AT the club’s meeting on Tuesday, February 28 president Alan Miles announced the death of member David Benjamin, and called for a minute’s silence.

He also presented a Senior Membership Badge to Howard Wilcox, who had recently completed 10 years continuous membership.

President Alan then introduced Mr Alan Pilbeam who talked to us on ‘Holiday in the Forest of Dean in 1880’.

The talk was based on a book produced by Mr John Bellowes – a printer of Gloucester.

As a result of his book, tourism in the forest became established, and, also increased in Cheltenham and the surrounding area.

The tour depicted by Bellowes in his book, began at the Speech House Station (closed in 1965 due to the Beeching cuts), and included Drakes House, so named because of it’s association with Sir Francis Drake.

Alan Pilbeam has walked the route taken by John Bellowes, which continued from Speech House towards Symonds Yat through scenery including natural rock towers, from which there are exceptional views over the River Wye.

On the way he was able to visit Goodrich Castle, and Dandy Lodge. This area had many industrial sites associated with mining of coal at Trafalgar Colliery, and iron ore together with steel works at Cinderford.

The vote of thanks for Alan’s talk was given by Member Ben Johnson.

The next meeting will be held in the Dursley Community Centre on Tuesday March 14th March 2017.

This meeting will be the AGM, and all members are asked to attend, so that the business arrangements for the coming year can be finalised.

The Club is open to retired men in the area men, who have an interest to hear talks on wide range of subjects – both social history, engineering topics and to meet many local people.

We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday in each month, except for August and December.

If you are interested, please contact our secretary, Mr J Tyler on 02453 542879, who will be pleased to arrange for you to visit.