There was much discussion about whether it was the 27th Feb. or the 27th July.  The weather was wonderful for our first Day Trip of 2019.  57 boarded the coach and headed for the  Bellis Bros. Garden Centre in Wrexham.  Time to wander through a wide range of goods and very reasonably priced Primulas, Wild Primroses etc.   A visit to the Coffee Shop and a chat. Some sat on the terrace  outside in this glorious weather with some lovely Welsh views.  Time passed quickly and we re boarded our coach and travelled the short distance to the 18thC Carden Arms Inn Tilston Nr.Malpas,  Cheshire.  Continue reading →

NOW BOOKING AT THE DAY TRIP’S TABLE.  3 DAYS/2 NIGHTS D/B/B AT THE COMFORTABLE RENDEZVOUS HOTEL SKIPTON IN THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTY OF YORKSHIRE.  CLICK ON DAY TRIPS – scroll down, FOR FULL DETAILS. 

This year is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre, when between 60,000-80,000 gathered at St.Peter’s Field, Manchester to demand the reform of Parliament Representation.  The National Trust is running a series of Power to the People events this coming year to celebrate this struggle.  We will be visiting the People’s History Museum, set in the cosmopolitan district of Spinningfields, Manchester, which charts the struggles which have helped to  secure equality and democracy.  Meet the Revolutionaries and Reformers.  The Galleries show us many social changes that have taken place as a result.   Demonstrations  by the Suffragettes, CND, Poll Tax Marches etc. etc. and are still doing so to-day with protests about Fracking, Brexit, NHS, Diversity etc. etc. Many people and Groups have fought for social justice.  This Museum inspires us to start thinking about the people who get involved. and how they have influenced our lives to-day. Continue reading →

COME AND JOIN US for a 3 day/2 night D/B/B Spring Break at the charming, family owned  Rendezvous Hotel, set on the canal just outside Skipton .  All
rooms in this Hotel, have the usual facilities eg. en suite etc. etc. plus there is an indoor swimming pool and gym.  One evening we will have our 3 course dinner on their boat, which is moored alongside the Hotel, whilst cruising the canal.  There are excursions into the beautiful Yorkshire countryside which will be at its best at this time of year.         

WHEN??  Wed.29.5.19 to Fri.3l.5.19   Price:  £199pp  Deposit £60pp  No Single Supplement. Free Insurance.  Book at the Day trip table from Tuesday 12th February 2019

Everyone loves chocolate so we are paying a visit to the privately owned Chocolate House in Blackburn.  On arrival we will have the choice of tea/coffee/juice or their very own special hot chocolate drink.  This will be followed by a demonstration of how the chocolates are made, samples to be savoured and the end product will be raffled off.  There is a chance to visit their kitchens to see production and special commissions in process.  There are lots of lovely chocolate novelties and with

Easter on the horizon, there should be a good choice for Easter gifts.  From here we will visit Accrington Old Town, where we can take our choice to have some lunch before arriving at the Haworth Art Gallery where we will have an introductory talk.  The Gallery has the largest collection of beautiful Tiffany Glass outside the USA.  There is also a collection of fine paintings and treasures to browse and special exhibitions are always running.  You can also visit the lovely gardens with Artists’ Studios and we will finish with a welcome cream tea

WHEN???   Wed.27th March 2019.  Depart 9.15am  Ret.6pm.  Price £22 inc.choc.demo/tea/coffee/etc. on arrival at the Chocolate House. Introductory Talk/Cream Tea at the Gallery.  Seats will be on sale at our table on Tuesday 22nd January 2019

Happy New Year and welcome to details of our first trip of 2019.  We will be visiting Bellis Brothers of Wrexham -Garden Centre, which is a well established, family owned and run business.  In addition to all the usual excellent selection of plants, gifts etc. there is a well stocked Farm Shop which sells all local produce and lots of other goodies.  A butcher who prides himself on selling all local meat and his “own sausages” which are well sort after. Time here for a coffee in their lovely restaurant. Then we are off to the cosy, 18th. C Carden Arms Inn, set in a cobbled courtyard in the quaint, pretty village of Malpas in Cheshire.  This is a local hostelry with an excellent reputation for good food, which is all freshly prepared by their chefs on the premises. Their bar has  a good selection of ‘real ales’ and we can enjoy a delicious 3 course lunch followed by tea/coffee.

WHEN? Wednesday 27th February 2019.  Depart 9.15am  Ret. 5.30pm. Price: £25 includes 3 course lunch followed by tea/coffee.  Seats will be on sale on Tuesday 8th January 2019 at our table.

All the best from Day Trips for Christmas and for a Happy Healthy 2019.  Hope to see everyone on our return to the U3A on the 8th January 2019. when a new Day Trip will be on sale.

Our Driver Phil is sadly retiring.  He has driven us all over the place during the past few years.  I can’t begin to count how many miles we have travelled safely with him.  Throughout all our trips he has been unfailingly kind, courteous, helpful and above all a safe driver (although he has got us lost a couple of times!!) We would like to make a contribution to him as a token of our thanks and if you would like to donate, then please visit the Day Trip’s table where there is an envelope and a card to sign, or contribute on our next day trip (19th Oct.) which will be his last trip.  I’m sure we would all like to wish him a very happy, healthy retirement.  Maybe he’ll join the U3A.!!  Many thanks   Marj