A warm welcome ..
Welcome to the Upper Thames and Ridgeway National Trust Association (UTRNTA).
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The UTRNTA is the local Supporter Group for the National Trust, covering parts of Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire not catered for by surrounding Associations.
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We attract members from a wide area centred on Cirencester, Lechlade and Highworth.
In addition to your existing membership of the National Trust we offer events such as:
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​Local talks on a wide variety of topics
Day-trips to NT Properties and other places of interest
An annual spring holiday
​The talks take place in the winter months and are held in Cirencester, Lechlade and Highworth. The outings are in the warmer months, and are typically day-trips by coach to NT sites which are further away. The holiday in 2023 was based in Sheffield and included five National Trust sites in that area.
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​Some of our funds are donated to the National Trust to help in their work locally.
Our upcoming Events
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NEXT TALK
2026
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Wednesday 14th January
Highworth
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Dr Richard Fisher
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'Three Choirs and a Reformation: English Cathedrals under the Tudors'
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In this illustrated talk Dr Richard Fisher first explains how the nineteen cathedrals of medieval England were administered and funded, including their curious division into two very distinct organisational groups. Henry VIII is infamous for his dissolution of the monasteries, but not so well known for creating six new dioceses and cathedrals from abbeys spared destruction. Yet which did he choose to save and why? Using examples from the west of England, the story is told of how our cathedrals survived the Reformation and contributed to the distinctive worship of the emergent Anglican church.
Richard's interest in cathedrals and their music began whilst growing up along the road from Southwark cathedral, including singing there as a boy. He studied art history part-time in Oxford then went on to do a PhD. This investigated the three cathedrals of Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester in the sixteenth century. He now travels the country giving talks, to raise interest in and funds for cathedrals and their Friends. His other current task is to turn the research findings into a book.
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Talk Venues:
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Lechlade Memorial Halll,
Oak Street, Lechlade, GL7 3AY
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Highworth Community Centre,
The Dormers, Highworth, SN6 7PQ
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Cirencestr Baptist Church,
Chesterton Lane, Cirencester
GGL7 1YE
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Entrance per person for each talk, including tea:
UTRNTA Members £5
Guests £6
Season ticket available to members only -
all 6 talks for the price of £4 £20
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FUTURE TALKS
2026
Wednesday 11th February
Cirencester
Wayne Gregory
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Hidden Oman
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Wayne Gregory returns to give us more information on Oman. After a quick re-orientation of where Oman is, Wayne will then outline the Jebel Akhdar – the Green Mountains – that reach up to 10,000 feet above sea level, with high-level terracing that produce crops all year round, abandoned villages, and villages hewn into the rock that are still inhabited today. The talk will then briefly look at the Bedu – the ancient nomadic tribes of Oman and one of their trading villages, turning then to the vast Empty Quarter the “Rub al Khalil” and the Lost City of Bedouin tales. After that, we have a description of a village abandoned by its inhabitants over 400 years ago. And finally a look at the second largest cave in the world.
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Friday 13th March
Lechlade
Bill King
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The Magic & Mystery of
Glen Miller
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Thursday 16th April
Highworth
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Jennifer Cowling
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The Extraordinary Things We Say
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Wendesday 7th October
Cirencester (tbc)
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Saturday 21st November
Lechlade
Dr Gillian White
Henry VIII and the Field of Cloth of Gold
AGM to follow the talk
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OUTINGS
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2025​​
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Avebury News!
There is an interesting sculpture exhibition in the gardens until mid October​
Avebury might be partially open at Christmas and decorated
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​Monday December 1st
2 15pm
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​CHRISTMAS​​​
Afternoon tea
Tea/Coffee​ scone and cream
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COME AMD HAVE A CHAT WITH FRIENDS​
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Stanton Fitzwarren Hotel
SN6 7SD
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£7 50
​This venue was much enjoyed at the last coffee morning and it was suggested by some of our members as an ideal place and simple menu to enjoy a pre Christmas get together.
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limited numbers
Booking essential
Please contact the organiser
Jean Templeman vjtpaleo@gmail.com
07958551735
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Please pay by BACS if possible using the sort code 60-05-41, account number 24586269
using the reference
Your surname+mastea
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2026
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New Year Lunch
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Wednesday 4th February 2026
at
Blunsdon House Hotel
12 noon for sit down at 12.30.
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The menu is a choice of two mains , two desserts plus tea/coffee and a welcome drink.
BHH have kept the cost of food and wine the same as last year, your committee have decided to do the same, so the price will be £40.00 per member. Please fill in the form below using letters A to H indicating your choices, and return it to Joan Craigie
Payment can be made either by cheque, payable to UTRNTA or BACS. Sort code
60 05 41 account 24586269 with Lunch plus your surname as a reference. Closing date is Saturday 4th January 2026.
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A Beef Bourguignon, Mashed Potato and seasonal veg
B Rosemary roast chicken supreme, Dauphinoise potato
C Bread and Butter pudding with Custard
D Chocolate torte
Welcome Drink
E Red wine
F White wine
G Still Elderflower
H Sparkling Elderflower
Please let me know if you have any dietary requirments Joan Craigie 01793 762622
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HOLIDAY
7th – 11th June 2026
Shropshire
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The Holiday for June 2026 is based at the Albrighton Hall Hotel and Spa, Shrewsbury. This 4 star hotel, set within the walls of a stunning 18th-century manor house, is in 15 acres of landscaped grounds, including ornamental lake. Located just four miles from the historic town of Shrewsbury.
The proposed itinerary is:
Sunday 7th: Brief stop en route at Gloucester Services on M5, followed by a longer stop at Hanbury Hall
Monday 8th: Cross the famous Pontcysyllte (yes, that’s the correct spelling but don’t ask me how to pronounce it) Aqueduct in a chartered narrow boat, followed by a visit to Chirk Castle
Tuesday 9th: Spend a day in historic Chester
Wednesday 10th: Visit Powys Castle
Thursday 11th: Return home via Cadbury World
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Note: This list is provisional and could change.
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We will use Barnes Coaches, with pick-up points in Shrivenham, Highworth and Cirencester.
The cost of the holiday depends on factors such as the number of people travelling, the number of single rooms required, entry fees to some sites, etc., but is likely to be about £600 per person with a £172 singles supplement. The exact figure will be calculated on a per-person basis once we know how many people are on the holiday.
To give you an idea of the likely cost, the quote from Barnes (for travel and accommodation) is:
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For minimum of 30 passengers: £570 pp
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For minimum of 35 passengers: £540 pp
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For minimum of 40 passengers: £520 pp
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Singles supplement of £172.
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In addition, there will be entry fees to a couple of venues, and tips for the driver and hotel staff.
What next? Please pay a £50 per person deposit. This enables us to know how many are on the holiday. The sooner this is paid, the better. We propose 5th January 2026 as the deadline. We will pay all cheques in to the UTRNTA account by 16th January 2026. If you wish to pay by BACS, please ensure you do so by 16th January. (Note: The deadline for the deposits to be paid to Barnes is February 1st 2026.). The balance will be due about April 2026.
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New programme of courses released by Heritage and Rural Skills Centre
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Painting, blacksmithing, block printing, traditional lime plastering, leaded stain glass, pargeting, wood carving, lettercutting in stone or wood, landscape oil painting, making a willow bird feeder, glass painting, textures weaving, working in silver ..... these courses are on offer at the Heritage and Rural skills centre here in our area in Coleshill. Lasting one or two days these are EXTREMELY popular So if you are interested contact the national trust or 01793762209
pargeting, plaster or mortar applied to a wall typically with an ornamental pattern
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