Update

2016 Events appear in the Newsletter.

May Outing

Eastern England’s May visit to Holme Pierrepont Hall On 18th May, 25 members braved the highways and byways of South Nottinghamshire to the tiny hidden hamlet (12 houses), of Holme Pierrepont. Despite dubious advice from their various satnav systems, they all made it successfully! After a welcome cup of coffee or tea, and biscuits, our tour of the Hall commenced, led by Robert Brackenbury, a descendent of the Pierrepont family. He started by giving us a brief history of the family, since it arrived in England with William the Conqueror Holme Pier epont Ha l & Church 1676 in 1066. He started by advising that the Hall was the oldest brick-built building in Nottinghamshire, and remained in the family after a large part of the family estates were sold off. This followed a wild spending spree in the 19th Century, and to cover Death Duties in the 20th. After about 40 years of hard work by the present owners, Robert’s parents, the hall has been brought back from the verge of ruin, to a very pleasant home and venue for weddings, etc. We learned that the courtyard garden has been re-created, by Elizabeth Brackenbury, based on 18th Century designs from the family archives. A most interesting tour followed, beginning with the mediaeval part of the hall, clearly built to impress people, and used initially as accommodation for the family’s guards. The family at the time lived in a now-demolished area at the rear of the property. During the Civil War, started when Charles I raised his standard in Nottingham,
(see http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/civil_war_england.htm)  and centred very much on the local area, family members hedged their bets. Two Pierrepont brothers took opposite sides; the net result being that the house was attacked by neither, when other local houses were. Later, when visiting the adjacent church, we found that the family had been linked by marriage to the notorious Bess of Hardwick. Some nationally important monuments to family members were pointed out, as was a churchyard memorial to a refugee from the French Revolution. A rather wet morning! Members adjourned then for refreshments in a local pub, where they had an excellent lunch, (even the “Golden Oldies” menu provided ginormous portions!), while some strived to maintain their falling fluid levels. Ian Godson

The 2014 Boat Trips.

The East Midlands Summer Sail  Ian Godson writes:-

“The day dawned bright and sunny, with only a slight breeze on the mighty River Trent. Twenty-two intrepid sailors boarded two vessels to make the upstream voyage to Trent Bridge, adjacent to the hallowed cricket ground of the same name.

During the morning, we were served chocolate biscuits and steaming cups of tea or coffee prepared by the lady members; saw vast numbers of birds, including – would you believe? – a black swan, many herons in flight or just standing watching the world go by, a family of great crested grebes with three chicks (one of them hitching a ride on Mum’s back), etc, etc.

This was the sum total of the excitement until our lunch orders were produced at the Trent Bridge Inn. Parky was given a supersize  mixed  grill  (unknown to him), when he’d only ordered a standard sized one. He was happily munching his way through when it became apparent that the irate orderer of the large mixed grill was giving the waiter a hard time for down-sizing his meal! In his defence, I can confirm that the waiter, on delivering said meal, simply called out “Mixed grill”. Things changed in many ways for the return trip. The skies darkened, and the threatened rain descended on us in bucket loads, so that we had to close all the open orifices on board, to keep us dry. Of course, the gallant steersman/woman and the official brolly holder stuck manfully to their open-air tasks and braved the downpour. As if this wasn’t enough excitement, we steerage passengers, down below, felt and heard a number of clanking/grinding  noises as we raced downstream  at a rate of knots.  These did not cause undue concern, until the good ship “Gunthorpe Belle” ground to a halt, after a repeat of the noises from below. We had grounded on a bank of gravel!

Our sister ship was hailed for assistance, and whilst Skipper McMurray brought his vessel about, some of our number felt it imperative to don their lifejackets! They need not have feared; the “Gunthorpe Star” soon had us re-floated and we returned to our landing stage unscathed and

only five minutes later than our ETA! Perhaps more important, was the fact that salvage fees were not demanded by our saviours! ”

 

EAST MIDLANDS BOAT TRIP 3 June 2013

Dave Parky writes:-

I couldn’t understand it- there  I was listening to the Shipping Forecast-‘ Dogger, Fisher, German Bight’and  we were about to embark on the open seaways of the River Trent with no mention.  Did they not realise that we were about to upgrade from the  trickling tributries and canals to one of   the Nations major rivers!  No matter,  on arrival at Thornhill country (Gunthorpe), we were met by the reassuring presence of Mr & Mrs McCommodore who  briefed  that no longer would we boys need to disembark at every lock to open and close, but that in the big boys club the locks were ’automatic’.

What would there  be for us to do? No longer the worry of the £10 lost  deposit should we accidentally drop the  lock  keys into the water.  Would we ever be able to regain the lost skills – honed to a fine art over many years of experience?  Would it be like having a dish washer and never revert to washing up- or sliced bread never going back to the tin , or diposable nappies and – forget it!  All we had to know was on arrival at each lock, we were to tie up, fore and aft, to a pole  recessed in the lock wall and hold the rope light. On arrival these looked like flimsy plastic rods and about as much use as a paper clip, but on closer inspection these revealed an inner steel wire, enough to hold fast the largest of ‘Cutters’.  

           

 


And so  2 vessels, with 12 souls on each, set sail for 3 hours in a north easterly direction towards Fardon for lunch. Conditions bright sunshine with a light to moderate north easterly breeze.  Lunch had been pre- ordered so that we wouldn’t be hanging around ,however, hose on one course had to wait for those on 2 or 3 to finish their starters before getting the mains- not to mention those who  had ordered sweets ...........This meant that time being of the essence we left late-  tension was palpable- would we get back to the last lock intime before it closed?  Would we get to the boat yard in time to avoid excess charge or  ongoing appointments missed? We needn’t have worried, Mr McCommodore had phoned ahead to alert the lock keeper of our delay- the curse of the creme brulee had been exorcised!  As it happened the lock keeper had tried to phone back that there would be a delay anyway owing  to a north bound vessel due in the lock at the same time. Depending on the depth of the water,the lock gates seemed massive and on opening and closing it seemed like being in the bowels of Colditz!The return journey was extemely peaceful, albeit a certain pace had to be kept.  Mr & Mrs McCommodore would surrepticiously have a hand on the swingometer lest us ‘old salts’ and the excitable novices get carried away whilst encountering hazzards.

 Much bird life was to be  seen and the Chief Ornithologist on board was widely consulted, only to find he’d nodded off. He was joined by several of the bretheren-  was it the calm waters or age- or both! A survey had been recently undertaken regarding the swans along the Trent Valley and apparently only 10% were breeding. The reasons for this are unknown but it is thought the swans  have a sixth sense and can detect ‘austerity!’. So where did the Trent differ from say the Soar.  Well there were no tow paths, however there  is a footpath which more or less runs from Attenborough, Nottingham for 90 miles to Grimsby. Also at no point could we  / did we touch the sides!  Another very enjoyable adventure with the usual thanks  to the Mcs. See photos on website. (Oh  for the old days of pictures and drawings!) 

The photos show the sunny day, which the Lady crew enjoyed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Smiles galore !!!!

 

 

Christmas Lunch.

The Christmas Lunch was again organised by Richard Horler at the Rancliffe Arms, Bunny. Splendid meal and an attendance of some 47 .The pictures tell it all.

Richard on Reception Duties 

 
 The ladies enjoying pre-dinner drinks

 The gents enjoying a pre lunch pint.

 The drinks have kicked in and it's all smiles.

For 2013 December may be targetted if  the same kind of price can be obtained. November is uually cheaper!!! Thanks Richard.
The RMS Members expressed their thanks for the RMS support.

Thorntons Visit

September – Visit to Thorntons arranged by Mike / Maggie Nicholass

     

Maggie Nicholass writes:-.

On 20th September a party of 16 from EM CERRSA group visited the Thornton's Chocolate Factory in Somercotes, Derbys - a very impressive modern site. Meeting in Reception (where the first invitation to try the Continental selection was taken up), there was no Willy Wonka to greet us, but guides Damian and Paul were fine substitutes. An introductory video was followed by a tour of the factory and warehouse. This proved to be a most interesting and enlightening couple of hours. Although much  machinery was in evidence (all made in Germany sorry to say) the manufacturing processes are labour intensive with many hundreds of people  employed at Thornton's.  Two of our party joined the production line and tried their hand , with some success, at "crimping" - a highly skilled process finishing the continental range truffles. (Mel has, in fact, been taken on and starts on the early shift next week). The tour then moved on to a visit to the samples bar where all the current production flavours were available to taste( this being a selection of the rejects). A visit to the coffee bar and inevitable shop concluded the tour where the very favourable prices enabled all to purchase to their heart's content. We were presented with Goodie Bags by our tour guides who were then thanked for their interesting and lively presentations. Finally a suitable donation was made to the NSPCC -  Thornton's chosen charitable cause.

 

Lunch was taken at the nearby Ashwood Inn - a good value, tasty carvery from where the party dispersed. A good day out! 

Tour photographs on the web site courtesy of Irene Chapman to whom many thanks.”

 

If you click the photos they enlarge and close with an "X" in the top right corner.

 

 

DECMBER 2011 TRIP TO LILLE

Dave Parkinson ( theparkys@mypostoffice.co.uk ) Writes:-                 

"22 members and 5 guests travelled via EUROSTAR to Lille France for a 5 day  break.

We stayed at a small but friendly hotel very convenient for the EUROSTAR and opposite the Gare Flandres- which provided immediate access to more ‘local’ travel in addition to the Lille Metro.

As usual on arrival we all gathered for evening meal which is not always easy for a group of 27, particularly on a Monday night in France when it is usual for restaurants to close, however, our hotel arranged with  our travelling interpreter, Allan Lloyd,  the Lille Casino. They  provided a very comprehensive buffet, very agreeable wine and all significantly discounted. ( Don’t tell Sarkozy!!)

Lille is  quite a large City but fairly compact with museums, art galleries, and substantial architectural magnificance.  During our stay, of course there was the usual Christmas market and the focal point of a big wheel.  Plenty of atmosphere!

Trips by various members to places like Arras, Bruges, Brussels,  Ghent, Ypres. The weather was fairly kind to us,  dry-ish daytimes but with a high wind chill factor!

Our trips operate on the basis  that  people do their own thing until the last evening when we all gather for the ‘last supper’.  No feet washing – although a  few hot bowls of water would have provided much comfort after 4 days on the hoof!!  Tempting as it was to return to the casino- it was felt something less clinical and more traditional would suit and after trialling a few places we selected a restaurant just off the main square by ‘the wheel’ which provided  a good selection of food at a good price-( and they could accommodate 27 virtually in our own room).  Late comers ‘mission control’ ( Carole G and Brenda) arrived suitably flushed after directions were lost in translation from Flemish to French to English.  Good job Channel 4  News did not broadcast their  interview with Jon Snow (in Brussels for the EU summit) giving their views on the Euro.  (Too soon before the bike shed!) Finally, Monsieur Le President ( Mike Patten- not the aforementioned)  gave a toast to absent friends Brother Ralph,  John Bartley, and Brian Mc.and their ladies- wishing speedy recoveries where appropriate.  "  Photos from Dave tell it all!