Holiday 8th to 12th July 2013

As Local History Group Organisers for the Rayleigh U3A, we have used Kirby’s Coaches for several of our visits. Kirby’s have now invited us to arrange a group of minimum 25 persons on the 8^th to 12^th July inclusive to stay at the Auckland Hotel, Morecambe, visiting the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. The special rate of £229 per person includes half board accommodation, coach outings and evening entertainment.

 

We will leave Rayleigh on the morning of Monday the 8^th July, have a comfort stop at Cambridge Services 14 miles north of Cambridge on the A14, make a lunch stop at Dobbies and arrive at our hotel at 04.00pm. You will be greeted at the Auckland Hotel with a warm and friendly welcome at this family run hotel, ideally situated on Morecambe Bay’s promenade. All bedrooms are en suite with TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. The Auckland is renowned for its high standard of cuisine, served in the spacious and inviting restaurant. There is a lift to all floors. This hotel has been fully refurbished to a high standard. During these tours there will be some excursions to: a tour of the Lake District visiting Bowness and the Kirkstone Pass, Ullswater, Thirlmere and Grasmere. A Yorkshire Dales tour including Hawes with opportunity to visit the Wensleydale Creamery and the Butter Tubs Pass or of your choosing. These trips are included in the holiday price but any extra visits to historic buildings, boat trips, meals etc would be at your own cost.

We leave Morecambe on the return journey on the morning of Friday 12^th, making a lunch stop at Boundary Mills, Grantham. Just off the A1within Downtown Superstore. Plenty of opportunity to shop and two coffee shops.

 

This is not a U3A holiday and is open to all. We will need your names as soon as possible so that we can confirm the booking with Kirby’s. Contact David Fryer-Kelsey on davefk@lineone.net or 01702 203455 or Heather Flemmings on heatherfl@lineone.net or 01702 203455. We will arrange for payment to Kirby’s later when the booking is confirmed.

 

July visit to Gravesend

On Wednesday 17^th July 2013 we visit Gravesend via Tilbury. Drive past the docks to the ferry landing stage and park there. The ferry runs every 30 minutes and costs £2.00 for an off-peak return. Walk up the High Street towards the St. George’s shopping centre and look out for the Information Centre. There we will meet our guide and start the tour.

The River Thames has been important to Gravesend since Roman times. Chalk also played an important part being quarried for agricultural and building purposes.

Pocahontas, the native American Indian princess, was buried in St George’s church and there is a statue of her in the churchyard. The riverside has several old pubs with smuggling associations. The Town Pier has a restaurant and a viewing platform with a great view of the busy Thames. The Blockhouse is an old fort overlooking the river and contains the oldest building in Gravesend, the Milton Chantry with many displays and artifacts. The Riverside Leisure area gives an excellent point to view shipping.

There has been a large Sikh community here since the turn of the 20^th century and they have built a magnificent new temple, The Gurdwara, which non-Sikhs are allowed to visit, with due respect regarding covering the head and removing footware.

There are large covered shopping areas in the town centre along with traditional shops and many fine eating places. Enjoy a leisurely exploration before returning to the ferry.

The cost of the guide is £2.50

 

June coach trip to Stowmarket

For our June visit we take a coach to Stowmarket  to see the Museum of East Anglian Life. The coach will deliver us to the museum in the centre of Stowmarket where tea/coffee and other refreshments are available in the Osier cafe. (Not included in price).

Discover the history and natural world of East Anglia on a beautiful 75 acre site. Learn about fascinating East Anglian crafts and traditional Gypsy culture, get steamed up with the powerful engines, meet friendly animals including rare breeds of cattle and sheep. Explore 15 splendidly restored historic buildings including Abbots Hall, built in 1709 and containing a number of rooms illustrating life through the ages.As you walk out of the gates of the Hall, you are in the centre of Stowmarket, an ancient Suffolk market town. Visit the market place, the ancient buildings and the beautiful church and try one of the many drinking and eating establishments.

The cost is £19.00 per person which covers the coach fare, a gratuity for the coach driver and entrance to the museum. Wednesday 19^th June 2013 at 09.00am from Kirbys Coaches depot. Also picking up at Webster’s Way and Rayleigh railway station.

 

Book and pay at our table by the bar at the monthly U3A meetings in the Mill Hall.

Cheques made payable to Rayleigh U3A.