Wolverley Spring Meet 2022
Wolverley Spring Meet 2022
After the frustrations of the two year covid restrictions it was a very enjoyable experience to once again to be able to join with fellow ih owners at a Spring Meet organised this year for us by Ray and Judy Pym. The campsite managers had made arrangements for our group to be pitched together which made socialising much easier. The group, consisting of twelve ih vans and their owners did observe sensible precautions so we did not make use of the meeting room which due to chilly weather meant our outdoor afternoon get - togethers (for our wine tasting sessions) made good use of wind breaks and warm clothing! The weather cooperated most of the time.
The C&CC site at Wolverley is in a good location offering a choice of walks and activities. It also has an interesting history as the site and the local area was used as an army camp and hospital during the WW11. It is only a short walk to the canal from the site so it was easy to follow the tow path along the Stafford and Worcestershire canal, opened in 1792, in one direction to Kidderminster, just two miles away and in the opposite direction to Cookley and beyond. Several owners followed the towpath to Kidderminster which ended conveniently at a large shopping complex including a large Sainsburys and the St Mary and All Saints canalside church. Towpath repairs made access to the town centre a little more difficult than normal but it was possible.
On the Saturday three campervans left site briefly to attend the annual plant sale at Bodenham Arboretum, yes they did come back with plants to take home! Other ih owners joined a group for a circular walk to Cookley on the Saturday morning along the canal towpath. The lock at Debdale was interesting as there was a large storage area opposite the lock keepers cottage that had been hewn from the cliff face. We had looked forward to pausing for coffee at Cookley but the owners were just setting off for a W/E away! The circular route continued taking the group past the church, which some explored and returned along an interesting lane back to site.
Another shorter walk from site was to the local village consisting of several old cottages and an interesting church approached along a sandstone sunken path, situated high above the village. The church could be seen from the campsite with its unusual black and white porch. The village pub was adjacent to the canal lock and some of the group enjoyed an evening meal there.
Ray and Judy ably assisted by Wendy and Gary had prepared two quizzes for us one based on pictures of sculptures and landmarks, displayed in each van, , we had to know and at times guess where they were geographically located. The other quiz challenged our general knowledge. The general knowledge quiz was won by Kath and Lance and Tony and Mary scored the highest points in the picture quiz. Both winners received an Easter Egg. Our most important celebration was arranged for Judy, our marshal who was celebrating her special 80th birthday.
Each evening was very chilly but on the Sunday the day time temperature improved so several members made use of the day to explore locally. One local attraction nearby was the Kinver Edge rock houses now managed by the NT. It is set in a wooded area open to the public, energetic folk can walk from the campsite there but some used their bikes to visit the site.
Some of the group hoped to meet again at the Peterborough Show, 19 vans. The next official meet for the IH club members will be at the Malvern Show and later in the year in Scotland, full details are available on the ih Owners club website. The club is very grateful to all those who volunteer to marshal such events and to Kath Conlon who now is the only member taking responsibility for the owners club website and organisation.
Mary & Tony Sutton