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The Walk - Wootten Wawen

by Ted Barker

Bluebell Walk - Wootton Wawen

Distance: 4 miles Typical time: 120 mins OS Explorer 220

Ted’s Wanders with his mate Dylan.

This flat and easy walk takes in some quiet canalside towpaths and open Warwickshire countryside. But the big bonus at this time of year is the possibility of a tantalising glimpse of some beautiful bluebells.

I was lying by the fire in the snug at the Trousered Ferret the other evening with the old fella and got to chewing the fat with my mate, an unpredictable sheepdog called Fenton, who’s kept on a tight lead these days for some reason. He gets a bit quiet when you ask him but it’s to do with some reindeer or something. Anyway, Fenton was saying that this time of year there’s nothing better than a wander through the woods, especially if the bluebells are out. He mentioned a spot called Austy, which I’d recognised from previous strolls. So when we got back I grabbed the map in my jaws and dropped it on the kitchen table with a big paw mark at Austy. Sure enough the old fella spotted it and suddenly claimed the whole thing was his idea.

“Let’s go for a walk in the woods. This time of year the bluebells will be wonderful,” he said.

There’s more than one way to skin a cat, so I let it rest. Next day off we went to beautiful Wootten Wawen, in the middle of Warwickshire’s rolling pastures. The only downside to this picturesque gem of a place is that it’s hard to find a parking space. But that’s the old fella’s problem and so I left that to him and soon enough we were off on our way at the Navigation Inn, a canalside pub sitting next to a famous viaduct over the busy A3400 on the south edge of the village. Getting away from the road as quickly as possible we cross the pub car park and bear right past some moored up canal barges towards the bridge (number 53). Cross over and head right along the towpath, keeping the canal on your right. There’s a tempting field full of sheep on the left. After 300 metres you come to Bridge 52. Don’t cross it but keep the canal on your right, a pleasant amble up the towpath. If you look over on the right you’ll see Austy Wood, where we’re heading.

At Bridge 51 we turn right, over the bridge (this path is called Monarch’s Way) and follow a well-defined bridleway edged on both sides by trees and bushes. There are plenty of sticks in here if the old fella fancies throwing one or two, and on a wet day there’s lots of muddy puddles to roll around in.

As soon as you reach the edge of Austy Wood you’ll start to see those wonderful bluebells stretching out to the right among the trees. A great place for a frolic in here, but the humans have to stick to the bridle path.

The swathe of blue stretches out on the left too as we reach a denser patch of wood. The old fella might be tempted to take a picture or two here.

Then on the left of the track the view opens out into open fields again, while the woods on the right are filled with mixed beech and birch and some conifers further on. The bridleway can get a bit muddy thanks to those four-legged friends who wear saddles; great for us four-legged dogs to splash around in.

We come to a sign which says “horse riders keep to the bridleway” so don’t be tempted to wander off into the woods, which may well be taped off anyway.

Then we come to a yellow-topped way-marker which points the Monarch’s Way to a gate into an open field. Time for the leads to go on again if there are any animals as we bear right into the field, following the well-marked track which then veers left, moving away from the wood. A red brick farmhouse comes into view at the bottom of the field. Follow the track, with a hedge on your right, to Cutler’s Farm, with a large barn, with a light-green roof, and a few houses to left and right. Go through the farmyard and turn left at the signpost which says “public bridleway”. Head to a smart new wooden gate which opens onto a broad shingle path. The leads can come off again and there’s a deep gully to the right with some alluring rabbit holes to explore. My old chum Max managed to flush out a pheasant, but he’s getting on a bit so had to give up the chase.

Stay on the shingle track for about 1km, passing through attractive open fields, until we reach Chestnut Rise Farm on our left. We come to a small hamlet at Kington Grange Farm and reach a T-junction onto a quiet road. Turn left on the road, with a lovely old barn on the left. Opposite the barn’s big green door there’s a footpath sign. Ignore it. We want to stay on the road, which goes past the front entrance to Kington Grange Farm on the left, then bears right. Walk past Cherry Pool Farm and keep your eyes skinned for a footpath sign on the left around 60metres further on. You can’t miss it.

There’s metal kissing gate and a sign saying “put your dog on a lead”, which is all very well, especially as it says there are chickens running free in the field!

The path heads across a field, with fences on both sides, towards a hedge, where we turn left, through another kissing gate, and a few metres further on turn right around a menage, and onto a clearly defined path between two hedges.

Keep following the path and don’t wander off into any fields that might be open. I saw a rabbit here but it outstripped me. Old Max didn’t bother.

We come to a metal gate which opens into a field. Go straight across it, bearing toward the middle of three houses on the horizon. It’s a wide open space and a great place for a gallop if there are no animals about. Fenton would love it.

Go past the telegraph pole in the middle of the field and head to a metal gate where there’s a footpath sign towards a canal bridge, diagonally across the field. But stick close to the hedge on your left to reach the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal and turn left over a broken stile keeping the canal to our right. You could choose to walk down the towpath on the other side if you want to cross the bridge and turn left, but we want to stay on “the wild side”.

So, keeping the canal on your right we head along the edge of a field, come to another stile across a small stream, through a clump of trees and into another field. Pass through a small conifer plantation, cross a wooden bridge into an open field. Keep to the right edge of the field. There’s a red brick house on the top of the rise in front. Keep walking and the canal now opens up directly to the right, a good spot for a quick dip, if you’re feeling a bit hot!

At the corner of the field there’s another stile and a little wooden bridge to cross. Be careful not to miss the next small stile on the right which takes you through a small clump of grass and brush, with a barbed wire fence on your left, towards a canal bridge. Go up over another stile, onto the lane and turn right across the canal (Bridge 50) and left along the towpath on the other side. We’re on the home strait now – around 1.5kms back towards the Navigation Inn. On the way we pass the Monarch’s Way again – if you feel like another look at the bluebells. Otherwise we just retrace our steps for the last 1km or so. I like these canals – lots to see. We spotted ducks and a swan, which didn’t seem too keen on chatting, and in no time at all were back at the start.

There’s a good choice of decent watering holes here too. Back at Bridge 53 there’s a sign towards the Yew Tree “shopping village”, where there’s cafe, farm shop and various craft outlets. There’s the Navigation, or on the other side of Wootton Wawen the famous Bull’s Head.

All in all a really pleasant and easy walk with lots to do and see. And there are no deer so next time I think it will be safe to take Fenton with me.

 

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Servicemen honoured at Soldiering on awards

Touch Base’s own Emma-Jane Brown, a trustee of the Soldiering On Trust, presented an award at an emotional evening that honoured the heroes who help military personnel

Some of the bravest servicemen and women, as well as family and fundraisers, were recognised at the Soldiering On Through Life Awards last month.

The awards, given by the Soldiering On Trust, which supports the four main military charities through a programme of special high profile fund raising events, highlighted exceptional achievement by individuals and groups.

A total of 500 guests descended on the five-star Syon Park Waldorf Astoria Hotel, which is seven miles from central London on Sunday, March 25, to watch 12 award winners receive their honours at a Champagne reception and dinner.

Sponsored by NettApp, the awards ceremony began with an honour guard from the Honourable Artillery Company Light Cavalry.

It was a very emotional evening for everyone and hosts Gloria Hunniford and Mike Read did an excellent job at announcing the 12 awards, which included Supportive Family, Fundraising Endeavour, Volunteer of the Year and Sporting Endeavour.

Each recipient had been put forward by one of the five military charities that the Trust is supporting for 2012 and there was an additional award given by the Daily Star, which had sponsored the Readers’ Award.

Emma-Jane proudly presented an award to Sgt Richard Clement, who had been nominated for his inspirational work in helping to raise money for military charities.

All money raised for the Trust goes directly to relieve the financial hardship of people who have served or who are serving in the armed forces and are suffering from either physical disability due to injury or mental disabilities. Grants will be made to support either individual or key support organisations.

These awards were just one way to say thank you to everyone who supports servicemen and women and work so hard to make their lives better.

For more details about The Soldiering On Trust, visit www.soldieringon.org

Emma Jane Brown is a trustee of Soldiering On Through Life

 

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Royal Windsor Horse Show

by Emma-Jane Brown

There’s double the reason to attend the spectacular Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.

Not only is the show celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, but there will also be an opportunity to see a host of global stars from the equine world taking part in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant t o mark Her Majesty The Queen’s 60 years on the throne.

The horse show takes place between May 9th and 13th and the Diamond Jubilee Pageant will take place over four consecutive evenings, May 10-13th.

Entitled “The World Comes to Windsor”, it will involve more than 500 horses and 800 performers and promises to take the audience on a journey “around the world in 60 years and 90 minutes”.

Seven acts will include spectacular military and equestrian displays from Italy’s Carosello de Carabinieri, Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Oman’s Royal Cavalry Activity Ride, to Russia’s display from the Kremlin Equestrian School, India’s Marwari Dancing Horses, and Australia’s New South Wales Police Force Activity Ride.

There will also be music and dancers from across the globe, including Inuits, Maoris, Aborigines, maasais, Zulus, Cook Islanders and Samburu tribespeople.

The pageant will be a breathtaking addition to the first major outdoor show of the season, and the only annual event that allows visitors access to Her Majesty The Queen’s private grounds at Windsor.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show is also set to be bigger than ever before, with more than 3,000 horses and ponies, taking part in over 170 classes.

For further information about the Royal Windsor Horse Show visit www.rwhs.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 581 4960. Tickets for are on sale now and priced between £10 and £20 with discounts available for groups, seniors and children.

For further information about the Diamond Jubilee Pageant visit www.diamond-jubilee-pageant.com

 

 

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Photographer Laurence Jones scoops charity award

Warwickshire photographer scoops charity award

Studley photographer Laurence Jones has snapped up another award in an international photography competition for charity.

Laurence has won a ‘highly-commended’ prize in the portraiture category, as well as having several other photos accepted for publication.

The winning images are published in a book called “Life is a bed of roses” and were judged by a panel which included photographer Mary McCartney (daughter of Paul and  Linda McCartney), Paul Ross (television and radio presenter), Dr Ju Gosling, Jane Green, as well as the public. A foreword was written by Tony Benn and his daughter Melissa Benn.

All of the profits from the book will go towards Macmillan Cancer Support.

Laurence’s winning photo shows nine-year old Katie of Studley. Laurence added “Katie was great fun to photograph. With this image, I was trying to emphasize the purity and innocence of a child. I really value showing what makes childhood special. Contributing to this charity is also important to me personally – my Mum had cancer.”

Laurence’s company, KidsNaturally Photography, was established six years ago and has a reputation for beautiful, natural family photography.  His clientele is now extending  beyond the region, to Oxford and  London. Laurence specializes in photography of children, babies, families, and maternity, taken at clients homes and favourite locations.

Examples of Laurence’s work  can be viewed at his website  www.kidsnaturally.co.uk

 

 

 

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Pension reform by David Marler

By David Marler, Managing Director, CMS Financial Management Ltd

As we are all living longer, it is more vital than ever for us to have sufficient income to live on in retirement. But who will fund our later years?

With the fast-rising costs of increased life expectancy putting a strain on the state pension, the Government wants employers to help shoulder the cost of  retirement provision and for employees to build up private savings.

Pension reform will be coming into force over the next five years and will have an impact on every business and every employee in the country.

All companies will have to automatically enrol eligible staff into a pension scheme and pay contributions into that scheme.

The largest employers will have to begin this process in 2012 before every company is phased in by a recently revised date of 2018.

The burden comes at a time when additional costs are getting increasingly difficult to absorb and budget for in medium-term business plans.

Although the compliance dates may be a couple of years away, companies should remember that it is never too early to plan for the future.

If you run a business, now is the time not only to plan for the new legislation but also to ensure that your work-based pension scheme is the best it can be.

Likewise, if you are an employee this is also the ideal time to review your benefits and take advice from an independent financial adviser.

As one of Oxfordshire’s largest firms of pension specialists, we are ideally placed to advise on all matters relating to pension reform.

We provide realistic solutions to tackling the additional cost requirements of the new legislation so that employers can achieve their business objectives in a way that also suits each and every one of their employees.

If you would like more details or would like us to visit you at your home or premises for an informal chat, contact CMS Financial Management Ltd on 01869 345588 or david.carter@cmsfinancialmanagementltd.co.uk

 

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Neil Carter Benefit Launch at Opus

Neil Carter Benefit Launch at Opus

Warwickshire County Cricketer Neil Carter welcomed Guests and supporters to his  Corporate  Benefit Year Launch , which was held at Opus Restaurant in Birmingham.

Nick Owen gave details of the forthcoming events which will also support the PCA Benevolent Fund and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The years events promise to be fun filled and  action packed and start with a dinner at The National Motorcycle Museum on 11th May hosted by BRMBs Russ Morris.

Full Details of all the years events are avalible at The Neil Carter Benefit Office on 07920 468 092, Email info@neilcarterbenefit.co.uk

 

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Motoring record breakers exhibition

World’s Fastest Diesel vehicle joins Motoring Record Breakers exhibition!

The fastest Diesel vehicle in the world, JCB Diesel Max, can now be seen as part of the “Motoring Record Breakers” exhibition at the Heritage Motor Centre. The exciting new exhibition, which runs until the 2 September, presents the best of motoring record breakers including some of the fastest British cars, together with more wacky record breakers such as the cheapest and the smallest.

JCB Diesel Max is a ‘streamliner’ car designed for the purpose of breaking the land speed record for a diesel-engined vehicle.  It holds the world record, having been driven to over 350 miles per hour (560 km/h) by Wing Commander Andy Green in 2006.

Other exciting cars on display include the Sunbeam 1000hp (the first car ever to set a land speed record of over 200mph), the steam car ‘Inspiration’ (which holds the land speed record for a steam car), the 2009 Jaguar XF-R Bonneville (the fastest Jaguar at 225mph), a 1964 Peel P50 (the world’s smallest production car), a 2011 Tata Nano (the world’s cheapest car), a 1922 Ford Model T (for many years the world’s best-selling car) and MG record cars EX135, EX179 and EX181 (EX181 is the fastest MG ever).

Tim Bryan, Head of Collections at the Heritage Motor Centre stated “We’re delighted that the JCB Diesel Max has joined our exciting collection of amazing vehicles which we are thrilled to be exhibiting. This exhibition really is a must for everyone and not just car fans!”

The HMC is continuing with its record breaking theme at Easter from 31 March – 15 April, with a family quiz and some record breaking egg-citing fun activities. There are special Craft days on Thursday 5 & 12 April where children can make and race their own egg car. Normal museum admission prices apply and children can take home what they make.

There is no extra charge to see the Motoring Record Breakers Exhibition as it is included in the standard Museum entry fees. Museum prices are: Adults £11, Child £8 (5-16 years) under 5 free, Concessions £9 & Family £34 (2 adults & up to 3 children).  Motoring Record Breakers is just one of many exciting and unique events to take place at the Heritage Motor Centre in 2012. To find out more information please visit the website at www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

 

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Mary Portas recognises local business

Hatton & Harding, Warwick’s luxury lifestyle boutique, is rapidly becoming synonymous with beautiful interiors & outstanding personal service. Having only opened it’s doors 15 months ago, proprietors David & Jerry on dreamt of the huge success story that now beholds them.

Back in November 2011, The National Telegraph magazine launched a competition asking it’s readers to find the Best Small Shops in Britain. Individuals we asked to nominate & then vote - those shops with the most votes would then be shortlisted to be visited by a mystery shopper.

Having graced Warwick’s charming Old Square so recently, the guys were thrilled & flattered to be nominated & then amazed when they received a phone call advising them they had made it to the final.

So, on February 22nd, David & Jerry headed down to Novikov in Mayfair to attend a champagne awards ceremony hosted by retail guru, Mary Portas. The announcement was made & Hatton & Harding came a very respectable runner up to an established business of 26years......

“We obviously wanted to win” David & Jerry said “But we’ve already achieved so much in such a short space of time & the winners have the longevity we aspire to” Hatton & Harding certainly has evolved from it’s initial concept as an independent boutique to now being able to fulfil all of your interior requirements, from bespoke sofa’s, curtains & wall coverings to home styling, sourcing & sumptuous accessories.

David & Jerry don’t rest on their laurels though, & are always looking at new & exciting ways to enhance the Hatton & Harding experience. There’s always a warm welcome in store from the guys or visit www.hattonandharding.com

 

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Hobbit Anniversary

by Jayne Howarth

We look forward to the annual Middle Earth festival in Birmingham, which this year marks the 75th year of The Hobbit’s publication.

The Hobbit is taking centre stage at a magical weekend to celebrate the enchanting world of JRR Tolkien in May.

The annual Middle-earth Weekend festival will take place at Sarehole Mill, a 200-year-old mill in Shire Country Park, Hall Green, Birmingham, which is close to where the author spent his childhood.

Organiser Vivienne Wilkes said, because this festival, on May 19 and 20, marks the 75th year since the classic novel The Hobbit was published, they were commemorating the diminutive inhabitants of Middle-earth.

Not only will there be a barefoot walk – Tolkien aficionados will recall that hobbits almost never wear shoes – allowing fans to experience walking through wood, leaves, sand and grass without any shoes and socks on, there will also be a climbing wall to represent The Carrock.

Youngsters can also get creative and make spiders in the craft tent to help recreate the dense and dark Mirkwood Forest .

The festival has run for 12 years and is organised entirely by volunteers. Such is its reputation that it regularly attracts 8,000 people over the weekend, including visitors from overseas.

Vivienne said the free, family-oriented event is not just for fans of the South African-born author, who came to Birmingham – the home of his parents and grandparents – at the age of three but will be of interest to anyone who enjoys a festival with an old-fashioned feel.

It will feature dragon storytellers, the Wild Man of the Wood, children’s activities – including arts and crafts – and dramatic displays of Anglo Saxon combat and re-enactment of life in the Dark Ages by the Birmingham Vikings.

Marquees will have dancing, music and poetry for all the family, including face-painting, and there will also be guided walks around Moseley Bog and other local attractions together with dramatised excerpts of Tolkien’s works by Shire Productions.

“It really is a fun event for all the family and is great for fans and non-fans of Tolkien,” said Vivienne. “While it’s a wonderful celebration of Tolkien’s life and his books, there is far more to it than that.”

The Middle Earth Weekend takes place at Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B13 0BD, on Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, between 11am-5pm. Admission is free and most activities are also free. For more details, visit  ww.middleearthweekend.org.uk

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born to Birmingham parents in Bloemfontein, South Africa, on January 3, 1892.

His father, Arthur, moved to South Africa in 1891 when he was promoted to bank manager and was quickly joined by his fiancée Mabel Suffield. They married and had two sons – John Ronald and later Hilary.

When Tolkien was three, he came back to Birmingham with his mother and brother to visit his grandparents. While they were back in the Midlands, Arthur died of typhoid and the family never returned to Africa to live.

Mabel and her sons settled in Sarehole Mill and the family also moved to Moseley, Kings Heath, and finally Edgbaston in 1902. She died two years later, aged 34, from complications arising from diabetes, and the boys went to live with their Aunt Beatrice, Mabel’s sister-in-law, and later with a Mrs Faulkner.

The King Edward’s School scholar showed a talent for languages early on, mastering not only Latin and Greek, but also other tongues, including Finnish. It was this love of words that would take him to Oxford, where he read Old English, Classics and Germanic languages.

It was while at the Faulkner lodgings that Tolkien met Edith Bratt, whom he married in Warwick in 1916.

After serving in the First World War on the Somme, during which time he developed trench fever, Tolkien was appointed Reader in English language at Leeds University and later Professor at Oxford.

It was in 1937 that The Hobbit was published, a story that had its foundations in the bedtime tales he told his four children, John, Michael, Christopher and Priscilla. It was immediately a huge success, but it was not until 1954 and 1955 that the world was presented with The Lord of The Rings.

Tolkien retired from academia in 1959 and moved to Bournemouth with Edith. She died in 1971 and Tolkien returned to rooms in Oxford and died two years later. They are both buried in a single grave in Wolvercote cemetery in north Oxford.  The simple gravestone is inscribed with their names and the names of Lúthien, an elf, and Beren, a mortal who fell in love within the stories of The Silmarillion, another book by Tolkien, unfinished in his lifetime but completed by his son Christopher and published in 1977.

 

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High speed broadband now avilable at Alscot

High Speed Broadband is here

WITH NO SHORT TERM ANSWER FOR LOW BROADBAND SPEED IN SOUTH WARWICKSHIRE, ALSCOT IS TAKING THE LEAD IN DELIVERING HIGH SPEED BROADBAND TO ITS 45,000 SQ FT OF OFFICE SPACE, INDUSTRIAL LETS AND LOCAL PEOPLE.

“There is enormous support for this major project, broadband is one of the top three most important items that businesses look for when locating to new premises. Alscot is meeting these needs, as well as providing bespoke rural working space and ample free car parking. It is essential especially in a recession that we provide the best service possible so that companies do well.” Comments Managing Agent Ben Knight.

But Alscot is not stopping there, the new company South Warwickshire Broadband set up to facilitate the scheme has applied for a grant to extend the  wireless system beyond the 15km zone around Preston-on-Stour. SWB hope, with the support of Warwickshire County Council and Stratford District Council that they will be able to deliver high speed broadband to those in South Warwickshire who are unable to get help from the main suppliers.

The SWB system is fully licensed and guaranteed giving the user safe and secure upload/ download speed to suit as required and are able to provide voice as well as cloud servers, emails and more.

For more information please telephone  Matthew Green at Alscot 01789 450451

 

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