Annual Report 2002

The following report gives details of the excursions and activities that have taken place during the last year and we hope that you have all enjoyed the range of trips that we have arranged for you. Ranging from our 4-day trip to Paris, to an afternoon tea with the Vicar at Scaynes Hill, we feel that there has been something of interest for all our members. 

Paris Trip 22nd - 25th April 2002

When visited Paris, the weather was excellent and all those who attended had a great time.  Apart from taking a short detour on the way to our Hotel, everything went according to plan and has whetted our appetite for more trips of this type in future years. The pavement restaurants were a favourite meeting place and it was almost beyond belief that we could be eating outside at 10 o’clock in the evening in April. Here are just a few pictures to remind you of the places we visited.  

The visit included trips to The Palace of Versailles and the Chateau at Chantilly, and a guided tour of the City of Paris by my nephew-in-law! Renaud, who added his personal touch to a very enjoyable and informative coach ride.

 Trip to Rochester 12th June 2002 

The first of our day excursions of the new season. 40 members attended this trip, which began at Hove Town Hall at 10 am. with pick-ups at Withdean Stadium, Burgess Hill and Hand Cross.  We were soon travelling comfortably on the motorway in a brand new coach supplied by Pavilion Travel, with the familiar face of Chris Parker at the wheel.

The weather could have been a bit better, but at least it didn't rain during the day, although it was cloudy and a little breezy. After a comfort break en route, we arrived at Rochester at about 12.15 pm. We then had about two and a half hours to look round Rochester and get something to eat. Most people chose to walk around the City, going into the Cathedral and the Castle or into the Charles Dickens Centre located in the very quaint High Street.

  The second part of the afternoon was a very enjoyable trip on the "Kingswear Castle", an old Paddle Steamer. Built in 1924 and powered by a coal-fired boiler we steamed up the Medway and were treated to an afternoon tea of salmon sandwiches and cream cakes. The trip lasted for two and half hours and took us passed a number of historic and modern sights, all described in full by the ship's captain.

 Looking relaxed is our own intrepid traveller Maisie with her niece on board the Paddle Steamer. We were joined on the boat by Alf & Avril Chappell who had made the short trip from their home in Whitstable to be reunited with some of their friends. Alf was in good form and although struggling a little with a bad back, was able to enjoy the trip.  Mavis Brimelow also met her brother on the boat to complete a successful day.

Trip to The Isle of Wight  -  Tuesday 16th July

On this occasion 37 members met up at Hove Town Hall and Withdean Stadium for the excursion over to the Isle of Wight. We left just after 9 am and made our way down to Portsmouth to catch the Wight Link Ferry across to Ryde. A very pleasant crossing, in warm weather, allowing us to sit on the promenade decks and admire the views around the Solent. The 30-minute crossing soon ended and we then had a short tour around Ryde, Brading and Sandown, then across the centre of the island, through the busy tourist attraction at Godshill to our lunch stop on the banks of the River Medina at Whippingham. 

The Folly Inn served us up with a marvellous meal of Chicken Chasseur and vegetables, followed by Apple Crumble and custard. We all agreed that it was of a very acceptable standard and really good value for money. 

After lunch, we made the short journey round the coast to East Cowes to visit Osborne House, the former residence of Queen Victoria.

We spend a very interesting couple of hours looking round the gardens and house, with some of our members taking a horse and carriage ride down to The Swiss Cottage, the queen's summer house. 

The weather had been good all day and when we return to the Ferry terminal the sun was still shining, allowing us to enjoy the return crossing on the ferry, soaking up the sunshine on the upper deck.

Trip to Buckingham Palace and The London Eye - Wednesday 7th August 2002

A full compliment of 49 members got up early to meet at Hove Town Hall at 8.30 am. ready for the journey up the M23 to London. We pick up more members at Withdean Stadium and after a final pick up at Hand Cross, we make our way up to London. We arrive in good time to get a cup of coffee and then assemble by The Ambassadors Entrance ready to go into The Palace at 11.30 am. Unfortunately, Queenie was away at Balmoral, so we had to look round on our own!

The State Rooms had opened to the public two days earlier and they are proving to be very popular. The 19 rooms that we were permitted to visit gave an insight nto the inner sanctums of the Palace and were quite breathtaking in their decor and contents. The Jubilee Room exhibiting the gifts that The Queen has received over the past 50 years of her reign was particularly interesting, as was the State Ballroom that is used for the Investitures. The investiture sword and all the different 'Orders' were on show. The ornate staircases and the large number of paintings made the tour through the Palace quite fascinating. Finally, a walk through the Gardens made the tour complete.

After a short break for a drink and a sandwich, we make our way to The London Eye for our 3 pm flight. Luckily, the weather was extremely kind to us, on a day when heavy thundery showers could have spoilt the party, we managed to avoid the worst of the weather and after queuing up for a while, we alight the 'Pods' and are able to survey the scenes in bright sunshine. Fingers point, questions are asked and guesses made by all the would be London experts as we all try and identify the various landmarks that can be seen from the 'Eye'. 35 minutes later we leave the Eye and are able to sneak in a quick pint of lager before returning to the coach for the short trip down to Croydon for our supper.

Pictures showing the Pods with a number of our members visible through the glass (if you look closely!)

Again we are lucky with the weather as the heavens opened as we are sitting down to our 'Turkey & Ham Pie' supper. A rush of members that belayed their age met the opening of the bar in the dining room. The fact that my daughter (26 yrs) only just made it to the front of the queue, closely followed by two 70 year olds, speaks for itself!

A marvellous day finished back in Hove just before 9 pm., and although a tiring day, a great time was had by all.

Trip to Scaynes Hill  -  Wednesday 11th September 2002

A disappointing turn out for our short afternoon trip through the Sussex countryside and visit to the Tapestry at St. Augustine's Church at Scaynes Hill.

Just 23 members made this excursion on a bright and sunny afternoon as we made our way through Glynde, seeing the herds of Alpaca’s; into Ringmer where we were amazed to see that the branch of Barclays is actually still open. We then pass through many other small villages and pass by the 'Palace' being built by "That bloke what is in prison" as described by our driver, Dave. Of course he meant Mr. Van Hoogstraten!!. and into Ashdown Forest. Our Chairman was heard to mutter - "I should own all this, I expect my ancestors must have gambled it away!!"

After going on through Uckfield and Nutley, we arrive at St. Augustine's Church and are greeted by the vicar, Graham Mitchell and his helpers. Graham then gives us a brief history of the Village, the Church and The Tapestry in a most entertaining and amusing way. The parishioners and their friends between 1991 and 1999 made the tapestry over a period of nearly 8 years. The picture below doesn't really do justice to the tapestry that has over 3 million stitches, with wonderful colours and a very modern design. 

After studying the Tapestry from close quarters, we then adjourned for tea with Graham and his helpers. The hungry travellers soon devoured a very nice spread of sandwiches and cakes. The tuna and horseradish sandwiches being particularly sought after. Following some most welcome cups of tea, we had a short prayer and a minute’s silence in memory of 9/11, and then returned to Hove having had a really pleasant and enjoyable afternoon out.

Pensioners Golf Day  -  Thursday 26th September

The inaugural golf day was very successful with 19 members taking part in a very relaxed competition at Mid-Sussex Golf Club near Ditchling.   The day was organised by Robin Frost, who made certain everyone who participated won a prize of some sort, having scrounged all the available ‘freebies’ from the local branches. Just what some members will be doing with their key rings, biros and tee shirts is probably not for publishing on this report, but the balls will always come in handy for our golfers who need a good supply to ensure that after sending their shots into the streams or undergrowth, that they have enough balls to play again next year!!

This event looks like becoming an annual fixture, and we will welcome all golfers of any standard, who will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in the bar after the match.

Trip to London Palladium  - Wednesday 20th November 2002

We always save our best trip till last, and this year was no exception, with a fully booked excursion to The London Palladium to see the Hit Musical "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang".

With 49 members and guests travelling from Hove, we make our way into London on a Pavilion Travel Coach, duly adorned with Christmas decorations, arriving at 1.30 pm, just in time for a quick cup of coffee, prior to walking the short distance to the London Palladium and taking our seats in the stalls. From the moment the show started at 2.30 pm. and for the next 2 and a half hours, the whole audience were mesmerised by the stunning enthusiasm and vibrant routines from a cast including Michael Ball, Paul O'Grady (Lily Savage), Brian Blessed, Nichola McAuliffe and Anton Rodgers.

I am sure that all our members must be living a second childhood, with everyone joining in the well-known songs and booing the nasty child catcher! The show was certainly all it was built up to be - and more. It was the best show that I have seen, and most people agreed that it was a fabulous show.

We return to our coach, just a few yards away, thanks to the driver, Peter, parking illegally for a little while to allow us onto the coach without walking across the very busy Regent Street. We set off, seeing some of the Christmas Lights, and some of the illuminated sights around central London and on to The Fairfield Halls Croydon for a Ham & Turkey Pie supper. The room was tastefully decorated ready for Christmas and the meal was excellent.  And so back to Hove to complete an exceptional outing, enjoyed by everyone.

Christmas Lunch – Thursday 12th December

Following on from the success of last years lunch, this year’s event took place at Wickwoods Country Hotel in Albourne Nr Henfield. A record number of 126 members and guests attended the function and to put it mildly, ‘A good time was had by all’. The atmosphere was superb, helped by some rather childish behaviour from some of our members, letting off balloons and party poppers, and wearing silly hats. In fact come to think of it, we were all doing it!!

Again the raffle took centre stage, with a good number of  nice prizes, thanks to the generosity of some of our committee members and the willingness of those attending to buy several tickets.  During the raffle, an additional game of “Heads & Tails” finished with Brian Melhuish winning £50.  The general consensus was for a return to the dame venue next year, and a date has therefore already been booked for Thursday 11^th December 2003. (Make a note in your new diaries!!)

The monthly coffee mornings at the Dudley Hotel continue to attract a sometimes small, but select band of followers (presumably those who can’t afford to buy their own coffee and biscuits!!). Seriously, these coffee mornings are a very useful gathering to obtain feedback and ideas about the types of trip that our members enjoy and also to keep up with the latest news and information about the Club.

Our thanks to all those members who have attended all or any of the outings that we have arranged and we hope to see you all again next year.