Programme
Wednesday Meetings, Weekends Away & Other Events
May 2005
29th April to 2nd May 2005
Slimbridge Hostel, Gloucestershire
James and Marion are getting married at the end of May, and instead of inviting us all to the wedding, they are organising this bank holiday weekend trip as a pre-nuptial combined stag/hen celebration at which everyone is welcome (and that includes new members, even if you don't know James & Marion!).
Birdwatchers will be in their element here, as a wide variety of wildfowl flocks
to this area. The world famous Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre
is nearby and the hostel has an
observation lounge so you can keep an eye on feathered visitors to the duck pond. There's plenty
of walking too, with long-distance footpath The Severn Way running past the hostel and the
Cotswold Way four miles away. The National Waterways Museum and Berkeley Castle are also nearby.
There is an English civil war re-enactment on at Berkeley Castle that weekend which might be fun - Authentic Military campsite, demonstrations of civilian crafts and trades, drill displays, skirmish with Royalists and artillery demonstrations.
On Saturday night we'll probably all go out for a celebratory meal at a nearby pub. The cost for the weekend will be about £56 for bed, meals and petrol contribution, plus cost of Saturday pub meal; admission to Wildfowl and Wetland Centre is £6.75, admission to Berkeley Castle is £7.50. Deposit £33 please to book your bed (3 nights).
Wednesday 4th May
Pleshey Walk plus Pub
Meet at the car park of the Leather Bottle in Pleshey at 7.30pm for a short walk, or in the bar at 9pm for a long drink. Make the most of those spring evenings. (About 5 miles NW of Chelmsford, the pub is in the centre of the village, grid ref TL665145, see map).
Wednesday 11th May
Committee meeting
We will be trip planning for late Summer, organising Wednesday evening activities for July. Everybody welcome!
Sunday 15th May
White Notley and Cressing
A walk of 9½ miles in the pleasant Brain valley, south of Braintree. Stroll through fields and quiet lanes, passing attractive villages and traditional Essex churches, to Cressing Temple, where you can see two of the finest medieval timbered barns in Europe - and also get a cup of tea.
Meet at 10.30am in the parking area by Cressing Station, on the west side of the level crossing (grid ref TL776202, see map). Bring sandwiches for lunch.
Wednesday 18th May
Wine Tasting for Beginners
Graham
Wine for beginners -spit or swallow? You like wine but are not sure what to choose next time, or how to choose it. During the evening we'll sample about six of the more popular wines (reds and whites), comparing their bouquets, colours and of course their tastes.
I'll show you how to navigate around the wine department with confidence. I will also talk about storage and corks. A contribution of £4 per person is required on the night to cover the wine costs. Spittoons will be provided. Please bring six wine glasses.
If you're planning to come, please contact Graham a few days before so he knows how much wine to buy.
Wednesday 25th May
Mountain Safety & Navigation
A reminder of the essentials of mountain navigation and safety. Do you know how to take a bearing, read a grid reference, understand contours? Also time for those last minute preparations for the week in Scotland.
Note: Unless otherwise stated, Wednesday events start at 8.30pm at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Chelmsford
Please send any comments on these pages to Dave Plummer