The Men's Society

25^th Anniversary Men’s Society Trip to York

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Readers of this article must appreciate that when a party of men are on their own confusion and indecision come to the fore.

This was a celebration of our first outing to York, originated by Revd. Roger Wikeley, which had been repeated several times in the early years of our days out but had not been repeated for many years. On this occasion we decided to accept the offer of  Transpennine Express and travel 1^st class return to York for £15. (Our first outing was by a not-too-reliable mini-coach which only just managed to arrive at York, after an emergency stop at Birch Services on the M62).

The main party assembled at Padgate Station for the 9.05 commuter train to Birchwood, where we were joined by our “carer”, honest Geoff Houghton (the only non pensioner in our party) and two invited guests. We were then advised by Alf Clark that it was in  actual fact the 27^th anniversary. We boarded the 9.50 to York and all managed to obtain a seat in the limited 1^st class carriage arriving in York on schedule after a most enjoyable journey. Having been served with complimentary hot drinks and refreshments, Ted Mills was waiting for the hostess to collect the money. Two of our members, however, experienced problems with the toilet facilities; one had to seek assistance from a fellow passenger to act as guard outside the door as he could not operate the handle, and the other was confused by the flushing and locking buttons and levers.

Once in York our two guests, never having visited the Minster left in order to use their prepaid tickets. The remainder decided lunchtime options, after a visit to Park Hotel (formerly The Viking), the venue for lunch on our first visit, which we found to be too expensive.

After much deliberation our “carer” exerted his authority and decided that we take lunch at a riverside hostelry. This was agreed

 to be one of the best decisions of the day! We enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Plonkers (sic) Wine Bar in pleasant spring sunshine by the banks of the river as the river cruisers plied to and fro.

We then divided into two parties, one party visiting the Railway Museum, the remaining party visited the Jorvik Centre.

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Then via The Shambles (no association with our outing?) to Cathedral Square to view not visit. We then went on to visit The Castle Museum, but with an entrance charge of £8 we vetoed the idea. We were joined by our two guests and we walked back through the streets to the river where some of our party viewed a seal in the river.

Afternoon refreshment was taken by our two guests at Plonkers whilst the remainder visited a tea shop for a more traditional afternoon tea. This was followed by a pleasant stroll through some gardens before joining the party from the Railway Museum. We then made our leisurely return to the station for our return journey home. The return journey was similar to the outward one but without any problems with the toilet facilities.

Once back at Birchwood, confusion returned. There was no commuter train to Padgate, and on inspection of the bus timetable there were no buses either - and two cars to be collected at Padgate! Since our “carer” was to be collected by his good lady, they also took the drivers of the two cars left at Padgate in order to collect the cars. Then they returned to Birchwood to pick up the remainder of our party who were left at Birchwood. In the meantime four of our party decided to walk the short journey to Longbarn. This turned into a long “second class” journey as three members, having delayed a Warrington bound bus hoping to alight at Fearnhead Cross, enjoyed a second outing via Gorse Covert, Locking Stumps, Cinnamon Brow, Orford, Longford and Long Lane, finally arriving at the bus interchange at 9.10, too late for the 9.05 train to Padgate and too early for the 9.25 bus from  Warrington to Leigh. The bus party had attempted to contact the car drivers during our extended tour, but their mobile phones were short of battery power so we had no means of communication! We then took a taxi to the Padgate Rose hoping for a rendezvous with our remaining party but as they were not there (and not being too hungry after a bumpy bus journey) this was the end of our eventful day out. We later discovered that two of our party having arrived by car at The Bay Leaf, booked a table for five but had to dine alone after waiting a considerable time for the “missing three”.

The moral of the story is if you join the Men’s Society for a day out, make sure that you mobile phone is topped up with cash and battery as you never know when you might  need it!!

Sam Sheldon

Photographs courtesy Sam Sheldon

The Men's Society meets regularly during the winter months, usually on the last Tuesday of the month. Venues vary from the church meeting room, visits to local businesses etc, and local pubs. (where we usually end up, anyway!)   Do come and join us. We promise a lively evening wherever we meet.  New members are always welcome, and we look forward to seeing you.

Details of our meetings will appear on the monthly diary page from time to time. 

Page updated 23/08/2010