News

A New Orchard

12^th Apr 2023

A new orchard has been created above the car park near the Old Rose and Crown.  Eighteen fruit trees have been planted including several unusual varieties.  The purchase of the trees has been funded by the Lickey Rotary Club and the Lickey Hills Society.

A ditch and bank has been built to establish the site of the orchard and the Society has agreed to fund the purchase of wild flower seeds to create a small ‘wild flower meadow’.  There will also be a number of soft fruits planted. Juneberries (Saskatoons) have already been planted.

Photo - Members of the Tuesday volunteer group, ‘The Habitat Heroes’ who planted the trees in the new orchard.             

New Fruit Trees In Community Orchard

12^th Apr 2023

Two new trees have been added to the Community Orchard near the Visitor Centre to mark the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III: A King Charles Pearmain and a May Queen were funded by the Society and were planted on 5^th April. The Photo shows the team of LHS planters with Ranger Penny

Photo: Keith Woolford

Edwin Gumbley  1950 – 2023

11^th Apr 2023

Edwin Gumbly, a long time and very active supporter of the Lickey Hills Society, sadly passed away in January this year.  He was a regular member of the Thursday morning walking group and always took the opportunity to use these walks to collect litter. He was an excellent walking companion, sharing opinions, stories and his wonderful sense of humour with anyone in the group. He was a charming and gregarious man whose company on the walks was always a delight.

Edwin had an extensive collection of postcards of the local area and he was a keen and knowledgeable historian.  He used these postcards to give presentations to members and friends of the LHS, and to other groups.  Topics covered included, the Lickey Hills, Barnt Green, Bournville village, the Cadbury factory, the railway lines from Halesowen to Longbridge and from Barnt Green to Ashchurch via Redditch and Evesham. 

To acknowledge Edwin’s work in undertaking these presentations to the Society, he was made a Life Member of the Society, only the fourth member to be recognised in this way since the formation of the Society in 1984.

Edwin also had an extensive knowledge of popular music and only last autumn, he presented a quiz at Barnt Green Social Club where he was a member.  For a number of years, Edwin was a member of Barnt Green Parish Council. He was a much loved and respected member of the community and will be missed by so many.

We send condolences to Carole and all members of the family at this most difficult of times.  Edwin will truly be missed by all who knew him.

As Edwin would say, “Do your damnedest, be good, have fun”.