Walking around Shrewley

Eight of us enjoyed a walk around Shrewley this week. Walking mainly through fields we did manage to see the three key transport systems that have changed the nature of the countryside over the last few centuries. First we walked alongside the M40, almost deafened by the traffic thundering by. Soon we crossed the railway. As we crossed a freight train passed by, it was good to see the railways reducing the number of trucks on our roads. Finally we came to the canal, built to carry the nation’s goods efficiently around the country. Today leisure boating is the main traffic. Passing through Little Shrewley we discovered a Victorian postbox still in use. A villager was sure we were lost at this point as we were studying the postbox intently.

After our walk we had a convivial lunch at the Durham Ox. Join us next month for another walk.

Transforming Lives: Basketball, Coaching, and Teamwork

Our new season of MIRTH kicked off with a fascinating talk about Basketball and Coaching. Andy Ransberry has spent most of his life playing and coaching basketball ( Apparently he played basketball as a child growing up in Canada due to his mum not wanting to take him to a 4AM hockey (ice) session). He played in college basketball teams as he got older.

Moving to England he worked as a teacher but was passionate about basketball and coached many teams. He also developed young people’s coaching skills to ensure the future of the sport. Coaching and developing basketball teams in secondary schools he has seen first hand the impact the team work required can help pupils in the rest of their lives and having an immediate impact on their academic work.

We were not allowed to sit and just listen; he soon had several MIRTH members demonstrating their skills by dribbling the ball.

Over the years he has seen the positive impact sport can have on people and has worked with a charity, GuardianBallers ( https://guardianballers.org/) in Coventry. Andy told us stories about how particular teenagers had developed and overcome life difficulties due to being part of the program. It most encouraging to hear these positive stories.

Walking on The Harry Green Way

Our September walk started and finished at the Butchers Arms in Bishops Itchington. Unusually for a MIRTH walk it was raining for most of the time. It was not cold so we still enjoyed the countryside and conversation. Three men joined us for the first time on a MIRTH walk.

We were walking a small part of the Harry Green Way. A 20 mile circular walk devised by Harry Green in 1988. Harry was the chairman of the Southam ramblers group for 20 years.

We walked across the recently harvested fields and soon found ourselves crossing the Chiltern mainline on a pedestrian level crossing. Once we were all safely across we continued on our way. On reaching Ladbroke we returned walking along the lanes back to Bishops Itchington. Just on the outskirts of Bishops Itchington we discovered where old combine harvesters go to die.

Back in Bishops Itchington we retired to the Butcher’s Arms for lunch.

Join us next month for another

A day trip to Gloucester

This year, our annual trip took us to Gloucester. The coach headed off from St Paul’s and we had a smooth journey to Gloucester. We were dropped between the docks and the city, and people headed off to explore.

A number headed to the National Waterways Museum, we were able to learn about the docks and how the inland waterways impacted the city. Others went to the Cathedral or just to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Some of our members enjoyed the Stonemasons tour at the Cathedral in the afternoon. This gave a fascinating insight into the work and skill of the masons and how they preserve the fabric of the cathedral. Much of the work is restoration of old carvings; apparently, the Victorian statuary requires more upkeep than the medieval work.

Soon it was time to board the coach for our homeward journey. We arrived safely back and had a good day out. We are now looking forward to next year’s outing.

A walk in all seasons.

We met at The Oak in Baginton. The pub was temporarily closed, but let us use the carpark. (They plan to reopen Saturday 13th June). As we gathered, we were watching the storm clouds and at 10 the heavens opened. We sought shelter in the huts at the Oak. Once the rains subsided, we set off.

We walked past Coventry Airport (soon to close) and on towards Stoneleigh. As we walked down a quiet lane we passed a fly-tip of around 20 kitchen appliances. It is shocking how often you see this, it’s obviously a criminal enterprise doing this no individual has 20 appliances to dispose of, (and they would have been able to take them to the dump.)

Soon we crossed the River Sowe and walked back to Baginton across the fields. We were enjoying the sun, but that was not to last as soon the rain was lashing down. We passed Baginton Castle and the ancient church and soon we were back at The Oak. We then headed to the other end of the Village to The Old Mill for lunch.

To complete the seasons, as I arrived home, a hail-storm started. it really did seem as if we had the weather of all seasons during the day.

Coventry Cathedral

Following a convivial lunch at The Flying Standard in Broadgate, Coventry, fifteen Mirthers set off for a tour of Coventry Cathedral.

The very friendly and knowledgeable guides gave us a comprehensive tour of both the old and new Cathedrals with some fascinating anecdotes: the pennies set in the floor are to help the choir walk in a straight line, and the impressive St Michael and the Devil sculpture on the wall bears the likeness of the designer on the face of the Devil!

We were able to get very close to the magnificent tapestry of Christ In Glory, which is the size of a tennis court and weighs over a ton.

The splendid glass West Wall has rows of figures actually engraved into the glass, and has Old and New Testament figures, other historical figures, and a selection of angels. Elijah even has a Raven at his feet!

A very inspiring trip that was much enjoyed.

Walking in the woods

We met at the Queens Head, Meriden; some of us having passed through the extensive HS2 works alongside the A452. The walk was on country roads, field paths and through woods. Bluebells in bloom were still evident but we could not decide if they were native, Spanish or hybrid; probably a mixture. Lunch was enjoyed at the Queens Head; a traditional pub with good food and drinks at modest prices! One of our walkers was still celebrating Coventry’s promotion to the premiership.

Lowsonford Walk

It was good to be walking out in the Warwickshire countryside again. The paths were not too muddy as the weather has been reasonably dry over the last few weeks. We set off from the Fleur de Lys and up a track. Soon we passed an old bridge parapet for a railway that once ran through the area; the Lapworth to Henley railway opened in 1884 and closed in 1915 for passengers and 1917 for all traffic. ( more info on the railway can be found at https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/gwr/lapworth-henley-branch.htm ).

Soon after this, we were walking past a woodland carpeted with bluebells and through a pine plantation. We continued, and as we were running a little behind schedule, we attempted a shortcut. We found ourselves on the wrong side of the canal, and as we did not want to lose any MIRTH members in the canal, we decided to retrace our steps back to the road and returned through the village to the Fleur de Lys for a well-earned lunch.

Betel

On Tuesday March 17th, we welcomed Timon Robins from Betel UK. He was here to talk about the work they do as a Christian charity, which helps men, women and families overcome the problems of social exclusion, such as homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse and long term unemployment. They transform lives through faith, community and meaningful work. 

Timon explained that Betel UK evolved from the work that WEC missionaries were doing on the streets of Spain to becoming a global enterprise spanning 17 nations including Mexico, Brazil and India, in more than 100 cities.

Betel UK was established in 1996 and currently helps around 270 people at 14 residential placements in 11 UK urban areas.

He went on to say that there are many aspects to their work including Praise & Worship nights, as well as landscape gardening, a restoration shed and furniture sales business, clearance shops, cafes and also the hiring out of soft play areas and a convention venue.

Timon rounded off the talk by giving his own personal journey. His life had become unstable at 16 with drug abuse. He served prison time in his early 20s for drug dealing and his whole lifestyle existed around the taking of heroin and crack cocaine for 20 years until he was in his early 40s. Only after hitting rock bottom and contacting Betel UK was he able to turn his life around. 

He has been happily married for 15 years and has worked extensively throughout Betel UK’s national operation.

A very uplifting and inspiring talk.