Category: National Trust

Visit to Calke Abbey – 20th October. 2021
Everyone was waiting and ready to go as the coach pulled up at Hucknall Market ready for a 9.30 am departure. Unfortunately two members had to withdraw at the last moment but forty eight of us left on the coach. The weather forecast was very bad but we had a mainly dry day save for a huge downpour in the afternoon in which the majority managed to find some shelter.

Over the day we toured the magnificent family house which was bought by the National Trust in 1981 and has been left untouched ever since. There was also the opportunity to join a tour of the gardens, visit the Church or enjoy the restaurant. There was also a network of walks to explore but the uncertain weather meant that most of the group did not venture too far from shelter. The book shop and gift shop proved popular before we left for home at 4.00pm.

A special thank you to our driver Philip who had left his home in Barnsley at 6.00am to come down to Hucknall to drive the coach for us.( Yes, there is a shortage of coach drivers)

National Trust 2022
Members of the group will receive a full list of dates in the January Newsletter and on the website so that they will have plenty of notice regarding the visits from March to October.

Belton House hosts one of the most impressive light trails in the country. It contains over one million lights in a mile long trail through the grounds at Belton House, accompanied by the sounds of Christmas as you walk. The estimated time for the walk is ninety minutes allowing no doubt for a stop for a seasonal drink or a light snack. Toasted marshmallows anyone? The Stables courtyard close to the start and end of the walk will have further attractions including a memory tree if you wish to post a note on to the tree.

The event is very popular and despite running from late November to early January is often sold out. As the event is run out of normal National Trust hours there is a charge of £20 for all adults whether you are members or not. Including the bus fare of £8.00 the total cost will be £.28.00 per person.

We have booked fifty six places, as we will have timed entry slots of the maximum number you can book which is 14. Our slots are for 4.15, 4.30. 4.45 and 5.00pm on Wednesday, 15th December, 2021. According to the website there is very little open during the period before 4.00pm and so in view of the possible cold weather in December we have decided to leave Hucknall Market at 2.30pm and return from Belton at 7.30pm. This will still give us four hours outside which is probably enough for the time of year.

We expect the visit to be very well supported and to be fair to everyone we will accept bookings from 9.00 am on October 11th, 2021 preferably by email or by phone for those of you not online. We will confirm that you have a place by email or phone. Belton House reserve the right not to let you go on the trail if you are not well wrapped up and ask you to bring a torch in case of a power cut!!!!!!!!

To contact Barrie and Sue, please use the contact form below:-

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The next visit for the National Trust Group has now been arranged and the details are as follows:

Venue: Calke Abbey in Derbyshire.

Date/Time: Wednesday 20th of October. departing from the bus stop on Hucknall Market at 9.30 am and returning from Calke Abbey at 4.00 pm.

Cost: £7.00 per person, which includes a tip for the driver.

Further trips: The last visit for this year will be to Belton House (near Grantham) and further details will be available as soon as possible.

If you no longer wish to be a member of the National Trust group could you let me know as soon as possible, so that I can remove your name from the list.

If you have any queries about any of the above details, please do not hesitate to contact Barrie on the form below:-

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VISIT TO FOUNTAINS ABBEY – Thursday 26th of August.
Well, after a delay of over five hundred days, members were all assembled on Hucknall Market Place at 8.20 am. ready to leave at 8.30 am. After a check of names and numbers and a greeting to everyone from our driver (Paul) we were ready for our drive up to North Yorkshire.

On arrival everyone was soon checked in and ready to begin exploring and walking the beautiful grounds. At this point some members booked on various organised tours that were available, while others headed for an early hot drink and cake before starting their exploring. The weather was good for walking with the cloud eventually giving way to periods of sunshine by early afternoon.

On our walk round Studley Royal Park we had the opportunity to explore two main areas; The Abbey site – which includes a large monastic ruin from the 12th century, Fountains Hall (a Country House dating back to the Elizabethan era) and Fountains Mill which was still in use at the beginning of the last century.

In contrast to these buildings, in the second area, we saw Studley Royal Water Gardens which featured large scale contemporary artworks designed by British artist, Steve Messam and entitled ‘These Passing Things’. All of this plus the Victorian St Marys Church, the Studley Medieval Deer Park and the cafes, shops and tea rooms made for a busy but very enjoyable day.
Our return journey saw us arrive safely back in Hucknall just after six o’clock after a thoroughly enjoyable day.

NATIONAL TRUST PLANS FOR SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2021

Please note that there will NOT be a National Trust table at the September Members’ meeting as Sue and I are unable to attend.

However, by mid September we will email or write to all NT group members with our plans for two more visits before the end of the year, Covid permitting!!!!
Firstly, we are planning to book a day in October to visit a fairly local venue.. Secondly, we will try to book a visit in late November or early December to Belton House to see the House decorated for Christmas and then stay as darkness falls to enjoy the Light Trail round the grounds.

We will get dates and other details out, as stated above, to all members by mid September.

After sixteen long months, “Freedom Day” gave us the opportunity to re-book our visit to Fountains Abbey, and we will now be going on Thursday, 26th of August. The bus is booked and the Abbey booked too. All that is needed now is for me to complete a comprehensive Risk Assessment.
The coach will leave from Hucknall Market, near to the bus stop at 8.30 am, and we will be returning from Fountains at 4.00 pm. The coach is provided by J.B.Tours.

We are booked in for a self-guided tour of the Abbey at 12.15 pm. The grounds cover an extensive area of land/water, but there is a complimentary minibus operating around the grounds for those who wish to use it.

After this visit I would like to arrange another trip in late September (Covid permitting), and details will follow. I would also like to organise a visit to Belton House in November to see their “Light Trail”.

I would finally like to thank all the members for their patience and understanding over the past year or so. This has made my role so much easier.

If anyone would like to join the group, please contact Barrie Saunders, the group leader, on the form below:-

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