The Malcolm Saville Society

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The Malcolm Saville Society

Malcolm Saville (1901 - 1982) is best known as an author of children's series fiction but also wrote books about the English countryside. Millions of children have read Malcolm Saville's adventure stories which are set in real locations which he encouraged his readers to explore for themselves. His principal works involved The Lone Pine Club - a group of children who form a secret society in wartime Shropshire.

The Malcolm Saville Society exists to remember the author and to promote awareness of his work. We publish four magazines each year as well as arranging regular events. For details of the latest issue click on the box to the right →

If you are not a member, but would like to know more about becoming a member you can get more information and register online by clicking the box to the right →

Monday, June 24 2019: Church Stretton Walking Festival 2019

On 22 June, as one of the Festival events, David Shields and Penny Cooper led 19 other walkers on a 6.7 mile exploration of the more southerly areas of the Long Mynd, walking in the very heart of Lone Pine country and passing by “Witchend” and “Ingles Farm”. Featuring throughout the walk were readings from Mystery at Witchend and Wings over Witchend, and references to Saville’s own experiences and love of the Long Mynd. We hope that some of the walkers will be inspired to read one or more Lone Pine books - and they will certainly be welcomed as future Society members, if not already so.

The group outside Ingles Farm

This was a circular route in wonderful, sunny, walking weather, taking us up through the ‘State Forest’ to the ancient Portway, with gliders flying high above us as we walked along the top of the Long Mynd. Local Committee member Jenny Church and her husband, Martin, were among the walkers and they also contributed links to the key Lone Pine locations, characters and events. For much of the walk we followed the route walked with Clare Balding in 2011 for her BBC Radio 4 Ramblings series, when she joined walkers and members of the Malcolm Saville Society for one of her 'Literary Walks'.

The view from the top!

We stopped at the Gliding Station for our packed lunches and then continued over Packetstone Hill, with superb views across to Pole Cottage and Pole Bank, the Stiperstones and the Welsh Hills, as well as across to more South Shropshire hills and beyond. We were able to look down into Minton Batch (Dark Hollow) before descending to Minton and returning to Hamperley Farm, where Chris and Kirsty Foulkes kindly provided us with tea/coffee and cake. Alf and Betty Ingles are definitely still with us!

Events | Site updated Friday, 19 July 2019