August News Letter

                                                   

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

 It is hard to believe that the weather has been so kind to us after such a late start to the summer.  I hope that you have been able to make the most of it and stocked up on the vitamin D that comes free in the sunshine. 

We had a lovely day out in New Brighton last week.  It really has improved out of all recognition.  Since all the changes have been made it has become really popular, there’s a pleasant walk along the promenade, crazy golf, shops, a cinema, ice cream, cafes.  There is a really good atmosphere there and it’s like an old-fashioned family resort.  I can remember going on Sunday school trips to New Brighton many years ago and it is as crowded now as it was then.

At the last committee meeting Gordon Evans was formally elected and graciously accepted the post of Treasurer. 

At the meeting we also discussed various options and venues for our Christmas meal.  We are hoping to book a lunch at The Birches in Birkenhead and have made provisional enquiries but the restaurant staff cannot accept bookings until the new term starts in September.  We will let you know the date and confirm the venue in the next newsletter.

Sue Munro has a recommendation for a winter outing that doesn’t need to be booked.  The Plaza cinema in Waterloo has special film showings at 1pm on Thursday afternoons for seniors, starting again in September, which include bingo, tea or coffee, and viewings of the latest films.  Last season the price was £4.50.  The Plaza is near to the railway station.

.Past Events

1 -4^th June 2013 Spring Break at The Mount Stewart Hotel, Rhos- on –Sea.  Three members enjoyed superb weather and managed to cram in a walk up the Great Orme,  a trip on the Mountain Railway and a visit to Conway Castle.  They joined us on Tuesday 4^th for a trip on the Llangollen Railway organised by Dave Shilliam.

4 June 2013 Tuesday. 12 Members gathered at Llangollen on a bright sunny morning and after a short walk along the river we boarded the train for a picturesque journey up the valley to Carrog. The carriage was full of chatter and laughter befitting a day out with CERSA. A tasty lunch was served at the Bridge End Hotel and enjoyed by everyone. Thanks to Dave Shilliam for another great day out on the railway.

 

25 June 2013 Tuesday.  12 members met at The Harvester Pub, Otterspool for lunch and a chat.  The weather was glorious and we all sat outside for coffee. Rob had to improvise by using a nail from his car boot odd-bit-box to support the parasol over the outside table as the pin was missing. 

3 July 2013 Wednesday.  Ken Potter led 3 walkers from Dee Lane, West Kirby to Hilbre Island.  Lunch was at The Railway Hotel, Meols where they were joined by another 2 members.
22 July 2013 Monday   Sue Munro organised a private guided tour of St Georges Hall for 28 CSPA members followed by lunch at The Crown, Lime Street, Liverpool.  3 CERSA members joined the group which went behind the scenes to places not normally open to the Public.  All agreed that it was an interesting tour and the food and service at the Crown was very good.  Thanks Sue.

30 July 2013 Tuesday.    13 members met at The Master Mariners  (Wetherspoons ) Pub in New Brighton and enjoyed a good lunch and a good natter.

 Future Events

 14 August 2013 Wednesday.  Reg Griffiths will lead a walk from Clark Gardens, Meet at The Pub in the Park car park at 10.30 and lunch will be at the Pub in the Park at around 13.30.  Please ring Reg on 0151 427 6198 to let him know you will be coming.

27 August 2013 Tuesday. Lunch atThe Hooton Hotel at 12 noon. (come out of Hooton station and turn left to the main road and the hotel is a few yards on the left).

11 September 2013 Wednesday.  Reg Armstrong will lead a walk from the Black Bull Pub in Gatacre at 10.30 hrs arriving back at the pub for lunch at around 13.30hrs.  Public transport is by No 75 bus ( every 10 mins) from Liverpool 1 Bus Station to Gatacre Brow.  Please ring Reg on 0151 722 3731 to let him know you will be coming.  

24 September 2013 Tuesday.  Lunch at The Freshfield Hotel, Freshfield at 12.00hrs 

9 October 2013 Wednesday.  Rob Powell will lead a circular walk from Royden Park starting from the car park at 10.30hrs and lunch will be at The Cottage Loaf at approx. 1330hrs.  Please ring Rob on 0151 608 5737 to let him know that you will be coming.

16 October 2013. Wednesday  Peter Brindley has arranged a guided tour of the National Waterways  Museum, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 4FW  starting with coffee on arrival at 11.30hrs (included in price)  and the tour starts at 12.00 hrs and includes a boat trip 14.00 to 14 30hrs.  The cost is £7.00 per person, pay on the day and he has provisionally booked 15 places. 

22 October 2013 Tuesday.  Lunch atThe Great Mogul Pub at Maghull next to Maghull railway station at 12.00 hrs. 

27 October 2013 Sunday. Autumn Break – The Hydro Hotel, Bowness.

Liverpool CERSA has arranged a four night or five night autumn break at The Windermere Hydro Hotel at Bowness on Windermere from Sunday 27 October or Monday 28 October to Thursday 31 October 2013 at £45.00 per person per night Dinner Bed and Breakfast for a Double or Twin room.  There are four single rooms available on a first come first served basis.  Further singles will be available at a supplement of £10.00 per night.  Please contact Tracey at The Windermere Hydro, quoting Liverpool CERSA.  A deposit of £25.00 per room will be required.  If you wish to stay for a shorter period please contact Tracey.  The address is Windermere Hydro Hotel, Helm Road, Bowness-on –Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3BA.  Telephone 015394 44455.

Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee Meeting will be held at 10.30am on 26 September 2013 at Imperial Court, Exchange Street East, Liverpool.  Please contact Peter Brindley on 0151 520 0154 if you are unable to attend as he has to provide a list of names to the Security Officer.

 Eunice Powell

June Newsletter

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

 

It’s lovely to see the trees in full leaf and the blossom at long last.  Winter seems to have lasted a long time this year, but at last Spring has arrived and all we can do is hope that the Summer will not let us down.

I must apologise for the delay in the issue of this Newsletter.  Rob and I were away in Ireland for 6 days last week and so didn’t get started on the Newsletter until we got back.  But we had a lovely time, the weather was better than back home and we had such a great welcome.  The Irish are so hospitable.  The “craic” was great.

Our loyal and caring friend and CERSA Treasurer Bryan Kayley passed away in Arrowe Park hospital on 29 April 2013.  

Bryan and his wife Norma joined our group when the Revenue and Customs merged and they made an invaluable contribution to the social activities.

He was a great organiser and loved planning holidays and short breaks, often presenting detailed suggestions for CERSA activities and breaks.  He always asked his friends how they were, despite having complex health problems himself, and he was determined to live each day to the full. Bryan loved his family very dearly and kept us up to date on their progress.  He was a lovely man and will be remembered by his many friends.

Past Events

10 April 2013 Wednesday.  Dave Shilliam led six walkers walk around Chester taking in the walls, canal, the racecourse and the park.  They were joined by two non walkers at The Kings Head for a well earned lunch. Thanks Dave for a very interesting tour of Chester and a tasty lunch stop. 

22-25 April 2013. FOCERSA Reunion at Ironbridge, Shropshire.

The Heathrow and West London CERSA organised the Reunion at the Best Western Valley Hotel, Ironbridge.  It was a lovely hotel set in large gardens on the banks of the River Severn.  The food was very good and the company very jolly and relaxed with everyone mixing well at meal times and on the walks and coach trip.  Paul Houghton led a Gorge walk on the level starting and finishing at the Tile Museum taking in The Tar Tunnel and the Coalport Bridge. 

The more energetic walked over The Wrekin, (407 metres) led by Peter Shea in blue in the centre of the picture. The weather was superb and the views glorious.  The FOCERSA AGM was held at The Valley Hotel on 23 April 2013 and the minutes are attached at the end of the Newsletter.  A more detailed account of the FOCERSA break can be seen in May edition of The Bond at (www.hm-waterguard.org.uk).

FOCERSA Reunion April 2014 to be hosted by London Cerrsa at the Le Strange Arms Hotel, Hunstanton, Norfolk.  See advert at the end of Newsletter. 

30 April 2013 Tuesday.  Reg Griffiths arranged a lunch at The Academy Restaurant in Liverpool and 15 members enjoyed a splendid meal and a good natter. It was good to see Arthur Rigby and we were sorry to hear that Noreen was in the Liverpool Women’s Hospital recovering from a fall.

8 May 2013 Wednesday.

On a bright and blustery morning Reg Armstrong led 5 walkers from Freshfield Station along Fishermans Walk and round the woodland circuit.  Leaving the shelter of the trees they were battered by what seemed like a hurricane force wind along the beach. 

After a monumental climb over the sand dunes they returned along Victoria Road past the squirrel reserve to the Freshfield Hotel for lunch where they were joined by a non walker. 
Thanks Reg for an interesting walk. 

16 May 2013 Thursday   Clouds Restaurant, Southport was cancelled due to Bryan Kayley’s Funeral which was very well attended by members and friends from far and near.

Future Events

12 June 2013  Wednesday   This walk was cancelled due to The Spring break at The Mount Stewart Hotel, Rhos-on-Sea, on 1st-4th June 2013 previously advertised in the Newsletter.

 25 June 2013 Tuesday.  Lunch at The Harvester Pub, Otterspool, Liverpool.  Meet at the pub at noon.

3 July 2013 Wednesday.  Hilbre Island walk to be led by Ken Potter. Meet at the slip way at Dee Road, West Kirby at 10.30 hrs.  Lunch will be at The Railway, Meols at 13.30.  Please ring Ken Potter on 0151 334 3802 to let him know you will be coming.

 22 July 2013 Monday.   St Georges Hall tour with members of the CPSA, meeting at 11.30 in the Foyer.  Charge will be £3.50 per person.  Please ring Sue Munro on 0151 920 5014 by 1 July 2013 at the latest.  Lunch will be at Dr Duncan’s Pub, St John’s Lane, Liverpool, after the tour. 

30 July 2013 Tuesday.  Lunch at the new Wetherspoons in New Brighton- (on the roundabout opposite to Morrisons).  Meet at Noon.

14 August 2013 Wednesday.  Reg Griffiths will lead a walk from Clark Gardens, Meet at The Pub in the Park car park at 10.30 and lunch will be at the Pub in the Park at around 13.00 to 13.30.  Please ring Reg on 0151 427 6198 to let him know you will be coming.

21 August 2013 Wednesday.  Liverpool Town Hall tour, led by Steve Binns.  Cost £3.00 per person.  Please contact Peter Brindley on 0151 520 0154 as soon as possible.  He has made an initial booking for ten places on a first come first served basis.

 27 August 2013 Tuesday.  Lunch at The Hooton Hotel (next to Hooton Station).  Meet at noon.

 11 September 2013 Wednesday.  Reg Armstrong will lead a walk from The Black Bull Pub, Gatacre, Liverpool.  Meet at 10.30 returning to the pub for lunch at 13.30.  Please ring Reg on 0151 722 3731 to let him know you will be coming.

27 October 2013 Sunday. Autumn Break – The Hydro Hotel, Bowness

Liverpool CERSA has arranged a four night or five night autumn break at The Windermere Hydro Hotel at Bowness on Windermere from Sunday 27 October or Monday 28 October to Thursday 31 October 2013 at £45.00 per person per night Dinner Bed and Breakfast for a Double or Twin room.  There are four single rooms available on a first come first served basis.  Further singles will be available at a supplement of £10.00 per night.  Please contact Tracey at The Windermere Hydro, quoting Liverpool CERSA.  A deposit of £25.00 per room will be required.  If you wish to stay for a shorter period please contact Tracey.  The address is Windermere Hydro Hotel, Helm Road, Bowness-on –Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3BA.  Telephone 015394 44455.

 Date of Next Meeting

The next Committee Meeting will be held at 10.30am on Thursday 1 August at Imperial Court, Exchange Street East, Liverpool.  Please contact Peter Brindley on 0151 520 0154 if you are unable to attend as he has to provide a list of names to the Security Officer.

Eunice Powell

The Autumn Break

Down to only 10 attending this year (3 couples and 4 singles) The Hydro Bowness provide once again splendid accommodation food and facilities. Although only 6 attended the visiting   “Magician” entertained us for an hour on Wednesday evening.

Rob Powell, as always,   led and organised  a series of splendid walks and also arranged for  the weather to smile on us. The swimming/jackussi/sauna Facilities  at the hotel were enjoyed by some after the walks, while others replaced lost juices in the local hostelries.

On one of the walks the walkers identified themselves passing through a "stile"!!! 

Liverpool Cersa Tigers Head Lunch

Ken Potter writes:-

"On Wednesday 14 December 2011 19 members of Liverpool CERSA met for the Annual Christmas Lunch at the Tiger’s Head Pub Norley.   Previously 5 of the younger and hardy members made the 4 1/2 mile Annual Alan Nield Delamere Forest walk on a very sunny but cold morning."

The Walk and then Lunch after a telephone call!!!

Liverpool CERSA Christmas Lunch

Ken Potter writes:-

“On Thursday  8th December 2011 41 hardy people from Liverpool CERSA held their Christmas Lunch on a barge sailing from the Mill Hotel Chester for a 2 1/2 hour cruise along the Shropshire Union Canal.   Last year the voyage had trouble with Ice Bergs but this year it was only storm force cold winds and heavy rain but luckily we were all protected from the elements in warm boat.   There was no reported cases of sea sickness and everyone enjoyed the meal and the trip.”

CHEERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The November Lunch in Birkenhead

Ken Potter writes:-“ The Liverpool CERSA’s November Lunch on the 22nd was held at the Birches Catering College Restaurant Birkenhead. 23 People (including 6 Octogenarians) sat down to £9.00 3 Course meal which everyone agreed was most enjoyable and thanks to Bryan Kayley for organising it." Some photos from Ken follow.

CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHEERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liverpool's Autumn Break at the HYDRO BOWNESS-on-WINDERMERE

Up from the reduced number of 2010 we were 17. Arrivals were on Sunday and Monday and departures Thursday and Friday. The quality at the HYDRO was as good as ever. Good food , pleasant staff and excellent facilities. Tuesday and Wednesday were the principle walking days... and all met prior to Dinner in a Suite Room for an "apperitiff".

"Cheers!" says Ken

and the pre-dinner chat proceeds... and below Brian & Jean "the Quiz " smile in preparation for the Quiz when we were assisted by the Halloween "CHAPS" who enteratined us at diner.

The  Halloween  "Chaps"!

They entertained us at DINNER.

The walks were led by Rob and his "Carer" Eunice and as the photo's show on the Tuesday/Wednesday we were blessed with good weather. Above are the party of 7 prior to Lunch at the MORTAL MAN!and below that  the  afternoon sunshine and a video.

The route back was splendid and a vist to a local church which was open made a nice end to the day . Some then returned to the Hydro for Swim & Jaccuzzi others took the opportunity for a beer!

Wednesday was equally kind around Elterwater (shown below) with an enlagred party opting for two walks. Again the final options were for a beer or a swim!

Thanks Rob for two really good days.

Thank you also to the RMS for the support for RMS members.











It wasn't all walking some took in amongst other things  Beatrix Potter, Cruises on Windermere  and the South Lakeland Animal Park .. the latter being free admission on the day of the Visit (£12.00 saved) Some photos shown below give a flavour.


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Thanks Liverpool and The HYDRO .....A Good break over ... see you there next year! Thank you also to the RMS for the support for RMS members.