Bognor club's visit to Forest of Dean

The well-attended formal dinner, prepared and presented in the grand manner by the Royal Norfolk Hotel, was a gala occasion presided over by chairman Neil Harris, who had as his principal guest Mrs Val McRither, president of the Bognor Regis Ladies Probus Club.

The visit to the Forest of Dean was arranged by the travel committee under the chairmanship of Brian Vaughan but was in fact the last hurrah of Derek Barnes, the club's travel wizard since 1998. The first rabbit to come out of his hat was the venerable Speech House Hotel in the heart of the forest, with some parts dating to 1676 as a hunting lodge used by King Charles II. In addition to its present luxuries, the forest verderers hold their court there every 40 days in the very room used by the hotel for group dining.

Verderers are appointed by the crown and monitor the use of the forest in all its many aspects. Their records go back to 1216.

Another was the engagement of retired forester Peter Ralph who for two days transversed the forest by every byway possible.

His knowledge of the flora and fauna, everything arboreal including the fruits of the forest, the industrial heritage hidden away under overgrown spoil heaps from coal and ore mining and the little fields used by the pit ponies was comprehensive.

He had stories both factual and anecdotal along every inch of the way, which enhanced the ever-changing visual experience.

When not on the move time was spent at the Dean Heritage Centre in Soudley, the National Birds of Prey Centre in the wilds near Newent, the Shambles (a replica Victorian village) in Newent and a highlight for many a conducted walk through the Clearwater iron ore caves near Coleford.

Yet one more was the engagement of Anna Tribe, Admiral Lord Nelson's great, great, great-granddaughter by his mistress Lady Emma Hamilton.

She traced her family from Nelson's daughter Horatia to the present day, including reference to Nelson's oaks in the forest, pointed out previously by Peter Ralph, but never used after Trafalgar, the Victory in Portsmouth and connections with Boxgrove and Castle Goring of very local interest.

A visit to the Nelson Museum in Monmouth with her was a real bonus as she added so much personal knowledge to many of the artefacts.

At the end of the stay at the Speech House, Derek received a presentation from those travelling as a mark of their appreciation and esteem for all his impeccable work for Probus travel over so many years.

On the way to the Forest of Dean a lunch stop was made in Gloucester and the choice of visiting the cathedral or the redeveloped and revitalised docks, or both.

On the way home to Bognor Regis the lunch stop was at the delightful Thames-side town of Abingdon. For more details about the club contact Wilf Archer on 01243 821388.

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