Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Cally Speaks to Cricket Society

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:02:44 GMT

The thriving Leicestershire Cricket Society welcomed Cally Barlow as speaker recently.

Cally is the widow of Eddie Barlow, the outstanding South African all rounder who transformed cricket in Derbyshire. She told us some interesting and at times jolly stories about Eddie.

The society meets at Grace Road, the county headquarters at Aylestone in Leicester, through the Winter months when those of us who love cricket are deprived of actually watching the game.

Superb Familiarisation Trip Around Essex

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:02:21 GMT

I spent a wonderful day recently on one of the familiarisation trips arranged by Carol Jolly of Visit Essex for group travel organisers and coach operators.

Essex is my home county, and I know it well, but Carol keeps pulling out of the hat places where I have not previously been.

On this occasion, the group met at Braintree Freeport (not difficult, as it has its own railway station), and made our way into Braintree itself, to visit the Warner Textile Archive Gallery, and be treated to coffee and biscuits. This excellent collection I have actually visited previously.

Then it was down to Stow Maries, to visit the First World War airfield, the only surviving example in the world. Coffee, biscuits and cake here.

Then it was on to South Hanningfield, where we had lunch at a restaurant overlooking Hanningfield Reservoir.

After lunch, we had a longish ride via the outskirts of Colchester to Elmstead Market, where we visited the glorious Beth Chatto Gardens. Coffee and cake here.

Then it was on to Marks Tey, where we visited The Food Company, an excellent retail food shop / restaurant, and were treated to coffee and a dessert.

And to round off the day, Osea Island, reached only by a mile long causeway at certain states of the tide, in the Blackwater estuary. This is being developed as an exclusive resort. We were given coffee and biscuits here.

That`s all we did! An absolutely superb day!

Group Leisure Travel Trade Show

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:09:43 GMT

I attended one of the important annual travel trade shows recently.

This time it was the "Group Leisure Travel Trade Show, held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham.

Organised by "Group Travel" magazine, it gives a chance to chat with people representing towns, hotels, visitor attractions, coach companies, steam railways etc.

And I always get the chance to talk to friends old and new.

Oadby Carers Enjoy Talk on Old Leicester

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:35:50 GMT

I gave a talk to Oadby Carers recently on Old Leicester.

The talk was at the Barnabas Centre at Oadby, and the group are all people who care for loved ones.

I spoke about Leicester`s long history, that stretches back two thousand years to the Roman occupation, through the days when it was under Danish control and one of the Five Boroughs of the Danelaw, through its importance in the mediaeval period, to today when it is one of the Top Ten populous cities in England, with a multi-ethnic, multi-faith population.

I talked about some of the city`s surviving ancient buildings, including the Jewry Wall (the wall of the Roman baths complex) and the five mediaeval churches in the Old Town.

I would be happy to give this talk (or any other) to your own group. Do feel free to get in touch.

Brownies Shown Northampton

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:41:14 GMT

I led a private Guided Walk recently around Northampton.

I had been asked to do this by the Allington Avenue Brownies in the town.

Meeting in Becket Park (a good place for them to run around and let off steam first!), I took the girls up into the Market Place and showed them some of Northampton`s interesting and historic buildings.

If you would like me to take your group on a stroll around Northampton, or any other town in the East Midlands, feel free to get in touch.

A Private Ghost Walk

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:33:47 GMT

I recently led a private Ghost Walk for a group in Leicester.

The group was "Common Purpose", an interfaith organisation, and they asked me to lead the walk as part of a course that they were running.

So they had their own version of "Haunted Leicester", by far the most popular of all the Guided Walks that I lead in my capacity as a Blue Badge Guide.

We started and finished at St. Martins House, beside Leicester Cathedral.

I am very happy to lead this, or any other of my Guided Walks, for your own group. Do get in touch.

Guided Walk Around Lovely Uppingham

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:00 GMT

I recently led a private Guided Walk around the exquisite little market town of Uppingham in Rutland.

The walk was for members of the Rutland Decorative and Fine Arts Society.

I gave the group an overview of this charming little town, as well as looking at some details of the fascinating St. Peter and St. Paul Church, including its rare demi-figures.

I am happy to lead your own group on a Guided Walk around Uppingham, or indeed any of the other towns in Leicestershire and Rutland. Feel free to get in touch.

National Space Centre Staff Go A Haunting

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:23:16 GMT

I led a private Ghost Walk recently for staff at the National Space Centre in Leicester.

It was their own version of the very popular "Haunted Leicester" walk, during which we brave the lonely streets of Leicester`s half forgotten Old Town, where many ghosts are said to lurk.

Leicester is one of the oldest towns in the country, with a two thousand year history, while the iconic National Space Centre is one of Britain`s major Millennium projects, opened in 2001.

I am very happy to arrange a Guided Walk (including Ghost Walks, of course) for your own group. Feel free to get in touch.

A Private Haunted Leicester Walk

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 11:34:58 GMT

I led another private Ghost Walk for a group recently.

This time, it was for a young lady in Leicester named Carla Brandt, who arranged it with me for her family and friends.

The walk was the very popular "Haunted Leicester", in which we brave the lonely streets of Leicester`s half forgotten Old Town, where many ghosts are said to lurk.

I am very happy to lead such a walk for your own group. Feel free to get in touch.

Greenbelt Festival

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:01:36 GMT

During 2011, I went to the Greenbelt Festival for the third year running, with my wife Anne and several friends.

Greenbelt, a Christian festival, is held at Cheltenham Racecourse. We are there for the whole festival, leaving home early on the Friday morning and getting back home late on Monday night.

Until my first visit to Greenbelt, I had never spent a night in a tent, but am a bit of an old hand at it now. I had been a little worried about slugs and caterpillars and similar people strolling about on me, but this actually doesn`t happen!

For me, one of the main attractions is th music. This time, I enjoyed performances by, among others, Liam Blake; Billy Bragg; Luke Jackson; Kate Rusby; Show of Hands; Duke Special; and Mavis Staples.

Tickets are booked already for 2012!