Literary Weekend
1st – 3rd April 2022
OXFORD
We are pleased to announce that the next
Literary Weekend will be held in April 2022 in
Oxford, at St Edmund Hall, otherwise known
as Teddy Hall, one of oldest teaching
institutions in the world, established in 1286.
Located in the heart of Oxford, it makes a
perfect venue for our weekend of stimulating
talks, sightseeing and camaraderie. The small
and accessible campus has everything close
at hand, including a large lecture room with
space for our library and stalls, good single
and twin rooms, a large dining hall, bar and
pleasant courtyards and gardens.
Speakers: We welcome and invite talks
from TARS members; if you would like to
speak at the Weekend, either a short cameo
or a longer presentation, please contact Peter
Wright as soon as possible, either by email:
peterwright180@btinternet.com, or by
phoning him on 0121 443 2910. We will
announce the full programme of speakers
and all other details in the next Signals, along
with the booking form. In the meantime,
please book the date in your diary now.
New members or first-time attendees will be
particularly welcome.
Please note that parking in Oxford is scarce.
Broads Cruise is back in 2022!
The Hunters Yard ‘Coot Club’ Broads cruise, postponed last year due to Covid, is now to take place next year – July 23-30 2022.
Six of the fleet’s Teasel-style yachts (one actually was the Teasel in the BBC TV adaptation) have been reserved.
Famously engine-less, they now have quiet electric motors to cope with the Broads’ busy traffic.
Contact Neville Khambatta, Tars member and chairman of the Norfolk Heritage Fleet Trust,
on 01692 678263 or info@huntersyard.com.
Meanwhile the yard has been busy refurbishing the sailing dinghy that played Titmouse in the TV adaptations.
As you follow the signs there is a Y +fork and you need the left fork, and the field is on the right (second gap in hedge?). You will see a large blue tent and some S&A pennants.
We start on Friday when you can arrive. Activities available include crossing the Wade, paddling through the backwater weeds, sailing along the creek or in the more open waters o Chichester Harbour. It is a secure site on an almost traffic free peninsular and great for Outlaws. Brilliant woodland for free-range Outlaws, and good coastal walks. We have a bbq on Sat night. Costs have gone up as we have to supply portaloos. Cold outdoor showers available.
Don’t forget to get yourself a permit for the harbour for your craft.
A trail over Pictish Scotland. Bring your car or get to Inverness area by train
Itinery Sat 3rd September
06.35 depart Edinburgh Waverley
10.28 arrive Inverness or Tain
(then car to Inver, near Portmahomack)
12.00 lunch at Inver Restaurant
(then car to Tarbat Discovery Centre)
13.30 Tarbat Discovery Centre
16.15 leave by car for Nigg – Cromarty ferry
17.00 (or thereabouts!) ferry to Cromarty
19.30 dinner at Royal Hotel Cromarty
(then stay overnight in various B&Bs in Cromarty area; (the Royal Hotel is fully booked!)
Sun 4th September
09.00 Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie
12.00 lunch at restaurant to be determined
14.30 depart on Jacobite Rebel for 2 hour Loch Ness cruise
16.30 return to Inverness centre, maybe for a snack
18.57 depart Inverness
22.41 arrive Edinburgh
Chris says:
TARS Northern Region
Sunday 16th October 2022
Join us on a visit to Tanfield Railway (Durham 12 miles Gateshead 7 miles)
Arrive in Durham by train and I can give up to 4 people a lift!
Meet at East Tanfield Station at around 11 am to have coffee in The Waiting Room Cafe, look at the shop and catch the 11.50 from East Tanfield DH9 9UY. You can get on and off at any station. There is usually lots to see around the sheds at Marley Hill (Near Andrews House station) and at East Tanfield.
Find out more about this lovely little railway on www. Tanfield-railway.co.uk
We suggest lunch at Causey Arch station at 12. 45. If the weather is good there is a picnic area. There is also a café, and over the road a pub. Walk down and see the oldest railway bridge in the world. Then catch the train back to East Tanfield or walk back through a lovely wooded ravine (uneven steps and rough footpath)
You could even be really decadent and take another trip on the 14.30, with afternoon tea on a table for two for £58!
Tanfield is standard gauge and runs nearly all steam engines – mostly ex colliery saddletanks. I’ll know which engine should be running a couple of days before. The line is about 3 miles each way, running through lovely countryside. One hour round trip.
For full day tickets: (Book online the day before and get 10% discount)
Price:
£13.50 adult
£11.50 Senior
£1.00 child (under 5 free)
Contact Elizabeth elizabeth.williams10@aol.com Tel: 07897246670
Brian Hopton has kindly given us permission to read some of the Sparkinson interviews, written by him, Jill Goulder and Paul Crisp, from “Ransome Centre Stage”. We are going to have three different ‘Sparkinsons’ and three interviewees this time.
If you would like to join us and have not already received the Zoom link here it is –
Simon Dell has kindly agreed to do another talk for us, all about the Tavistock Canal. Tars from different regions are very welcome to join us, just let me know so that Susan, the host, will have some idea of numbers to be let in – here is the link –
Diana is busy compiling a quiz based on ‘Picts & Martyrs’, which we hope will give those of us without elephant-like memories more of a chance of getting some questions right, by reading the book again first.
Here is the link if you like to join in, all welcome, but please let me know if you are going to join so that the host has an idea of numbers – thanks.
Time: Nov 25, 2023 03:45 PM London
Passcode: 297872