On a rather showery September morning 21 villagers set out for a visit to Hartlebury Castle, just south of Kidderminster, home to the Bishops of Worcester for over a thousand years. 

On arrival we were greeted warmly and given a short explanation of the history of the site. We then went into the Saloon, a beautiful Georgian room, for some very welcome refreshments – tea and coffee served in china cups and delicious cakes, before our introductory talk by the state room guides and librarians.

We regret to inform you that we have had to cancel the musical soiree and garden party, due to one of the members of the Chameleon Wind Quintet contracting COVID.

Nina O’Hare from Worcestershire Archaeology and Archives gave a fascinating talk about the 2022 community excavation at New Farm, Norton, which investigated millennia of stories buried within the landscape.  Geophysical survey of the site had revealed an Iron Age or Romano-British settlement, trackways and possibly earlier prehistoric activity too.  Thanks to the excavation, we now have a window into what really went on.

A visit to Stourbridge Glass Museum and Red House Glass Cone was enjoyed by 28 members.  We learned about the origins of glass making in Stourbridge, discovered the tools glass makers used, and explored the museum’s extensive glass collections, some dating back 400 years.

A successful trip to Hereford was organized by Shirley Tutton. We were split into groups and whilst one group had a guided tour of the Cathedral, another group visited the Mappa Mundi exhibition and the Chained Library, and then swapped. This was followed by a buffet lunch in College Hall with access to parts of the cathedral not normally seen. After lunch there was free time to explore the cathedral further or to visit the Christmas Market.