Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway

24th June 2010

A small group of us had an enjoyable day at the Romey Hythe & Dymchurch Railway. Having rover tickets, we were able to travel on the entire railway, stopping were ever we liked. We started our journey from Hythe. Full steam ahead for the13 1/2 miles to Dungeness pulled by Samson, arriving in Dungeness just in time for lunch.

We them waited for the next train which was a BoBo diesel called Captain Howey. This took us to New Romney for a look around the model railway exhibition and partake in light refreshments.

Then we waited for our last train. This was a steam engine called Green Goddess which took us back to Hythe. Then it was on the mini bus for the journey home.

Millbrook Garden Centre and Hall Place

27th May 2010

Today’s outing was to Millbrook Garden Centre and Hall Place. Unfortunately it was a wet start for our journey to Millbrook Garden Centre. Arriving in the rain we were glad that we would be indoors. So it was off for coffee and scones. Then a leisurely walk around the garden centre to have a look at what was on offer.
Then it was back on the mini bus for the short journey to Hall Place.

By the time we arrived the rain had stopped and it was lunchtime. Some members made their way to the pub while others had their picnics in the gardens. After lunch it was time to explore the gardens. By this time the sun was out .The house and gardens are located on the banks of the River Cray in historic Bexley, Kent.

The gardens include formal presentation gardens, a sensory garden, grass maze, a nursery and tropical glasshouses. These stunning gardens also feature a set of larger than life topiary figures. We finally left for home at 3.30pm after having a very enjoyable day.

Amf Bowling at Gravesend

22 April 2010
Outing to Amf Bowling at Gravesend

19 of us made the journey to Gravesend to go bowling.16 of us played 2 games lasting over 2 hours. Everyone enjoyed themselves. After leaving Gravesend we stopped at The Copperfield for Lunch.

Outing To Shepherd Neame Brewery

25 March 2010
(Mine’s a pint)

We had a good turn out for this trip and 19 members wanted to be enlightened on the history and brewing on Kent’s most famous brewery. (Or get a few tips).

Unbelievably Shepherd Neame has been brewing fine ales since 1698 which, allegedly, is longer than any other brewery. Unfortunately it is the only sole surviving commercial brewery in Kent. The reason for the location in Faversham was that it is over a 200 foot Artesian Well, making it an economical resource. The original source is still used today. The name evolved from being sold to Samuel Shepherd in 1741 and went through various partnerships. The final partnership was with Percy Beale Neame in 1864. Interesting to note that the last of the Shepherds disappeared in 1877 but the family name is still retained. Robert Neame is currently the Chairman and his son, Jonathan, is the Chief Executive.

The group met for coffee before being shown a short interesting video about the brewery.

Our tour guide was Derek who was helpful, informative, amusing and considerate to our less able bodied members. We were shown the vaults and then tasted the barley and the spring water used for the making of ales/beers. Interestingly beer was drank in the middle ages as it was more pleasant and safer than drinking the water of that period. Probably that excuse won’t hold water today! Brewing in Faversham can be traced back to 1147. Shepherd Neame’s probably most famous and successful brand is the ‘Spitfire.’

Not surprisingly the group couldn’t wait to get back to the bar where different beers were sampled. They were then offered a half pint drink of their choice. A visit to the shop was a must for further purchases.

On leaving the brewery the group made their way into the town to the various eateries of their choice. Those that came by the minibus left at 3pm and took them safely back to the Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre. The others made their own way home.

A good time was had by all!!

Bowling at Gravesend

Bowling at Gravesend

28th January 2010

Here’s a striking fact – the first ten-pin bowling alley in Britain opened 50 years ago this week. (25 Jan)
So 17 club members went off to Gravesend for 2 games of bowling. We managed to get 14 strikes and 62 ½ strikes between us. After 2 hours of energetic exercise we made our way to The Copperfield for lunch.

Brogdale National Fruit Collection

1st October 2009

Brogdale Farm, the home of the National Fruit Collection, was the venue for this months outing. With over 4000 varieties of fruit trees from Medlars that was introduced by the Romans to the latest apple called Meridian. This is a collection of 2000 years of fruit. It is the largest collection of different varieties of fruit, on one site, in the world. The fruit includes Apples, Plums, Pears, Cherries, Cobnuts, Quince, Medlars, Grapes, Gooseberries and red, white and pink Currents. There are 2 trees or bushes of every variety.

Arriving for morning coffee it was off to the Tractor and Trailer ride around the apple orchards. Stopping every so often to sample some of the varieties of apples.

From cider apples, crab apples to russets and many more. Some were lovely, but some were a bit sour. We also tasted some grapes and plums.

After having a look around the farm shops and buying our Kentish apples, it was of to lunch. Some of us found a lovely little pub in Painter’s Forstal, while the rest of the group went to Faversham.
We would like to thank Ted for his excellent talk and Stan the tractor driver for the bump free ride.

Visit to Folkestone

2nd September 2009

A group of 16 took the mini bus for a day out to Folkestone. Arriving about 11 a.m. they were dropped off at the sea front and harbour. After having Fish and Chips for Lunch they were taken up to the town for some retail therapy. Leaving Folkestone for the return journey about 3 p.m.