Saturday 29 April "Relatively Speaking" by Alan Ayckbourn at Wilmslow Green Room One of the first Alan Ayckbourn plays, this has endured to bring pleasure to countless audiences for over 20 years. It all begins (and ends) with a pair of size ten slippers. Greg wakes up in the bed of girlfriend Ginny to find another man's footwear at his feet and, much as he loves her after only a week or two, he cannot help being a bit suspicious. Bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates, and a dodgy phone call, only serve to make matters worse; but he still asks her to marry him before she sets off to spend the day with her parents. Greg decided to travel to an address in Buckinghamshire, which he found on a cigarette packet, where he will surprise both Ginny and her doting mum and dad. But it is he who is surprised... Cost £6. Meet 7.15pm in the bar for curtain up at 7.45pm. Þ Contact Sunday 30 April Historic Lancashire revisited An easy to moderate 7 mile walk, in a new area around Grane valley Rossendale, known as Haslington Grane. The walk visits areas which were once thriving communities between the 17th and 19th centuries, before they succumbed to the advancement of the Industrial Age. You will see much evidence of this as we encircle the south end of the valley. The walk encompasses woodland and moorland, with some excellent views and little climbing. There is an excellent café at the start for those seeking refreshment before the walk. Lunch will be at The Duke of Wellington pub, a short drive from the meeting place. Meet at 11am at Clough Head Visitors Centre car park.
Directions: Use the anti-clockwise M60 east from Stockport. Continue on to the M66 at J18. Continue northwards past Ramsbottom where the motorway ends and becomes then A56. Continue past Haslingden, looking for next exit, A6177, signposted Blackburn. At the bottom of the slip road turn left on to the A6177, Grane Road, and follow Blackburn signs. The visitor centre is on the right, approximately 3 miles from the A56, past Duke of Wellington pub and Calf Hey car park on the left. The centre is approximately 28 miles from Stockport and travel time of approximately 45 minutes. Þ Contact Saturday 15 April "Gene Pitney" and his Orchestra at Buxton Opera House Event cancelled. Sunday 16 April Easter Sunday. No official walk. Watch noticeboard or website, or contact Jenny for an impromptu walk which may be arranged. Wednesday 19 April "This is Elvis" at Manchester Opera House A Brand New Musical! It's 1968 and Elvis is about to step on stage for the major musical event of the year, his first-ever live TV special. Later to be known as The 68 Comeback Special the show achieved phenomenal ratings and re-established Elvis as the major entertainment star of the decade, securing his place in history as the true King of Rock'n'Roll. This Is Elvis relives all the incredible backstage dramas leading up to the comeback, as well as recreating the monumental concert itself which featured some of Elvis' greatest-ever hits including: Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, All Shook Up, Jailhouse Rock, It's Now or Never, Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Wooden Heart, Surrender, Suspicious Minds and many, many more!Cost £14.50. Starts 7.30pm. Friday 21 April to Sunday 23 April Spring walking and social weekend in Northumberland. Fully booked. Saturday 22 April Ciao Restaurant, Park Lane, Poynton Mediterranean food and blackboard menu. Reasonable prices Meet at 8pm for 8.30pm. Book by 1pm Friday. Sunday 23 April No walk today owing to Spring walking and social weekend. Tuesday 25 April Book club meeting – The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Khaled Hosseini's deeply moving fiction debut is about an Afghan boy with an uncanny instinct for predicting exactly where a kite will land. It tells the gripping story of a boyhood friendship destroyed by jealousy, fear and the kind of ruthless evil than transcends mere politics. Running parallel with the personal narrative of loss and redemption is the story of modern Afghanistan. . Meeting starts 7.30pm. Thursday 27 April Bridge Club inaugural meeting This meeting is to discuss venues and times. In you can’t attend, but are interested in playing Bridge, please give your name to David. Location: Boddington Arms, starting at 9.30pm. Saturday 29 April "Relatively Speaking" by Alan Ayckbourn at Wilmslow Green Room One of the first Alan Ayckbourn plays, this has endured to bring pleasure to countless audiences for over 20 years. It all begins (and ends) with a pair of size ten slippers. Greg wakes up in the bed of girlfriend Ginny to find another man's footwear at his feet and, much as he loves her after only a week or two, he cannot help being a bit suspicious. Bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates, and a dodgy phone call, only serve to make matters worse; but he still asks her to marry him before she sets off to spend the day with her parents. Greg decided to travel to an address in Buckinghamshire, which he found on a cigarette packet, where he will surprise both Ginny and her doting mum and dad. But it is he who is surprised... Cost £6. Meet 7.15pm in the bar for curtain up at 7.45pm. Sunday 30 April Historic Lancashire revisited An easy to moderate 7 mile walk, in a new area around Grane valley Rossendale, known as Haslington Grane. The walk visits areas which were once thriving communities between the 17th and 19th centuries, before they succumbed to the advancement of the Industrial Age. You will see much evidence of this as we encircle the south end of the valley. The walk encompasses woodland and moorland, with some excellent views and little climbing. There is an excellent café at the start for those seeking refreshment before the walk. Lunch will be at The Duke of Wellington pub, a short drive from the meeting place. Meet at 11am at Clough Head Visitors Centre car park. Directions: Use the anti-clockwise M60 east from Stockport. Continue on to the M66 at J18. Continue northwards past Ramsbottom where the motorway ends and becomes the A56 (Do not take the first exit signed A56). Continue past Haslingden, looking for next exit, A6232, signposted Blackburn. At the bottom of the slip road turn left on to the A6232, Grane Road, and follow Blackburn signs. The visitor centre is on the right, approximately 3 miles from the A56, past Duke of Wellington pub and Calf Hey car park on the left. The centre is approximately 28 miles from Stockport and travel time of approximately 45 minutes. Saturday 6 May Cinema Night Don't stay home alone when you can join Bren and friends for another night out at the pictures. The film and times to be decided by popular choice nearer the time. So that we can book tickets beforehand please let Bren know by Wednesday 3 May. Sunday 7 May Werneth Low Country Park 8 miles of walking from Broadbottom Station. We proceed via Botham’s Hall, Cenotaph at Hacking Knife, Werneth Low Visitor Centre, then head towards Keg Cottage & Weir Cottage in Etherow Country Park. We return by Stirrup Farm and retrace our steps back via Botham’s Hall. Please bring a picnic lunch. For those wanting a “pinta” afterwards, me anyway, we will find a good local pub. Meet at 10.30am at Broadbottom Station. SK990939. Directions: From Marple Bridge, take the A626 towards Glossop. In the centre of Charlesworth, turn left down Long Lane. At the bottom of Long Lane cross the River Etherow and proceed up the hill and through Broadbottom village, past the Griffin pub on your left hand side. Car parking is available in the station yard. Saturday 13 May "Blue Remembered Hills" by Dennis Potter at Stockport Garrick Theatre A Gripping, dramatic reconstruction of childhood. Dennis Potter deservedly achieved almost iconic status as a scriptwriter and playwright at the end of the 2Oth Century for his accessible yet challenging original talent. This play relates the intriguing and increasingly alarming activities of seven-year olds on a summer afternoon during World War II. Willie tags along as burly Billy bullies Raymond and is challenged by fair-minded John. Audrey is overshadowed by Angela's prettiness and wreaks her angry frustrations on the boys. All of them gang up on the terrified 'Donald Duck’ who, abused by his mother and ridiculed by his peers, plays his own dangerous game of pyromania. The dramatic resolution will not disappoint. Meet 7pm for curtain up at 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50. Sunday 14 May Winster, Stanton Moor and Birchover An easy to moderate 7-mile walk with a few ups and downs. Starting from the outskirts of Winster, the route goes through this historic and interesting village and then across Stanton Moor to the Bronze Age “Nine Ladies Circle”. We pass the intriguing Cork Stone and descend to Birchover for a lunch stop at Druids Inn (not cheap, but excellent food). After lunch we walk through a mixture of field paths, tracks and lanes for the 2-mile stroll back to the car park. Meet at 11am at the public car park close to the Miners’ Standard Public House on the outskirts of Winster. SK239603. Directions: Follow the A6 through Bakewell towards Matlock and, on passing Haddon Hall, turn right on to the B5056 in the direction of Ashbourne and Youlgreave. Follow this road for four miles passing turn-offs to Youlgreave, Stanton in the Peak, Birchover and Winster to arrive at a pub called the Miners’ Standard. Turn left and then left again to arrive at the car park. In the event of the car park being full, there is alternate road-side parking available about 200 meters further on from the pub. Saturday 20 May Meal at Prestbury Village Restaurant A very popular venue. English/French cuisine. Good value. Car park at rear. Meet at 8pm for 8.30pm. Book by 1pm Friday. Sunday 21 May The Hartington Round Robin This is a moderate 6½ mile walk with some climbs, totalling 800 feet. A lovely walk through stunning scenery. There is a pub lunch stop after 4½ miles at the Staffordshire Inn in the hamlet of Shine. After lunch, it’s back over the fields to Hartington for afternoon tea. Meet at 11am at the public car park Hartington. Pay and Display. Directions: From Buxton, take the A515 to Ashbourne. After approximately 7 miles, turn right on to the B5054 for Hartington. Go through the village and the car park is on the right, opposite toilets. Tuesday 23 May Book club meeting – The Reader by Bernard Schlink This is a Oprah Book Club favourite addressing the German war guilt. The morality maze that surrounds this issue makes this not an easy book to read or discuss. It is a book to respect rather than enjoy. Meeting starts 7.30pm. Saturday 27 May Kit Black and The Cruisers at Cheadle Hulme British Legion Club. Have a fun night and join in the dancing to the music and singing of our very own "Keith". Many new numbers. Tickets £6. Starts 8pm. Location: The British Legion is on Turves Road, Cheadle Hulme. Sunday 28 May Bank holiday weekend. No official walk. Please watch the noticeboard or website, or contact Jenny for an impromptu walk which may be arranged. Saturday 3 June "Pardon Me Prime Minister" by Edward Taylor and John Graham at Heald Green Theatre Club A comedy. The Prime Minister and Chancellor are at loggerheads. Sounds familiar? Take your seat on the benches. This farce is a vote winner. Meet in the bar area at 7.15pm for curtain up at 7.45pm. Cost £5.50. The Theatre is in Motcombe Grove, off Styal Road, signposted Gatley Golf Club. Please book early as tickets are limited. Everyone is invited back to join Rita and Alan’s for drinks to complete the evening's entertainment. Hot beverages will be provided but bring anything alcoholic you'd like to consume. Sunday 4 June Around Werneth Low A moderate 6 mile walk across fields, through ancient woodland and on the edges of Broadbottom. A challenging return walk, up hill, back to the Hare and Hounds car park. Pub lunch at the end of the walk at the Hare and Hounds. Meet at 11am at the Hare and Hounds car park. Directions: Take the A560 from the M60 J25 through Bredbury towards Gee Cross. At Gee Cross turn right, still on the A560. Shortly afterwards turn right into Joel lane. The Hare and Hounds in on the right hand side. Friday 9 June Saddleworth Annual Brass Band Concert A super evening. Saturday 10 June "Habeas Corpus" by Alan Bennett at Chads Theatre, Mellor Road, Cheadle Hulme. A hilarious farce from this famous writer, which takes a cock-eyed look at the permissive society, and leads us to the conclusion that respectability is only skin deep. A must see play to end our summer theatre programme. Tickets £6.50. Meet 7.15pm in the bar area for curtain up at 7.45pm. Sunday 11 June Eyam Edge and Eyam Moor A moderate plus walk of 9 miles starting from the main car park in Eyam. First we gradually climb up to Eyam Edge, which affords grand views across the village below, then continue to circle round Abney Low into Abney Clough and on to Stoke Ford. A lovely stroll follows to Hazelford and down to reach the Plough Pub near Leadmill Bridge for lunch, with two thirds of the walk completed. After lunch we cross Eyam Moor and walk down the road passing Mompesson's Well en-route back to Eyam, where afternoon tea may be engulfed by those who are in the habit of engulfing. Meet at 10.30am in Eyam car park. Pay and Display. SK216767. Directions from Macclesfield: B5470 through Kettleshume towards Whalley Bridge. Continue towards Chapel-en-le-Frith to join the A6. At the roundabout ahead, turn left on to the A623. The road turns sharp right at Sparrowpit, continue for about 9 miles through Wardlow Mires, by-passing Foolow to the left, then turn left at the sign to Eyam. Go uphill to the village. Turn left and drive through the village for 0.4 miles, passing the church on your right. Turn right at the sign to the car park. Directions from Hazel Grove: A6 towards Whalley Bridge via Disley to arrive at the large roundabout just after Furness Vale. Continue on the A6 by turning left at this roundabout. At the second roundabout after this, leave the A6 left to join the A623. Follow instructions above after joining A623. Thursday 15 June Next Newsletter This is due to be available today in the Boddington Arms. Saturday 17 June Saturday Night is Music Night John Wilson's Desert Island Classics at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. The Halle Proms get off to the perfect start with John Wilson's selection of some of his favourite classics. The best of everything in one night. What links them is excitement, wonderful evocative music and lots of fun! 12 tickets have been booked, the best in the house, at a discounted price of £23.50. Maybe a drink and supper after the concert to round off the evening. Meet 7pm in the circle bar for concert start at 7.30.pm. Parking available in the G-Mex car park opposite the Bridgewater Hall. Sunday 18 June A walk through Cressbrookdale A 9-mile walk through one of the White Peak’s most interesting dales. See the lovely wild flowers. There will be a pub stop for lunch at the Red Lion Litton, 01298 871458. Meet at 11am at Monsal Head car park. Pay and display. SK185715. Directions: Take A6 from Hazel Grove, past Chapel-en-le-Frith. Turn left on the A623, signposted Chesterfield. Pass through Peak Forest. Eventually turn right towards Wardlow on the B6465. Pass through Wardlow and continue to Monsal Head. Alternatively, to share cars, meet at 10am in the Torkington Park car park that is on the A6 opposite the Rising Sun in Hazel Grove. The Rising Sun is at the junction of the A6 and A523 road to Macclesfield. A Wednesday evening in June Robinsons Brewery Trip No firm date yet, but the cost will be £11, with senior citizen reduction. Includes a buffet. 20 places. Saturday 24 June Mediterranean meal at Pasha restaurant in Hazel Grove. Group booking menu available at £13.50 for 2 courses or £16.50 for 3 courses. Meet at 8pm in the restaurant. Maximum number of 16 people. Location: Pasha is on the A6 opposite the Nat West Bank. Car parking is available at the rear of the restaurant for 8/9 cars and also on surrounding streets. Sunday 25 June Marple, Mellor Church, Brookbottom and Strines A varied 7 mile walk with views of the Gritstone Hills of East Cheshire, finishing with a leisurely stroll long the Peak Forest canal. Pub lunch is at the end of the walk at a venue to be decided. Meet at 11am at Brabyns car park, Marple Bridge by the side of the Midland Hotel. SJ964894. Directions: Take A6 from Stockport to Hazel Grove. At traffic lights turn left on A627 past Stockport Golf Club. Continue to a T junction and turn right at the lights. Continue up hill to Marple. At traffic lights in Marple turn left to Marple Bridge. The car park is on the right hand side just after the railway station and immediately before the Midland Hotel.
Saturday 1 July Gourmet "Booze Cruise" A 5 course meal on the “White Nancy” along the canal from Bollington. Fully booked. Departs 7.15pm. Return 10.30pm. Sunday 2 July A shortened Cutthroat Bridge
A variation on a previous walk, but shortened to about 7 miles with easy climbs and a nice flat finish. We climb the southern end of Derwent Edge, from the east, then head north to descend via Dovestone Clough and down to the little road at Wellhead. We will stop for a late lunch near the end of the walk at the Ladybower Inn. Bring something for elevenses at 12.30pm
Meet at 11am at Cutthroat Bridge car park. SK216874. Directions: From the junction of the A57 and A6013 at Ladybower Reservoir follow the A57 towards Sheffield. After about 1 mile, there is a sliproad car park on the right hand side.
Tuesday 4 July
Book club meeting – Please note the book for this meeting has been changed. White Mughals, a very long book will be read later in the year when we have long nights! A short history of tractors in Ukranian by Marina Lewycka, Penguin Books For years, Nadezhda and Vera, two Ukrainian sisters, raised in England by their refugee parents, have had as little as possible to do with each other - and they have their reasons. But now they find they'd better learn how to get along, because since their mother's death their ageing father has been sliding into his second childhood, and an alarming new woman has just entered his life. Some of the reviews printed in the book: Most entertaining; Engaging ... hilariously and affectingly records the fall-out when an elderly Ukranian widower long resident in Britain falls for a flamboyantly busty Russian gold-digger in search of a passport to prosperity; Thought provoking, uproariously funny.
Wednesday 5 July Robinsons Brewery Trip, Stockport Saturday 8 July Concert in the Park, County Showground, Tabley.
Enjoy an afternoon and evening of music to suit all tastes, culminating in a "Last Night at the Proms" section with Fireworks. This event replaces the Arley Hall concert from previous years and is at the new venue of the Cheshire County Showground, Tabley, near Pickmere. The pop act this year are The Hollies. There is support by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra. The event should be just as good as those we've enjoyed at Arley in the past. I have organised a group booking of 22, which has reduced the price to £22, instead of the "on the day charge" of £28. Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis. As in the past, bring something to eat, drink and sit on! Sunday 9 July Mow Cop and Congleton Edge
An eight mile walk along Mow Cop ridge, offering varied terrain with spectacular views worthy of the modest effort required to ascend the ridge. The Mow Cop Inn at mid-point can supply lunch if required.
Meet at 11am at Biddulph Grange Country Park.
Directions: From Congleton take A527 towards Biddulph/Tunstall. Pass Congleton Station then after approx 2½ miles turn left by 30mph sign into Grange Road, signposted Buddulph Grange Country Park. After quarter of a mile turn right into Country Park car park. Saturday 15 July Pitch and Putt at Bruntwood Park, Cheadle
Lots of fun, no previous experience required. Park in the car park at the top of Bruntwood Lane and walk down to meet at the pay booth at 6.30pm. Wear warm clothes and flat shoes. Bring a pencil and golf ball if you can. Cost £5. Coffee and nibbles later at Rita and Alan's. Please ring for directions and to give an idea of numbers. Feel free to bring something stronger to drink if you feel so inclined! Turn up anyway, even if the weather's not so great. We'll just go back earlier and play games - of one variety or another.
Sunday 16 July Aston and the River Weaver A pretty 7 mile walk with a few ups and downs but fairly flat. We go across fields and along quiet hedged lanes and tracks and we follow a section of the River Weaver. There are some lovely views and we may be lucky enough to spot the Aston hares. There is no pub on this walk please bring some lunch with you. At the end of the walk we can visit the nearby Brewers Fayre pub at Preston Brook. Meet at 11am at St Peter’s Church, Aston, near Sutton Weaver. Directions: Take M56 and leave at J12. At the end of the slip road, turn left, signposted Frodsham A56. Stay on this road for 2 to 3 minutes until you turn left at traffic lights, signposted A56 Northwich, at a swing bridge. After ½ mile pass a Sutton Weaver sign on the left. Take the first right, signposted Aston 1¼ miles. When you reach Aston, St Peter’s Church is on the right. Park at the side on spare ground. Saturday 22 July Tytherington Barbeque Party at Bernard and Zena's
Hopefully we shall be lucky with the weather so we can spend the evening in the garden. Please bring your own food to be cooked on the barbeque and the tipple of your choice. Starts 7pm. Numbers are limited so please phone early to book or put your name and telephone number on the list on the noticeboard at the Pub before 18 July. If you have a spare garden chair please bring it along.
Sunday 23 July Church Stretton and the Long Mynd
A walk on the Shropshire Long Mynd. We planned to travel by minibus, but it has not been possible to acquire a minibus for the day! Instead we plan to go by car to the Carding Mill Valley above Church Stretton for the start of a walk. A moderate, 7 mile circular walk in an area new to many members. At the end of the walk after noon tea is possible in a large cafe/restaurant by the parking area, and later a pub meal before setting off home. More details later as the walk has to recce'd. Please contact John or Jenny before by Sunday 17 July if you wish to come, and state whether you would be prepared to drive, so that transport arrangements can be made for all. Saturday 29 July "Mirandolina" by Carlo Goldoni at the Royal Exchange.
A beautiful, independent and feisty young woman inherits an inn and is immediately surrounded by fawning men, including a mean-fisted Marquess, a coarse Count and a sex-starved servant. Bored with the attention and yearning for an honest husband, Mirandolina rises to the challenge of persuading a woman-hating wag how to love women - with surprising consequences. This fast-paced Italian farce combines concealed identities, suppressed feelings and virtuous insights into the world of love. Contains music and songs specially composed for this production. Cost £13. Meet 7.30pm in the bar for curtain up at 8 pm.
Sunday 30 July Walk from Ilam to Wetton. An 8 mile walk from Ilam to The Royal Oak in Wetton. If anybody just wants to join us for a pub lunch, phone the pub, tel no 01335 300090 for directions. The route will take us though fantastic rolling countryside with wide ranging views. We go past the ruins of 16th century Throwley Hall down into the Manifold valley and up to Wetton via Thor’s cave. So note there are hills. We will take afternoon tea at the National Trust café at Ilam Hall. Meet at 11am at Ilam Hall car park. Pay and Display. SK132506. To share cars: Meet at 10am in the trading estate that is located on the right hand side of the Leek road (A523) out of Macclesfield. The trading estate is just past the football club. There are several car show rooms plus Macclesfield Super Bowl located there. Saturday 5 August Evening Walk around Wilmslow and Styal Enjoy a 4/5 mile walk through the North Woods at Styal . This is an easy walk although there are several flights of steps en route. Could be muddy if we’ve had rain beforehand. Afterwards those who wish can return to the Pub for some bar food and liquid refreshments. Meet at 6pm in the Boddington Arms Car Park. Please let me know in advance if you wish to join us and especially if you will be requiring food. Þ Sunday 6 August Alsonefield and Hartington Circular walk A moderate 10 mile walk with one gradual ascent. The walk is through beautiful countryside. From Alstonefield we descend to the village of Milldale along the River Wye through Wolfscote Dale and Beresford Dale into Hartington for a pub lunch stop at the Devonshire Hotel. After lunch there is a gradual ascent back to Alstonefield. Meet at 11am at the car park in Alstonefield. SK131556. Directions: from Buxton, take the A515 Ashbourne road. After approximately 7 miles, turn right on to the B5054 road to Hartington. Continue on this road to Hulme End. At the Manifold Inn, turn left for Alstonefield. The car park is on the right as you enter the village. Saturday 12 August "Sherlock Holmes and the Final Case" at Gawsworth Hall An epic intellectual struggle between Sherlock Holmes and his nemesis Professor James Moriarty ends high above the foaming chasm of the Reichenbach Falls. What follows takes Holmes and Dr Watson to a Manor house in Sussex where American, John Douglas, has been shot. A trail of cleverly disguised, cryptic clues point to the fact that Mr Douglas was living in mortal terror of deadly retribution from Professor Moriarty. Picnic on the lawn, followed by the play in the open air theatre at 7.30pm. Covered seating for the play. Tickets £19.50. Sunday 13 August Stanage Edge and Jane Eyre Country A moderate and exhilerating 8 mile walk with stunning views of the Peak District. The walk starts in Hathersage, from where we walk up on to the spectacular Stanage Edge, the home of rock climbing. We go along the edge for a short distance and then descend, crossing the River Derwent via stepping Stones. There is a pub lunch at the end of the walk. Meet at 11am at the car park on the station approach, Hathersage. SK232811. Directions: Take the A6 towards Chapel-en-le-Frith. Towards the end of the dual carriageway, turn left on to the A625, through Castleton and on to Hathersage. Take a right turn on the B6001 towards Bakewell. The Station is ¼ mile down the road on the left hand side.
Tuesday 15 August Book club meeting – "Saturday" by Ian McKewan (288 pages) Saturday, February 15, 2003. Henry Perowne is a contented man: a successful neurosurgeon, the devoted husband of Rosalind and proud father of two grown-up children. Unusually, he wakes before dawn, drawn to the window of his bedroom and filled with a growing unease. What troubles him as he looks out at the night sky is the state of the world – the impending war against Iraq, a gathering pessimism since 9/11, and a fear that his city and his happy family life are under threat. Later, Perowne makes his way to his weekly squash game through London streets filled with hundreds of thousands of anti-war protestors. A minor car accident brings him into a confrontation with Baxter, a fidgety, aggressive, young man, on the edge of violence. To Perowne’s professional eye, there appears to be something profoundly wrong with him. Towards the end of a day rich in incident and filled with Perowne’s celebrations of life’s pleasures, his family gathers for a reunion. But with the sudden appearance of Baxter, Perowne’s earlier fears seem about to be realised. Saturday 19 August A Night Out at the Casino Sunday 20 August Walk in Longnor area of Derbyshire An 8 mile moderate walk from Longnor to Sheen and back. Lunch in the Staffordshire Inn, Sheen. Directions: Take the A515 Ashbourne road from Buxton. Turn right on the B5053 and then left to Longnor. Saturday 26 August Meal at Sutton Hall Medieval Manor. English food. Egon Ronay and Les Routiers recommended. Not expensive. Meet at 8pm for 8.30pm. Book by 1pm Friday. Sunday 27 August Visit to Port Sunlight Village and Lady Lever Art Gallery Port Sunlight is a model village built by the soap magnate, Lord Leverhulme for his workers. No two houses are the same and it is all set in open surroundings around a long boulevard. Maintenance is carried out to the highest level by the Trust that runs it. The Art Gallery is in the centre of the village and exhibits antique marbles, sculptures, pottery (English, Greek and Chinese), paintings, furniture and tapestries. There is a basement café. The Gallery closes at 5pm when we will have a walk around the village. Afterwards, for those interested, there is a numerous course Oriental Buffet in the centre of Liverpool at a cost of £6.50 for as much food as you want. Parking is by St. Georges Hall. Please contact Barry before 26 August if you are coming who will try to co-ordinate car sharing. Meet at 2.30pm in the Art Gallery, admission free. Directions: Take M56 and then M53 towards Wirral and Birkenhead. Leave M53 at J4. Follow signs to Bebbington and then signs to Port Sunlight and then brown signs to Lady Leaver Art Gallery. Monday 28 August Bank holiday afternoon walk and supper. For all of you who enjoyed this event last year or indeed who missed out. A flat and varied walk with some hidden surprises around Lindow and Mobberley including pub stop at The Plough and Flail. Stout shoes required. Back to Margaret’s for a hot fork supper. Bring your own beverages. Cost £5. Book and pay by 20 August. Meet at 4pm at Margaret’s house. |
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