ESSEX TRIP – 12th July to 16th July 2018 – a brown folding walking stick was left on our coach. If it is yours please ring Holmeswood Coaches on 01704 821245, as they have it in their Office. Scott, our Driver, would like to thank you all for your very generous tip. He was very pleased to have received it. Many thanks
Thurs.5th July and it’s our final morning before the summer break. It was held at Marie’s, our Group Leader’s house. We all gathered together – but no easy day for us! Marie had worked as hard as ever to challenge us and we all had to “get translating” A pleasant morning with good company, our group is really special. We had lovely cream cakes and Tony (Snape that is) did us proud with a beautiful home made ginger cake – delicious! As a group we thanked Marie most sincerely for all her hard work and for creating such a lovely working atmosphere. Will see you in September – maybe we will all have done some homework??? Have a great summer.
Th
e final briefing for this short break will take place on Tuesday next 10th July 2018 at ll.30am in the Coffee Room. Please try to attend to collect your information and luggage labels.
We will begin our day by visiting the lovely, popular town of Llangollen which is full of interest and atmosphere. Surrounded by hills, set on the River Dee and the Llangollen Canal running through We will travel via the stunning Horseshoe Pass with its spectacu
lar views. Standing on the ancient bridge with the River Dee rushing below over the rocks, you get a good view of the town and the steam train. Visit the busy wharf with its’ tea rooms and get up close to the horses that pull some of the boats. There are plenty of cafes, inns, tea rooms and sandwich takeaways to choose from, where we can have coffee and some lunch with independent shops to browse. Then we will head for the world famous Pontycysyllte Aqueduct, which is a world heritage site. We will take a 2 hour boat trip along the Canal, through the Dee Valley and then cross the famous aqueduct designed by that clever, far seeing man Thomas Telford 213 years ago. It’s nicknamed the River in the Sky and is the highest, longest, oldest canal aqueduct in the world. It is 126 feet above ground and the canal flows through an iron trough. Breathtaking views. Our boat is named after him There is a guide to tell us all and refreshments are available to purchase on board. If you fancy “wine o’clock” It is fully licensed.
WHEN?? Wednesday 12th September 2018. Depart 9.l5am Ret.6pm. Price: £24 inc.guided Boat Trip. Seats will be on sale at our table on Tues.next 3rd July 2018.
Step back in time as we visit the Grade 1 Listed Georgian Lytham Hall. They say it is the North’s answer to Highclere Castle of Downton Abbey fame. We will have coffee/biscuits on arrival and then a guided tour where we will hear all about the Clifton Family. There are wonderful hand painted wallpapers, glittering chandeliers etc. Then explore the 78 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland before enjoying a soup/roll lunch. We will continue our day in the nearby popular Lytham St.Annes, the quieter, more sophisticated neighbour of nearby Blackpool. It has been regarded as the Gem on the Fylde Coast. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a quiet stroll along The Green with its’ interesting windmill. Maybe find a seat and watch the world go by while enjoying an ice cream! Make for the pier and see Les Dawson’s statue in the adjoining beautiful gardens. Head for the area adjacent to the promenade where you will find individual boutiques, some interesting cafes and tea rooms. The Black Sheep Tea Room, Clifton St., The Old Station, Station Sq., Molloys Tea Rooms, Clifon St., and lots more
When? Wed.15th August 2018. Dep.9.15am Ret.6pm Price: £22 inc.guided tour, morning coffee, soup/roll lunch. Seats will be on sale at our table on Tuesday 5th June 2018
Enchanting Essex Do you really want to miss the opportunity of a short break in the rural cou
nty of Essex and we will cross into Suffolk, with nice company, a good hotel and interesting excursions. You won’t find better value with all entrance fees included. £380 per person dinner/bed/breakfast for five days. Departing from The Square on the 12th July 2018 returning on 16th July 2018 Full details at our table or visit the website and click on day trips for full details.. We have just one twin room available – choose it or lose it!!!
Our first stop of the day will be at the award winning Country Harvest, Ingleton. Set in a beautiful location, you will find an amazing premises with an enviable reputation for quality and value. They sell a variety of things including cl
othes, jewellery, homeware, a foodhall which sells freshly baked bread, local meat, cheeses and of course, there is the lovely Cafe.
We will start our day with a visit to the Derwen Garden Centre, Welshpool, owned by the Joseph family. One of the best Garden Centres with 15 individual garden displays representing styles from the Orient to Italy, some with sculptures. Plenty to see and do here.
There is a fully licensed Restaurant with a covered verandah and patio, an Organic, well stocked with local produce, Farm Shop and a lovely gift area. Time to have a browse tea/coffee/cake, some lunch. Then we are off to Lake Vyrnwy, a reservoir built in the l800’s to provide Liverpool with fresh water. Set in a stunning location. There is an amazing dam which is Grade 2 listed. The area is a haven for wild life and birdwatching.See how many species you can spot. There is a hid
e to view the birds up close, a shop owned by the RSPB to visit, which is responsible for topping up the bird feeders, some Craft outlets, the Artisan Cafe on site and also The Barn Cafe just a couple of minutes away with wonderful views. For the more energetic there is a sculpture trail close by. We will be joined on our coach by a Ranger who will guide us round this amazing lake with stops for interest and photographs. The scenery here has been compared to the Swiss Alps.
WHEN? Wed.23rd May 2018. Dep.8.30am Ret.6pm Price £19 inc.guided lake tour. Seats will be on sale at our table on Tuesday 20th March 2018.
Y
es it;s that time of year again! Time to join our friendly, sociable group for a 5 day/4 nights dinner/bed/breakfast at the family owned Clarence House Hotel, Tenby, Arriving 19th November and departing 23rd November 2018. Owned by the Phillips family for over 70 years, it has a superb sea front location and is a short level walk into Town. All the rooms have the usual mod.cons. tv. hospitality tray, hairdryer etc. A lovely dining room overlooking the sea to Caldy Island and the Seagull Bar to relax and chat. The Hotel provides extras such as two “Happy Hours” from 5-6pm and 8pm-9pm. On each evening before dinner there is some kind of reception eg.sherry/mince pies, punch bowl etc. On Thursday there is a soup and sandwich lunch, afternoon 
entertainment and a cream tea or you are free to wander into Tenby for a look round this attractive, popular town. Set on the western edge of Carmarthen Bay, it has charming Georgian Houses, narrow winding streets, a lovely harbour to explore, a Castle with a small museum, the Walls. and individual shops. There is entertainment each evening and 3 interesting excursions. You’ll be delighted with a visit from Father Christmas bearing gifts!!! The trip will be organised with Airedale Tours Price £299 (will be less with group discount) Deposit £60. No Single Supplements. Free Insurance. Seats will be on sale at our table on Tuesday 20th February 2018.
We will start our day with coffee at the Barn, Scorton. This is a lovely venue set in a beautiful village, in an area of outstanding national beauty. There is a delightful coffee room, well stocked gift shop, Garden Centre and is close to other interesting venues in Scorton. Then we are off to Sizergh Castle, Near Kendal. The home of the Strickland Family, who still live here but it is now owned by the National Trust. We will have time to explore the House, with all its’ treasures and Gardens which should be full of Spring surprises and if time allows will visit Lower Sizergh Barn for a last minute cup/glass of something.
WHEN Friday 20th April 2018. Dep.9.15am Ret.6pm,. Price: £21. National Trust Members £10.20. Seats will be on sale at our table Tuesday next 13th February 2018.