Upcoming Events

This will be on Sunday, 28th September. Meet at The Clock Tower, Charlton Kings GL53 8EG. This will be a circular walk of about 5 miles, which is full of variety  and includes some less familiar places (Do you know where Old Dole and California Farms are?)

Please meet around 10:30, ready to set off at 11:00. We will return to The Clock Tower around 14:00 where they serve food all day. Parking is free for patrons and the pub is child and dog friendly.

As usual, the walk is “moderate” with some hilly bits and suitable for dogs. All are welcome. It would be great if you could email grippers@sabourin.myzen.co.uk to let us know if you intend to join in. In the meantime, please SAVE THE DATE.

We gathered at the Hog Inn,Horsley. Led on the walk by Eric and Laura Davis, ably assisted by local Grippers supporters John and Jo, we explored a variety of terrain, including pretty villages and hamlets, rolling pastures with distant views and leafy tracks in the woods. Oh yes, and just a very little bit of mud underfoot. Afterwards we enjoyed a tasty lunch outdoors in the October sunshine.

This was the third time the Purton Amateur Dramatic Society have entertained us with a murder mystery. Apart from all the fun  and excellent supper, we are so grateful to everyone who gave so generously. We raised a total of £490. Congratulations to Fran, Becky, Jon and Jo who were the super-sleuths.

Trustees Sue, Robina and Andrew were guests of the Ashleworth and Hasfield WI, where they gave a well-received talk about their experiences and in particular the events leading up to the formation of the charity. To their great surprise, many of the the WI members made very generous individual donations. All in all, we raised a very handsome £140. Many thanks to those WI members for being so generous.

Eighteen stalwarts joined together at the Crown of Crucis to enjoy a delightful walk around the fields and lanes of the Ampneys. The weather on the day was fine but as it followed a period of torrential downpours, the main challenge was avoiding the many flooded paths and field tracks.

Most of the group were able to end the morning at the home of Trustees Andrew and Robina where they had a lovely lunch of roast pork with all the trimmings, prepared by William while we had been walking. The Annual Walk was originally a sponsored event starting in 2006, but it has morphed into a celebration of Grippers and it is wonderful to have so many Service Users and Grip staff taking part as well as the Trustees and main supporters of the Charity.

With only one previous exception, The Autumn Annual Walk has enjoyed wonderful weather. Alas, the 13th such walk proved to be unlucky! The forecast of fog followed by steady rain on a strong northerly wind on the top of Cleeve Hill deterred many. In the event, seven stalwarts and two dogs set off and were rewarded with a break in the rain and because of the clear conditions, magnificent views of the Winchcombe valley as we passed close to the historic Postlip Hall and later across the Severn Vale all the way to the Malvern Hills. The steady climb up to the top of the escarpment warmed us up but we could only pause for a brief appreciation of the view before we were quickly cooled down by the wind and hastened on.

Just as the rain returned we arrived to a warm welcome at the Rising Sun and were soon steaming and glowing after a drink and roast lunch.

We are particularly pleased that several service users braved the elements and joined in what turned out to be a successful and very satisfying walk.