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Interesting Lives 2025

Interesting Lives 2025

Interesting Lives of guest speakers

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Departure 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.

D

Day 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.

B, D

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, D

Day 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

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 Women’s 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.

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Name Address
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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Westcliff on Sea, Essex, SS0 9PE