Activities

The outings that our Social Secretary organises are very popular with many of our members. In the past, we have visited: The Deep (aquarium) in Hull, Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, Rutland Water, Raby Castle in Durham, Sledmere House and Bridlington, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland and Eden Camp near Malton
We have been to a Chocolate House, cruised on the River Tyne and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, looked around some local markets and enjoyed a Christmas visit to Chatsworth House..
Our Social Secretary also organises an annual five-day holiday and every year members of the Harrogate Branch set off by coach to explore parts of the country a little further afield. There are many highlights of these holidays, but here are just a few:

As a Retirement Fellowship, the well- being of our members is one of our prime concerns. The Branch has a Welfare Officer whose role is to maintain contact with members who are ill or indisposed. As

well as sending cards she visits them at home or in hospital taking small gifts of flowers or fruit.
We also encourage car-sharing to enable some members to attend meetings and social events.

Imagine a tour of Chichester Cathedral with a helpful guide, the beautiful walled rose garden at Montesfont Abbey in the south of England, the Beth Chatto gardens in the east, or a recent visit to Bodnant Gardens in Wales.
Imagine, too, a visit to Rye or to picturesque “Constable Country” with the scenery of “The Haywain” so beautifully preserved.
We have had the opportunity to visit English villages such as Lavenham in the east, Alfreston in the south and those in the New Forest. On the Isle of Wight, a slightly nerve-wracking journey over the edge of the cliff in a mountain chair followed by sail in a boat to see The Needles.
All these and more have featured in our holidays which have taken us to Scotland, Wales and to the resorts of Tenby, Llandudno and Paignton.

“During a period of ill-health, I was grateful to receive a cheering ‘Get Well’ card from the Fellowship via the Welfare Officer.”

Harrogate. As well as being a good way to keep fit and healthy, we also enjoy the like-minded companionship. Members who have cars give lifts to those who do not, which enables us to be independent of public transport.
Each January we have a planning meeting at which the year’s potential walks are discussed and a planned programme is agreed. Our 2009 programme will be posted on the “Programmes” page early in the New Year.

When one of our members dies, we send a donation to the charity nominated by the family of the deceased.
In addition, each year we make a donation to a charity. Past recipients have included: the Harrogate Homeless Project. the Yorkshire Air Ambulance , the Open Arms Project, Malawi and Guide Dogs for the Blind.