An early morning start from Newcastle Central Station saw 41 P&G Associates, friends and colleagues board the National Holidays bus to the Cotswolds.

A quiz had been prepared and most completed it using the knowledge that they had.  Peter Brougham with his new GSM 'phone' used the internet to get some of his answers!

A short stop at Ferrybridge services and then on to Warwick where we stopped at the castle.  Everyone disappeared for lunch and came back to tell of their stories - and those who had garlic mussels brought some interesting odours back too.
 

On to the hotel - a Britannia Hotel with pool - for the evening meal and free bar.  Many found it possible to stock up sufficient drink for the whole evening.  Having been told there was no entertainment at the hotel, the NE committee planned to deliver their own.  However, there was entertainment which turned out to be a larger than life DJ with a quiz and bingo.  The latter proved popular but the music was little a lacking and so the committee decided to take over.  After the announcement of the quiz winner and answers, Colin Harris on guitar with Keith Stokoe and Peter Brougham providing lead vocals the night became really enjoyable.  The support vocals by all that were there was a sound to be heard especially from the group of six ladies from Longbenton including Gail Baston, Ann Nicholson, Anne Devlin sister Kathy, Pippa Rowell and Doreen Lockhart.  Peter Brougham and Alice Coulthard sang a duet.  Keith Stokoe sang his renowned version of Delilah.

Colin in full swing!	Lead singing - Keith Stokoe
Pippa Rowell, Gail Baston and Anne Devlin	Peter and Alice duet

The first trip was to Moreton in Marsh where Lesley Harris and Alice Coulthard were caught on camera by the Countryfile team.  They appeared on the programme the following week as sightseers from out of the area.


Then on to Broadway.  The days out included trips to Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Stratford upon Avon.  Each day there was a quiz followed by prize giving at night.  After the first night more came forward to do their bit - Lindsay Perks recited several monologues [see below for afternote], Terry Skipsey and Tom Osborne took over the guitar playing.

We came back via Lichfield and everyone agreed that it had been a good trip. To the point where the next trip to Strathpeffer in Scotland has already 20 Associates and friends signed up to go.