Spring 2000  

Our first for the Year 2000 and the Society sends its kindest regards to Our President, His Grace the 8th Duke of Wellington, our Patrons, Life Members, Honorary Members, and our new Members who joined the ranks in 1999. Last year saw our photographic department process hundreds upon hundreds of snapshots of smiling new members as they posed by castle, church or statue. Many more photos were taken inside taverns, restaurants and wine cellars! For all of you out there who had the honour of having photos taken while on our walks and excursions PLEASE email our Chairman for your FREE colour photographs. Give VERY clear details about yourselves as we have to sift through piles upon piles of photographs!!

ENGLAND & SCOTLAND EXPLORED

From the 5th to the 17th December our Chairman led a gallant group of members throughout the two countries. Monday the 6th was the start of the campaign and where better to begin than a private guided tour around the HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT in London. We were privileged indeed to have Colin Burgon Member of Parliament in Prime Minister Tony Blair's labour Party to take us on a magnificent tour of both Houses of Lords and Commons. Lunch was reserved for the party in the select Winston Churchill Rooms in the Houses of Parliament. A truly splendid event and Colin accepted our Life Membership offer and awaits another visit from the Wellington Society. The MEDIEVAL WALLS OF FAIR YORK greeted us the next day. We went back in time when we visited the JORVIK CENTER and the wonderful town from the 8th century excavated and rebuilt in the 1980's. Ten years ago the Society presented military artifacts to the 14/15 regiment of Foot, the Yorkshire Regiment's museum in downtown York. The curator welcomed us and the Chairman checked to make sure the cannonballs and musket shot were still on display! A short ride outside the city are the two famous battlefields of TOWTON (Wars of the Roses, 1461) and MARSTON MOOR (Cromwell's Parliament Army against those of King Charles l, 1644). A delightful sunny morning proved ideal for our healthy walks over both these historical sites (Real Ale was served up in a couple of Public Houses dating back centuries and simply oozing in history). Stopping off for the evenings at 18th century coaching inns, we slowly made our way to the Scottish border and to EDINBURGH. Our Webpage commander, Fellow Founding Member and good friend, Ian, greeted us and after resting up we were ready for his very own WALKING TOUR of this Scotland's capital. Two days of strolling, shopping, eating & drinking and exploring the nooks and crannies of Edinburgh with Ian we reluctantly took our leave and headed off for the HIGHLANDS of SCOTLAND and the cosy farm which was to be our home for some days. Redmyre Farm is nestled between rolling hills, clear running streams with eagles flying overhead or grouse scurrying through hedges and woods. Our Chairman could not identify a single bird nor name any of the trees the entire time we were amongest Nature...shame on him! With much pleading our Chairman did finally manage to get the group in the cars on the third day of the stress free stay at Redmyre Farm (home for the healthy) More centuries old Coaching Inns to sleep in and more short stops in quaint villages through England and we finally arrived at the ancient city of NORWICH in the county of Norfolk. Visits to the Cathedral and the very oldest quarters of Norwich were conducted not by our Chairman but by his eldest daughter, Sarah - student at Norwich University - and judging by her knowledge and wit she really does take after her father! Back safely in LONDON we had Our farewell dinner at the famous Steak House of Simpson's-in-the-Strand, ...where else?

The Society will be running a series of excursions/campaigns similar to the one above this year. Members wishing to have details please contact our Chairman via email. email:Chairman@Wellsoc.org