Interesting Lives of guest speakers
Book NowDeparture date 31st October 2025 4 days £425.00pp
Single supplement £25.00 per night
Your holiday includes:
Welcome tea/coffee on arrival
Dinner bed and breakfast
Specialist talks every evening
Porterage
Day 1 Friday
A leisurely journey to the hotel just outside Grantham where we are greeted with a hot drink. Porterage is provided. Tonight after dinner we will meet and learn about one of the famous WI members who created that infamous calendar. Patricia Stewart was one of the original Calendar Girls.
DDay 2 Saturday
After a leisurely breakfast we will head over to Melton Mowbray. Chance to visit the pork pie makers and perhaps have a tasting? Visit the Town Square market or just explore this quirky town. Back to the hotel mid afternoon to prepare for tonights speaker - a total contrast - tonight it is Jackie Simmonds - presenting Life as a Tiller.
Day 3 Saturday
Again a relaxed morning before we visit nearby Stamford - a historical marvel of a town with narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards which are home to a variety of speciality shops, fine jewellers and designer boutiques, whilst the High Street has a great choice of independent and recognised retailers. Lots of hostelries to choose from. Back to the hotel in the afternoon to get ready for your final speaker - Mike James. He was the musical director on the QE2 in the 80s and 90s and has worked with some fantastic stars, who he will tell you all about.
B, DDay 4 Sunday
After learning all about the lives of people in unusual roles it's back to the humdrum now! Leave the hotel after breakfast to head home, with comfort stops on our way.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Three nights of entertaining and humorous after dinner talks. Sit back after dinner and listen to the life stories of three people from the world of entertainment. First night we have Britain's most famous Womens Institute member, Patricia Stewart the original CALENDAR GIRL now made into a hit movie starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. On the second night we present LIFE AS A TILLER by Jackie Simmonds. During the 1950s and 1960s the Tiller Girls established themselves as the premier dance troupe on British commercial television, being associated particularly with the iconic Sunday night at the Palladium. On the final night we present MY LIFE ON BOARD THE QE2 the last of the great liners. Mike James was musical director from 1981 until the mid-90s on this world-famous ship. Working with such famous people as Bob Hope, Bert Bacharach and Vera Lynn. Listen as he talks about the ups and downs of life on board ship.
The Olde Barn Hotel 3 * hotel www.theoldebarnhotel.com
Bask in the peace and tranquillity of the Best Western The Barn Hotel & Spa, set in the rolling countryside surrounding Grantham in the Heart of England.
After a busy day of activities, why not unwind in the health club and spa It has an indoor pool, sauna and gym. All rooms have TV, tea and coffee making facilities and the hotel has a lift.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Name | Address |
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Ashingdon Golden Cross | Golden Cross, By Fox (Welcome Homes) |
Barking, North St | North Street, Barking,outside St Margaret's Church |
Barkingside | Barkingside, Fulwell Cross, by Swimming Baths |
Basildon | Southernhay, long layby opposite Bus Station |
Billericay Sun Corner | Sun Corner, Laindon Road, Billericay |
Brentwood | Brentwood High St, by Dairyman (Argos) |
Canvey Island - Canute | King Canute PH, Canvey Island |
Canvey Island - Haystack | Long Road, Canvey Island, Haystack |
Chalkwell Park | Chalkwell Park Bus Stop |
Chandos Garage Hockley | Chandos Garage Hockley |
Cricketers Westcliff | Cricketers Bus Stop, Southend on Sea |
Dagenham Wood Lane | Wood Lane, Dagenham, Opp Morrisons |
Eastwood - Kent Elms | Kent Elms Corner, Eastwood, Rayleigh Road |
Eastwood - Rochford Cnr | Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, Rochford Corner |
Eastwood Jones Corner | Eastwood, Rayleigh Road, Jones Corner Bus Stop by Brookside Tavern |
Folkestone services XX | Eurotunnel- Stop 24 Junction 11 on M20 |
Grays Oak PH | Oak PH, Socketts Heath, Grays |
Hadleigh - Vic House Cnr | Vic House Corner, Kiln Road, Hadleigh |
Hadleigh Church | Hadleigh Church, Bus Layby |
Harold Wood | Bus Stop Station Road Harold Wood by Coop |
High Rd, S Benfleet | High Rd S.Benfleet by Benfleet Travel opp Shell Ga |
Hockley Spa | SPA ROAD Bus Stop, Hockley |
Hornchurch | North Street, Hornchurch, Fire Station |
Ilford | Clements Road, Ilford, by Travelodge IG1 !BA |
Kents Hill Lights | Kents Hill Lights Bus Stop, London Road, Benfleet |
Kiln Road (Kenneth Road) | Kiln Road (Kenneth Road) - Thundersley |
Leigh on Sea - Elms | Elms PH, London Road, Leigh on Sea |
Leigh on Sea - Thames Dr | Thames Drive, Leigh on Sea |
M25 Thurrock Services | M25 Thurrock Services Coach Park |
North Shoebury Road | Bus Stop , North Shoebury Road, (St Marys Church near Asda) |
Pitsea | Old Gala Bingo, Pitsea SS13 3AH |
Rayleigh Websters Way | Websters Way, Rayleigh, opp Rayleigh Lanes |
Rochford Station Bus Stop | Rochford Station Bus Stop, Bradley Way |
Romford | St Edwards Way, Romford, Bus Stop 'H' |
Shenfield | Shenfield Station |
Shoeburyness - Kathryn Ct | The Cambridge.(Kathryn Ct.), Shoeburyness |
South Benfleet Clare Rd | Tarpots Coach Stop (opp Clare Road), Sth Benfleet |
South Benfleet St Marys | St Mary's Church, Layby, South Benfleet |
Southchurch Tyrrel Drive | Southchurch Road - Tyrrel Drive (Swintons) |
Southchurch White Horse | White Horse Bus Stop, Southchurch |
Southend Airport | Bus Stop, Southend Airport, Eastwoodbury Crescent |
Southend Queensway | Bus Layby, Rear of Sainsburys, Southend |
Stanford le Hope Rookery | Rookery Corner, SLH (St Cleres Hall Golf Club) |
TBA | TBA |
Thorpe Bay Station | Bus Stop, Acacia Drive, Thorpe Bay |
Upminster | Station Approach, Upminster |
Vange Barge | Vange Barge Bus Stop, High Road, Pitsea |
Wakering Crouchmans | Wakering High St/ Crouchmans Avenue |
West Leigh Schools | West Leigh Schools, London Rd, Leigh on Sea |
Westcliff on Sea Bell PH | Bell PH, Rochford Road Bus Stop |
Westcliff on Sea Palace | Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea |
Wickford Halls Corner | Halls Corner, opp Police Station, Wickford |
x Benfleet Hopes see hope | xxxxxHopes Green, High Road,xxxxxxxsee new p/up |
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