TRIPS AND VISITS 2016 JANUARY 2016: The Malt Cross Over two occasions 80 members visited the Malt Cross in town. Guides who were passionate about the history took us on a conducted tour of the old music hall and the caves. There were 11 music halls in days gone by and the malt cross is one of the last saloon style music halls outside London showcasing the importance of live music and entertainment to the working class people of Victorian Nottingham. I loved the advertising for one of the less up market music halls “Get drunk for 4 pence and sleep it off in the straw”. One of our party remembers falling through the doors when the building was used for storing ladies underwear. No he wasn’t drunk but a policeman on the beat! After our tour came the beautifully presented afternoon tea on the balcony. For anyone still wishing to visit the caves, tours run daily for £3 and you can see the music hall for the price of a drink.
FEBRUARY 2016: Thorntons Chocolates Thorntons was a place to behold, chocolates, chocolates and more chocolates. After being dressed in hairnets overalls and very attractive white boots we were led into the factory via the left hand staircase to avoid contamination with staff leaving the factory on the right. Easter eggs were in full flow alongside their new creation Sicilian Lemon. The machinery varied from state of the art computerised arms picking up one chocolate and putting it the correct way round in the tray to mechanical box makers. The staff are no longer allowed to eat any of the chocolate, even the broken bits. Fortunately visitors are supplied with chocolates on arrival, in the middle of the tour and at the end. Just in case we hadn’t had enough chocolate we were taken to the shop and allowed to buy more with a 25% discount. The buyers all claimed “It’s not for me”!! I have registered to be considered for another trip to Thorntons in 2017 so hopefully all those that were disappointed this year still have it all to look forward to. A huge thank you to our drivers Geoff and Mike who did a sterling job and brought us all home safely.
MARCH 2016: A tasting of cheeses and fine wine According to Ernest Hemingway: “Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” Nearly 60 U3A members painted the town red at the fine wine tasting. It was like a James Bond movie with the dress code “PARTY”. The suave and sophisticated waiters glided around the room and poured our servings with a steady hand. Well most of the time, it did get a little more unsteady as the wine flowed. The tables looked lovely adorned with daffodils in handcrafted vases thanks to Mary Morley. It was amazing how much more we appreciated the wine when we heard the price, definitely a cut above your usual quaffing wine. It was a delightful afternoon perhaps we could have a cocktail party next time. Let Sue know what you think. Sue Fairweather
MARCH 2016: Belton House Our visit to Belton House near Grantham gave us a real insight into the contrasts between life upstairs and downstairs in a country mansion. Generations of the Brownlow family lived in the mansion for three hundred years and in its heyday, in the 17th century, were waited upon by legions of servants and staff. The Brownlow family were extremely rich, owning other estates in England and around the world, including Jamaica. In the Below Stairs tour, it was obvious that many staff and servants rarely ventured beyond the cellars and tunnels where long hours of drudgery ensured that they did not mingle with members of the opposite sex nor get ideas above their station. The scullery maids even slept under the sinks. Above stairs, the grand display rooms contained impressive displays of porcelain, silver and paintings, reflecting the wealth and prestige of the family. A special exhibition explained the connection between the 6th Baron Brownlow, his wife Kitty, and Edward Vlll at the time of his abdication, and how their support for the couple created a rift between the family and the royals. The grounds were beautiful, with carpets of daffodils, but, on a cold March day, a quick stroll sufficed. Belton House is less than an hour from Carlton and would be well worth a visit in the warmer months.
APRIL 2016: RAF Cosford Report to follow:
APRIL 2016: Liverpool & Crosby Beach Extremely early on a sunny morning, 52 of us set off for Liverpool. After a brief discussion regarding tidal movements for the day it was decided to see the Anthony Gormley Statues late afternoon otherwise we would only see ..... well sea. Liverpool was bathed in sunshine all day and looking resplendent. Many of the group took the open top bus tour which was really informative. Passing the Cavern Club, Both the Anglican and Catholic Cathedrals, the Liver Birds building and the three Graces. We learned lots of the history of the City. A brisk walk along the banks of the Mersey where we saw Denise Lewis and Dominic Littlewood being interviewed and filmed. After lunch we came across them again in another part of the city (no: we were not stalking them). A trip on the Ferry Across the Mersey and a hired bike ride, together with a visit to a hostelry was enjoyed by some! Several of the group visited and Museum close to Albert Dock, much more time needed to make the most of this attraction. Definitely a great place to visit for a week-end at some other time.
At 3:00pm and we left Liverpool for a walk on Crosby Beach. The art work covering a 2 mile stretch was amazing. Many photographs were taken, some not for publication here! Very damp and sandy we made the return trip after an excellent day and still the sun shone. Maureen Logan
MAY 2016: Deene Park Apart from the fact that it was pouring with rain, and the coach was late it all turned out to be a great day at Deene Park! A lack of grumbling shows the true spirit of U3A’ers! Fabulous group of people! The coach parked right outside the “front door” and we had a most wonderful guide in Wendy. Originally built in the 10th century it was acquired by Sir Robert Brudenell in 1514 whose family still live there. The medieval manor over the centuries grew into a Tudor and Georgian mansion and this was well demonstrated by the change in the style of rooms.
We went through the courtyard, billiard room, great hall, tapestry room, tower room, King Henry VII’s room, etc, etc! Ten rooms in all some of which are used today by the family. I found the chapel quite delightful and I gather the villagers use it on a monthly basis. Plants in all the rooms were particularly splendid and to our delight as we left we met the gardener, and had a Gardeners’ Question Time. All the staff there were most welcoming, especially in the kitchen when we had lunch more or less together. A window of dry weather let us go into the grounds, which reminded me of a landscape rather like Chatsworth, only flatter. Many of us bought pelargoniums. All in all it turned out to be a day not to be missed – we were lucky in that the house was opened especially for us, so we felt very special! Janet Whitchurch.
JUNE 2016: Ludlow & Stokesay After a slightly late start we set off firstly to Stokesay Castle and then onto Ludlow. Stokesay is a 13th century Medieval manor house set in beautiful countryside. After our tour and making full use of the cafe and lovely seating area we went onto Ludlow. Here we all did our own thing. Lots to choose from; a ruined castle, local food market, lovely riverside walks and much more. Several of use opted for a tour of the Ludlow Brewing Company. Very interesting and while there we were told that the Flying Scotsman was passing though the station next to the brewery, what a treat. Then home after what we all agreed was a very good day. Jen Smith
AUGUST 2016: Doddington Hall Doddington Hall, what a fabulous place, especially under the cloudless skies. After dicing with death to cross the busy road we enjoyed coffee and shortcake made freshly that morning. We then had a private trip around the hall which was not open to the public. The history of the hall is all documented and easily found online but we were told the gossip from days gone by. The Delavals were known as pranksters and held many a raucous party. Their many guests were given beds in one large room which was divided into private bedrooms by curtains. When their guests were in various stages of undress the curtains would fall to the floor causing much embarrassment. Another trick was to get single males really drunk then put them to bed when they passed out. When they woke up in the morning imagine their confusion upon seeing all the furniture nailed to the ceiling. In the 18th century Colonel Jarvis discovered a cure for gout. He added raisins, rhubarb, senna and liquorish to two gallons of French brandy. His motto must have been “if at first you don’t succeed – have another one!” It was fabulous wandering around the grounds in the sunshine looking at the many and varied sculptures. The bronze dolphin is for sale for £46000 – any takers? Sue Fairweather
SEPTEMBER 2016: Burghley House On a fine September morning, the group set off in two minibuses for Burghley House, Stamford. After a swift journey we arrived at the impressive parkland setting, landscaped by Capability Brown. A very comprehensive tour of the house followed. An impressive array of furniture and artworks, collected during the family’s extensive travels throughout the centuries, is displayed in the 18 state rooms open to the public. Perhaps most noteworthy are the collection of over 700 paintings, the wall and ceiling paintings by Antonio Verrio (1639-1707) and the 17th century plaster ceilings. The Garden of Surprises has a delightful variety of water features and plantings that appealed to the child in all of us as we dodged the spray, paddled or crept into the steaming grotto. The Sculpture Gardens provided opportunities for some quirky photo shots. Maggie Doherty
OCTOBER 2016: Rockingham Castle Didn’t we have a wonderful time the day we went to Rockingham! A cold start with frost on the ground but the sun shone all day and our driver took us “the pretty way” to Rockingham. We were met outside the castle by a most efficient lady and we dutifully followed her to commence the day with hot “Victorian” mince pies with tea or coffee. We were able to either go to the excellent gift shop or round the gardens before our tour – we were in three groups and I have to say the guide that took us was very skilful in convincing me she really was the head housekeeper! Brilliantly done, in costume with log fires just as it was in Victorian times. She told us that she earned £49 per year, but as a long serving housekeeper on retirement she would get a cottage and a pension in the village – we should be so lucky these days! As the castle is set up high, the views over the winter countryside were superb – and a lot visited the church where I was touched to see gravestones for Mrs Champion, the head cook who was known to have a taste for sherry when she was cooking! The return journey was equally enjoyable as most of it was in the winter sunshine, and we saw a beautiful sunset too. Thank you to all U3A members on the trip – what a lovely group you all were! Happy Christmas to everyone! Janet Whitchurch.
