Although the dates were changed for our holiday on the Pembrokeshire Coast which resulted in one or two people being disappointed, a group of us joined an even smaller group and headed down to Pembrokeshire.  With one or two stops on our way we could see the hotel in the distance which stood high above the bay.  It certainly stood out in the evening sunshine and was not a disappointment when we arrived.  The staff, the rooms and certainly the meals were all of a high standard.  Even those with single rooms found they were double rooms and not the cramped style that some hotels offer.

Our excursions took in Tenby where several people walked down to the harbour and made the steep climb back.  Many of us stayed within the walled part of Tenby where the views over the bay were not to be missed.  We returned to the hotel with plenty of time to wash and brush up before an evening meal which we had pre-booked that morning, this was followed by an evening of entertainment.  Wednesday was a short drive to St.David’s where most of us tackled the steep climb to the Cathedral.  We returned to our coach for a scenic ride to Haverford West for a quick look around and lunch before returning to the hotel.  Thursday was a half day trip to Cardigan for the indoor market and for those of us who wanted a quick look around Fishguard, our coach driver was obliging to take us there where we were able to see a magnificent tapestry of the last invasion by the French which was worked on by seventy-seven local people.  Friday was an early start with stops on route before reaching Shefford, where we said ‘goodbye’ to our newly made friends.

We ended this month with a trip to the Grove Theatre for the annual show called ‘That’ll be the Day’.  A very popular and lively show, which had us all jumping in the aisles and clapping our hands from start to finish.     

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2012

New Event – Museum of London – Tuesday February 21^st (Details in Dec. newsletter)

New Event - Thriplow Daffodil weekend – Saturday March 17^th(Details in Dec. newsletter)

New Event - Annual ‘Get Together’ – Shefford – Saturday 24^th March (Details in Dec. newsletter)

New Event - River Thames & Greenwich Royal Naval College – Thursday 17^th May

New Event – Images of Poland – 3^rd – 8^th June (See Details)

New Event - Cambridge – River cruise and lunch – Thursday 26^th July

Details for Warners – Sinah Warren Hotel, Hayling Island – Monday 1^st – 5^th October  

DAY TRIPS & EVENTS 2011

AN EAST ANGLIAN CHRISTMAS – Thursday 3^rd November leaving opposite Lloyds Chemist Shefford at 8.30am.  We will journey to England’s smallest town by the sea and Ha’penny Pier in Old Harwich.  A scenic country drive with wonderful Winter views across the Naze.  We will begin our day with morning refreshments at an attractive pub by John Constable’s River Stour in Manningtree.  We will then drive along the walls by Mistley Towers, through ancient sea faring Harwich where we will hear of Lighthouse Lil, a lady of questionable virtue.  Back to the pub for a roast turkey lunch.  The afternoon will be spent in Ipswich where you can spend an independent afternoon shopping or join the Guide for a gentle Town trail that will take in an old gatehouse, a medieval church and the incredible ‘cake icing’ exterior of the Ancient House on the Buttermarket.  Our town trail ends at Tudor Christchurch Mansion (free admission).  This treasure house has the best collection of Constable and Gainsborough paintings outside of London.  There is a little cafe on site for optional tea before joining up with the shoppers to head home at 4.45pm.  We anticipate arriving back to Shefford before 7pm. Price inclusive of coach, coffee and lunch is £32.00 (Guests £34.00). 

CAMDEN MARKET – Sunday 6^th November – Leaving opposite Lloyds Chemist Shefford at 8.15am. Original Craft Market Established 1974 and the Camden Stables Market stalls open at 10am. Price £14.50. (In conjunction with Stevenage Group Travel).  

LORD MAYOR’S SHOW: Saturday 12th November. The Lord Mayor's procession winds through nearly 800 years of London History . The modern procession is over three miles long – almost twice as long as the route it follows – and starts at 11.00am. It travels from Mansion House to the Royal Courts of Justice, The procession sets off on the return journey from Victoria Embankment to Mansion House at 1pm and returns to Mansion House at about 2.30, then back to the bridge for the firework display at 5 o'clock. Price £15.50 per person. Leaving Shefford at 8.30am. 

NEW WESTFIELD SHOPPING CENTRE Stratford – Olympic Park – Sunday 20^th November – Leaving Shefford at 8.15am – Price for coach £15.50 (In conjunction with Stevenage Group Travel). 

THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR – (Evening  Performance only) – Sunday 27^th November.  Leaving opposite Lloyds Chemist, Shefford at  1.30pm.  Standard Seats £46.00 per person (in conjunction with Stevenage Group Travel) (This performance is now sold out) 

THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR – (Evening  Performance only) – Saturday 3^rd December.  Leaving opposite Lloyds Chemist, Shefford at  1.30pm.  Standard Seats £46.00 per person (in conjunction with Stevenage Group Travel) 

CHRISTMAS IN THE ROYAL LANDSCAPES – Thursday 1^st December – Leaving Shefford at 8.30am we make our way to Windsor where we begin the day at the Saville Visitor Centre to buy morning refreshments.  There is a shop full of interesting gifts and the quality of the nursery stock sold here is quite literally fit for a Queen.  We will also get free entry into the Saville Garden, one of Britain’s finest ornamental gardens, with it’s walled garden created with war bricks from bombed houses in the East End of London.  After which we take an interesting drive to Windsor for lunch and time to enjoy the shops or join the Guide for a gentle Town walking tour.  The Royal Landscape comprises 1,000 acres of gardens, lakes and woodlands in a corner of Windsor Great Park.  We will be taken on a scenic coach tour of these Winter wonderlands to hear about the contributions of different monarchs and generations of gardeners, architects and farmers.  You will also see some remarkable and ancient trees.  We visit the Windsor Farm Shop where the produce is sold alongside festive fare, royal treats and unique gifts.  The butchers display cuts of meat you might not have seen on the high street for 20 years.  Finally take a seat in the restaurant (a first for coach parties) for a welcome cup of tea and a piece of home made cake inclusive in the price before heading home arriving in Shefford approx. 6.30pm.  Price including afternoon tea £30.00 (Guests £32.00). 

NORWICH SHOPPING: Tuesday 6th December. Leaving Shefford at 9am.  Norwich is one of the top 5 places in Britain to shop and there is a vast selection of stores to inspire you when it comes to looking for shopping ideas for Christmas. There are department stores, high street chains to satisfy your basic present needs, independent retailers and specialist shops for the more unusual and quirky buys. There is a plethora of specialist shops sure to tickle your tastebuds…..Shop for all your Christmas food and drink needs at supermarkets, farm shops, specialist butchers, delicatessens and wine shops. And being in this area you can be sure that a great deal of the produce is local. turkeys, chocolate, cheese, fruit, vegetables and even Christmas puddings are made in the area and guarantee that when you buy something it is fresh and tasty. Price £18.50 per person (In conjunction with Stevenage Group Travel).

CAROLS WITH THE STARS (Proceeds for Leukaemia) – Royal Albert Hall.  Thursday 8^th December.  Leaving Shefford at 4.15pm.  This is a fun packed evening with well known artists from TV and stage – all giving their time for a very good cause.  Price including coach is £32.50 (Guests £34.50). (This performance is now sold out) 

HARRODS AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Friday 9th December. Once claiming to be ‘everything London', tourists still flock there to buy teddy bears bearing the Harrods insignia or simply to wonder at the over-the-top glitz and super-abundance of the Egyptian Hall and the like. The luxuries of its Food Hall are legendary, and in more recent years its Urban Retreat hairdressing and beauty salon has gained a reputation for its ultra-indulgent (and suitably expensive). This trip offers a last chance Christmas shop and a ride through London’s Christmas Lights. Price £15.50 per person. Coach will depart Shefford at 1.30pm at 14.00 (In con junction with Stevenage Group Travel)

JOHN RUTTER – CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION CONCERT (Matinee) Saturday 10^th December – Royal Albert Hall – Circle Seats rows 1 & 2 Price £37.50, Mid Choir Seats rows 1,2 & 3 – Leaving Shefford at 11.15am Price £35.50 (In conjunction with Stevenage Group Travel). (This performance is now sold out) 

BRICK LANE MUSICAL – Tuesday 20^th December – Leaving Shefford at 10.15am – We make our way to Docklands for a traditional Christmas lunch followed by a Christmas show which is full of classical musical fun and the comedians are truly hilarious.  Price including lunch, show and coach is £45.00 per person (Guests £47.00) (THREE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE)  

HOLIDAYS – 2012

IMAGES OF POLAND: 3^rd – 8^th June 2012 – 5-nights half board.  Flying from Stansted

Poland is a fascinating country, our base for this holiday is the historic city of Krakow, where the medieval centre has been painstakingly restored and is now listed as a World Heritage Site. This 6-day holiday flying from Stansted airport includes visits to some very interesting places including: a walking tour of Krakow to help you familiarise yourself with this city, a thought provoking visit to Auschwitz (admission included) where the former concentration camp is preserved as a lasting memory, the Salt Mines at Wielicka (admission included) where salt has been mined since the middle ages, the mines reveal stunning chambers with carvings and murals etched by the miners, Poland's Tatras Mountains and the popular resort of Zakopane - a favourite retreat for the crisp air and stunning scenery.  Price includes ¨Return flight to Krakow, Half Board, Complete luggage handling (except airports), excursions and admissions plus the services of a representative.  Cost per person is £545.00 plus £69.00 single supplement.  This holiday has been reserved for us until 10^th December in order to obtain  flights before increase in 2012.  Deposit of £50.00 per person required to secure flights. 

Warners – Sinah Warren Hotel – Hayling Island, Hampshire – Monday 1^st – Friday 5^th October – 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast, room with en-suite facilities, great entertainment, All coach travel and excursions, complete luggage handling service. Only five single rooms available.  Optional Insurance £10.00. – Price £361.00 per person.  Coach will pick-up passengers from Shefford. Hampshire 

2012 DAY TRIPS & EVENTS

February 21^st – Tues. – Museum of London – The new £20 million Galleries of Modern London

Thriplow Daffodil weekend – Saturday March 17^th

Annual ‘Get Together’ Memorial Hall, Shefford – Saturday 24^th March

Full details of the above day trips and event in our December newsletter.easven FarmH

EVENING PERFORMANCES – Leaving opposite Lloyds Chemist, Shefford at 4.15pm

Dreamcoats & Petticoats – Tuesday 22^nd November – Playhouse Theatre – Stall Seats - £38.00 (face value of Theatre tickets £52.50)

AIDA – RAH – Wednesday 29^th February.  The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Greenwood and the opera will be sung in Italian with English subtitles. Royal Albert Hall - Circle Seats (rows 3 & 4).  Price £48.00 per person.

Singing in the Rain – Monday 19^th March 2012 – Stall Seats (face value of tickets £60.00)

MATINEE PERFORMANCES - Leaving opposite Lloyds Chemist, Shefford at 11.15am.

Nut Cracker – Thursday 15^th December – English National Royal Ballet at The London Coliseum – Stall Seats £68.00 (face value of Theatre Tickets £67.00). Dress Circle £56.00 per person (face value of Theatre tickets £55.00)  Coach will leave Shefford at 11am.

Million Dollar Quartet – Thurs. 5^th  Jan. 2012 – Noel Coward Theatre, Royal  Circle Seats £48.50 

Crazy for You – Thursday 19^th January 2012 – Stall Seats - £48.50. (face value of Theatre tickets £59.50).er MajestH

IMPORTANT NOTES –