Outings and Trips
For 2024
Visits and outings for 2024 are still to be arranged
PAST OUTINGS
2019
Portsmouth Historic Naval Dockyard
Sixteen members in a 49 seater Damory coach headed, not without incident, for Portsmouth. The naval base is huge and it quickly became clear one could not do everything in the time we had available. Some went to the Mary Rose and others to HMS Victory and HMS Warrior or to the boat sheds and rope making. There was much to squeeze in between the exhibits and lunch. The dockyard is the oldest in the Royal Navy, and it has been an important part of the navy's history and the defence of the British Isles for centuries. At one time it was the largest industrial site in the world being home to one of the oldest dry docks globally. In 1985 a partnership between the MOD and Portsmouth City Council created the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to manage part of the historic south-west corner of the Naval Base. This was an excellent day out and our tickets allow us to return during the year for free which seemed excellent value.
Breamore House and Museum
In early June a seventeen members made their way to Breamore House just north of Fordingbridge after a stop off for coffee near. Wimborne. The House, which remains in private hands but is open to visitors in the summer, is an Elizabethan Manor noted for its fine collection of paintings and furniture. Many members enjoyed the house and extensive gardens and a few made it to the museum. It was a worthwhile day out with more to see than time allowed and culminated in an excellent lunch in a nearby pub.
Fleet Airarm Museum Yeoviton
2018
April 25 visit to Sherborne Castle
There was a good turnout for the visit to Sherborne castle where we were provided with an excellent tour. Roger Bishop of Salisbury built a castle to the east of the Town in the 12th century to administer the western part of his large diocese. In early Tudor times the Bishops built a small Hunting Lodge in the deer park attached to the Old Castle from which to observe the chase. When Sir Walter Raleigh acquired the Old Castle in 1592, at first he tried to modernise it, but finally built a new house in 1594 in the deer park.
It was this house on the site of the Hunting Lodge that we toured. It was explained that the original Raleigh house was rectangular and four storeys high. In 1600 he added hexagonal turrets to the four corners of his house, topped with heraldic beasts. The house was rendered from the outset, in the fashion of the day. In 1617 the diplomat Sir John Digby acquired Sherborne Castle and added four wings to Raleigh’s building, giving the house its present H-shape. In the eighteenth century later generations of the Digby family modernised the Tudor house bringing in Capability Brown to landscape the grounds.
June 6th visit to Bicton Gardens near Budleigh in Devon
A large group of members and their partners took the coach to Bicton Gardens. The magnificent grade 1 listed gardens are set in Devon's picturesque Otter Valley near to the city of Exeter. The gardens span nearly 300 years of horticultural history and the superbly landscaped park combines 18th century tranquillity alongside historic glasshouses, a countryside museum, the Bicton Woodland Railway train ride, nature trail and a maze. No one was lost(!) and the visit was completed with lunch in what was possibly the orangery.
2019
Portsmouth Historic Naval Dockyard
Sixteen members in a 49 seater Damory coach headed, not without incident, for Portsmouth. The naval base is huge and it quickly became clear one could not do everything in the time we had available. Some went to the Mary Rose and others to HMS Victory and HMS Warrior or to the boat sheds and rope making. There was much to squeeze in between the exhibits and lunch. The dockyard is the oldest in the Royal Navy, and it has been an important part of the navy's history and the defence of the British Isles for centuries. At one time it was the largest industrial site in the world being home to one of the oldest dry docks globally. In 1985 a partnership between the MOD and Portsmouth City Council created the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to manage part of the historic south-west corner of the Naval Base. This was an excellent day out and our tickets allow us to return during the year for free which seemed excellent value.
Breamore House and Museum
In early June a seventeen members made their way to Breamore House just north of Fordingbridge after a stop off for coffee near. Wimborne. The House, which remains in private hands but is open to visitors in the summer, is an Elizabethan Manor noted for its fine collection of paintings and furniture. Many members enjoyed the house and extensive gardens and a few made it to the museum. It was a worthwhile day out with more to see than time allowed and culminated in an excellent lunch in a nearby pub.
Fleet Airarm Museum Yeoviton
2018
April 25 visit to Sherborne Castle
There was a good turnout for the visit to Sherborne castle where we were provided with an excellent tour. Roger Bishop of Salisbury built a castle to the east of the Town in the 12th century to administer the western part of his large diocese. In early Tudor times the Bishops built a small Hunting Lodge in the deer park attached to the Old Castle from which to observe the chase. When Sir Walter Raleigh acquired the Old Castle in 1592, at first he tried to modernise it, but finally built a new house in 1594 in the deer park.
It was this house on the site of the Hunting Lodge that we toured. It was explained that the original Raleigh house was rectangular and four storeys high. In 1600 he added hexagonal turrets to the four corners of his house, topped with heraldic beasts. The house was rendered from the outset, in the fashion of the day. In 1617 the diplomat Sir John Digby acquired Sherborne Castle and added four wings to Raleigh’s building, giving the house its present H-shape. In the eighteenth century later generations of the Digby family modernised the Tudor house bringing in Capability Brown to landscape the grounds.
June 6th visit to Bicton Gardens near Budleigh in Devon
A large group of members and their partners took the coach to Bicton Gardens. The magnificent grade 1 listed gardens are set in Devon's picturesque Otter Valley near to the city of Exeter. The gardens span nearly 300 years of horticultural history and the superbly landscaped park combines 18th century tranquillity alongside historic glasshouses, a countryside museum, the Bicton Woodland Railway train ride, nature trail and a maze. No one was lost(!) and the visit was completed with lunch in what was possibly the orangery.
2017
May 2017 to Exbury Gardens
It takes just over an hour and a half to drive from Weymouth to Exbury Gardens but it is well worth it. The gardens lie on the east bank of the Beaulieu River. about two miles from Bucklers Hard. Within the many acres are a miniature railway, a wonderland of finely landscaped azalea areas, plant sales, and well stocked coffee and restaurant rooms.
You can walk from the entrance to the river, through a wide variety of azaleas and other shrubs, glades, rocky nooks and open areas ... a distance of about 1 kilometre. Or you can take a ride in one of the buggies which covers much the same routes. And if you have ever read "Requiem for a Wren" by Nevil Shute ... you'll remember some of it set exactly here.
A lovely day out at the home of one of the Rothschilds.
May 2017 to Exbury Gardens
It takes just over an hour and a half to drive from Weymouth to Exbury Gardens but it is well worth it. The gardens lie on the east bank of the Beaulieu River. about two miles from Bucklers Hard. Within the many acres are a miniature railway, a wonderland of finely landscaped azalea areas, plant sales, and well stocked coffee and restaurant rooms.
You can walk from the entrance to the river, through a wide variety of azaleas and other shrubs, glades, rocky nooks and open areas ... a distance of about 1 kilometre. Or you can take a ride in one of the buggies which covers much the same routes. And if you have ever read "Requiem for a Wren" by Nevil Shute ... you'll remember some of it set exactly here.
A lovely day out at the home of one of the Rothschilds.
April 2017 to Forde Abbey
About twenty of us wended our way through deepest Dorset to near the Somerset border at Forde Abbey. After coffee in the undercroft we had a guided tour of the house, followed by lunch again in the vaulted-ceiling undercroft.
For many of us, though, it was the gardens that stole the day, with a great variety of spring flowers shrubs and trees. Well worth the effort of finding.
About twenty of us wended our way through deepest Dorset to near the Somerset border at Forde Abbey. After coffee in the undercroft we had a guided tour of the house, followed by lunch again in the vaulted-ceiling undercroft.
For many of us, though, it was the gardens that stole the day, with a great variety of spring flowers shrubs and trees. Well worth the effort of finding.
Blandford .. Badger Brewery visit and lunch ... this took place in February. 2017
November 2016 Blandford Signals Museum
Trip to the Royal Signals Museum near Blandford..
Take photo ID, clear security, enjoy a cup of tea at the NAAFI, and be dazzled by the array of items in the collection.
Followed by a fine lunch in the White Hart at Stourpaine.
Trip to the Royal Signals Museum near Blandford..
Take photo ID, clear security, enjoy a cup of tea at the NAAFI, and be dazzled by the array of items in the collection.
Followed by a fine lunch in the White Hart at Stourpaine.
September 2016 Haynes Motor Museum
One hour north from Weymouth is Sparkford, home to the Haynes International Motor Museum.
A group of about 16 of us met there for coffee, before enjoying a guided tour of the vast collection
of cars. Some exhibits were old, really old, 1901, and some were more modern at 1996,
but there was something for everybody. Quite a few of us remarked seeing the car they learnt to drive in.
This was followed by a pleasant lunch in the Napier Suite, before we dispersed at about 2:30pm.
One hour north from Weymouth is Sparkford, home to the Haynes International Motor Museum.
A group of about 16 of us met there for coffee, before enjoying a guided tour of the vast collection
of cars. Some exhibits were old, really old, 1901, and some were more modern at 1996,
but there was something for everybody. Quite a few of us remarked seeing the car they learnt to drive in.
This was followed by a pleasant lunch in the Napier Suite, before we dispersed at about 2:30pm.
July 2016
After a delightful morning coffee at Holme for Gardens at West Holme, we moved on to Durlston Country Park, for lunch and a stroll about, The weather was splendid, with views over to the Isle of Wight. Fine day. left .. some exploring the wild life meadow right ... searching for a pyramid orchid photos by kind oermission of J Benn |
A group of Budmouth Probus members spent a week in early September 2015, discovering some of the lesser-known sites in Provence.
Based in the pleasant town of Aix, we followed the footsteps of painters like Cezanne and van Gogh, to places like Mt Ste Victoire, Arles with its Roman theatre, Avignon with its Papal Palace and famous bridge (see on the right old and new Avignon with jet skis ), and the Camargue with its flamingoes, wild bulls and white horses. We were lucky to catch a world-wide collection of Canaletto paintings being staged in Aix. And a visit to Rognes and the old Roman bridge there ( see bottom two on the right ) After visiting various hill-top villages such as Rousillon with its red cliffs, La Ciotat with the world's first cinema, and the vibrant market of Lourmarin on Mt Louberon, we ended with a boat trip from Cassis ( see below ), to explore the famous "Calanques" (rocky inlets). |
text by Graham G and photos by Keith W ... thanks
|
Riverside Cottage, Axminster March 2015
A visit to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's farm and restaurant ... apart from the traffic to get there, very nice.
September 2014
Langham Wines Vineyard, Melcombe Bingham
A visit to this vineyard in the Dorset countryside
just off the road to Blandford Forum, was well attended.
After a talk in the vineyard, a tasting took place in the Barn
and many purchases were made.
July 2014
Portland Coastwatch
This facility, close to Portland Bill, is run exclusively by volunteers who man the lookout positions 12 hours each day in summer, and during daylight hours in winter, with the sole exception of Christmas Day. 19 members/guests were shown an explanatory film following which we were able to visit the lookout area from which reports of sailors and swimmers in difficulty are sent to the coastguard. None of us had ever seen such a large pair of binoculars (donated in memory of a young fisherman, who tragically lost his life at sea).
June 2014
Compton Abbas Airfield
Originally opened in 1976, the Airfield, with its grass landing strip, lies on a North Dorset hilltop a few miles south of Shaftesbury.
David Morgan, a veteran pilot of the Falklands campaign, gave us a fascinating talk on the history of the airfield and on his Falklands exploits, followed by a short demonstration in his Tiger Moth aircraft. This gave the 24 members/guests a good appetite for lunch in the restaurant.
APRIL 2014
Probus Afloat
A short cruise from the 17th April until the 24th April 2014 aboard the P & O Aurora for 18 travellers was organised by Budmouth Probus with invitations issued to the Weymouth Ladies’ Probus.
The ports of call starting from Southampton were St Peter Port (Guernsey); La Rochelle (France) ; Bilbao (Spain); El Ferrol (Spain) returning to Assumption. All the ports had something of interest with the museum of modern art in Bilbao provoking the most bewildered comment.
The holiday was judged to be a great success. Good food and wine in abundance together with all the entertainment that a big cruise liner has available. Lots of pleasurable chatter indicating happiness and contentment.
The cruise exemplified the aims of the Probus clubs in promoting the opportunity for friendship and fellowship amongst its retired business and professional members.
POSH PROBUS
Special celebration on the penultimate night of the voyage.
2013
June
Verne, Portland.
Led by Stuart Boichot, 20 members and guests were shown around The Verne Prison, Portland, and afterwards enjoyed a very nice lunch at The Jailhouse Cafe.
May 2013
Deans Court, Wimborne
Originally home of The Abbess of Wimborne, the house in the shadow of the Minster dates from the Eighth Century and became the Deanery in the Eleventh Century. At the Dissolution of the Chantries in 1548, the Manor was granted to John Hanham, MP for Poole, whose descendants have lived there ever since.
Current owner William Hanham gave 15 members/guests a most interesting tour and with his wife served lunch in the magnificent surroundings of the drawing room.
April 2013
Andalusia
A total of 24 members and their partners flew to Malaga in April, for a 6-day tour of Andalusia, taking in many of the well-known sites and monuments of the area, including the famous bull ring in Ronda, the Cathedral and Alcazar in Seville (plus Carmen’s cigarette factory),the great Mesqita in Cordoba, and the Alhambra in Granada. We also visited the hill-top village of Mijas with its views of the Costa de Luz, and took a boat trip on the river Guadalquivir. An unexpected bonus was the Seville Fair, which allowed us to watch the mounted Caballeros in their finery, and the Senoritas in their colourful flamenco dresses, while we enjoyed a copa of complimentary sherry. The trip ended with a memorable dinner at the Mirador of the last Moorish Queen of Granada, looking across the valley to the floodlit Fortaleza and Alhambra.
The slide show below ( courtesy of Graham ) shows some of the sights.
Langham Wines Vineyard, Melcombe Bingham
A visit to this vineyard in the Dorset countryside
just off the road to Blandford Forum, was well attended.
After a talk in the vineyard, a tasting took place in the Barn
and many purchases were made.
July 2014
Portland Coastwatch
This facility, close to Portland Bill, is run exclusively by volunteers who man the lookout positions 12 hours each day in summer, and during daylight hours in winter, with the sole exception of Christmas Day. 19 members/guests were shown an explanatory film following which we were able to visit the lookout area from which reports of sailors and swimmers in difficulty are sent to the coastguard. None of us had ever seen such a large pair of binoculars (donated in memory of a young fisherman, who tragically lost his life at sea).
June 2014
Compton Abbas Airfield
Originally opened in 1976, the Airfield, with its grass landing strip, lies on a North Dorset hilltop a few miles south of Shaftesbury.
David Morgan, a veteran pilot of the Falklands campaign, gave us a fascinating talk on the history of the airfield and on his Falklands exploits, followed by a short demonstration in his Tiger Moth aircraft. This gave the 24 members/guests a good appetite for lunch in the restaurant.
APRIL 2014
Probus Afloat
A short cruise from the 17th April until the 24th April 2014 aboard the P & O Aurora for 18 travellers was organised by Budmouth Probus with invitations issued to the Weymouth Ladies’ Probus.
The ports of call starting from Southampton were St Peter Port (Guernsey); La Rochelle (France) ; Bilbao (Spain); El Ferrol (Spain) returning to Assumption. All the ports had something of interest with the museum of modern art in Bilbao provoking the most bewildered comment.
The holiday was judged to be a great success. Good food and wine in abundance together with all the entertainment that a big cruise liner has available. Lots of pleasurable chatter indicating happiness and contentment.
The cruise exemplified the aims of the Probus clubs in promoting the opportunity for friendship and fellowship amongst its retired business and professional members.
POSH PROBUS
Special celebration on the penultimate night of the voyage.
2013
June
Verne, Portland.
Led by Stuart Boichot, 20 members and guests were shown around The Verne Prison, Portland, and afterwards enjoyed a very nice lunch at The Jailhouse Cafe.
May 2013
Deans Court, Wimborne
Originally home of The Abbess of Wimborne, the house in the shadow of the Minster dates from the Eighth Century and became the Deanery in the Eleventh Century. At the Dissolution of the Chantries in 1548, the Manor was granted to John Hanham, MP for Poole, whose descendants have lived there ever since.
Current owner William Hanham gave 15 members/guests a most interesting tour and with his wife served lunch in the magnificent surroundings of the drawing room.
April 2013
Andalusia
A total of 24 members and their partners flew to Malaga in April, for a 6-day tour of Andalusia, taking in many of the well-known sites and monuments of the area, including the famous bull ring in Ronda, the Cathedral and Alcazar in Seville (plus Carmen’s cigarette factory),the great Mesqita in Cordoba, and the Alhambra in Granada. We also visited the hill-top village of Mijas with its views of the Costa de Luz, and took a boat trip on the river Guadalquivir. An unexpected bonus was the Seville Fair, which allowed us to watch the mounted Caballeros in their finery, and the Senoritas in their colourful flamenco dresses, while we enjoyed a copa of complimentary sherry. The trip ended with a memorable dinner at the Mirador of the last Moorish Queen of Granada, looking across the valley to the floodlit Fortaleza and Alhambra.
The slide show below ( courtesy of Graham ) shows some of the sights.
2012
November
Palmer's Brewery.
We visited Palmer's Brewery at Bridport followed by lunch at the Crown Inn, Puncknowle.
August
Manor House, Sandford Orcas.
We enjoyed lunch at the Mitre Inn, followed by an interesting visit to the Manor House where we were shown around by the current owner Sir Mervyn Medlycott.
Palmer's Brewery.
We visited Palmer's Brewery at Bridport followed by lunch at the Crown Inn, Puncknowle.
August
Manor House, Sandford Orcas.
We enjoyed lunch at the Mitre Inn, followed by an interesting visit to the Manor House where we were shown around by the current owner Sir Mervyn Medlycott.
Manor House, Sandford Orcas.
June
S.S. Great Britain.
Trip to Bristol to include the SS Great Britain .. rather wet, but otherwise very interesting.
S.S. Great Britain.
Trip to Bristol to include the SS Great Britain .. rather wet, but otherwise very interesting.
2011
October
Hillier Arboretum, Romsey.
Hillier Arboretum near Romsey .. autumn colours at their best.
May
Krakow, Poland
Trip to Krakow, Poland.
March
Sunseeker - Portland
Visit to Sun-seeker Yachts @ Portland.