We also have a Winter Lecture Programme
Saturday 31 May 2025
Visit to the Dean Heritage Centre
Our first visit of the summer season will take us to the Forest of Dean. The Museum is run by the Dean Heritage Museum Trust, which states “our goal is to preserve the Forest of Dean’s heritage through stories and artefacts”. A wide range of subjects and activities featured in the Museum might be of interest to GSIA members, including forestry and timber, charcoal production, iron ore extraction and smelting, coal mining, relevant geology, early steel production, fishing, riots and clockmaking.
Members will be able to attend the Museum from its opening at 10am until it closes at 5pm. The Museum’s cafe will be open and there are facilities for picnicking.
At 2pm we have arranged for a senior Museum Guide to give a short talk on the Forest of Dean, the Dean Heritage Centre and the Heritage Centre’s interesting site which has seen a mix of uses over the past 400 years. Please meet at the entrance to Gallery One (behind reception/shop) at 1-50pm.
Details
We have a limit on numbers (25) and we wish to ensure that all members attending benefit from the ‘group rate’, so if you wish to attend, please contact: alexg871849@gmail.com.
The address is Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, GL14 2UB. Members will have to pay the ‘group rate’ admission of £7.50 (concessions £6.50) on arrival. Car parking is free.
Sunday 8 June 2025
Afternoon Walk: Gloucester Docks
Following on from Tony Conder’s very interesting talk given to the society a few months ago, he has kindly offered to take a party on a guided walk around Gloucester Docks
We will meet at 1.45 for a 2pm start outside the Waterways Museum. There will be a maximum party size of 20 so please let Steve Mills know as soon as possible, please if you would like to book a place.
Sunday 27 July 2025
Afternoon Walk in Wimberry Slade, Forest of Dean
Wimberry Slade is less well known than its neighour, Bixslade, to the south, but it also has a rich industrial history and there will be plenty to see on our circular walk.
It should be noted that, while this will be a more strenuous walk than we usually do, it should be well within the capabilities of most of our ‘regulars’. To be specific there is one short steep descent (on the path) and the return leg has a long ascent. However, we will go at the pace of the slowest and as the walk is relatively short at two and a half miles, there will be no need to rush. Most of the walk is on forest paths but we will sometimes go off track (optional) to explore sites. If you have any queries please contact the leader Ray Wilson (01453 860595 or ray.wilson@coaley.net).
The first part of the walk will take us to the head of Wimberry Slade from where we will descend, following the line of the former tramroad with plenty of stone sleeper blocks visible. We will see the extensive Wimberry Quarries and various coal mining sites including the remains of Wimberry Colliery and some former free mines. On the return leg we will see the site of Worcester Colleriey free mine which has now been abandoned for many years. These will be some WWII history when we pass the scant traces of a former US Army encampment.
Details Meet after 1-45pm for a prompt start at 2pm at Mile End, Coleford at the junction of Worcester Walk and Woodville Avenue next to the Worcester Walk Memorial Playground.
Parking is available in Worcester Walk and Woodville Avenue (eastern end). Map GL16 7DL, SO 590 117, W3W = butternut.menu.towns
We know that July, when the bracken is high, is not the best time to visit former industrial areas in the Forest, but we hope that a summer excursion will encourage more members to come and explore this fascinating area than a winter trip might.
Important Notice: Boots or stout shoes are very much advised, as is cover for legs and arms as it will be necessary to push through very short stretches where the bracken closed in on the footpath. Walking poles may be useful on the one steep downhill stretch.
Sunday 7 September 2025
Afternoon Walk: Dursley
A slow amble around Dursley’s streets in the company of GSIA Member, Andy Barton with frequent stops to look at and talk about some of the town’s places of interest with a focus on their heritage.
Dursley’s early wealth came from the wool trade and there are still reminders of this industry which we’ll explore during the walk. Following a period of decline the town’s fortunes turned in the mid-19th century and the rise of engineering companies such as R.A. Lister & Co., and later Mawdsley’s, brought significant employment to the area. Smaller concerns also came long – bicycle, carpet and industrial belt manufacturing, together with newspaper printing, provided variety, and also helped to accelerate development of the town’s water, electricity and gas supply infrastructure.
The growth of industry prompted big social changes as people came to find work, and also enabled improvements in services, retail and entertainment sectors which were needed to support the increasing population so these aspects will also be part of the tour.
Details: Meet after 1-45pm for a prompt start at 2pm at the Dursley Heritage Centre, Castle St, GL11 4BS opposite the Market House in the centre of town, OS map coordinates: ST 7562 9816,
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Car parking https://www.dursleytowncouncil.gov.uk/parking and street parking.
Duration 2-3 hours, mostly on pavements and streets, but there will be some steeper gradients, steps and uneven ground.
Andy has kindly agreed to open the Dursley Heritage Centre at 1.30pm so come early and take advantage of the opportunity to take a look at this facinating collection which includes local industries.
Sunday 12 October 2025
Afternoon Walk Horsley and Newmarket Valleys, Nailsworth
Mills, turnpikes, the food industry, the site of a gaol, engineering and crafts all feature in this very pleasant and little known walk to the west of Nailsworth led by Ray Wilson. We will pass several mill sites, where in some cases substantial buildings survive but at others there is scarcely a trace remaining. At Ruskin (Millbottom) Mill a large external waterwheel is on view.
We will leave Nailsworth by means of the Horsley Valley, and will pass by Locke Mill, Gig Mill and Ruskin Mill, now a centre for craft workers. It is now possible to walk through the old fish farm so we can see the restored Lower Horsley Mill at close range. Nearby is a good example of an old tollhouse. At Hartley Bridge we will climb out of the valley near the site of the old House of Correction at Horsley. After crossing to the Newmarket Valley we will pass the site of Nodes Mill and the surviving Lot Mill which was once occupied by the engineering firm of H J H King Co & Co. The final site is Prices Mill which has been converted to a doctor’s surgery and from there it is a short step to the car park.
Details Meet in Newmarket Road Car Park (opposite Christ Church at ST 8477 9946) 1.45pm for a prompt start at 2.00pm. [Maps OS= https://tinyurl.com/gsia20251012 W3W= https://w3w.co/improving.mainly.forest
Directions from the sole roundabout on the A46 main road on the stretch through Nailsworth are as follows: Approaching from Stroud pass Egypt Mill on the left and turn right up Spring Hill at the roundabout referred to above. Almost immediately turn left into Old Market which has toilets, and the bus station. Continue to Cossack Square at the end of Old Market. The Britannia Inn is a useful landmark at this meeting of several roads. Clockwise from the left are Market Street, Horsley Road, Newmarket Road, Chestnut Hill (and finally back round to Old Market where you are). If you succeed in picking Newmarket Road you will find the car park after about 200 yards on the left.
For alternative parking, please park considerately on the road.
Please wear stout footwear. There will be some fairly steep uphill walking when we go between the two valleys. The total distance will be about 3 miles.