The weekend away was arranged by Seaham Harbour u3a and we were joined by members of our sister u3a, Seaham and District. A total of 39 members took part, accompanied by our wonderful driver Steve, whose driving skills would come into play as the weekend progressed.

Our journey by coach took us south first to Oxford, the city steeped in history and renowned for its prestigious universities and captivating architecture. Some folk chose to wander the quaint streets and revel in the ambience that inspired the magical world of Harry Potter and was home to Inspector Morse. Some visited universities where grandchildren had studied. Some elected to visit the exquisite Ashmolean Museum, an experience not to be missed. By chance some members even spied the Emperor and Empress of Japan coming out of the Bodleian Library. (Perhaps he was returning some books he had borrowed whilst studying at Merton College in 1983! The Empress studied at Balliol College). Continuing our journey south we arrived at the Hilton Hotel, Reading, for our two nights stay. Some of our more energetic souls went swimming before dinner, others took liquid refreshments.

Saturday dawned, a beautiful sunny, but not too hot day. We travelled to Hever Castle, experiencing some very heavy traffic, and Steve showed us how he could turn the coach on a ‘sixpence’ as someone had most inappropriately placed their advertising banner of a church fete across the road sign to Hever.

Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, their daughter becoming Queen Elizabeth I. The castle is a moated 13th Century castle, filled with 16th Century furniture and tapestries. Over the centuries the castle fell into disrepair. In 1903 it was acquired and restored by the American millionaire, William Waldorf Astor. His Italian garden is breath taking and displays his collection of statuary. Over 1000 men worked on the garden design and around 800 men took two years to hand dig the 38 acre lake. In 1983 the Astor family sold the castle to the Guthrie family.

Sunday saw us heading north from the hotel to Bletchley Park, home to the codebreakers of World War II, and one of the best kept secrets of the war. We were to learn how the achievements of the codebreakers helped shorten the war by two years. The organisation started in 1939 with one hundred and fifty staff but its numbers grew rapidly until nearly ten thousand people worked in the Bletchley Park organisation. A small group of Americans were also involved. Famous codebreakers, included Alan Turing, Gordon Welchman and Bill Tutte. Dilly Knox and Nigel Gray had started their code- breaking careers during the Great War of 1914-1918.

The team worked tirelessly trying to break the German coded messages. They famously devised machinery to help with decryption, which speeded up the process considerably. “Colossus”, was the world’s first electronic computer. Their work in breaking the coded messages sent through the German “Enigma” machine, saved a great many lives.

A fascinating end to an enjoyable weekend.

Gordon A

From Paxton House we journeyed on to Stirling, to the King Robert Hotel, right next to the exhibition hall for the Battle of Bannockburn, 1314, when Robert the Bruce, King of Scots defeated the English King, Edward ll. A landmark moment in Scottish history. A short rest and then a wholesome dinner and drinks.

Saturday arrived with full sun. The clear air allowed us a great view of the battle site which allowed the Scots a tremendous advantage over the English army. They could see the English army miles into the distance.

Today saw a coach ride to Loch Lomond, via an outlet centre, market and folk dressed up for Comic Character Day, a charity event for a local hospital.

A stop at an hotel for freshly baked scones, cake, and coffee, followed by some with a walk to the loch side with its peaceful surroundings and mountains.

After our onward journey we stopped for refreshments before driving through beautiful Callander, and back to the hotel for dinner.

Sunday’s early rain soon developed into a very hot day. The jewel in our weekend was the visit to Dumfries House near Cumnock in East Ayrshire. This 18th Century house and 2500 acres of land were rescued by the Prince’s Regeneration Trust Foundation. The house is noted for its original 18th Century carpets and furniture, including specially commissioned Thomas Chippendale pieces.

In 2003 the House first came to the attention of the then Prince Charles. But in 2007 the house and contents were to be broken up and sold. Charles began the process of saving this for the nation. A £45 million deal secured the House and its large collection of Chippendale furniture.

The vision was to restore the House to its former glory, The restoration of the House required specialist knowledge and many local people became apprentices and developed valuable skills. The proof is in the seeing.

The restoration is magnificent and truly fit, not only for a King, but the nation’s people. The gardens and grounds are just as magnificent.

All too soon our weekend came to an end and homeward bound we set off, tired but delighted with our experiences.

N.B. You might be interested in watching the BBC programme “The Repair Shop” which was broadcast on 26th October 2022.  “Charles and Dumfries House”.

Gordon A