Event organiser Kevin Sene looks back on the Shropshire gathering
The Big Weekend Kevin Sene
This year saw our annual get-together return to Shropshire for the first time in more than a decade , with reasonably kind weather each day . The venue was the Field Studies Council ( FSC ) headquarters at Preston Montford near Shrewsbury , with exclusive use of the bar , a meeting room and two modern accommodation blocks .
On Friday evening , activities got underway with the book table event followed by a brief introduction to the centre from senior tutor Charlotte Timerick . After the meal , Ronald Turnbull led an informal ‘ Prose and Photos ’ session .
The following morning , one group took a historic tour of Shrewsbury and another headed off for a photographic walk with Josephine Collingwood up the Long Mynd – a local landmark with a spectacular west-facing escarpment . Those
The Big Weekend
Event organiser Kevin Sene looks back on the Shropshire gathering
visiting the town went on a boat trip along the River Severn in the afternoon .
I instead opted for a taster gliding session at the Midland Gliding Club , during which everyone got a flight once the mist had cleared . This gave the chance to see the Long Mynd from a thousand feet above , although I don ’ t think anyone spotted Josephine ’ s group !
Following the AGM and an ‘ OWPG into the Future ’ session , the Drinks Reception was hosted by Cicerone , who were represented by Jonathan and Lesley Williams – many thanks again . This year the awards ceremony was held at its more
LEFT , FROM TOP Preston Montford Field Studies Centre ( Allan Hartley ); Two of the several book tables on display during the weekend ( Kevin Sene ); Jacquie Budd touches down ( Ronald Turnbull ); Stan ’ s Sunday walk with standing stones ( Allan Hartley )
8 OUTDOOR FOCUS Winter 2024 – 25