Having left the clouds in Market Rasen behind us we found the weather changed in Yorkshire (Gods own country) the lovely weather promised was here. On arrival, there was the customary initial race to the cafe for refreshment.

Burnby Hall Gardens were well set out with a wonderful central lake around which paths led you into a variety of small gardens.The lake was particularly active as the large carp seemed to be in orgy mood, splashing around in the shallows competing for females. Our only criticism of this garden would be that the plants had no labels should you not know a specific tree or shrub. Volunteers were workimg to clear the tulips which are replaced every year, apparently a few weeks ago their display was exceptional. This years bulbs were going to local schools and anyone who wanted them… Finished the morning with a stroll around the museum which gave the history of the Stewart Family who created the gardens followed by lunch with homemade cakes which did not disappoint before we moved on to Breezy Knees.

A much larger but less mature gardens created from 1999 It covered some 15 acres so quite a walk around it traversing a field or two before you reached the first display garden.the plus point was the plants all had labels so we avidly made notes of the plants we would buy. Each garden was named even featuring a Rogues gallery garden of spreading plants, there was also a shade loving garden as well as ornamental with fountains. The nursery at the end was comprehensive but sadly did not have the two plants we had set our minds on. Drowned our sorrows in the cafe just as the weather was calling it a day. Good trip back to Market Rasen. Many thanks to Brian for another very interesting trip. Looking forward to our next.

A weekend in sunny April saw eight members of the Jazz Group setting off for northern climes, to enjoy a residential jazz weekend at a Scarborough hotel.  And enjoy we did!!

We were able to meet up Friday evening (Kim and her gang arrived later as she had to control her Line Dancing class in the morning), and kept the same table for all our meals together, and in the Ballroom for all the sessions (another good use for our U3A sign).  We soon twigged that the hotel’s Happy Hour from 12.00 to 18.00 was the best time to stock up with bottles for the evening ahead, and saving money throughout the weekend.  A great evening’s music by the Richard Leach Seven Stars of Jazz got the weekend off to a fine start and was a foretaste of even better sets still to come.  Interestingly, both Joy and Kim were in some psychic way identified by several of the male dancing men as being great partners, and for the remainder of the weekend’s sessions, both girls hardly sat down.  What a great thing it is to be young (and fit!).  I personally never mastered the mysteries of dancing anything, let alone jiving, so am well impressed at these events by the sight of our fellow fans bopping the night away, even if the hair has greyed and the waistline filled out slightly.

Other fine sessions on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes by different bands, were complemented by evening ones with other bands, so over the whole event we were entertained by five different UK bands from as far apart as Newcastle and Devon.  Foot tapping, arm waving, stomping and applauding as loudly as we could were the order of the day.  And during the spare time, we enjoyed the open top bus, the cliff funiculars, the fine walks, ice creams, the miniature railway, the harbour sights and more.

Great music, good company, fine weather and a whole lot of enjoyment was had by one and all.  Whereas  some of the group had not previously enjoyed this sort of event, others of us had, but I think it can safely be said that this will not be the last time we get together to share our interests and to enjoy each other’s company!  Now then, that weekend we saw advertised in Paignton early next year …..

Brian Ward

A small group of 24 members headed off early to Rocester in Staffordshire for a tour of the JCB Factory. On arrival we were ushered into a large dining area where we served with a delicious lunch of meat balls and couscous followed by a crème brule. As we were to learn later, JCB is very big on branding and so the cups and cutlery had the JCB logo on them – they counted them out and counted them back in again so no souvenirs here.

After an informative video about the company and its history we were taken around the visitor centre by  very well informed and enthusiastic guides. And then into the factory itself where we witnessed robotic machines making hydraulic rams and welding with workers moving the slowly growing digger around the factory.

We had a final coffee before heading back to Market Rasen having had an informative day out.