Solihull

EVENTS

2022
WE ARE BACK!

APRIL 20th
We went on on a really good guided tour of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Our guide was Chris, one of the 7 full-time gardeners at the gardens, who was extremely knowledgeable and an excellent speaker, It was a lovely day out!

MAY
Our 2 night trip to Chester and Liverpool is on 9th May. It now includes 2 blue badge guides to take us around Chester as well as a guided tour of Port Sunlight (admissions included). PLUS an optional Beatles experience tour and Mersey Cruise at a supplement.

November 2022
We have an overnight trip to Thursford and Norwich SOLD OUT!

OUTINGS
We are looking at booking
REP tour
National Memorial Arboretum Tour
Amazon Tour

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Our guided tour of ASTON visit was amazing! We learned so much on the walk and then a lovely lunch in the pub!

13th - 14th July 2019
'Taking Mystery out of History' Group, together with 'The Garden Group' arranged 2 day visit to Castle Ashby Gardens and Althorpe House in Northamptonshire, staying at Sedgebrook Hall for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.Well, If I say so myself and I organised it! IT WAS FAB-U-LOUS!!! We had a great time, the gardens were awesome, The hotel was superb (with unexpected entertainment supplied by Dunwood) and Althorpe was magnificent and all for £140 all in - what a bargain!

8th February 2019
Our new Garden Group arranged a coach trip to Painswick Rococo Gardens near Stroud to see the amazing carpet of Snowdrops. We expected to be bedazzled, but we ended up bedraggled! Storm ERIK chose today to arrive! HOWEVER, we did see the fantastic snowdrops at Painswick, then we went to The Museum in the Park at Stroud which was a real bonus, not planned, just a last minute inspired visit to get out of the rain! It is a really lovely museum. Then we went to The Cotswold Foodstore and Farm Shop at Moreton in Marsh for a cream tea. It was wonderful and brought the smiles back to all our faces! Great day out!

6th September 2018
The Taking Mystery out of History Group, arranged a coach trip to the Minster, the Archbishop's Palace and the Workhouse at Southwell. We left with a full 53 seat coach and had a guided tour of the Archbishop's Palace, followed by a guided tour of Southwell Minster. After a short lunch break, we drove the short distance to the Workhouse. (National Trust) Finally arriving back in Solihull at 6:30 (happily with a full 53 seat coach!) See pictures on Taking Mystery out of History group page

26th APRIL 2018
SEE Taking Mystery out of History group page
for details of our outing to SS Great Britain and Gloucester Docks.

20th July 2017
The Theatre Group arranged a visit to the fabulous 'RED SHOES' Ballet at the Birmingham Hippodrome. It was a production by Matthew Bourne and was not just a wonderful ballet, but had comedy, theatre, music hall and tragedy. A truly wonderful event which we all enjoyed.

The 50+ SHOW WAS AT THE NEC ON 17TH AND 18TH FEBRUARY 2017
Our members manned the Third Age Trust Stand on Saturday, together with members from Castle Bromwich U3A.

On 21st April 2017
Some members joined members of Solihull Central U3A on a visit to the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford to see the Degas to Picasso Exhibition.

On April 28th 2017
Alistair arranged a visit to 'The Coffin Works' (See Taking Mystery out of History Group Page'

VISIT TO CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW IN MAY 2017
This was a visit being arranged by Solihull South U3A and some of our members went with them.

On May 24th 2017, 'Taking mystery out of history' and The Theatre Group arranged a combined visit to take over the Electric Cinema, Birmingham for the morning.
It is the oldest working cinema in the country, showing its first silent movie in 1909 BN (before Nora!).
The visit began with a welcome drink, a very well presented and informative talk on the history of the cinema, then a guided tour behind the scenes and finally we had a showing of a film of our choice.
All this for the unbelievably cheap price of £9.50!

On 5th July 2017, Taking Mystery out of History, has arranged a visit to Hill Close Gardens in Warwick. A unique set of Victorian Gardens.

On 20th July 2017 The Theatre Group has arranged tickets to see THE RED SHOES ballet at the Birmingham Hippodrome

2016

'Taking Mystery out of History,' arranged a trip to Upton House, Warwickshire.
Ten members went in our own cars to avoid the cost of coach hire and as we are all National Trust members we all got in free!!! We had pre-arranged timed tickets for the first tour of the house decorated for a wartime Christmas, Then we had lunch and visited the Christmas Craft market. The Sun shone and we all had a wonderful day.

19th December, The Theatre Group arranged a visit to a Christmas Wassail at the Crescent Theatre. - See Theatre Group Page

Nora was 100 years young in July and we celebrated with a party in her honour. Nora is a very active participant in several of our groups and is always in the front row at our Monday Core Meetings

On 21st July 2016, 'Taking mystery out of history'# arranged a guided tour of Chedham's Yard, Wellesbourne, the 2006 winner of the TV Restoration program.
It is a living time capsule of rural life in bygone days, demonstrating the skill of the Wheelwright as well as having a working Blacksmith Shop. Followed by a meal at the The Stag’s Head which is a Grade II listed building adorned atop by its traditional thatched roof and retaining many original features including its visible classic timber frame and flagstone floors. Although dating back to 1640, the pub was founded in 1830 and was the original meeting place for Joseph Arch, where he founded the Farm Labourer's Union. Everyone enjoyed the tour and we had a great day out