ANOTHER fine morning walk by Powick Ramblers took place last Wednesday when 12 people and dog Tilly walked five miles on the Bromyard Downs and Brockhampton Estate. Starting from The Royal Oak the path crossed the Downs which consists of 260 acres with 79 properties having Commoners’ Rights; here the skylark could be heard. Above the Royal Oak were signs of use by the Hereford Militia until 1905, notably Rifle Butts Cottage. There had also been a two mile race course in use there during Spring Bank Holidays until 1904. The Downs were where cattle drovers from Wales, Hereford and Leominster rested their cattle on route for the markets of Birmingham. During World War II the area was growing vegetables for the war effort. The walk passed the Jubilee Oak planted in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and passed the old Shepherd’s Cottage built in 1840. Bromyard Downs is owned by the National Trust and the Brockhampton Estate was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1946. The estate consists of 1,000 acres of farmland and 700 acres of mixed woodland. The path continued to Warren Farm with its wheat fields, Hereford Cattle, hens and guinea fowl. Here a tea room offers refreshment and home produced food for the traveller. The path entered the Brockhampton Estate, mentioned in the Doomsday Book, with its 500 oaks, some dating back to Henry VIII, fine beech, ash, horse chestnut and other trees. The land is crossed by many way marked paths Walks around Bromyard and NT trails. The route followed passed the main house and its fine garden, passed the old Brockhampton Chapel and fields with Ryeland Sheep and their lambs before tracing the way back to Warren Farm where views of the Malvern Hills were in one direction and May Hill in the other. Back at the Royal Oak, Bob Baldwin was thanked for a delightful walk and for his knowledge of the area. Refreshment was enjoyed in the excellent pub gardens.

The next walk is on Friday, May 13 starting at The Nelson Inn at Longley Green, Suckley at 10am. The four mile walk along the Suckley Hills will be led by Garth Lowe (01886 833392).

On the morning of the Royal Wedding, Powick bell ringers rang a full peal lasting three hours to commemorate the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton. The team consisted of Roger Gurney, Cheryl Lester, Nigel Davies, Ruth Dyson, Geoff Titmuss (from Madresfield) and Paul Smith (Tower captain). On Thursday afternoon the Madresfield bell ringers rang a full peal lasting, three hours, at St Mary’s church to mark the Royal Wedding.

A village party to celebrate the Royal Wedding took place at Callow End Village Hall, while in Byrons Wood, Powick, neighbours got together to share in the celebrations.

Last Sunday morning the service of baptism at St Peter’s church was well attended by friends and families of two little girls who were baptised and welcomed into the church. They were Grace Olivia Merry of St Peter’s, Worcester and whose grandparents live in Callow End, and Poppy Alexandra Blackman also of Callow End. Reverend Sue Irwin conducted the service.

On Sunday, May 8, hurry along to the Fete at the Worcestershire Animal Rescue Centre in Hawthorn Lane from 1pm till 4pm. There are lots of things to entertain and plenty of refreshments.

In April, Powick Guild welcomed Neville Radburn who told of his life as a Pastry Chef. He started work at the age of 15 at the Lygon Arms in Broadway. He worked his way up from cleaning vegetables to working in the kitchen and at the age of 19 became Head Patissier. Whilst there, Neville saw many celebrities including Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple and the Duke of Edinburgh. Neville wrote poetry in his spare time and had an acknowledgement from the Queen’s Lady in Waiting after sending a poem to Balmoral. After hearing some more stories and poems, members enjoyed refreshments and a raffle. On Tuesday the Guild meet again at the Orchard Centre at 2.30pm when Mrs Yvonne Mott, from Leominster, will be demonstrating Flower Pressing and Card Making with pressed flowers. New members are welcome.