A group of members & carers enjoyed our holiday to Bournemouth from 12 to 16 September. It was our fourth visit to the Elstead Hotel and once again, it was excellent with very friendly, helpful staff, good food and service.
All the outings went well. We visited Mapperton House & Gardens near Beaminster which is the home of the Earl & Countess of Sandwich – very enjoyable despite occasional heavy showers and delays with road works on the return trip. The weather was glorious for the visit to Bournemouth sea front and the accessible land train was well used. Thanks to the hotel who organized an early evening meal, we managed a trip to the Pavilion Theatre to see “That’ll be the Day” – we were able to stop right outside the theatre to unload and load and we had three wheel chair spaces in the auditorium. The final trip to Swanage was a great success and everyone enjoyed the brief trip on the Steam Railway. The return journey was made via the chain ferry from Studland to Sandbanks.
The Trustees are very grateful this year for financial support from West Sussex County Council. My thanks go to helpers John, Ian, Natalie & Izzie, members of Boscombe & Southdown Rotary & Inner Wheel Clubs who helped on our outings, all the wonderful staff at the Elstead Hotel, Paul – our coach driver and the Holbrook Club for allowing us to use their car park for pick up & drop off.
