Walking the Dudley Trail for Age Concern
5th June 2007
I joined a group of Age Concern volunteers to walk the Dudley Trail on Sunday May 6th.
The goal for the day was to raise money for the expansion of the Elton Centre in Stourbridge and I would like to thank all of my sponsors who helped me to raise almost £300.00 towards their target.
In addition to raising money the six mile walk gave me the chance to discover the beautiful Saltwells Local Nature Reserve, one of the largest urban nature reserves in the country and containing one of the most intense bluebell woods in the country also. The Saltwells, named after the brine spas that were served by saline water generated by years of mining, was also home to Royal Doulton for many years. Royal Doulton china was made from the clay at Doultons Clay pit in the heart of the Saltwells.
I was very lucky to be paired up in the walk with Wesley Johnson. Wesley was born and grew up near Quarry Bank. Wes shared a huge amount of local history and general knowledge with me on the walk; he also showed me the grave of Duncan Edwards. Duncan Edwards is buried in Dudley Cemetery and the tombstone there is a moving and fitting tribute to a life cut short by the Munich air disaster; it is well worth a visit.
See pictures from the walk below - you would hardly know you were just a few thousand yards from Merry Hill at times. The area has a wonderful diversity of wildlife, flora and fauna. It also contains two Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Photos: Top: Margot and Lotus with Wes Johnson.
