Wednesday 17th May 2023 – Tyntesfield NT – Leader Sue Marsden

On a beautiful sunny day, we experienced the gothic splendour of Tyntesfield House. Since its refurbishment, the property is even more magnificent with high quality wood panelling and beautiful furnishing.
There are pleasant walks in the acres of woodland. The gardens, especially the kitchen garden, are well stocked and well cared for.
A special exhibition featured called “The a Red Dress” by Kirstie Macleod features one dress that has been embroidered by people around the world over the course of 13 years, many of whom are vulnerable and live in poverty. This exhibition was so popular that there were queues to see it. Thanks to Sue for a memorable visit.

Tuesday 11th July 2023 – Eastnor Castle and Ledbury – Leader Margaret Jones

47 members enjoyed a very successful coach outing to this spectator Castle nestling in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside. The interiors have been kept superbly by the family who still reside there. We were given private tours inside, enjoyed coffee later and some time to explore the gardens and lake. We then drove a short distance to Ledbury for lunch and a chance to look around the shops and black and white buildings in the High Street.  It was the birthplace of the poet John Masefield and the home of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. We were lucky to escape the rain and the journey home was excellent in our very comfortable coach.
Margaret Jones.

Thursday 10th August 2023 – Pickford House & Derby Museums – Leader – Vivian Fairbank

We first visited Pickford House, the Georgian home of the architect Joseph Pickford, which is furnished as it might have been in the early 19th century and also houses other interesting artefacts. From there we had free time in Derby where a variety of choices were available. These included the Museum and Art Gallery with its nationally important collections, the Museum of Making, housed in the historic silk mill, or the fantastic cathedral with the Cavendish memorials. There were plenty of shops and places to eat nearby. We were lucky with the weather. Thank you, Vivian.

Wednesday 20th September 2023 – Welshpool and Powis Castle – Leader – Janet Clews

We started from Aldridge in pouring rain for our trip to Welshpool and Powis Castle.  Unfortunately one of the windscreen wipers decided to stop working when we were in the M54 so so the driver had to pull onto the hard shoulder and then the motorway service station to attend to it.  We still got to the Old Railway Station in Welshpool for coffee, shopping, and lunch.  Some people walked up into Welshpool when the rain stopped.  We got to Powis Castle at 2pm and the weather stayed fine for us to walk round the very well kept gardens and the castle.  At 3.30 we all enjoyed a cream tea.  We left Powis at 4.30 and had a good journey home.  A good day was had by everyone.
Janet
Thank you, Janet. We can’t always be lucky with the weather.

We concluded the season with a Car Outing on Wednesday 6th December to Wightwick Manor.
The house was decorated for Christmas with a William Morris theme.