Imperial Geographical Society returns to Woldingham
The Imperial Geographical Society (IGS) has conducted an expedition through woods and farmland south-west of the British town of Woldingham. The expedition re-traced the route of a previous expedition, held in 2014. The expedition was planned and led by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor, who was joined by twelve other people, including the Imperial Family, Princess Hannah, Lady Boxall (the former Dame Rosalind), and the former residents of Zephyria. Although Princess Hannah has been on two IGS expeditions in the past, this was the first time that she had joined one of the larger May excursions. It was also the first time that the former Lord Marshal William had joined an IGS expedition since the very first, in 2009. Re-tracing the steps of the 2014 expedition, the participants were able to compare aspects of the route to their encounter eight years ago; for example, a well-known viewpoint was partially obscured by new tree growth, and various landmarks noted along the way in 2014 were no longer there this time round. The IGS, since 2009, has customarily launched an annual expedition at the start of May exploring an area of countryside in Surrey. Due to restrictions on gatherings in the United Kingdom implemented as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the annual May expedition could not go ahead as usual in 2020 and 2021 (although May 2020 did see an IGS expedition in North America). However, with all legal restrictions in the UK now lifted, the annual expedition was able to be resumed. With thirteen participants in this expedition, it was larger than the original 2014 one, which had ten. After the expedition, Emperor Jonathan I and his parents joined Princess Hannah and John of Zephyria for refreshments in a garden centre café on the way back to Carshalton. A video of today’s expedition will be uploaded shortly.
Expedition of the Imperial Geographical Society to Box Hill
The Imperial Geographical Society (IGS) earlier today conducted an expedition to Box Hill in Surrey. The expedition traversed valleys and woodland around Box Hill on its way to the viewpoint at the top of the hill itself, which commands a spectacular view of Dorking and the surrounding countryside. On their way up the hill, the expedition encountered a large bed of bluebells and some mysterious tiles embedded in the woodland floor. Fourteen people took part in the expedition, including Emperor Jonathan I, the Emperor Mother, and Crown Princess Caroline. The route had been planned by John, former Baron of Zephyria. This marks the twentieth expedition of the IGS, almost ten years to the day since its first was conducted on 4 May 2009. A video of the expedition will soon be uploaded. UPDATE – 3 October 2019: A video of the expedition can now be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKSUyeyNNWg
IGS Expedition to Warlingham
The Imperial Geographical Society has conducted a successful expedition of exploration through woods, farmland and suburbs in and north of the British town of Warlingham. The expedition was led by John of Zephyria, and was comprised of fifteen people, the largest number of people to have been on an IGS Expedition since 2011. Emperor Jonathan I and Emperor Mother Margaret were amongst those taking part, with the other members of the expedition being from Carshalton Methodist Church, at which the walk was advertised. The expedition encountered several areas of interest, including a disused chalk quarry and a beautiful patch of bluebell woods. A steep hill near the start/end point of the expedition has been named Hyerdunscar Hill by the IGS, in memory of the recently deceased Edd (Hyerdunscar being the kennel that bred him). Photographs and videos were taken of the expedition, and a short film narrated by the Emperor can be seen here.
IGS Expedition to Friday Street and nearby woods
The Imperial Geographical Society has conducted an expedition through woods to the south of the British hamlet of Friday Street. The expedition was led by John of Zephyria, and included Emperor Jonathan I and Emperor Mother Margaret. Since 2009, it has become customary for the IGS to launch an expedition on the first Monday of May exploring rural areas of Surrey, accompanied by several members of Carshalton Methodist Church. This year, the turnout was unfortunately rather small; including the three Austenasians, only seven people took part in the expedition, compared with over twenty in 2009 and 2010. The expedition set off south from Friday Street, turning west before reaching Leith Hill and then stopping for lunch at the village of Holmbury Saint Mary before walking north-east through Abinger Common to arrive back at its starting point. After the expedition, its members travelled to the café at the nearby Denbies Wine Estate for refreshments. Photographs and video clips were taken, and a short film of the expedition can be seen here.
IGS Expedition to Woldingham
The Imperial Geographical Society has conducted an expedition through woods and farmland to the south-west of the British town of Woldingham. The expedition, which was led by John of Zephyria (Officer of the Austenasian Order and father of Lord Marshal William), consisted of ten people. These included Emperor Jonathan I and Emperor Mother Margaret. The rest of the expedition’s members were from Carshalton Methodist Church, which organises a ramble on the first Monday of May to coincide with the annual IGS expedition. The expedition encountered several farm animals – chickens, ducks, horses, cows and goats – in fields adjacent to the paths followed, and walked through some areas of beautiful bluebell woodland. It also had a look inside St. Agatha’s Church, a tiny High Anglican church close to the route being followed. A footpath which the expedition travelled along for part of the way has been named Paloma Path in memory of Rose (whose pedigree name was Bramarley Paloma of Carothan), who sadly died last month. Photographs and video clips were taken, and a short film of the expedition can be seen here.
