Visit to Christmas Fayre at Wynyard Hall and afternoon tea at Acklam Hall    Friday 16^th November 2018

Gordon may well have been on a cruise ship between Lisbon and Valencia but his organisational excellence and expertise were fully evident in all elements of this trip.  I was charged with the management of the day but I was merely the supply teacher hoping that the class would behave wonderfully well in his absence and they didn’t let me down.

On arrival at Wynyard we were delighted to see that mini buses were available to ferry our members to the main hall, a nice touch.  The hall, marquee and tepee were awash with Christmas delights, a plethora of gifts, charms and decorations.  As more and more visitors arrived the Fayre became rather crowded, coffee and cake in the main restaurant in the hall was superb and provided an oasis of calm.  When Sir John Hall, the owner of Wynyard, ambled into the restaurant, I couldn’t resist a five minute chat with him about the wonderful times we shared at Newcastle United when he was in charge.

Then it was off to Acklam Hall with a history lesson on the way.  The staff at Acklam were excellent, welcoming us warmly despite the fact that we were a shade early.  Afternoon tea was equally good, the food was plentiful, varied and rich.  The staff provided doggy bags for many of our members who had enough for a late supper and even next morning’s breakfast. Well done Gordon, a splendid day, more of the same please!

Alan S.