Chelmsford YHA Group

Programme

Wednesday Meetings, Weekends Away & Other Events

May 2009

Friday 1st to Monday 4th May

Beaumanor Park, Leicestershire

Lorna/Nick  / Dave P

Stay in a cabin in the grounds of Beaumanor Hall near the village of Woodhouse in Leicestershire.  Beacon Hill, Charnwood Forest, Great Central steam railway and Bradgate Country Park are all within walking distance, as is Leicestershire Register Office for those who want to witness Lorna & Nick's ceremony on the Saturday.  Everyone is invited to Lorna & Nick's barn dance, buffet, and disco party on the Saturday evening.

Deposit £35 please.


Tornado

Wednesday 6th May

The Tornado Story

George

You may well of heard about Tornado as there has been a lot in the news about the first newly built steam engine in Britain for nearly 50 years. Dave has some pictures, and perhaps even a short movie, and George will tell us about the history  that lead to this locomotive being built.


Wednesday 13th May

Committee Meeting

Join us to plan our trips for late autumn and events for August & September. Everybody welcome.


boot

Saturday 16th May

Sudbury Saunter

Chris & Janet

Meet at Rodbridge picnic site, Long Melford, Suffolk for 10:30am.  This is off the B1064 Borley Road, Grid Ref TL857436 and the post code for Sat Navs is CO10 9HH

A very pleasant walk of 12km (7.5 miles) flirting with the Suffolk/Essex border along some of the old Cambridge to Sudbury railway line and by the River Stour with its tributaries. It will take in Sudbury's ancient water meadows and a great chance to see Suffolk's finest aquatic fauna and flora.

Lunch is anticipated to be a picnic affair on Friar's Meadow by the River Stour.  Waitrose is conveniently nearby at this point to purchase sandwiches and drinks etc if needed.

It should prove to be a non-arduous (flat!) and delightful countryside walk.


Wednesday 20th May

Evening Walk

Mike & Cress

Meet at the White Hart in Margaretting Tye (grid reference TL684012, see map) at 7:30pm for a scenic 3¾ mile walk, hopefully making it back to prop up the bar about 9:30pm. You might want to bring a torch for the subway under the railway.


Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May 2009

Knoydart, Scotland

Dave P

Trudi has suggested that we should visit Knoydart. Sometimes called "Britain's last wilderness", the Knoydart peninsula on the west coast of Scotland is accessible only by boat or rough mountain track. It is "renowned for its stunning beauty, rugged grandeur and blissful tranquility". There's plenty to do, with hills, mountains and dramatic coastline to explore.

We're planning to travel by train to Mallaig on Saturday 23rd May, spending a night at the independent hostel in Mallaig, and then charter a boat to take us over to Knoydart. We'll stay at the bunkhouse in Inverie (Knoydart's main settlement and only pub), and also spend a couple of nights in Barisdale (accommodation at the Whitehouse, self-catering cottage), a walk of about 8 miles from Inverie.  Return to Mallaig on Saturday 30th, for trip home on 31st.

This is a bit more adventurous than our usual trips... we will be parted from our cars, catering and accommodation will be a more basic than usual, and we'll have to carry some of our kit with us.

Estimated total cost around £300.  This trip is now fully booked


Note: Unless otherwise stated, Wednesday events start at 8.30pm at the YMCA in Victoria Road, Chelmsford

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