We also have a  Winter Lecture Programme

Saturday 23 May 2026
Visit to Shipton Mill

Our first visit of the summer season will take us to Shipton Mill near Tetbury.

Details
Numbers are very limited and the arrangements will be sent out to Members by email.

Sunday 28 June 2026
Afternoon walk: Alney Island and Over Canal Basin
Roadworks at Over:  We have confirmation from National Highways that the underpass on the A40 will be open on 28 June and so we are pleased to confirm the details published in the GSIA June Newsletter. NB if travelling to Gloucester on the A40 there may be a slight delay at Over.

This will be a gentle walk of about 3½ miles, led by Ray Wilson, to look at the surviving industrial archaeological features in this fascinating area, so close to the city, but relatively unknown.  We will start by following the line of the GWR’s broad gauge Docks branch out to its junction with the main line.  Here we will go up onto Thomas Telford’s Over bridge which for nearly 150 years carried the main road to Ross. The bridge suffered from subsidence immediately it was completed as can still be seen today. Here we get a good view of the historic railway bridge carrying the main line to Chepstow. 

Using the little known underpass we can access the Over basin of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal which lies on the other side of the busy A40 road. This has been the main focus of restoration work carried out by the Canal Trust and there is plenty of interest to see here.

Returning to Alney Island, we will follow the western arm of the Severn to Lower Parting (an excellent spot to see the Severn Bore) and then pass by Llanthony weir, lock and restored cottages. Next we will visit the site of Castle Meads Power Station which was built during WWII and see the wharf on the Severn where coal for the station was unloaded from barges. Nearby is the unusual swing railway bridge over the Severn designed by Brunel but which has long been out of use. Finally we will return to the car park following the river past the site of the Royal Agricultural Show of 1909. 

Details: Please meet from 1.45 pm for a prompt start at 2.00 pm at Alney Island Nature Reserve Car Park (Gloucester) at SO82361899. map  The car park can only be reached by travelling north west out of Gloucester on the A417 dual carriageway leading towards the A40. At the large Westgate circulatory loop, continue past the petrol station, over the bridge and then in a short distance, just before the traffic lights turn left into the car park through the restricted entrance (low height and a tight turn!). Please wear stout footwear.  

All Welcome.  Any queries to Ray Wilson [01453 860595,  ray.wilson@coaley.net]  

Sunday 26 July 2026
Afternoon Walk in the Brockworth Area

Whilst little physical evidence now exists, Brockworth was home to a World War I Royal Flying Corps
Aerodrome, whose buildings later formed the nucleus of the Gloster Aircraft Company factory. There
was rapid expansion by Hawker Siddeley in the run up and during World War II. In the late 1950’s and
early 1960’s production was transferred to other parts of the country.
This walk led by Chas Townley will take in part of recently established Coopers Edge Heritage Trail as well as seeing the last
remaining aviation factory – now the home of Invista – who are sadly closing in September.
The route will cover 3 miles across fairly flat terrain using mainly surfaced footpaths, however, part of
the route will follow a disused road which can be uneven in places.

Details: Meeting Point – Pineholt Village Hall Bird Road, GL3 3SN after 1.45 for 2pm start. Map
Bird Road is a turning south off Hucclecote Road,. Carry on to the far end (0.4 miles)’
Parking: Village Hall Car Park – please use spaces closest to the road as it is shared with Pineholt Bowls
Club, who have a match on this afternoon. There is also plenty of parking available on Bird Road.

Sunday 27 September 2026
Afternoon Walk: Stroudwater Canal Restoration – Progress on the Missing Mile

After many years of detailed planning, things are finally happening to restore the “Missing Mile” of the Stroudwater canal. The reason for the lost section being the building of the M5 Motorway in the late 1960’s when some of the link road between the A38 and Junction 13 of the M5 was built on the line of the canal. 

While the works have caused the tempoarary closure of existing footpaths a temporary footpath has been created at the site boundary and runs from John Robinson Lock (formerly Westfield Lock) at Eastington to  the A38 road. We will follow this path where we will be able to see the new line of the canal as far as it has been cut and the necessary diversion of the River Frome. The latter will  enable a new concrete channel to be constructed to take the canal through the M5 underpass which currently accommodates the river. 

Back in October 2022, some Members will recall we actually visited the underpass site. The total walking distance is about two miles which will be taken at a leisurely pace, We will be looking at other canal features in addition to the Missing Mile. The leader will be Ray Wilson.

Details: Meet after 1.45pm for a prompt start at 2.00pm at the Pike Lock Car Park at Eastington 

[SO 7847 0606    Map] We will mainly be on field paths so stout footware is recommended. The car park is popular so best to come early. That will also give you time to go to alternative parking near Eastington Church if necessary. 

Directions: The key landmark is the Great Oldbury Roundabout on the A419 between M5 Junction 13 and Stonehouse. [It lies about ½ mile from the M5] Take the exit south signed Eastington. After about 100 yards take the first left hand turn into the car park.

Sunday 11 October 2026
Afternoon Walk: Forest of Dean – Darkhill Ironworks and Titanic Steelworks

Our final visit of the season is to the Forest of Dean to see two major sites associated with David Mushet and his son Robert Forester Mushet, two highly important — though often overlooked — figures in the development of iron and steelmaking. The leader will be Ray Wilson. While both sites are now ruinous, we will hear about the Mushet’s achievements at the very locations they carried out many years of experimentation with different ores, alloys and processes.

Our walk will take us along a section of the Milkwall branch of the Severn and Wye Tramroad with a superb set of surviving tramroad blocks. The tramroad was later superseded by a steam railway line, the Coleford branch of the Severn and Wye Joint Railway.which we will explore a short length of. We will see the site of a coal level, some veteran oak trees and we might even encounter a ‘bear’.

Details: Meet after 1.45pm for a prompt start at 2pm at the Darkhill car park. The walk is mainly on forest footpaths and stout footwear is recommended especially for an optional steep and rather ‘soggy’ short path to see the Ironworks close up. The total distance is about 2.5 miles. Any enquiries to 01453 860595 or ray.wilson@coaley.net.

Directions: Make your way to to the Dean Forest Railway station at Parkend map (NB the Lydney to Parkend road is currently closed). At the crossroads, near the station entrance, take Fountain Way (signed Coleford 3 and you will see the Fountain Inn, 100 yards along the road on the left hand side).

Keep on this road and Fountain Way becomes Coleford Road and after half a mile you will reach a fork with an attractive former turnpike cottage between the two roads. Take the right hand fork (still signed Coleford 3) and continue for 1.4 miles passing through the hamlet of Fetter Hill and turn left (signed Ellwood ¾).

After 0.3 miles turn right down a narrow track between hedges to the car park map NGR SO 58840857. The name Darkhill [and a blue parking sign] is on a post on the right hand side of the entrance but it is near-invisible the way you are travelling. However if you overshoot, after 130 yards you will reach a set of crossroads from where you can retrace the 130 yards back to the entrance (and see the sign!).

Coleford’s Hidden Heritage app

Much of the walk is covered by this free app that was produced as part of the Forester’s Forest project from a few years ago. If you are coming on the walk it is recommended that you consider downloading the app to your phone beforehand. This will enable you to conveniently see various images, maps and plans relating to the sites we will be visiting. There are some animations which transform images of the ruins to show what the sites may have looked like in operation. Once installed (e.g. with your home Internet service) you will have all you need (i.e. you won’t need mobile data on site). If you can’t come on the walk you still might find using the app at home interesting.