Day Trips and Outings:
Since the last journal was printed several of our members have enjoyed Day Trips and Outings to various places of interest.
Eden Camp:
Our first expedition was to Eden Camp near Malton in Yorkshire. This was an old P.O.W. camp which had been converted into a war museum. Lots of replicas were on display tanks, shells, bombs, guns of nearly every calibre ever made and even a model of a "Doodle Bug".
All these were outside. Inside each hut represented a different aspect of the war - the blitz, rationing, shelters, civilian equipment i.e. gas masks, ration books etc., the war at sea, in the air, the land battles etc. Each hut covered a different subject with plenty of written explanations and photographs. The only trouble for the majority of us was that the print was too small for us!
There was a decent snack bar offering a mix of hot or cold meals and even a torrential shower did not spoil our enjoyment of the day out.
Ingoldmells:
The next trip: was to Ingoldmells for a visit to the large market there.
We stopped on the way at a pub called "The Three Tuns" for a pre-booked marvellous but reasonably priced lunch. All who went on the trip said that the meal was superb. After this we climbed back on the coach for about another 10 minutes before parking fairly near to the market.
To anyone who has not been before the market is situated around the outside of a funfair! This made it rather noisily and, having to walk round the amusements meant that it was hard on the feet trying to see all that was on offer.
Although this was not my 'cup of tea' it made a nice day out in pleasant company.
Museum:
Our third day trip: was poorly attended - only 12 of us went in the end. It was to the Church Farm Museum at Skegness.
This museum had a 1760's farmhouse decked out in the mode of the early 1900's, complete with most of the artefacts found in that age. Just outside, but attached to the original house was a Washhouse complete with copper, wash tub, dolly pegs, wash-board and mangle on display together with lots of other household things like tin baths hanging on the walls.
Outside were various implements and wagons used in the early 20th century - a threshing machine, haywain, harrows and farrows of all descriptions, tractors and even an old steam engine.
Unfortunately the batteries in my camera decided to 'pack up' so I was not able to take many photographs.
Inside the various barns and old cattle sheds were more and more farm tools for various purposes from slaughtering pigs to milking cows the old fashioned way, lots more smaller pieces of machinery for setting anything from potatoes to the numerous wheat and corn seeds to the harvesting process, sifting and sorting as well as the storage.
There was also a very old thatched cottage on the site, with a very uneven floor downstairs in a parlour and kitchen, tiny windows and only one bedroom upstairs. Altogether it seemed a dismal place in which to live.
A sit down with a cup of tea completed our visit and, in spite of the lack of numbers, most of us managed to have an enjoyable day out.
Llandudno:
The holiday at Llandudno: was a very enjoyable break from routine. This was organised by Molly and Mike Maskery who thoroughly deserve our praise for their valiant efforts on our behalf.
The coach even had a 'snack bar' in the form of the travel guide and his wife who provided us with fresh filled buns and salads on request as well as the hot and cold drinks now usually found on coaches nowadays.
We stayed at a Royal Blind Association hotel The Belmont, just a couple of minutes from the front. The hotel provided us with every comfort, very good meals and evening entertainment for those that wanted it.
The weather wasn't too kind to us during our stay but most of us enjoyed half day trips out as well as our own exploration of the town and the Great Orme. I went up twice because the first visit was so windy that it made walking around outside very difficult. The second visit up on the tram afforded marvellous views of the coastline for those that had decent eyes.
Our week came to an end very quickly, but I for one, intend to go again next May to sample the delights of North Wales.
Other Outings:
Several of us made a visit to St. James Parish Church where we were guided around by the Archivist who imparted lots of interest details about the history, architecture and maintenance of the Church.
A young organist entertained us with a rendering of Vidor's "Toccata and Fugue" - we could have done with being a little further away as the organ was just above the area set aside for tea and coffee.
We all enjoyed the experience and found all the information most interesting.
Foresight Players:
Finally: we come to the FORESIGHT PLAYERS and their revue at the Whitgift Theatre. We went wondering what we were letting ourselves in for and came away thoroughly entertained and rather surprised at the huge range of talent shown.
My friends and I especially liked the spy spoof and the drag artists, and the others who were equally as good in their various sketches.
The Players were supported by our Line Dancers, ably led by Ann Purcell, and by a local group of singers on the first night, and matinee the following day with a local soloist on the final night.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable programme and I hope that this will be on ongoing occurrence, that we can enjoy again and again in the future.
