Saturday 20th May 2017, 11am – 3pm: The gardens of Collingwood House, Morpeth, Northumberland
Feedback from the membership encouraged us to stage more social events and this is in response to that request. Although there is history to be seen and Collingwood matters to enjoy, the emphasis here is on social interaction. We have had to underwrite this one fairly heavily, so please, if you are able, do support it and bring friends and family along too. Entry is free for all. For those of you overseas and elsewhere in the UK, or simply unable to attend, we will be thinking of you.
The event is nominally a ‘picnic’ in what used to be the Admiral’s garden (remember ‘Old Scott’?), behind Collingwood House in Oldgate, Morpeth, just a few metres down from the Market Place. The get together will be from 11am to 3pm (ish). There will be a sumptuous Hog Roast at lunch-time (£4 per ticket on the day), but please feel free to supplement or substitute according to your preferences. Likewise please bring deck-chairs, blankets, canopies, tents, hampers, butlers, nannies, parasols, sunhats, knotted-hankies, etc. as desired. (There is some limited seating available on site).
We have taken the precaution of hiring the adjacent St. Robert’s Church Hall, both for access to facilities and in the event of inclement weather.
Although the emphasis will be on fun and conversation, we have still arranged some ‘gentle’ activities:
- Father Peter Stott, the present incumbent of Collingwood House, has kindly agreed to open its doors during the picnic. Access to the House is rare, so do take the opportunity. This will allow you to see (at least some of ) the rooms in which Collingwood all too briefly lived and see the window by which he sat and watched the passing milk carts. Maybe also the wine cellar….
- We have designed a short fun quiz / treasure trail in the vicinity of Collingwood House. This is suitable for all ages and can be done by individuals, couples, small family groups, etc. It will take you only a few hundred yards from Collingwood House. Entry will be £1 per team, with a delightful prize for the winners.
- Dr Tony Barrow will take interested groups across the bridge and round to nearby High Stanners to see the whalebone arch and hear something of the North-East’s whaling past. See too, the stepping stones over the Wansbeck, across which the Collingwood girls would no doubt have skipped.
- There are rumours of some impromptu music…..
All are welcome to this event – please bring family and friends. The more the merrier (and the closer we will get to breaking even)! Dare we suggest you make a day of it – Morpeth has much to offer!
Buses of course run from Newcastle and elsewhere; trains too. For those coming by car, there is very limited parking at Collingwood House / St Robert’s Church, although drop-off of people, equipment and picnic baskets is possible. Parking in Morpeth is free, subject generally to the display of a parking disc. Unfortunately, the majority of car parks are limited to three hours, so it means vehicles have to be relocated at some stage if you are making a day of it.
We do hope to see you, your families and friends! And please spread the word!
For added information, should this event prove successful, we are considering a ‘PICKLE’ night at the end of October.
