SPA GREATER MANCHESTER BRANCH - REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES
2009
Millstones Restaurant - Harrogate
49 Members and guests enjoyed a Winter Warmer in Yorkshire with an excellent meal followed by entertainment provided by the resident artist. Unfortunately the bingo prizes went to winners from other visiting groups. A Video of this trip can be found on the Video Page.
AGM and Lunch at Sale Conservative Club
Once again Caroline provided an excellent meal for the 60 plus members and guests. Following the traditional raffle Norman Jarvis, a member of The National Committee, gave us a short talk on the state of the Pension Fund and provided us with an insight on the workings of the National Committee and the Benevolent Association.
The AGM followed the lunch with the re-election of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasure and Committee Members. In addition Ian Shelton will join the Committee.
A fuller report on the AGM will be included later.
Spring Dance
For 15 years we have held quarterly lunches at Wavell House. Sadly we have been advised that the venue will no longer be available. The dances have been very well attended and the Secretary has received several letters stating how much the dances were enjoyed and expressing regret at the closure
For the final dance the catering staff produced an excellent meal and the organist provided music for dances, old & new, and line dancing. As a thank you to those who have supported the dances over the last 15 years there was a surprise free raffle which was well received. On behalf of the dancers Hazel Jackson thanked the catering staff and committee members for the work involved in organising the events, and also presented a basket flower arrangement to Ann Buckley. Everyone enjoyed the evening although it was tinged with regret that it was the LAST WALTZ!
Yorkshire Mills Tour
In March 53 members and their guests set off for Yorkshire beginning with a pleasant trip to Dewsbury where there was a thriving market. After lunch the next stop was at Batley Mill Shopping outlet. The day was blessed with excellent weather that, together with excellent scenery added to the enjoyment of the trip.
Chesterfield and Renishaw Hall
The next outing saw a reduced party of 43 heading to Derbyshire beginning with the large market at Chesterfield. There was also an opportunity to climb the famous crooked church spire before the party went to Renishaw Hall, the ancestral home of the Sitwell family. There was chance to visit the family museum and to enjoy the splendid grounds of the Hall which are awash with bluebells at this time of the year. The weather and the scenery were once excellent and all had a great day.
Snowden Mountain Railway
On the 11th June we visited Wales, taking in a trip on the Snowden Mountain Railway and the National Slate Museum. Sadly we were unable to get to the top of Snowden to view, what Prince Charles once described as ethe highest slum in Britainf, as preparations for the Grand Opening of the new café and facilities were being completed for the following day. We were able to take the train two thirds the way up the mountain and then had a half hour for photographs and to take in the sights. After the mountain ride there was repeat visit to the Slate Museum in fulfilment of a pledge made last year when we ran out of time. The wether remained fine throughout and we all enjoyed the scenic route back into England
Morecambe Bay Walk - Part 1
Members of both walking groups braved the elements in an attempt to complete a crossing of Morecambe Bay. Sadly the weather was too severe but a small band of brave souls undertook a short tour of the immediate area at Hest Bank. All survived and Ged Anchor has provided an account which can be found on the Walking Group web page.
Grasmere 2009
At the end of June members of the Walking Groups took part in the 7th Annual 3 Day Walking Holiday in Grasmere. A full report can be found on the Walking Group web page.
Hardwick Hall
The Members Day out this year was a trip to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire We needed two coaches to carry the 77 Members and Guests. Despite traffic hold-ups on the outward and return journeys the weather was good and everyone enjoyed the spectacular Tudor treasure house, which was built for 'Bess of Hardwick', Elizabethan England's second most powerful and wealthy woman. The Hall contains outstanding 16th- and 17th-century tapestries and embroideries and has fine historic parklands, orchard and herb garden to explore.
Eyam trip
In August on a fine day 47 Members and Guests visited Eyam in Derbyshire one of the best-preserved villages in the Peak District which is the famous 'plague village', which went into voluntary quarantine when the plague was imported from London in 1665. In walking around the village visitors are able to view a number of historic buildings and read of the sacrifice of the villages so many years ago. There followed a visit to Masson Mill built in 1783 by Sir Richard Arkwright who is considered to have been the father of the modern industrial factory system. Following a short tour of the mill Members were able to visit the retail outlet of the mill.
Bridgemere
The trip in September was to Britain's largest and most spectacular garden centre, Bridgemere, which lies on the beautiful borders of Cheshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire. Established as a one-man band rose nursery in 1961 by John Ravenscroft (who once lost his entire crop to cold!), Bridgemere now covers 140 acres and is probably the largest garden centre in the world. 40 Members and Guests enjoyed the day and the boot of the coach was full for the return journey.
Autumn Lunch
The Autumn lunch was held at the Sale Conservative Club where 64 Members and Guests enjoyed the usual good fayre provided by Caroline, the resident caterer.
Lake District - Autumn Tints
For the Autumn Tints trip to the Lake District demand was such that we had to order a larger coach. The weather for the trip was perfect; clear skies, sunny and warm. Although most of the leaves had not changed to the Autumn colours the scenery provided ample compensation. The 57 Members and guests spent 2 hours at lunchtime in Keswick followed by a tour through the villages and another 2 hour stop in Bowness on Windermere, A most enjoyable day was completed by the journey home which was reached at 7pm.
For reports on Activities in previous years please click on the year below.
