Reports - Weekends 2023

Autumn Weekend 2024

Hosted by Derbyshire Country Link at The Hand Hotel, Llangollen

Derbyshire Country Link organised the Autumn National Weekend and welcomed 70+ members to The Hand Hotel in Llangollen. The Hand is an old coaching inn, close to the town centre, and overlooking the River Dee. There are a lot of stairs and corridors, and no lift! Some members were still getting lost on Monday morning.

Some members arrived early, checking in on Thursday evening, so had Friday to explore the town with its individual shops, the river, and the canal. Others chose to go further afield exploring the local area. On Friday afternoon members were greeted by Phil and Liz, and were given locally made cakes and sweet treats. Maria was also there taking orders for the buffet dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings.

On Friday evening members met in the bar for drinks before dinner and a quiz, and then dancing in the Denbigh Suite. We were all very impressed by Lynne and Mark's dancing - I really do have two left feet!

Following a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning members left on their chosen trips. We didn't use coaches this weekend but opted for car share with various members volunteering to drive.

Phil Charles led a walk, uphill and down dale, from the hotel to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. While David had a more relaxing trip in a narrowboat along the canal, also to the aqueduct. Tea, coffee, alcoholic and soft drinks, along with scones and cake were all available on the narrowboat and return was arranged by a local bus and coach service. The stretch of canal between Llangollen and the aqueduct is very shallow and very narrow. In places it is only wide enough for one boat to pass through. At one point the boat stopped to allow a group of kayakers to pass by, and at times it seemed that people walking along the towpath were travelling more quickly than the boat. Many of the members who went on the boat trip opted for a different form of transport during the afternoon and took a trip on the Llangollen Steam Railway, taking a return journey to Corwen.

Liz and Maria led the trip to Ffrith Farm and the Swan's Farm Shop. After driving over Horseshoe Pass, and arriving at the farm, Gail and her son Ed talked about the history of the farm, the setting up of the farm shop 21 years ago, and Ed's plans for the future. We had an interesting farm walk and talk, and saw piglets and pumpkins. Ed breeds his own cattle, sheep, and pigs, and together with his dad they butcher the animals for sale in the farm shop. There was a huge variety of locally produced goods for sale in the shop, with many of our members making purchases there. Lunch consisted of sausage rolls, homemade cakes, Welsh crisps, and brownies. Ed is very enterprising and we wish him all the best for the future.

On Saturday evening, as a change to the traditional black-tie dinner, we had a buffet supper. After dinner there was a beetle drive, and chat, in the Denbigh Suite while in the hotel bar there was live music. The live music being a weekly event at this hotel. The beetle drive was frenetic, with everyone determined to win! Well done to Andrew and Amanda who won the highest number of games.

After another good breakfast on Sunday morning members set out on more trips. Phil led another walk visiting the car museum and Valle Crucis Abbey. Maria took members on a guided local history tour of Llangollen, and Liz led the trip to Chirk Castle. Chirk Castle is a hilltop fortification. The views would have been spectacular had it not been so misty! There was a lot to see there and the grounds were lovely to walk around, especially with the leaves changing colour.

On Sunday afternoon the Member's Meeting was held in the Denbigh Suite with members of the committee giving their reports and taking questions from the floor. During the meeting the 'Weekend Baton' was handed over to Nigel Swain from Somerset. Nigel told us about the next weekend which will be held in Kent during May 2025, and is being organised by Somerset, Dorset, and South Wiltshire groups.

On Sunday evening everyone dressed up for the gala dinner which was followed by a disco in the Denbigh Suite. The DJ commented that he had really enjoyed playing for us on Friday and Sunday nights as it was 'his kind of music' that we'd all enjoyed.

Following yet another good breakfast on Monday morning it was time for us to say our goodbyes. Some members took a walk into town for a final look round and to do some shopping before we all set off on our journeys home. I do hope that no one has received any speeding tickets - trying to stay at 20mph was hard work!

A number of fund raising activities took place during the weekend. These included a game of heads and tails, a silent auction for a bottle of whisky, and a raffle. Approximately £650 was raised to be split between the Canal and River Trust and Farming Community Network. Thank you to all members who contributed raffle prizes, and to those taking part in the fund-raising activities.

Denise and her team at The Hand did us proud - The food was delicious and plentiful, the bar was well stocked, and the hotel was both warm and clean.

Nigel, Wendy, and Linda handed out the information for the Spring 2025 weekend in Kent and took bookings from some of the members. The information and booking forms are on the website for anyone who hasn't yet got hold of one. If you haven't been before why not give it a go. We look forward to seeing you there.

For information: Kent - Spring Information →
For booking forms: Kent - Booking Form →
Additional information for pet owners →

Spring Weekend 2024

Hosted by Shropshire Country Link at The Holiday Inn, Telford, Shropshire.

On Friday 10th May 2024, Shropshire Country Link welcomed other Country Link members from across England and Scotland to the Holiday Inn, Telford.

On arrival members were given their welcome packs. Along with a 'Red Tractor Bag' containing a note book, pens, an NFU pen and note book, there were some snacks. Many thanks to our sponsors for these goodies.

After meeting in the bar on Friday evening we enjoyed a buffet supper and a disco. There was also fancy dress and the theme for this was "cowgirls" and "cowboys". Members of staff from the hotel judged the competition. The winners were Janet Wright from Cheshire for the ladies, Rodney Robbins from Oxfordshire for the men, and the couples' winners were Nick Bereznyckyj and Ania Gebicka from Nottinghamshire.

After breakfast on Saturday morning, there was a choice of three trips, or you could do your own thing. Trip one went to the British Ironworks near Oswestry. This was a fascinating trip looking around the animal sculpture park. Each animal sculpture is made out of scrap metal which are all very unique and very imaginative. In the afternoon we left the British Ironworks to call into Shrewsbury, where we boarded the 'Sabrina' boat for a very leisurely trip down the River Severn.

Trip two went to Shropshire Petals, owned by the Bubb family where we looked around the farm via a tractor and trailer. The farm produces potatoes for McCains along with other arable crops. Another business which has grown over the years is the growing of flowers for confetti. The group were shown around the drying area and the process of making flowers into confetti. After lunch at a local pub the group then went to Wrekin Spirit and were welcomed by owners Sam Moseley and his mum Isabel. After a talk and tour of the process of making 'gin' everyone had the opportunity to taste different flavoured gins.

Trip three was to RAF Cosford. There was a lot to see in the three large hangers including WW1 and WW2 planes, as well as the Cold War exhibition. After lunch, this group moved on to Boscobel House and The Royal Oak, a descendant of the Oak tree where King Charles II took refuge in 1651 while fleeing for his life from Cromwell's soldiers, in the grounds of Boscobel House. All the trips arrived back at the hotel late afternoon where members could make use of the hotel swimming pool and gym or just relax before the evening formal dinner and dance. A raffle was held during Saturday evening which raised £473 for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

On Sunday, after breakfast, you could choose to either take a stroll in Ironbridge or to visit a dairy farm near Shrewsbury by kind permission of the Oakley family. They milk 1600 plus cows on a rotary parlour three times a day. Michael and his son Miles talked and showed us around the farm with members asking questions long the way. Those members who had visited the farm back in 2015 couldn't believe the changes that have been made during the past nine years.

At 4.00 pm the AGM was held in the Pritchard Suite at the hotel. Retiring Chairman, Peter Hunt, thanked everyone and handed over to the new Chairman Dick Stephens. Both Lesley and Liz remain as national treasurer and national secretary. Nigel Swain was voted in as the new Vice-Chairman. The weekend baton was handed over by Caroline from Shropshire to Maria from Derbyshire who will be hosting the next weekend in Wales.

Following our evening meal on Sunday, we did a 'bottle tombola' which raised £110 for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, bringing the total raised over the weekend to £583. Sunday evening finished with a quiz and dingbats.

Monday morning, after our last breakfast, we said a sad farewell to everyone and we hope that everyone who attended the Shropshire Weekend enjoyed themselves. Till the next weekend.

We would just like to say a big thank you to the hotel, the food was excellent and the staff were brilliant.

Lastly, Robyn and I would like to thank everyone who has messaged us thanking us for the weekend, it's very much appreciated.