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 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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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
GL7 1YE
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All talks start at 2.30pm
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
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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
Philip Garrahan
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The Paradox of Swindon​
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Saturday 21st November
Lechlade
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Dr Gillian White
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Henry VIII and the Field of Cloth of Gold
AGM to follow the talk
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OUTINGS
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2026
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New Year Lunch
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Wednesry 4th February2026
at
Blunsdon House Hotel
12 noon for sit down at 12.30.
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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.
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