Stamford and Twelfth Night

The Rutland Shakespeare Company at Tolethorpe Hall.

Booking is now open for this mid-summer outing. There is a 90 minute guided tour of Stamford in the morning, before we proceed to Tolethorpe to watch Twelfth Night.  This Shakespeare play is a fast-paced comedy with love triangles, mistaken identities and practical jokes all set in a romantic Tudor garden where the interwoven action turns to absurdity, silliness and downright fun.

Full details of the cost  are in our March newsletter which also contains the booking link.  Click here to access the newsletter.

A tour of the National Trust Textile Conservation Centre - Norwich

An opportunity to see conservation work on a number of projects from the National Trust properties at different stages of completion.  This is a rare chance to see work being done on very specialised projects.  Numbers are limited to 20 - Cost £25.00 pp payment must be made at the time of booking.  To book your place click here

On Your Doorstep - Aladdin - Princess Theatre, Hunstanton

We have reserved 20 seats for this excellent show, for January 3rd 1.00 pm.  To book your seat please click here for the booking form.  Tickets must be purchased on or by 10th November 2024.  A meal after the show is being considered 

Thursday, November 20th 10.00 am arrival

A gallery tour, entitled Egyptian Odyssey: ancient artefacts and art up to the present day that has been influended by art from Ancient Egypt.  £10.00 payable on arrival which will cover coffee and cake. To book your place please click here

Merlin

13th November 2025 - Theatre Royal, Norwich

Two kingdoms at war.  A pair of star-crossed lovers. One boy with a whole lot of magic.

Northern Ballet's signature blend of world-class dance and story-telling.

44 seats available 

Coach pick-up from and return to Sedgeford Village Hall, calling at Burnham Market and Morrisons, Fakenham (times to be confirmed)

Ticket cost and coach travel in total will be £56.00 per person

Tickets must be paid in full by 5th October.

Members are invited to take a picnic supper to eat on the coach and would be responsible for any drinks or snacks bought at the theatre.

Bookings must close 12th September

To book your ticket - click here

Contact details for this trip - Mike Chamberlain on 01485 210208

Four Red Sweaters - Lucy Adlington - 7.30 pm

Another talk by Lucy Adlington, about how fragile garments can be tied up with friendship and resilience, even in the Holocaust.  Shared transport - pay £18 pounds on booking, closing date 17th October.  To book, click here

All day visit to Wisbech

Wednesday 30th April - 10.00am

The visit will take place on the South Brink and will include visits to the Museum and Ocatavia Hill's birthplace and a walking tour between.  There will also be access to the remains of the original castle and to the little known Regency Theatre that still survives.  There will be a charge to cover entry fees and tips and a light lunch will be brought in.

Walking is not excessive and only normal stairs will be climbed.  Carparking in Wisbech's council owned car parks is free - St. Peter's carpark is recommended.  To book your place click here

This trip is now fully booked

Bow Brand, Kings Lynn - Thursday March 13th 10.30 - 1 1/2 hours duration

Following the outstanding lecture and harp-playing in our December talk, we promised you an exclusive tour of 'Bow Brand' the premier manufacturer of natural gut strings for harps and other stringed instruments. An invitation has been extended by Ana Salvi Maddox, who runs the company, for a visit to explain the 12 week process that turns an animal product into a refined and specialist product.

Car- sharing can be arranged

Visit is restricted to a maximum of 20 people who will go round in two groups.

Note - it is necessary to be comfortable climbing stairs.

To book your place on this trip click here

A Night at the Ballet

A Christmas Carol

Theatre Royal, Norwich

CLOSING DATE EXTENDED TO 6TH OCTOBER - DO BOOK IF YOU WISH TO GO

Booking now open - closes 23rd September - An opportunity to see Northern Ballet perform this wonderful story about the season of Christmas as Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of this time of the year. 

We have reserved 40 seats and this is our plan:

• Coach pick-up from and return to Sedgeford Village Hall, calling at Burnham Market and Morrisons Fakenham (times to be confirmed).
• Ticket cost and coach travel in total will be £65 per person allocated on a first come-first served basis.
• Minimum 25 participants.
• Tickets must be paid in full by 23rd September.

Members are invited to take a picnic supper to eat on the coach and would be responsible for any drinks or snacks bought at the theatre. 
 
We hope you will come and join us.

If you have any queries regarding this outing please contact Mike Chamberlain on ‭01485 210208‬

To book your place click on this link

Our recent trip to Colmar, Strasbourg and Basel was a vertiable feast of art and architecture.

Our first full day; Friday 18th October saw us in Strasbourg for a morning at the Musee des Beaux-Arts and the Musee des Arts Decoratifs situation in the 18th century Palais de Rohan.  Art works covering Raphael, Botticelli and El Greco were explored, together with the interior design of the Palais.  This was followed, in the afternoon by a visit to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, which dates back to 1015 and is an outstanding piece of Gothic architecture.  Then a walking tour of old Strasbourg along the picturesque waterways and the houses of Le Petit France.

Saturday was spent in Colmar, taking the walking tour through the old town to 'Little Venice' with lovely half-timbered houses lining the canal and back via the Gothic church of St. Martin.  The afternoon was spent at the Musee d'Unterlinden for a guided tour of the art work in this 13th century Dominican convent including the Isenheim Altarpiece by Matthias Grunewald which depicts Christ on the Cross.

On Sunday we visited the Beyeler Foundation, near Basel, which holds the art collection of Hildy and Ernst Beyeler and covers classical, modern and contemporary works including pieces by Giacometti, Picasso and Monet.  The afternoon was spent at the Kunstmuseum in Basel, which is the largest and most significant public art collection in Switzerland ranging from Old Masters to Picasso and in the building paintings by Kline, Newman and Rothko.,

Monday was the day of our return to the UK, however not before we had a morning in Freiburg to look at the Cathedral, the market square and then board our coach for the trip home.

A stunning art inspired 5 days.

PLACES ARE NOW ALL TAKEN FOR THIS TRIP

RIGHT ON YOUR DOOR STEP

Many of the art works in the Sainsbury Centre are by 20th century artists who lived in Paris.  They participated in an intense and innovative era of creativity.  We will look at works by Picasso, Modigliani, Zadkine, Giacometti and others, and discuss the connections, friendships and rivalries between them.

Our guide: Polly Gould.  Polly has been a guide at the Sainsbury Centre since 2007 and has a second degree in History of Art at UEA.

There is a limited number of places and therefore these are restricted to members only.  Book today here

Date:               Wednesday, October 2nd 2024

 Transport:        Own or shared but if you need transport proceed to book and we will endeavour to help.

 Address:          The Sainsbury Centre, Norfolk Rd, Norwich NR4 7TJ

 Time:               Arrival 10:00 for inclusive coffee & cake at the Terrace Café.  Tour starts at 10:30–11.30.

 Lunch:             There is a self-service cafe “Modern Life Café”

 Price:               £10.00 per person which includes your coffee & cake on arrival.

 There is free parking opposite the entrance (W3W kind.splash.bikes). Please make sure you give your registration number to reception on arrival.

After lunch you might like to:

View the remainder of the permanent collection; visit the temporary exhibition “Why do people take Drugs”; or visit the sculpture park where you will find 20 really interesting works. (All inclusive)

Or go into town and visit;

The Old Skating Rink, 34-36 Bethel St, NR2 1NR (park under the library)

The Cathedral             The Castle

Strangers Hall              or just go shopping!

Should you require further information please contact Sally Collier Email: sallyjcollier1@gmail.com  Mobile: 07769 901077

Hidden down a bridleway close to Peddars Way in the rural Norfolk Brecks, the church of St. Mary, Houghton-on-the-Hill is one of the most remarkable early churches in East Anglia.

The fact that it has survived from this deserted medieval village, and with it maybe the oldest large-scale religious wall paintings in Britain is nothing short of a miracle.

Step inside and be captivated by the paintings on all four walls of the nave, paintings which are some of the earliest and best in the country.

Click here to see the itinerary.

Click here to book your place online.

Our first ‘ON YOUR DOORSTEP’ venture will be to the theatre at Westacre, to hear Historian, Lucy Adlington discuss her very successful book, ‘The Dressmakers of Auschwitz’.

’25 young, Jewish inmates of Auschwitz-Birkenau were selected to create beautiful fashions for élite Nazi women, in a dedicated salon established by the camp-commandant’s wife. Historian, Lucy Adlington was able to interview the last surviving seamstress and her book, ‘The Dressmakers of Auschwitz’ is a remarkable story of resilience, camaraderie, quiet heroism and skill.’

The idea is that we will meet at the theatre from 6.00pm with our own picnic.

 Date:                                       Saturday, June 15th. 2024

Transport:                               Own transport or shared

Address:                                 Westacre Theatre, River Road, Westacre PE32 1UA

Time:                                       7.30pm.

Refreshments:                        Own picnic from 6.00pm.  [there is a bar at the theatre]

Price:                                       £10.00

Further research:                    www.westacretheatre.com

Further information about the event please contact: Sally Cooper 07967 380130

We have 20 tickets which will be allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis so early booking recommended.

CLICK here TO BOOK YOUR PLACE 'ONLINE'

Booking is now open for our exclusive visit to Knebworth House followed by a guided tour of St Albans Cathedral.

We are lucky to have a member connected with the Lytton Cobbold family who has been able to arrange an exclusive visit to Knebworth House which will be closed to the public on the day of our visit.We will be greeted by Lord Lytton Cobbold who will give us an introductory talk about the family and house followed by a guided tour.

After a light lunch there are the gardens to explore as well as 3 exhibition spaces:

• The Lytton family in India
• On location at Knebworth House
• Rock concert history of Knebworth Park

We will then travel to St Albans Cathedral for 1700 hundred years of history where we will have a guided tour.  The highlights include Britains longest nave, a stunning collection of medieval wall paintings, two beautifully restored medieval shrines and a Norman crossing tower.

Click here for itinerary.

Click here for online booking form.

Last year our members were thrilled by the Northern Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker and will surely want to see this company's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ performance of Beauty and the Beast.

Don't miss out, book your tickets now, click HERE to complete your online application.

We have reserved 32 seats and this is our plan:

• Coach pick-up from and return to Sedgeford Village Hall, calling at Burnham Market and Morrisons Fakenham (times to be confirmed).
• Ticket cost and coach travel in total will be £65 per person allocated on a first come-first served basis.
• Minimum 25 participants

Members are invited to take a picnic supper to eat on the coach and would be responsible for any drinks or snacks bought at the theatre. 
 
We hope you will come and join us.

If you have any queries regarding this outing please contact Mike Chamberlain on ‭01485 210208‬

11th – 15th SEPTEMBER 2023

An exploration of the rich art and architecture in the cities of Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, reflecting their historic trading, wealth and prestige, including the splendid decorative and fine arts. The Flemish painters will be well represented through the masterpieces by Van Eyck, Van der Weyden, Breughel, Rubens and others.
 
Our Society’s first foreign trip in almost 10 years.

Places are limited to 25 so early booking is recommended. Click here for the itinerary and application form.

Summer Day Trip.               Booking now open. Click here for an online application form.
Join us on Monday 19th June to the wonderful Doddington Hall and Gardens in Lincolnshire and Lincoln Cathedral with Evensong.

Guided tour of Doddington Hall and Gardens.
Fine 1595 Elizabethan Mansion, unchanged exterior, Georgian interiors, never sold.  Formal and informal gardens including a famous iris collection.

Tour and Evensong at Lincoln Cathedral. 
John Ruskin declared:  "I have always held ... that the cathedral of Lincoln is out and out the most precious piece of architecture in the British Isles and roughly speaking worth any two other cathedrals we have."

THURSDAY, 2ND DECEMBER 2021

GRAYSON PERRY AND LEIKO IKEMURA EXHIBITIONS

THE SAINSBURY CENTRE. - NORWICH

£48.00

Grayson Perry and Leiko Ikemura currently have exhibitions running at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich and we thought our members would enjoy a grand day out visiting both exhibitions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, after a lunch in the Sainsbury Centre Cafe.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS ALL DAY EVENT

This special day out is all inclusive cost-wise and includes entry to both exhibitions, transport to and from the Sainsbury Centre and a Sainsbury Centre Cafe lunch. The event is open to only 30 persons and this group will be split into two, 15 in each group with each group visiting one of the exhibitions in the morning and, after lunch, this will be reversed. So if you would like to join this group of friends, you should book early.

SCHEDULE:

9.00am.     Pick-up by coach from Sedgeford Village hall

9.40am.      Pick-up from Morrisons Store in Fakenham

11.00am.    Drop-off at the Sainsbury Centre,  Norwich

11.30 to 12.45pm  View Exhibition

1.00 to 2.15pm      Lunch

2.15 to 3.30pm      View Exhibition  

3.30pm.   Depart Sainsbury Centre Arrive back in Sedgeford at spproximately 5.30pm         
 

Covid19 - The safety of our members is our first priority and therfore, sadly, we have decided to cancel this visit.  We hope to reschedule for 2021 when hopefully we will be able to travel with more confidence.

We’re off………

Maritime Greenwich & Eltham Palace

2 days departing 14th October

What we will see -

Eltham Palace - guided tour

Greenwich – guided walking tour

The Royal Observatory

National Maritime Museum

Queens House

Features -

All excursion travel & guided tours

Executive coach throughout

Half board accommodation

Entrance fees

Blue badge guide tours on day 2

Cost -

£209.00 per person (2 persons sharing)

£19.00 single supplement

Click here to download full itinerary and application form.

Covid19

Our members safety is our highest priority and we shall follow Government guidelines as far as this outing is concerned.  The gardens are closed as at 29 April and will remain closed until the  Government eases the current restrictions on travel and social distancing.  East Ruston has extended the date by which we need to confirm our booking to the 30th May by which time we hope to have a clearer picture as to whether it is feasible to contiunue with this event.  We will update members as soon as we have further news.

Our next day visit is to the gardens at East Ruston.  If you have been before I am sure you will agree that the gardens are amazing and a revelation on each visit.   

We are offering the full package at a cost of £45 which includes the following:

 8.00am Luxury coach from Sedgeford Village Hall

Admission fee

10.00 am – arrival and coffee

10.30 am – private tour of the gardens with one of the owners Alan Gray

12.30 pm – Lunch

After lunch you will have time to wander round and revisit some of your preferred “garden rooms” or purchase plants and tools from the shop.   We plan to depart at 8.00am from Sedgeford Village Hall, and leave East Ruston at 4.00pm arriving back at 6pm.  

*If you wish to have afternoon tea that would be at your expense.

We hope you will join us on this most pleasant way to spend a summer day.

This visit is likely to be very popular and we have limited availability so early booking is recommended.

The deadline to book this visit is:  30th April 2020.

Click here to download application form.