlett:
www.tourandexplore.com

Leave your car behind and take a Guided Coach Tour of Gloucestershire's Royal Connections

2011-02-20T04:27:00.000-08:00

With: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

As this is the year of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton this full day tour will explore some of Gloucestershire’s royal connections past and present.

We will depart from Cheltenham Race Course, famous for its Gold Cup Festival, beloved by the Queen Mother and visited by Her Majesty, the Queen in 2009. Prince William’s girlfriend Kate Middleton attended the race meetings in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as many other royals and famous celebrities, who come to enjoy the excitement and the atmosphere of Gold Cup Week in March. We will travel through Cheltenham, where Zara Phillips and Mike Tyndall have their home. We will admire the fine Regency architecture and hear about the visit of King George III, which really put this Spa town on the map. We will make our way through some interesting Cotswold towns and villages, with royal connections, towards Cirencester, where Princess Anne and Princess Diana and their families have enjoyed shopping from time to time. After a coffee stop in Cirencester, we will travel to the attractive market town of Tetbury, famous for its Woolsack Races. A lunch stop in Tetbury will allow you to visit the Highgrove shop opened by Prince Charles in 2008. Tetbury shops have served the Royal Household for many years and some have gained the prestigious Royal Warrant. After lunch we will travel past Highgrove, the Cotswold home of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. We will explore some of the lesser known south Cotswold villages, hearing more royal stories, as we weave our way through interesting narrow country roads towards the western edge of the Cotswolds and its spectacular viewpoints. We will then gradually make our way north, passing Berkeley Castle where a king was said to be murdered, and on to Gloucester where he was taken for burial.

We will stop in the city of Gloucester and make our way towards the Cathedral visited by The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in 2003 for the Royal Maundy Service.
They visited Gloucester again in 2009 on a Royal Naval patrol boat to see the newly transformed Docks and then went to enjoy a lunch cooked by students at the nearby college. You will hear many more royal stories and be shown places they visited. There will be an opportunity to find somewhere to enjoy an afternoon cup of tea before returning to Cheltenham.

The Tour will take place on Thursday 21st April. Cost £20 per person

Leave your car behind and take a Guided Coach Tour of the 'Three Choirs' Country

2011-02-20T03:51:00.000-08:00

With: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

The Three Choirs Music Festival has been held every year since 18th century and rotates around the Cathedrals of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester. This year the festival will be held in Worcester.

Our guided coach tour will start from the cathedral city of Gloucester, the venue for last year’s Music Festival. We will pass the market town of Newent and drive on to the picturesque village of Dymock, made famous by a group of poets who met here just before the First World War. They walked and talked and wrote poetry about the countryside between the Malverns and May Hill. Hopefully we will see lots of flowering wild daffodils for which this area is particularly well known.

We will drive across the county border into the cider growing countryside of Herefordshire around the fascinating village of Much Marcle, with its ancient 13th century church and family tombs of the Mortimer family.

The coach will stop to give you time to explore the historic black and white Herefordshire town of Ledbury where the attractive 17th century timber framed market hall dominates the main street. Here you will be able to do some sightseeing, a spot of shopping or enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee in the town that was the birthplace of Poet Laureate John Masefield and childhood home of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

After your coffee break we will head for the Malvern Hills crossing the border into Worcestershire to discover some of the places that one of our greatest composers, Edward Elgar, knew and loved. We will take the Wyche Cutting to the top, and cross the border into Herefordshire to travel along the western edge of the Malvern Hills, a scenic drive created to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. We will be able to enjoy the Herefordshire countryside and on a clear day will see Hay Bluff and the Black Mountains in Wales.

We will cross the borders again into Worcestershire to see more views across the Severn plains to the distant Cotswold escarpment. We will make our way into the town of Great Malvern where we will stop at The Winter Gardens so you can explore the Priory church, admire the abbey gateway shop or find some lunch.

In the afternoon we will make our way towards the city of Worcester, the venue for the 2011 Music Festival. Here we will make a short stop for sightseeing, where you can take the opportunity to look around the Cathedral or do some shopping before we travel back to Gloucester at the end of the day.

1st Tour will take place on 23rd March 2011. Cost £20 per person.

Pick up points in Cheltenham town centre and Gloucester city centre

The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum

2010-11-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

In April next year, The Rifles will receive The Freedom of the City of Gloucester followed by a service to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Imjin. We are very proud.

The back of the Custom House
& entrance to the museum

The other day I visited the docks and went to have a look around The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum which is set up in a historic building that used to be The Custom House, built in 1845.

The front of the Custom House

The museum displays the history of two famous regiments:

1. The Glorious Glosters - An infantry regiment of the regular army – they started as the 28th and 61st Regiments of Foot and were amalgamated.

2. The Gloucestershire Hussars - A territorial yeomanry cavalry army.
Between them these regiments have bought much honour to Gloucestershire, including North Avon and Bristol which were all part of our county at one time.

The regiment of Infantry was formed at the end of King William and Queen Mary’s reign at the end of the 1600’s, that’s over 300 years ago

The displays show where in the world the regiments have served, how the regiments have faced the challenges and coped with the strains that war brings with it. And it shows their traditions and their achievements.

Its amazing to think that for two hundred years the army wore redcoats. So already you get an idea of how the army has changed over time. Khaki uniforms were introduced at the end of the 19th century.

These regiments have been at decisive moments in history:

In 1705 the Regiments joined the Duke of Marlborough’s forces and were involved in the Wars of the Spanish Succession. These wars led to the building of Blenheim Palace – a gift to John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough by a grateful nation for winning a series of battles which shattered the French domination of Europe.

They were fighting in Quebec under General Wolfe.

They were involved in the American Wars of Independence.

It was during the French Revolution that The Glosters earned the right to wear the sphinx badge, a battle honour, having taken part in the Egyptian campaign, they also earned the famous back badge on 21st March 1801: The 28th regiment were surrounded by French troops and fought back to back until the attackers withdrew.

They fought alongside Sir Arthur Wellesley who commanded the British Army during the Peninsular Wars and they drove the French Armed Forces out of Spain. In 1814 Wellesley was given the title the Duke of Wellington and was put in command of the army that defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in June 1815.
They took part in the Crimean war, The Indian Mutiny and the 1st and 2nd World Wars and were fighting in Korea.

So the Gloucestershire Regiments have served their country for over 300 years.

In 1994 the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment amalgamated with the Gloucestershire Regiment to form the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment. In 2005 the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment became the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry. In 2007 they merged with four Light Infantry and Rifle Regiments: The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, The Light Infantry, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry and The Royal Green Jackets to become The Rifles.
They have served extremely bravely and have faced many challenges in Iraq and Afghanistan

The museum is open throughout the year from 10 – 5. Everyday except Monday.

To find out more the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum Website is: http://www.glosters.org.uk/

A walk around the Cotswold Village of Coberley

2010-11-16T05:09:00.000-08:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

This week I am going to suggest a walk along a section, a very small section of The Gloucestershire Way

The full walk takes you from Tutshill, near Chepstow, through the Forest of Dean and down into the Severn Vale to Gloucester, then up Crickley Hill to the Air Balloon, and on into the Cotswolds taking a great sweep through Coberley to Stow-on-the-Wold before doubling back through Winchombe, finally finishing in Tewkesbury, a distance of 100 scenic miles. The section I’m going to talk about is about the tiny but very historic village of Coberley which lies near Severn Springs, above Cheltenham.

Interestingly, two years ago the tiny village of Coberley featured on national television because the Channel 4 Time Team arrived for a 3 day archaeological dig in a nearby field and uncovered two magnificent roman mosaic floors. Further finds gave them sufficient evidence to assume that they had uncovered the ruins of a high status late 2nd century villa and large country estate. The then owners had chosen a sheltered site near Ermine Street a major Roman road linking the important fortress towns of Cirencester and Gloucester.

Coberley village Church

Twelve hundred years later a large medieval stately home at Coberley became the childhood home of Sir Richard Whittington, thought to be the Dick Whittington of Christmas pantomimes, but I race ahead. The big house has long since gone, so a visit to the village church has Dick’s picture on the wall and the south chapel reveals some interesting stories about the Lords of the Manor and their families.

After the Norman invasion in the 11th century records show that the powerful Berkeley family owned vast areas of land including land at Coberley. In about 1270 Sir Giles Berkley II travelled to the Holy Land with Prince Edward, and his large army to fight in the crusades. On their return home Sir Giles now a knight, member of parliament and important public figure settled into Coberley Hall and entertained his Prince who had become King Edward I.

When Sir Giles favourite war horse died, he had it buried in the churchyard, the horses headstone has its name, LOMBARD inscribed across it. You can see the headstone as you make your way to the church door. When Sir Giles died his body was buried in Little Malvern Priory church, however his heart was brought to Coberley for burial and there is a monument beside the altar, on the south wall of the sanctuary with a carved image of a knight holding a heart.

Sir Giles was succeeded by his son Sir Thomas who fought at the battle of Crecy with King Edward III. He died about 1350 and his tomb and stone effigy are in the south chapel. His widowed second wife Joan married Sir William Whittington of Pauntley. This was a very rash thing to do as they hadn’t sought permission from King Edward, to marry; so Sir William fell out of favour with the king as well as the Berkeley family, and was forced to live as an outlaw, he died a few years after Richard was born. Joan returned to Coberley where Richard was brought up. Joan was probably buried in the Berkeley family tomb as her stone effigy lies next Sir Thomas’s on top of the tomb.

Celebrating the work of John Singer Sargent in London & the Cotswold Village of Broadway

2010-09-27T01:28:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

John Singer Sargent (1856 – 1925)

I have just returned from London having seen the latest art exhibition at The Royal Academy in London entitled Sargent and the Sea. It was interesting to view American expatriate John Singer Sargent’s very early work undertaken when he was between the ages of 18 and 23.

Coming from a seafaring family, the sea was in his blood. Sargent spent much time on the coast and he sailed on steam ships crossing the ocean between America and Europe.

His experiments with painting the different moods of the sea from sheltered waters with waves glinting in the sun and gently splashing rocks, to fearsome storms and rolling seas was impressive but not totally accomplished. His painting “Atlantic Storm” painted in 1876 whilst on the stern of a ship shows huge irregular dark menacing waves with flumes of iridescent white water was cleverly executed. The threatening sky with rays of light breaking behind the clouds captures a moment very well. The zig zag luminescent wake of the ship as it’s lifted out of the trough and up over a wave into another trough is inspired and gives the viewer a sense of fear in a dangerous situation. The standpoint on the stern of a ship involves the viewer in the sea crossing; however the perspective of the ship is confusing.

Sargent’s love of painting fishing boats is evident and there are plenty of detailed sketches of sails and rigging. With his “En Route pour la peche” and “Fishing for Oysters at Cancale” he captures a moment in time. Women, wearing long skirts and aprons with shawls around their shoulders are walking and talking together as they carry their empty baskets down to the sea to collect fish. The reflections in the wet sand prepares the viewer for the hard work that the women are about to undertake in the chill of the sea breeze. A small boy in the group stops to turn up his trousers to prevent them getting wet, under the caring gaze of his mother.

I’m familiar with Sargent’s later work, his famous portrait paintings of English Aristocrats. At Blenheim Palace in the Red Drawing Room for example, there is the famous family painting of the 9th Duke of Marlborough, his wife, American born Consuelo Vanderbilt and their two sons painted in 1905 which is always mentioned by the room guides during a tour through the state rooms.

However the route from landscapes and seascapes to portraiture involved a scandal in Paris with Sargent arriving in London to escape humiliation and a wrecked career. He had persuaded society beauty Madame Gautreau, otherwise known as Madame X, to sit for him. She posed for him in a revealing black satin gown with thin jewelled shoulder straps, one of which had fallen off the shoulder. It was a very daring and suggestive stance which, when the salon opened for viewing, the visitors were shocked and consequently the reviews were very negative.

Shocked, ill and uninspired to ever paint again he was gently nursed back to health and encouraged to take up his paint brushes again by his friends, Edwin Abbey, Frank and Lily Millet, Alfred Parsons, Frederick and Alice Barnard, American actress Mary Anderson and her husband Antonio Navarro.

Summers were spent enjoying the picturesque rural charm of the attractive Cotswold village of Broadway. Frank Millet and his family rented Farnham House alongside the village green, then the following year they took Russell House and also acquired Abbots Grange a derelict monastic building which had a two storey barn in the garden which they converted to a studio. Edwin Abbey and Frank Millet painted inside, Henry James and Edmund Gosse wrote in the rooms upstairs and John Sargent and Alfred Parsons painted en plein air just outside. They were all able to talk to one another as they worked.

They were a fun loving, laid-back Bohemian group who spent their mornings working on their projects, followed by games of tennis and afternoon tea, then music and dancing or games in the evenings. Nothing was too outrageous or shocking for them, even the local villagers dismissed their antics by saying “Them Americans is out again!”

In 1885 the idea of capturing the evening light as the sun set, together with the artificial light emanating from the Japanese lanterns that the two girls are holding, excited the friends. They encouraged Sargent to paint his picture which we now know as Carnation, Lily, Lily Rose as the sun was setting. He painted whilst the light lasted, which was for about ten minutes each evening. The painting took two years to complete, but the result is sensational.

A walk to find a grade 1 listed church, a bee shelter and some hard pears

2010-09-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Most people have heard of Hartpury Agricultural College which is about 5 miles north of Gloucester and has an international reputation for its range of farming related courses. So today I’m going to recommend a circular walk from the village of Hartpury, starting at the Village Hall.

Walk along Danesford Lane, then take the path through the fields in the direction of the village church where there is an interesting collection of historic buildings to discover, and some fine views to enjoy.

The name Hartpury is probably a derivation from a Saxon name for the village sounding something like Hardipiry meaning hard pear. In the church yard there’s a collection of pear trees that grow inedible fruit but which produce a surprising amount of juice that makes the most delicious drink called Perry. I understand that there are over 100 different perry pear varieties in Gloucestershire with the most amazing names: such as Merrylegs; Mumblehead; Lumberskull; Drunkers and of course Stinking Bishop. made famous by the cheese that’s washed in perry pear juice, and so enjoyed by Wallace and Gromit

St Mary’s Church is listed as grade 1 which shows that it is of exceptional interest. It dates back to Norman times, with many alterations in the 14th century including the addition of its tower.

In the churchyard is a very special beehive. It’s not your ordinary beehive, its more like a 4 star bee hotel which, I hasten to add is completely unoccupied. It has 28 identical “rooms” and five extra in the basement and would, “when in business” have housed 33 working skeps or coiled straw hives that were used by bee keepers before wooden hives were invented.

This bee shelter as it’s called, is quite unique, was made in Gloucestershire and curiously has links with the houses of Parliament.

The shelter is a 19th century stone building which was found in a garden in Nailsworth and was restored in 1968, before arriving in the churchyard behind Hartpury church and is now under the care of their historic buildings trust.

Why has it links with The Houses of Parliament? – well the mason and quarry owner Paul Tuffley who lived at Nailsworth supplied the stone to architect Charles Barry’s senior mason who supervised all the sculpture work . So the same Cotswold stone that was used to make this bee shelter is in the interior of the new houses of parliament.

Honey seems to have been used as a currency here at Hartpury, because Gloucester Abbey, who owned the land, leased it, in return for an annual payment of 24lbs of honey. Honey in medieval times was used to sweeten food and to make the alcoholic beverage Mead.

There’s a restored chapel to see, originally built by nuns who came to England having escaped from the French Revolutionary forces that invaded Brussels in 1793. They lived at Hartpury Court for 45 years and occupied themselves with farming, building the chapel and they also ran a school for girls between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.

Before you leave here look at the roof of the 15th century tithe barn. It has a carved stone Welsh dragon at one end looking in an easterly direction towards England and a stone carved English Lion looking the other way over towards Wales.

A short walk down the road takes you to view a very attractive 18th century watermill built of soft red brick standing alongside the River Leadon.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this interesting stop. From here you can head back to Danford Lane or head on towards Hartpury College which you will see in the distance or turn right and go south towards the River Leadon and follow it to Barbers Bridge or Rudford.

Hartpury Parish Council have produced a leaflet containing information about all the walks around their parish and there is further information on their website.

Exploring May Hill, Gloucestershire

2010-09-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

The top knot of trees on top of May Hill

May Hill is such a distinctive landmark for miles around but the nearer you get to it the less of the outline you see. I say that, because I was showing a new radio presenter around the Cotswolds. She had moved to the Forest of Dean six months earlier and had taken many walks over May Hill and interviewed local people there, but when we were driving around the Cotswolds I pointed out May Hill and her surprise at its distinctiveness made me realise that it is best viewed from a long way away and once seen, never forgotten.

If you want to climb May Hill, it isn't easy to find. To get there turn right off the A40 Gloucester to Ross-on-Wye Road towards Clifford Mense passing the Glasshouse on the way. Turn left by the Yew Tree Pub and drive half way up the hill and there is a small car park on the right.

Marcle Ridge with transmitter mast
in the middle of the picture

From the car park you get glorious views across the Herefordshire countryside. You can see the Ridge Hill transmitter at Marcle Ridge straight ahead. Then over to the left, the Welsh borders and the Black Mountains. On a clear day you can see a conical hill called The Sugar Loaf which is in the Brecon Beacons near to the town of Abergavenny. You can also see a promontory called Hay Bluff, a great wedge at the northern end of the Welsh Mountains which is close to Hay on Wye. Way over to the right are the Malvern Hills which act as the boundary between Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The western side of the Malvern Hills

The lower slopes of May Hill are wooded, then as you get nearer the summit there's grassland and gorse bushes. A herd of ponies graze the hill which stops the vegetation taking over. There is the distinctive clump of trees at the summit and information as to when and why the trees were planted there. The taller trees were planted in 1887 to mark the Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the younger trees were planted in 1977 to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee.

The view from the other side of the hill is across the Severn Plain with the Cotswold escarpment in the distance. The lower reaches of the River Severn cuts through the middle of the view with the great horse shoe bend around Arlingham and it takes its very zig zag route towards the bridges which are sadly out of sight. You can probably just see the wetlands at Slimbridge.

Tour and Explore Bredon Village, Worcestershire

2010-09-11T06:25:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett
When you pass the M50 motorway travelling south on the M5 towards the county of Gloucestershire, you pass Bredon Hill on the left, and then see the tall slender spire of Bredon church with the backdrop of the Cotswold escarpment behind.

St Giles Church Bredon

Alongside the church you can just make out the end wall of the medieval tithe barn and then you see the River Avon which flows alongside the village and flows under the motorway towards Tewkesbury where it joins the River Severn. It’s a very picturesque and welcoming sight.

I recommend a wander around this historic village to explore the ancient church, the medieval barn and enjoy the view across the river Avon. For anyone who has read local author, John Moore’s novels, Bredon is in fact, the fictional Brensham Village.

A Norman Porch and doorway

Bredon was well developed by the 8th century and a Saxon Monastery was built, however it was apparently sacked and destroyed by the Vikings who came up the river and raided a number of villages around Bredon Hill. The church, which one sees from the motorway, is over 800 years old having been built by the Normans in the late 12th century, there are also later additions to the church and it has a lot of interesting features, the spire was added in the 14th century.

The beautiful Old Rectory dates back to the 15th century and can be seen behind the brick wall of the graveyard alongside the church. The roof of the Rectory is interesting as there are two mounted stone figures on top, one at each end. One is said to be King Charles II and the other is said to be Oliver Cromwell, two bitter enemies, and local tradition states that if ever the two meet, it will be the end of the world.

In the grounds of Manor Farm is a 14th century medieval barn which is huge, and is in the care of the National Trust. It hit the headlines in 1980 after bales of hay caught fire and the building was almost destroyed, however it has been very well restored and for an empty building it is well worth a look. There are steps up to what is called the Reeve’s Chamber, a room which overlooks the barn where records were kept of the tithes owed by the tenant farmers of the Manor. Interestingly there is a square pit in the corner which drops down to below the ground floor level and it is thought that this is where the defaulters were lowered if they couldn’t pay their dues - Punishment was very harsh in those days. There are slits in the walls of the barn for ventilation and also spaces for birds to come and go. There’s plenty of evidence and noise that it is well used by the local pigeons.

A wander down Dock Lane takes you to the riverside. And there’s a recreation ground with seats and benches where you can enjoy the riverside setting and watch the boats chug up and down this lovely river which started near Naseby in Northamptonshire and has travelled nearly 90 miles passing Warwick Castle, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Evesham and Pershore as it passes Bredon Village on its way to the sea.

For guided group coach tours around Worcestershire and The Malverns

A Restored Hunting Lodge in Gloucestershire

2010-08-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

There’s an intriguing historic house in the South Cotswolds which has an incredible story, I wonder whether you can identify it, as I tell you how this building was saved from destruction, then opened to the public in 1984 as a visitor attraction.

The house, surrounded by 700 acres of park land, was originally a hunting lodge built in the 16th century. Over the years with additions and alterations the building was converted into a very fine house. In 1949 the house and land was gifted to the National Trust by a Mrs Power Clutterbuck as a memorial to her only son and heir James who was killed in action during the 1st World War.

Money to maintain the house was not available in those days so the property was let to a variety of tenants over the next few years to provide income for the Trust, but the upkeep was neglected and by 1970 the house was empty and in a very sad state.

The cost of repair was going to be so expensive that a decision was reached to take the roof off this very gloomy and ghostly empty building, make it uninhabitable, and leave it as a ruin on the landscape.

Fortunately, Robert Parsons, an American architect and lover of England’s historic buildings was keen to settle in England, and heard about the dilapidated house.

He met with the National Trust, negotiated a very tiny rent, signed a repairing lease and using his own money, time, energy and expertise, moved in and set about restoring the house and the 7 acres of gardens that once surrounded it.

The restoration work is really impressive and, if you haven’t already guessed, the place I’m talking about, is Newark Park, Ozleworth nr Wotton-Under-Edge. It’s now considered an important Cotswold architectural gem and has been given a grade 1 listing.

Robert Parsons who left us this great legacy, died a few years ago, but fortunately his friend and colleague, continues the work with as much commitment and dedication.

The house, now a lovely home, is very interesting. The views from the garden room are probably some of the finest in the county, with a 50 mile sweep from the Marlborough Downs in the east to the Mendips in the West. The landscape of Wiltshire and Somerset that can be seen from the window probably hasn’t altered much in hundreds of years, even the conurbation of Bristol is hidden behind trees and there are no blots on the landscape like roads and power lines to spoil the effect.

The rediscovered 18th century landscaped garden can be enjoyed complete with carp pond, 18th century summerhouse castle folly and carriage drive.

As well as the house and garden, there’s a picnic area beyond the car park. and there are 3 different walks through the surrounding parkland that link with the Cotswold Way. Newark Park is open for the season on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays from 11 o’clock in the morning and closes at 5 o’clock.

A Cruise Along the Sharpness Canal, Gloucester

2010-08-22T03:57:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Today I’m going to recommend a sightseeing trip down part of the Sharpness Canal from the Gloucester Waterways museum and back. The journey will be on an historic little ship, which played a very important part in evacuating the British Expeditionary Forces from the beaches of Dunkirk in France during the 2nd World War.

Looking at the pleasure boat with is seats and awning on the top deck and its saloon with tables and chairs below, is doesn’t seem possible that it was able to ply backwards and forwards across the English Channel. But, she was part of a hastily assembled flotilla of about 800 little ships called upon to rescue, in all, about 338,000 stranded British, French and Belgium soldiers from the harbour and beaches of Dunkirk between 27th May and 3rd June 1940.

Queen Boadicea II on its moorings

Called Queen Boadicea II she was built in 1936 as a river boat, operating between Greenwich and Westminster in London, then Kingswear and Dartmouth in Devon before being bought by the Waterways museum to work 74 years later here in Gloucester.

There are a variety of different cruises to take, but the one that my group and I enjoyed was one that operates at least three times daily throughout the summer until October. It’s 45 minute long and took us out of Gloucester Docks and along the Sharpness canal to a place called ‘2 mile bend’, a good turning point where we where able to see a new high level swing bridge built to take the new road, Gloucester’s South Western by pass over the canal.

The skipper told us that before the building of the Sharpness Canal small sailing ships used the River Severn to get to Gloucester but because of tides, sand banks, narrow channels and other hazards it could take 2 weeks to make the journey. A ship canal to bypass the river was started in 1793 but the company went bankrupt after 5 years with only 5 miles of canal having been built. 34 years later, with the help of the great engineer Thomas Telford, the Sharpness canal was finally completed, and when it opened it was the largest and deepest canal in the world.

The ship canal made Gloucester a very important trading centre in the 19th century and was a gateway for waterborne transport to the industrial Midlands. However, during the 20th century, more and more cargo was being transported by the railways, then later by roads and motorways. Warehouses and Industry dependant on the Sharpness canal fell into decline. Today there are big changes taking place alongside the canal and I do recommend a boat trip every now and again for an update on what is happening around Gloucester Docks.

The latest information I have on the departure times for the Queen Boadicea II is 12 0’clock, 1.30 and 2.30 in the afternoon. There are 80 seats on the boat, though it does get very full, and for £4.75 per adult and £3.50 for a child you get a very enjoyable trip as well as an interesting commentary by the Skipper.

For further information it is best to phone 01452 318200 which is the telephone number of the Gloucester Waterways museum.

A day that a replica of the historic ship
The Matthew visited Gloucester Docks

For guided walking tours of Gloucester Docks

For guided group coach tours around Gloucestershire

Contact: anne@tourandexplore.com

The Rollright Stones, Oxfordshire

2010-08-22T03:17:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

The Rollright Stones, also known
as The Kings Men

Alongside a busy main road between Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Norton there's an ancient 100 foot stone circle known as the Rollright Stones. They are somewhat hidden behind a hedge in a field, so you have to get out of your car and enter the field to be able to see them, and they are well worth a look.

Archaeologists reckon that the stones date back to the Bronze Age (somewhere between 5,500 and 3,500 years ago) and are part of an ancient religious site.

Although they are not as awesome as the Avebury circles and Stonehenge, its nevertheless a privilege to be able to view something as old and as meaningful to our ancestors as a religious site dating back approximately 2,000 years BC.

In a field on the opposite side of the road is a monolith or marker stone, now known as the King Stone, which would have been seen from the stone circle before the hedges were planted. Also visible across the field from the stone circle, but some way away, is a group of 5 large stones leaning together labelled the Whispering Knights, these stones were probably part of a neolithic burial chamber used by the first farming communities to bury their dead. I'm really impressed by the antiquity of the Rollright stones however prehistoric stones like these have always been linked to witchcraft.

The King Stone

As such, a variety of legends have developed over the years, one of which tells of a King who wanted to rule the whole of England. When he arrived at this spot with his army he met a witch. The witch seeing that he was an ambitious ruler thought that she would trick him. She told him to take seven long strides and, 'If Long Compton though cans't see, King of England though shalt be.'

The Whispering Knights

The King, thinking that the witch was a silly old woman and that the challenge was very easy, strode out saying: "Stick, stock, stone, as King of England I shall be known." But when he took the seventh stride he still couldn't see Long Compton. The witch cackled, "As Long Compton though canst not see, King of England though shalt not be. Rise up stick, and stand still stone, for King of England though shalt be none. Thou and thy men hoar stones shall be, and myself an Elden Tree".

A little further on and this is the view
of Long Compton today

Instantly he and his men were turned to stone. The Whispering Knights who were some way off plotting to overthrow the king when he became ruler of all England, were also turned to stone.

There are a number of other stories but this is the best known one to explain the mystery of the stones being placed here.

For guided coach tours around the Cotswolds
Contact: anne@tourandexplore
or
See: http://www.tourandexplore.com/

A Cruise along the River Thames at Lechlade in Gloucestershire

2010-08-05T05:56:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour guide - Anne Bartlett
Recorded for BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Saturday Breakfast Show with Tom Lowe

The other day we stopped in Lechlade and had a walk along the River Thames. I was delighted to see that the Cotswold Canals Trust had started boat trips as far as Inglesham Lock to see the start of the derelict Thames and Severn Canal which, in the 19th century, linked the two great rivers of our country, so I was keen to have a look.

For Gloucestershire people the restoration of the Cotswold Canals is a major development with funding from the Heritage Lottery, the South West Regional Development Agency, The Cotswold Canals Trust and many hours of labour from keen volunteers. A great deal of building work is happening at the moment in Stroud itself.

I have taken a number of guided walks along parts of the tow path and seen some interesting canal architecture and enjoyed the countryside but in many places the canal banks are overgrown, the lock gates missing or broken and the canal basin empty of water, which is not surprising since it was abandoned about 50 years ago as the railways took trade away and delivered more cargo faster.

The Cotswold canals have a future and will be used by leisure boats rather than trading boats. The tow paths will provide enjoyable walks for all the family. I recommend this half -hour boat trip, not only is it enjoyable but the money goes towards a very exciting project. For further information on the boat trips run by the Cotswold Canals Trust call 07787 485 294 or look at their website http://www.lechladetripboat.co.uk/

For organised group guided coach tours around the East Cotswolds contact anne@tourandexplore.com

Hailes Abbey, Gloucestershire

2010-08-04T01:42:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

An artists impression of Hailes Abbey
before its dissolution in 1539

A place which I find very special and interesting, are the ruins of Hailes Abbey between Winchcombe and Stanway in the north Cotswolds.

It was in 1242 when Richard Earl of Cornwall nearly drowned whilst crossing a stormy sea in a foundering ship on his voyage back from fighting in the Crusades. He vowed that he would build an Abbey if he got back to England safely.

He kept his vow and was given land by his brother King Henry III and by the middle of the 13th century the Abbey buildings were well underway. The church and living quarters alongside, were for the Cistercian order of monks often known as white monks, because they wore habits of undyed wool. Cistercian monks liked remote places away from all human contact, they were self sufficient, and farming was their means of survival. At Hailes they were isolated and were able to devote their life to God.

However after the Abbey was built, Edmund, Earl Richard's son, bought a phial containing some of Christ's Blood. It had a guarantee that it was genuine from the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who later became Pope.

A beautiful chapel and sacred shrine were built behind the high altar in the abbey church for the phial, and it was ceremoniously presented to the monks. The hugely important relic, known as the 'Holy Blood of Hailes' was to make the Abbey one of the great pilgrimage centres of England and many miracles were said to have taken place there.

In the 16th century Henry VIII became king of England

The Abbey along with many other religious houses around the country was destroyed in the 1530's on the orders of King Henry VIII. The wealth and treasures at Hailes were appropriated for the Crown. The phial of blood was tested and was proclaimed to be a fake.

King Henry VIII, having been excommunicated by the Pope in Rome over his divorce had made himself Supreme Head of the Church in England. He now had powerful enemies abroad and needed money quickly to build up his navy to fight wars on the continent. He therefore sold a lot of monastic land which was bought by leading nobles and ambitious gentry who were keen to extend their family position and status. There is a Kip's drawing of a magnificent house and formal gardens entitled 'Hailes Abbey the seat of the Lord Tracy'. All this has disappeared now but the beautifully maintained site around the foundations, remaining walls and arches are now in the care of English Heritage.

There's an interesting museum, and a free audio tour as well as information boards around the site. You can take a picnic and spend the day there, or drive further up the road to Hailes fruit farm, where you can pick fresh fruit, shop or enjoy something to eat and drink in their cafe.

After an enjoyable time at Hailes Abbey we travelled to Stanway to look around the village and this is what we discovered...

Recycled stone - said to be from Hailes Abbey!

For group guided coach tours around the North Cotswolds see my website: http://www.tourandexplore.com/

The Regency Town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire

2010-07-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

The Promenade, Cheltenham

Cheltenham is considered one of the most complete Regency towns in England.
The Regency period is part of the late Georgian times. It was when King George III became insane in 1811, but lived until 1820. So his eldest son George became the Prince Regent, and ruled for nine years in the King's stead. Then when his father died George became King George IV and reigned in his own right from 1820-1830. Because of the Prince Regent’s huge influence on fashion, this is known as The Regency Period. Regency architecture was classical in nature. It used the traditional style of building of ancient Greece and Rome. And the typical Regency upper or middle-class houses were built in brick and covered in stucco or painted plaster with fluted Greek columns or pilasters, and carefully moulded cornices with beautiful decorative ironwork. So the building style is best described as "refined elegance".

How did Cheltenham develop from an insignificant medieval village to what you see today? Well surprisingly it’s thanks to a flock of pigeons and a very poorly king George III.

Back in 1716 a farmer called William Mason had bought a field in Bayshill (which is where the Ladies College now stands) and had the intention of farming it, but he noticed that pigeons were continually pecking near a trickle of mineral water running at the edge of the field. Spa towns such as Bath and Tunbridge Wells were becoming increasingly popular as health resorts for the wealthy. With this in mind, Mason developed the spring, fenced it, and built a thatched hut over it. He sold glasses of the mineral water to the public and his business venture was moderately successful.

William Mason retired and the estate passed to his daughter and son in law, Henry Skillicorne, a sea captain. Henry had a good eye for business and developed the potential of the Bayshill site turning it into a profitable enterprise.

In 1788 King George III had a nasty bilious attack and was recommended the Cheltenham waters by his doctor. So, leaving Windsor castle on 12th July 1788 he arrived in Cheltenham with his family to stay with Lord Fauconberg at his Bayshill House. The Royal family were here for five weeks.

The accounts show that it was a relaxed informal visit. The King would rise early and visit the well at 6 o’clock in the morning to drink the waters. He’d go off on his own riding out to the Cotswolds or he would walk around the town talking to shop keepers or passers by. It was a happy successful visit and by the time the royal party were to leave on the 16th August all Cheltenham came out to see them off – the gentles on one side and the commons on the other, and a band played God Save the King.

Pittville Pump Rooms, Cheltenham

Following the visit of King George III, Cheltenham was on the map, it was a Spa town to be visited. Arthur Welesley, later to become the Duke of Wellington, visited Cheltenham four times, and found relief for his liver complaint caused by a long period of service in India and he recommended the waters to his officers.

Visitors to the town increased and accommodation was needed. Speculators came and lodging houses went up at a great rate. There was a search to find more springs and new wells were opened.

Montpellier Pump Rooms, Cheltenham

After the first, named Royal Well, there was Montpellier Spa, Sherbourne Spa (where the Queen’s Hotel now stands) Vittoria Spa, Cambray Spa, Alstone Spa and Pittville Spa; business was booming. Assembly rooms were built for balls, concerts, card games and billiards. Theatres developed. Gardens were laid out with bandstands and, walks and rides so the fashionable people could promenade with their friends and see and be seen. Here was an opportunity for new friendships to develop, a chance to flirt, to find an aristocratic husband or a wealthy wife, to flaunt new clothes, to frequent the coffee houses and tea rooms, visit bookshops and complain about the extortionate prices.

This was now the Regency period, visiting a spa had become an established social custom. Cheltenham became the Merriest Sick Resort on Earth and probably in most cases the benefits to health were coincidental.

Gustav Holst's statue, Imperial Gardens,
Cheltenham

Cheltenham has two famous sons. Gustav Holst was born here on 21st September 1874 and his birthplace 4, Clarence Street, is a typical Victorian terraced house and a delightful museum which honours his life and tells the story of the man and his music. Some of his personal belongings including his piano are on display. There is a bronze statue of him in Imperial gardens facing the town hall where he attended a 2 hour festival of music in his honour in 1927. He was invited to conduct Somerset Rhapsody and his most celebrated work The Planets. (d 1934).

Dr Edward Wilson the Antarctic Explorer who died with Captain Scott on his return from the South Pole in March 1912 was born in Montpellier Terrace on 23rd July 1872. (So, just 2 years difference in their ages.) Wilson went to Cheltenham College before going to Cambridge to read Natural Science and medicine. There is a statue to him in the Promenade which was sculptured by Lady Scott and there is also a gallery dedicated to him in the museum nearby.

Cheltenham is the Headquarters of the National Hunt (horse racing over hurdles) which culminates in the Gold Cup Festival from 15th – 18th March next year. The crowds, over 200,000 people attend over the 4 days, and over £500 million pounds will be bet on the results of just 26 races. The Race Course, set in the lee of the Cotswold Hills attracts royalty, celebrities, the great, the good and the fashionable. The carnival atmosphere gives residents a sense of occasion whether they are involved or not. There is so much more to see in Cheltenham....

For a group guided tour of Cheltenham and the surrounding area as part of a coach tour or a special guided walk of Cheltenham's historic town centre. Contact anne@tourandexplore.com

A visit to the Market Town of Cirencester in Gloucestershire

2010-07-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

If you haven’t visited Cirencester recently, then you haven’t seen the restored Parish Church, the smart new shops in the Corn Hall or the newly developed Post Office site. The Brewery Art Centre has been altered too, so is well worth a visit. You can see the craft workshops, visit the café, and also the theatre for performing arts, music concerts and exhibitions.

I visited Cirencester a short while ago to see the result of the major work on the Parish church. You certainly get the wow factor when you walk in. The new floor is bright, its even and it makes the church look much bigger than it was before.

Cirencester is a great place to visit and to explore. Many changes have taken place just recently and it has a great history. As you probably know, it developed in Roman times when it became the second most important town after London. By the 12th century it had become well established with, a very large Augustinian Abbey and a Norman castle. Although you won’t see these buildings today, there’s still a Castle Street as well as the Abbey Grounds to remind us.

The building of the magnificent Parish church of St John the Baptist, which of course dominates the town today, was started in the 12th century in front of the great Abbey, and facing the market place. Although there were two separate religious buildings, one for the townsfolk and the other for the monks, the Abbot had considerable influence over the town. He had the great South porch with its lovely fan vaulting built on to the parish church to provide a meeting place for his business with the town in the 1500's. After the dissolution of the abbey in 1539 the 3 storey porch became the Town Hall and is used for various functions today. If you look at the porch from the market place, the main hall is on the 2nd floor and I was able to go up and have a look around. It's an interesting room with a small balcony at the back over looking the main hall which, I was told, was where the Abbot stood to oversee his business going on below. I could still feel his presence!

The Chapels of Cirencester Parish Church

Do go and visit the church then take a walk around the outside. From the churchyard you can see the additional chapels and the different styles of building. It has some amazing architecture.

Cirencester has its olde worlde charm, its historic buildings, but its also changing, and has a style and quality that’s quite unique and very special. Its well worth a visit.

For: a group guided tour of Cirencester and the surrounding area as part of a coach tour or a special walking tour of the town. Contact: anne@tourandexplore.com

Hidcote Manor Gardens in Gloucestershire

2010-07-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett
One of the most popular gardens to visit in Gloucestershire is Hidcote Manor Gardens right on the northern edge of the Cotswold escarpment above Chipping Campden.

Now if you have never visited Hidcote, it has the reputation of being one of the greatest gardens of the 20th century. It was built as a series of outdoor 'rooms', all with different themes such as the white garden, the red borders, the Fuchia garden, the stream garden and the wilderness to name but some.

It was over 100 years ago that a Mrs Gertrude Winthrop and her son Laurence Johnston bought the Hidcote Manor Estate. There was a large stone built farmhouse with a kitchen garden and lawn, and the rest of the estate was farmland. Johnston then aged about 36 set about designing and creating the various gardens from open fields working outwards from the house. He employed about 12 gardeners and between them they planted hedges to frame the different gardens, laid the paths and created the flower beds.

Amazingly Johnston was largely self taught, but he became a very knowledgeable plant expert, he enjoyed collecting rare and unusual plants himself. He went on expeditions to the Far East to find new plants; he also sponsored other people to go plant collecting for him so it became a very interesting and special garden.
The heyday of the garden was in the 1930’s but by the mid 1940’s Johnston was getting old and frail and he decided to move permanently to his other home in France. He gave Hidcote Manor Gardens to The National Trust and they took it over in 1948.

The National Trust has since owned Hidcote for a longer time than Laurence Johnston owned it. Recently the Trust was given a very large sum of money and they’ve raised a great deal more, in order to restore the estate to how it looked in its heyday.

Gardens are always changing and at Hidcote exciting new projects have been undertaken.
Yesterday, Thursday 29th July the restored sub tropical plant house was properly opened by Roy Lancaster - horticulturalist, writer and broadcaster.

For further information you can either look at the National Trust website which is nationaltrust.org.uk or you can telephone the garden – and the number is 01386 438333

For group guided Cotswold coach tours- to include a visit to Hidcote Manor Gardens, contact: anne@tourandexplore.com

Gruesome tales at Berkeley Castle

2010-07-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Recorded for: BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Saturday Breakfast Show

Berkeley Castle from the gardens

The other day I took a group of tourists to Berkeley in Gloucestershire to look around the oldest inhabited castle in the country. I was taking a guided coach tour around the South Cotswolds. The weather was absolutely glorious and, as we travelled down the Cotswold escarpment towards the castle, we enjoyed glorious views across to The Forest of Dean with landmark -May Hill and its distinctive top knot trees, clearly visible in the distance. We could make out the River Severn as it made its way out to the estuary.

The solid stone castle we were to visit guards the Severn estuary. Generations of the Berkeley family have lived there for over 850 year. In Medieval times they were noble knights who kept and trained a private army to fight for their king when needed.

When we arrived at Berkeley castle we were warmly welcomed and shown into the inner courtyard, which is completely surrounded by fortified buildings. The oldest part, the Keep dates back to 1117.

It was in the very first room of the Keep that we heard the gruesome story of how King Edward II met his early death. We looked down into a dungeon dropping 28 feet below us. This was where some prisoners were kept, but King Edward probably had more comfortable quarters in a small cell in the corner of the room. Legend has it that the king was held down in his cell, and a red hot poker inserted so that it went deep into his bowels, until his internal burns killed him. It is said that Edward’s screams were heard for miles around - hardly a good idea for those wanting to claim, as they did, that Edward had died a natural death. In actual fact, he was probably smothered, but why let a good story get in the way of the truth? Edward was killed on the orders of his wife Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer a very powerful and ambitious Marcher Lord who wanted to rule England.

Berkeley castle was involved in the Civil War in the 1640's when it endured a three-day siege and was captured by Parliamentary forces. A breach was made in the walling of the Keep which is still there today. In fact, the owners are forbidden by law even now to repair the damage!

The 14th century Great Hall with its lofty ceiling is typical for a medieval castle. It was where everyone who lived in the castle met and ate their meals. Pages and servants waited on table. Entertainment was a major feature of life in a medieval castle with music, dancing, jugglers, jesters, plays and masques.

We enjoyed our guided tour through all the state rooms, hearing about the Berkeley family through the centuries.

Outside, we enjoyed strolling around the well kept gardens before we got on the coach and headed back to Gloucester.

For a group guided coach tour to include Berkeley Castle contact anne@tourandexplore.com

A Restored Tudor House to explore in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

2010-07-18T01:30:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett
Recorded for: BBC Radio Gloucestershire

Tourist Information Centre, Tewkesbury

I recommend a visit to Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire during the summer months. The town has a wealth of medieval buildings, and is so well preserved that it is considered to be one of the most important gem towns in Great Britain. This means that it is recommended for preservation by the state as part of our national heritage.

I’m therefore going to suggest that you include a beautifully restored early 16th century timber framed property on your itinerary. The building, which is of both architectural and historical importance, is on Church Street right by The Cross, and is distinctive as it has a large black Beadles Hat, an ancient trade sign, hanging from the first floor.

Inside the front door as you enter, there’s an Information Centre. The staff there are extremely helpful and they will provide booklets and a very good 'state of the art' hand held audio visual guide to help you with the interpretation of all the restoration work, as well as telling you about the interesting discoveries that were found during the process. You can then go through and explore the building in your own time.

During the restoration work, a huge amount of research was made on one of the owners, a Bartholomew Read, a prosperous glove maker, who lived through the Civil War, and Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth period, dying in 1680 during the reign of King Charles II. So, during a period of huge political and religious upheaval. The audio visual guide gives an account of Read, whose status and lifestyle is reflected in the light, spacious rooms on show in this Medieval property. Contrary to popular belief the typical Puritan household enjoyed alcohol as well as music, and domestic life was lived to the full with religion being an important influence on their daily lives.

A further large room upstairs on the second floor gives an account of the history and development of Tewkesbury from the Anglo Saxon Period through to the present day. A highlight of the display, are pictures and a description of the Battle of Tewkesbury, which took place in 1471.

Besides the permanent displays there is a special Summer Exhibition which is on at the moment and its called “The Art of Theatrical Costume” and has stunning outfits on loan from the Royal Shakespeare Company from productions put on by The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

100, Church Street or “Out of the Hat” as it is called is open throughout the year and opens 7 days a week during school holidays.

Children are made very welcome, and there are special museum trails, activities, interactive displays, quizzes and dressing up clothes available for them. Also during the school holidays there will be workshops and special events organised. Entry, for Adults is £3.50 and children £2.50. A family ticket is £10.00

For more information about visits to the restored Tudor property in Tewkesbury, the website is http://www.outofthehat.org.uk/ and the telephone number is 01684 855040.

For group guided tours around Tewkesbury either as part of a coach tour of the area, or a special walking tour of the town contact: anne@tourandexplore.com

Charles Rolls and his Wye Valley connections

2010-07-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett
Recorded for BBC Radio Gloucestershire Saturday Breakfast Show

The other day whilst doing a Forest of Dean coach tour we were travelling north along the A4136 running parallel to the River Wye and had glorious views down on the home town of pioneer motorist Charles Rolls and beyond into the Welsh countryside. This year is the centenary of the tragic death of Charles Rolls, so I reminded my group of locals from Gloucester about Charles’ eventful visit to their city in 1896.

Right up until 1896 every motor car, and there weren’t many about of course, that travelled on the roads had to have a man to walk in front of it, holding a red flag to warn people that the car was approaching. When the Red flag act was repealed, the emancipation of the motor car was celebrated with the London to Brighton Rally. The speed limit for cars was then increased from 4 to 14 miles an hour. And it was during that year that Charles Rolls was driving down Birdlip Hill when the brakes of his open topped Peugeot failed and the car sped down towards Brockworth, no doubt breaking the then speed limit.

Charles Rolls stopped at the New Inn in Northgate Street, Gloucester and the story goes that he was starting his car, I presume that he was using a crank handle, when the car started and ran him over! Fortunately only his pride was hurt!

Charles was later introduced to Henry Royce. Henry had a well established electrical and mechanical company and so they joined forces and worked together, Royce building and Rolls selling. In 1906 they had formed the Rolls Royce Company and were selling their classic car – The Silver Ghost.

Not content with speed on land Charles Rolls also learnt to fly, this was in the very early days when the Wright Brothers were developing their biplane. Charles bought a plane and made more than 200 flights and even set a record becoming the first man to cross the English Channel both ways in a single journey – a distance of 42 miles without stopping. Sadly it all ended in tragedy. Charles was killed aged 32, exactly 100 years ago on 12th July in an air crash at Hengistbury Airfield, Bournmouth when the tail of the plane broke off during an air display.

At the start of World War 1 Henry Royce was designing aero engines for planes built by the Gloster Aircraft Company. Rolls Royce developed the aero gas turbine engine that had been invented by Frank Whittle. Rolls Royce is now a global business and leads the world in building the most advanced jumbo jet engines, and its Filton works employs local people.

During July many places, including The Wye Valley, will be celebrating the life and significant achievements of the company founder Charles Rolls. There is an exhibition about him in the Nelson Museum in Monmouth until October.
For more about the celebrations in the Wye Valley there is a website http://www.monmouthevents.co.uk/

For Guided Coach Tours of The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley email: anne@tourandexplore.com

A Guided Tour of the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

2010-07-02T01:40:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

A few weeks ago I went with a group on a guided tour of the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham.

We were greeted in the foyer by members of the theatre staff, and then shown into the auditorium where we were seated. Looking around, with the lights on, we could see that this much loved historic building was in need of restoration work and decoration. We were told about a £3m fund raising efforts to secure money for essential maintainance work. We were given a fascinating introductory talk about the history of the Theatre in Cheltenham.

The first theatre, was on a different site, and goes back to the 18th century. It was during King George III's visit to Cheltenham in 1788 that he made several visits to the theatre, enjoying performances by famous actresses such as Sarah Siddons as well as Dorothea Jordon. The theatre was very fashionable, however fifty years later it was in decline and the building was eventually destroyed by fire.

In 1891 a new theatre including opera house was built, to a design by Frank Matcham, one of the greatest theatre architects of the Victorian Age. We admired the intricate detail around the walls and balconies of the auditorium with its Rococo plaster work, its carvings and its painted ceilings, which, we were told, was the oldest surviving example of Matcham’s work still in use as a theatre today, so the decoration is very rare and very special.

We were given a look around behind the scenes and learnt so much about what went on. It was a very enjoyable tour.

Yesterday, we received great news. £500,000 has been granted to the Everyman Theatre by the Heritage Lottery fund which means that £2,750,000 of funding is now in place and the restoration work to the paintings and plasterwork followed by redecoration of the auditorium should begin in May 2011.

Guided tours of the Everyman Theatre are available still, but must be booked in advance. So do look on the website wwweverymantheatre.org.uk. Or telephone 01242 695574

For group guided coach tours of Cheltenham and the surrounding area or walking tours of the town contact anne@tourandexplore.com

Coal Mining in the Forest of Dean

2010-06-24T00:52:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett
Recorded for BBC Radio Gloucestershire:

Visiting the Forest of Dean for many people, means either forest walks, some cycling, bird watching or generally enjoying the areas of outstanding natural beauty.

However, deep underground in among the sandstone rocks are seams of coal which were laid down long before the last ice age. During the boom years of, the Industrial Revolution, the 19th and early 20th century this fossil fuel was needed to power the country. Thousands of Foresters, went underground to work in the harshest of conditions to dig out the coal.

Today, very little remains of the numerous collieries and transport systems that had developed in the Forest around 200 years ago. So, to discover more of the Forest’s industrial past I visited Robin Morgan, a free miner, who’s still digging out tons of coal from seams deep down in the Hopewell colliery. Robin, in his spare time has developed an old mine, laid paths, put in hand rails to comply with safety regulations, so that visitors can go underground to see the mining heritage and hear about the way of life of those involved in the coal industry.

Wearing a miner’s hat with a lamp on the front, I followed Robin into the cave. It took a while for my eyes to get used to the dark. As we walked down the paths and into the mine proper, Robin told me that in the early days we would have used candles to light our way. As we needed both our hands we would have had a candle holder called a Nellie, held between our teeth! (Thank goodness for batteries these days!). Fortunately there’s no explosive gas in the Forest pits, so naked flames weren’t a danger. Robin showed me the layers of rock and a seam of coal and explained how it was formed around 300 million years ago. I saw an area that a man would have had to lain on his side and holding a pick in both hands hack away to get the lumps of black coal.

In the early days, boys would have learnt to become colliers starting by dragging coal tubs out of the mines crawling on their hands and knees. The rock would have made their knees raw and the ropes would have dug into the shoulders and caused deep wounds.

Robin showed me some horse shoes that had been found in the mine and told me that a miner’s act in the middle of the 1800’s prohibited women from hauling coal in pits and gradually ponies took over the work. I heard about the ponies and how well they were cared for, becoming very close to the keepers that looked after them. Some of the ponies that worked in the deep mines, lived underground permanently, but at Hopewell they had outdoor stables, now hidden by the undergrowth. Horse drawn tram roads were built to Lydney docks and Bullo Pill so that the coal could be taken down to the river and across to Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Finally, we came out of the blackness of the mine at the far end. Walking out into the bright sunshine we were surrounded by lush green undergrowth. The scars on the landscape of all the mine workings now mostly disappeared. I’d had a fascinating insight into the industrial era of the forest over sixty years ago when ten thousand miners laboured in tunnels under the area I’d travelled over, extracting the black gold on which we had all depended.

If you want to go and visit the mine, Robin is still a full time miner but he does like to show people around. It’s a good idea to ring up and make an appointment and the phone number of the colliery is 01594 810706.

For guided group coach tours of the Forest of Dean - email: anne@tourandexplore.com

Westbury Court Gardens, Gloucestershire

2010-06-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

By: Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Westbury Court Gardens, Gloucestershire

Recorded for BBC Radio Gloucestershire - Tom Lowe's Saturday Breakfast Show
Westbury Court Garden is a rare survival of a Dutch Water Garden, a style of garden that became fashionable for the well-to-do during the reign of King William III (1650 - 1702)

A group of Cheltenham Wives organised an outing to Westbury-on-Severn to see the gardens. We were shown around by the enthusiastic head gardener who told us about the manor houses that were alongside the gardens here - sadly none of them survive.

By 1959 a developer had bought the estate, intending to fill in the canals, demolish the gardens and build 10 houses on the site. Fortunately the local council intervened. They purchased the garden and gave it to the care and protection of the National Trust in 1967. This became the Trust's first garden restoration, and they set about re establishing the planting schemes that would have been right for a 17th century Dutch style garden.

My photograph shows the view looking north from the tall pavilion. The pavilion had got so dilapidated that the National Trust had to demolish and rebuild it using the evidence of the foundations, and the picture of it in a Johannes Kip's engraving.

Although the pavilion was expensive to rebuild. It greatly enhances the garden, as the canal and geometric shapes of the hedging are best seen from above.

June and early July are probably the best times to visit the garden as they have the largest tulip tree in the country and it was starting to flower, so the head gardener took us across to see it. Nearby we saw an ancient holm oak tree planted in the 17th century and the largest on record.

Westbury is 9 miles south west of Gloucester on the A48

For group guided coach tours email: anne@tourandexplore.com or for general excursions contact Marchants coaches on 01242 257714

A chat with a Free Miner in the Forest of Dean

2010-06-16T09:53:00.000-07:00

By: Anne Bartlett the Gloucestershire Tour Guide
Today I was delighted to meet Forest of Dean Free Miner and tremendous character - Dave Harvey. Here he is standing beside a chainsaw sculpture that depicts a catastrophic event in his life:

Dave was working in the Northern United Colliery, deep below ground when the mine roof caved in, trapping his legs - as you see in the picture. He was rescued from the collapsing tunnel by fellow miner Phil Bennett who grabbed Dave under the arms and pulled him away from danger.

The chainsaw sculpture can be seen at the Dean Heritage centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, Glos. I can't guarantee that Dave will be standing alongside it, but his poem "Big Phil Bennett" who saved his life, is printed on a board to the side of the sculpture. Its a very moving tribute to a very brave man.

http://www.deanheritagemuseum.com/

The museum sells a CD of Dave's songs and poetry.

For guided group coach tours of the Forest of Dean email anne@tourandexplore.com

A Group Visit to Broadway and the Arts Festival

2010-06-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

A picture of a group from Hampshire that I was guiding around the Cotswolds yesterday, getting back on the coach after an enjoyable visit to the village of Broadway.

We had stopped for some sightseeing, some refreshments and a look around the village Arts Festival. Some people enjoyed the art exhibitions and others were wowed by the flower displays in the church.

Broadway Arts Festival is on all next week until Sunday 20th June 2010 to celebrate the work of John Singer Sergent RA (1856 - 1925) and the Broadway Colony.

For guided group coach tours of The Romantic Road around the Cotswolds to include Broadway email: anne@tourandexplore.com

A visit to Chavenage House, Gloucestershire

2010-06-12T23:05:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett
See TV and Film Location Guide

The other day I took a specialist group from Bedfordshire on a private tour of Chavenage Manor nr Tetbury. Its an impressive Elizabethan house which is over 430 years old and is still in private ownership. It’s a great privilege to be able to have a look around this historic house and it’s particularly special because it has been a location for a number of films and TV programmes including
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Lark Rise to Candleford
The Mysterious Affair at Styles
In Love with Barbara
And A Curious House Guest
To name just some.

All sorts of historic events have taken place here and there are numerous stories to be told.

During the Civil War 1641 – 1645 the then owner of Chavenage, Nathaniel Stevens, was a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause and was reluctantly persuaded by Oliver Cromwell’s son-in-law to add his signature to King Charles 1sts death warrant.

When Nathaniel’s daughter Abigail returned home a few days later and heard what had taken place in her absence, she was horrified at what her father had done. Completely overcome with anger she laid a terrible curse on her father for bringing the family home into such disrepute.

This curse has given rise to a famous ghost story:-

Following the curse, Nathaniel Stephens became very seriously ill and died. On the day of his funeral, everyone had gathered at the house to pay their last respects.

A horse drawn hearse arrived to collect the coffin and pulled up in the driveway. The driver of the hearse looked very strange and appeared to have no head. Then a very odd thing happened. The body of Nathaniel Stephens rose from the coffin and floated over to the hearse. As Nathaniel’s body entered the hearse it bent low in deference to the driver. As the hearse drove away, the strange headless driver turned into the murdered King Charles 1.

There are a lot more stories to be heard on a tour of Chavenage and a visit to Cromwells room will reveal a lot more unexpected tales.

Recognition for Tourism Excellence

2010-06-11T01:53:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Tour and Explore along with four other businesses in Gloucestershire has been awarded the internationally recognised "Committed to Excellence" standard from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).

In total thirty-three businesses from all over the South West took part in the scheme which lasted for six months. All the businesses identified three improvement projects in a process designed to help them develop a clear vision and gain skills for future business development.

The five businesses from Gloucestershire were:

Anne Bartlett - Tour and Explore
Bairbre Lloyd - Gloucester Cathedral
Colin Badstock - Ramada Bowden Hall Hotel, Gloucester
Jon and Justin Taylor - STITA/Pathfinder
Richard Clements - English Holiday Cruises

The Tourism Skills Network South West in partnership with British Quality Foundation (BQF) and the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), offered the Tourism Business Excellence Programme for a pilot year. This is the first time the EFQM model has been provided in this way for tourism businesses in the U.K.

The programme was made up of a number of different elements designed to support the businesses to achieve the "Committed to Excellence" EFQM standard, which is internationally recognised. The different elements included three Tourism Business Excellence workshops, four half-day Lightbulb Masterclasses, an organisational self-assessment, and three business improvement projects amongst others.

A visit to Beachley, Gloucestershire

2010-06-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

The other day I visited a place right on the south west corner of Gloucestershire that I hadn’t seen for over 50 years.

Many, many years ago as a family, we used to drive to Beachley to catch the car ferry across the wide stretch of the River Severn to Aust near Bristol to save us a 60 mile journey up to Gloucester and down the other side. So, it was a trip back to see if much had changed.

I stood on the jetty and remembered the shear terror of a child as we drove in our car slowly down the slipway. The slipway’s not very wide and we had to make a sharp right hand turn (there was no power steering in those days) We had to drive onto a metal gangway, on onto the ferry, which was moored up, but moving up and down on the waves. We had to drive onto the ferry, then onto a turntable which was pulled round manually by the crew for the car to be pointing in the right direction for parking. And the the crew were continually barking out orders as they had to cram about 19 cars onto the ferry and they were banging on the bonnets of cars saying go over, now back into there…When the ferry was full we’d cross the dangerous fast flowing river to the other side. It took about 15 minutes. Then we’d moored up on the other side and go through the process again – barked orders, onto turntable, gangway, sharp right hand turn, up the slipway and away passing the queue of cars waiting to get onto the ferry to cross to the place we’d just come from.

In 1966 the first Severn Bridge was opened.

Its an interesting place with a car park with views across towards Oldbury. It’s a chance to admire the construction of the bridge which is in fact 2 bridges. The main section spans the Severn Estuary whilst the second smaller section spans the River Wye.

Does anyone else remember the Ferry crossing?

TV and Film Locations in Gloucestershire

2010-05-28T04:15:00.000-07:00

See Guide to TV and Film Locations

The other day I took some New Zealand journalists to visit a magical place in the Forest of Dean called Puzzlewood. Could this ancient landscape have given JRR Tolkein inspiration for Middle Earth?

It is known that JRR Tolkein knew the Forest of Dean well. He took part in an archaeological dig on a Roman Temple at Lydney Park near here, the temple remains were on top of a hill once called Dwarf Hill.

Legend says that 20 years after the Romans left Britain in 400AD the local people became frightened of the hill with all its tunnels and ruins believing that lots of little people such as dwarves and hobgoblins lived there, so the whole complex was left alone for over 1000 years.

It is said that Tolkein was influenced by the mythology surrounding the site and 3 years later he wrote his famous book, The Hobbit followed by The Lord of the Rings trilogy. So its quite likely that he visited this mysterious ancient woodland area too, which in 1929 was only known about by a few people. Who knows?

Filming for Lord of the Rings took place in New Zealand, so no claims here for that. However this place has been used as a location for the television series Merlin based on the historical legends of King Arthur and also the new Dr Who series called Weeping Angels.

For more information on guided tours by Anne Bartlett

A walk around the Sherborne Estate, Gloucestershire

2010-05-22T01:02:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Today I'm going to recommend an easy, interesting family walk in the Cotswold countryside.

The walk is around the National Trust land at Sherborne Park just off the A40 between Northleach and Burford. This is an easy 21/2 mile walk which should take around an hour and a half to complete. There are lots of things to discover on the way, such as wildlife sculptures, the village church, an ice house, stone quarry and many more. Parking is available at the Ewepens car park. There is no access to the magnificent Sherborne House which is private property but it can be seen through the trees during the walk.

A very good guide about the walk can be downloaded from the internet. It’s a pdf file from the National Trust and is titled Sherborne Family Fun Walk. I find it very useful to take with me, particularly if there are children in the group, to help them find the 15 points of interest along the way.

The history of Sherborne is interesting. During the Middle Ages the Sherborne Estate was part of a huge area owned by Winchcombe Abbey. The monks kept large flocks of sheep which grazed on the pastures all round the Cotswolds. At shearing time the sheep were rounded up and brought to Sherborne where there was a fast flowing brook for washing them before shearing. You can see the brook and its waterfall during the walk. Merchants came from Flanders and Italy to buy the fleeces and paid the Abbey large sums of money, making it very wealthy.

Winchcombe Abbey was dissolved in 1539 and a Thomas Dutton bought the estate and built himself a stately home. The house you see today is the second house on the site, the first one was carefully dismantled, the stones numbered and stored for re using in the second building in 1830.

The Duttons and their descendants lived at Sherborne for about 400 years. Probably the most interesting member of the family was a Sir John Dutton known as Crump Dutton who was one of the richest men in England. He was a passionate gambler, and built 17th century Lodge Park nearby, as a grandstand to entertain friends and gamble on the deer coursing that took place there. History books say that on one of his all night gambling sessions he rashly staked Sherborne Estate, but when his servant heard spectators saying “Sherborne’s up” he rushed in and removed his master bodily from the table and took him home.

Despite all the gambling and high living the Dutton family managed to hold on to Sherborne House until the second world war when it was taken over by the army and the Duttons moved into Lodge Park and made it their home.

Sherborne later became a school before being sold and in the 1980’s it was converted to private apartments. In 1983 Charles Dutton the 7th Lord Sherborne died without any heirs and the land was gifted to the National Trust. It’s through this gift that we are able to enjoy this lovely countryside.

A walk along the MacMillan Way from Chastleton to Adlestop

2010-05-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

I’m going to recommend a walk along part of the Macmillan Way from Chastleton to the village of Adlestrop in Gloucestershire.

The Macmillan Way, is a long distance footpath, which was given its name to raise awareness of the work of MacMillan, an organisation that supports people affected by cancer.

This section of the walk is particularly interesting as you pass an Iron Age Hill fort, stroll through leafy woods as well as enjoying lovely views.

As you get towards the village of Adlestrop, at the fork in the road you may be surprised to see the name of the village written on a chocolate and brown coloured railway sign positioned at the back of a bus shelter. There’s also a bench with a metal plaque attached to the back rest. On closer inspection you will be able to see that there is a poem inscribed on the plaque which starts.

Yes I remember Adlestrop
The name because one afternoon,

Of heat the express train drew up there

Unwontedly. It was late June

The steam hissed. Someone cleared his throat,
No-one left and no one came
On the bare platform. What I saw
Was Adlestrop – only the name.

You can read the entire poem in the bus shelter. The poem was written in about 1915 by Edward Thomas (one of the Dymock poets) just before he was tragically killed in action during the 1st World War. Adlestrop station is no more. It was demolished in 1966. The sign and the platform bench are all that remain of a station made famous by one chance stop, and the opportunity of a passenger to write a poem.

A walk into the pretty village takes you past honey coloured cottages and an attractive thatched Post Office. Head towards the church and you will learn of another famous writer who visited Adlestrop.

The Reverend Thomas Leigh, rector of the church in the late 18th and early 19th century, was Uncle to Jane Austen. Jane, her mother and sister Cassandra came to stay with him on a number of occasions.

And it’s probable that the grounds of Adlestrop Park and Adlestrop Rectory which you can see through the trees were landscaped by the great Humphry Repton and were mentioned in Jane’s novel Mansfield Park.

This is just a small village with some powerful literary connections. A stroll back to the village post office will enable you to buy some refreshments, teas and coffees and some delicious home made cakes.

A walk to the Source of the River Thames

2010-05-21T04:09:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

It was nearly 2,000 years ago that Roman invaders settled on two hills above a wide tidal river, it was the perfect place for the soldiers and merchants to build a town which they called Londinium. The river which wove its way past this settlement was The River Thames, and it not only gave the Romans a good defensive site but was also recognised and developed because of its strategic and commercial importance. Today Londinium has become London and is now one of the major capital cities of the world and all along the banks of the River Thames so many historical sights and connections to our nations past.

Bur how many people who visit Gloucestershire from London realise that the River Thames rises here in our county in a field just outside Cirencester. Today I’m going to take you to the source of that River, the great river that made London.

For the short walk to find the source of the River Thames I suggest that you follow the footpath south of the village of Coates, nr Cirencester and make your way towards the village of Kemble as shown on Explorer map 168. The route is visible as it’s been trodden down by the many walkers who have gone before. You’ll have open fields on your right and after a short walk come to a wood on your left. The source of the Thames is situated at the top of the field beyond the trees. This remote site and the start of the Thames walk is marked by a sturdy wooden signpost with two signs pointing straight ahead. The top sign reads Thames Path and has a black acorn symbol alongside to show that it’s a national trail. The bottom sign gives the distance of the path all the way to the Thames Barrier, beyond London, - a whopping 184 miles or 294 Kilometres. That is where the footpath finishes but the River has another 30 miles to go before it gets to Southend and finally flows into the English Channel.

Close to the signpost there’s a large engraved stone to mark the source of the river. This marker replaced a reclining stone sculpture of a long haired, bearded and bare chested Father Thames, a much more fitting symbol for England’s greatest river. It was increasing vandalism that meant that in 1974 the statue had to be taken away to be repaired. Sadly the statue was never returned. Old Father Thames was found a new home and now reclines alongside St John’s lock at Lechlade.

Beyond the marker stone there’s a circle of small stones on the ground under a very old ash tree, this marks the spring and in very wet weather may produce a small puddle, but when I was there, there it had dried up, as is often the case, so, no chance to drop a stick into water here and watch it float its way down river. The source of the Thames, for most of the year is an underground supply of water and I had to cross two fields and the A433, the Fosse Way, to find the evidence of the proper river flowing above ground. From here the river meanders past the Gloucestershire villages of Kemble and Ewen and on towards Somerford Keynes and The Neigh Bridge Country Park, which is a landscaped flooded gravel pit, in the Cotswold Water Park. Here you can rest, enjoy a picnic and watch the wildlife, and maybe recall the story of the Wind In the Willows, when mole held up both fore-paws and gasped “Oh my, oh my”, because he thought the river so very beautiful.

A visit to Snowshill Manor in Gloucestershire

2010-05-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

By Blue Badge Tour Guide - Anne Bartlett

Near the village of Broadway in the North Cotswolds is Snowshill Manor, a National Trust property which is open to the public. It displays over 20,000 assorted items of fine craftsmanship from toys to spinning wheels, furniture to musical instruments as well as Japanese armour collected by the eccentric Charles Paget Wade.

Charles Paget Wade owned sugar plantations in St Kitts in the West Indies and was extremely wealthy.

It was in 1918 that he came across an advertisement for Snowshill Manor, it was then a rather dilapidated Cotswold stone house, which was advertised for sale in the Country Life Magazine. Charles Paget Wade was curious, but he was abroad and it wasn’t until a year later that he was able to travel to the village and inspect the property. He decided to buy the manor house and the 14 acres of land that surrounded it.

Having bought the house he set about repairing and restoring the place, employing 28 workmen from Gloucester. They stayed at the manor during the week sleeping in the attic. Apparently one of the workmen felt the house to be haunted and refused to stay any longer than one night.

During this time Wade commissioned Baillie Scott a London architect to design his garden, which is set out very much in the Arts and Crafts style.

It is thought unlikely that Wade ever lived or even thought of living in the Manor House. He saw it purely as a place to display his great collection of objects. Instead he chose to live very simply in a small cottage in the courtyard at the back.

Queen Mary visited Snowshill Manor in 1937. She showed great interest in Charles Wades collection but she is reported to have said that the finest thing in the house was Chales Wade himself.

Charles Wade gave Snowshill Manor and its contents to the National Trust in 1951 and went back to St Kitts to live. He visited England in 1956 but was taken ill whilst staying in Broadway. He died shortly afterwards in Evesham hospital and is buried in Snowshill churchyard.

Snowshill Manor House is open during the week from Wednesday to Sunday from midday to 5 0’clock in the afternoon. Entry is by timed ticket on a first come first served basis. The garden, the shop, restaurant and grounds open at 11o’clock, so an hour before the actual house opens.

For more information about visiting Snowshill Manor you can telephone 01386 852410