Would you like to join us on our interesting trip to Enchanting Essex? Thurs.12th July 2018 to Mon.16th July 2018. Staying at the Hilton, Eight Ash, Nr.Colchester, for a 5 day/4 night/dinner/bed/ breakfast/including excursions.  The Hotel has all the usual facilities including en suite, tv., tea/coffee making/ hairdryer etc. We have several interesting excursions and full details will be available at our table.

When?   seats will be on sale at our table on Tuesday 10th October 2018. Price £380 Sing.Supp.£80 Deposit £50 Optional Insurance £25 (upper age limit 85)

See the brochure here.

ADVANCE NOTICE Are you thinking about holidays for next year?  You might be interested in our Short Break to Enchanting Essex.  Staying at the Hilton just outside Colchester, for 5 days 4 nights dinner/bed/breakfast. We have a very interesting itinerary which includes trips to Cursborough Hall Farm Countryside Centre en route, a visit to Southend on Sea, tour of a Vineyard with tastings, a visit to Sudbury an ancient market town famous for silk weaving and is where Thomas Gainsborough was born, crossing the border into Suffolk  a visit to Kentwell Tudor Mansion a much loved lived in family home and a rare breeds farm,beautiful gardens, Tip Tree Jam Museum and famous tea rooms and a steam train ride.Visit on the return journey to be arranged.The approximate price to be confirmed is .£380  Sing.Supp. currently being negotiated at around £80 (all entrances included).  Full details will be available soon at the Day Trips Table – watch this space!!

Wed.27th September 2017 – Old Bell Inn Delph. Please ask for a choice of meal slip at our table for our 3 course meal at the Old Bell Inn Saddleworth ASAP (please note still at St.George’s next week 12th Sept. as Baptist Church not completed)

DAY TRIP – Wed.18th October 2017 – Houghton Weavers Concert, Rivington Hall Barn – please collect your choice of meal slip from our Tuesday morning table asap.  Many thanks

Our first call will be to the innovative and popular, Greenlands Farm Village  near Carnforth.  A former dairy farm, it is has now been converted into an interesting venue. There is a comfy coffee shop serving drinks and home made cakes, etc. There are a variety of artisan shops including wine, cheese, Cheesecake Emporium, butchers selling local produce, Gift Shops where you might find some stocking fillers, presents, Garden Centre,  which is sure to have a selection of festive plants, Home Made Chocolates and a lot more.  Then we will be off to the 4* Grange Hotel, Grange over Sands, set in its own grounds and with an enviable reputation for comfort and food.  We will have a 3 course lunch (no choice of meal slip, choose on the day)  with a good selection from their festive menu followed by tea/coffee and mince pies.

When?  Wed. 6th December 2017. Dep. 9.30am  Ret. 6pm Price: £29 inc.3 course lunch/coffee/mince pies. Seats can be booked at our table on Tuesday 25th July

A day with a difference.  We will start with a visit to Ena Mill in Atherton, reputedly named after a Spanish Queen.  This Cotton Spinning  Mill was built in l908 and is a Grade !! listed building,  It is a magnificent example of our Industrial Heritage. After spinning thousands of yards of cotton is was closed in the 1990’s.   It is now converted in a fantastic open space on the ground floor as an Emporium with something for everyone and a nice Coffee Shop.  Maybe a chance to start some early Christmas shopping for stocking fillers etc.  Onto the family owned Rivington Hall Barn Bolton.  which dates  back to the 12th Century.  It still retains original features and huge Saxon beams. We will have a 2 course lunch followed by tea/coffee and then we will sit back and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment from the well known Lancashire Folk Group The Houghton Weavers.  Formed in l975 they have had their own BBC series Set Thee Down and a BBC Radio 2 show.  They are easy to listen to and there is gentle humour appealing to all ages.  Time for a last drink before leaving for home

WHEN? Wed.18th October 2017  Depart 9.15am Return 6pm.  Price £25 includes 2 course lunch with tea/coffee and Houghton Weavers Concert.  Seats will be on sale at our table on Tuesday 11th July 2017.

We first visited the Bay View Garden Centre, which is a bit of a hidden gem, set on the Bay of Morecambe with stunning views across to the Lake District.  There were plenty of plants for sale and a lovely tea room, The Potting Shed, to have a coffee and some lunch

On then to Leighton Hall, which is still a lived in family home, belonging to the famous Waring  and Gillow family.  How many of us can remember their shop in Bold Street? The guides who did the tours were excellent and unusually were very easy to hear  It was generally agreed we could all move in to such a lovely home. The afternoon was completed with a Falconry display and a final cuppa before departing for home.  The weather was overcast but dry!!

Are they considering making an offer???