TRIPS
As well as our monthly meetings we also run a programme of trips during the year for our members.
In recent years we have been to Lichfield Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, the Seasons Garden Centre in Kettering, the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, Wistow Rural Centre, Kelmarsh Hall Gardens, and regular trips to Curve Theatre in Leicester for dementia-friendly performances of their musicals.
Our trips are funded by Dementia Harborough.
Members’ Favourite Spots - Local Places to Visit
This section is for you to share places which you think might be of interest to our members.
If you know somewhere which we could add to the list, please send us your description using the contact form at the foot of this page.
Sywell Aerodrome www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk
(suggested by Keith)
Just off the A43 and with free parking, Sywell Aerodrome has a well-maintained spectators area, ideal for a picnic in the car or on the grass.
Historical aircraft, such asTiger Moths, are often parked on the apron or by the big hangar that houses Spitfire, Messerschmitt, Harvardand other WWII machines. Visiting aircraft are also frequently seen. The Spitfire and other Warbird aircraft will be flying on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from April until the end of September.
The excellent Blades Display Team is based at the airfield. They often practice their routines over the airfield – 4 aircraft making dramatic loops, passes, twists & turns with smoke.
The Sywell Aviation Museum (SAM) is open weekends, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12pm until 4pm from last Bank Holiday in May until October Half Term.
To get there: Take the scenic route down A508, turn at the Brixworth Roundabout and follow signs to Holcot across the causeway, straight over the crossroads at Holcot towards Sywell which lies just over the A43. Alternatively follow the A43 to the roundabout and follow signs to Sywell.
Don’t forget your binoculars & camera.
Beckworth Emporium www.beckworthemporium.com
(suggested by Keith)
Shop, restaurant and garden centre is just half a mile up the road and turn right for a spot of lunch or afternoon tea.
Brixworth Country Park www.northamptonshireparks.co.uk/brixworth-country-park
(suggested by Keith)
Brixworth Country Park lies off the A508 and next to Pitsford Water. Plenty of short walks, or the full circuit (7 miles) around this very scenic reservoir; café and cycle hire available. Don’t forget your binoculars & camera.
Parking charges apply unless you have a current annual parking pass for Northamptonshire County Council managed country parks.
Phipps Brewery, Northampton www.phipps-nbc.co.uk
(suggested by Zillah)
The Albion Brewery and its bar is open for brewery tours. You can sample their range of ales, ancient and modern, follow the brewing process and learn a few of Phipps’ secrets, then wander through the tunnels and cellars under the building, see the King’s Well where the finest water in the area has attracted brewers for centuries.
Contact Mel on 01604 946606 or email mel@phipps-nbc.co.uk for details and dates.
Coton Manor Gardens www.cotonmanor.co.uk
(suggested by Keith)
This is a very pleasant 10 acre garden & tea room that members may find very enjoyable.
Located between Guilsborough and Ravensthorpe, Northamptonshire, the garden changes by season and is an easy area to walk around. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays, April through to the end of September.
Interaction with Horses
We are aware of two organisations which allow interaction with horses:-
The Way of the Horse www.thewayofthehorse.co.uk
This charity is based near Lutterworth and is run by a lady called Dina who uses horses to help people with dementia to socialise with and appreciate horses, talk to them, groom them and feed them.
For more details call 077142 69218.
Spirit at Play www.spiritatplay.org.uk
This is a similar project based at Illston on the Hill run by Judith Edwards
For more details contact them via the website
Waterloo Community Garden in Great Oxendon
Waterloo Community Gardens is a charity whihc has a garden where they grow organic fruit and vegetables, with the aim of reducing food miles, helping people to grow their own food at home, and bringing people together to share knowledge and gain companionship.
They would like to encourage people to come and see the garden, to spend time looking around and perhaps doing some planting, sharing their knowledge, telling us about their memories and so on. They would love to welcome people who are living with dementia to the garden, as they are aware of the health benefits of being outside, working with nature, and generally doing something that probably many people have been able to do in the past.
There is a cafe on the site too, where people living with dementia and their carers and families are always very welcome. For more information visit their Facebook page or call 01858 466207