A couple of innovations were tried in this week’s MIRTH walk. The first was the staggered start. Not entirely successful, but at least we were all together by the time we reached the steeper part of the hill up from Stratford-upon-Avon to the Welcome Hills. Our objective? The famous Welcome Hills Obelisk. Yes – the one with the amazing views west -> south -> east, over Stratford and to the Malvern Hills. All clearly visible on this gloriously sunny day.
Among the 10 of us were a few who had not been up to the obelisk before and were intrigued to learn that the monument was erected in 1876 by Robert Needham Philips to commemorate his brother, Mark Philips, and their father, Robert Philips. Mark Philips was a prominent figure in the early 19th century. He was born in Manchester in 1800 and made his fortune in the cotton industry. He was also a successful politician and served as the first Member of Parliament for Manchester from 1832 to 1847. Robert Phillips was a successful businessman and landowner. He was also a philanthropist and donated money to a number of charities, including the University of Warwick and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
The obelisk is a beautiful and impressive monument. It is made of limestone and stands 100 feet tall. The four sides of the obelisk are inscribed with tributes to Mark, Robert, and Robert Needham Philips
On then to lunch at the Boar’s Head in Hampton Lucy where we were joined to two more MIRTH stalwarts to enjoy the fine fare this pub always has to offer us.
And the other innovation? The return trip to our starting point in Maidenhead Road, Stratford. Why? Well … to look for the pair of boots which one bright MIRTH spark had forgotten to put in his car after the walk 😳. He was mightily relieved to find the boots in a box kindly labelled ‘Lost & found’ – and to realise that while he might have lost his boots (temporarily) at least he hadn’t lost his marbles 😉
MIRTH 