his season's visits by the Society seem to indicate a shift in taste among members and their guests. The major sites of the region are perhaps already familiar and therefore relatively less attractive, even with the added benefit of expert guides.
his season's visits by the Society seem to indicate a shift in taste among members and their guests. The major sites of the region are perhaps already familiar and therefore relatively less attractive, even with the added benefit of expert guides.
For whatever reason members seem to prefer the more local and less formal kind of visit, as well as those where recent or current investigative work is to be found. So, though the proposed visit to Goodrich and Scenfrith Castles and Kilpeck had to be cancelled after too few bookings, the guided walk round Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemetaries was by contrast so much over-subscribed that a second date had to be fixed, which was again over-subscribed.
The visit to Birmingham Museum to handle and discuss some of the artefacts not on public display was also much enjoyed. It suggests the possibility of future single-subject guided visits to the Museum. An interactive visit to Mancetter and Brinklow owed much of its success to our being guided by the Mancetter Dig Director, who brought us up to date on recent work there. Local knowledge was also a factor in the success of the Castle Ring and Beaudesert visit.
We are grateful to Colin Baddeley, Toni Demidowicz, Keith Scott and Chris Welch, as well as to our own members Emma Jones and Philip Watson, all of whom have contributed time and expertise for our benefit.
David Torvell
Honorary Excursions Secretary