No Worry at Stanley Ferry

 Wednesday 24th June 2026.            No Worry at Stanley Ferry.

It appears that Mark can print rather small, so below is a much larger version!!

A baking hot Wednesday greeted us for our visit to Stanley Ferry. Mark and John Howarth met at Leeds railway station and caught the 10:20 train to Doncaster. Brian was supposed to be joining us, but sadly for us he missed the train, arriving at the station just as we were pulling out of Leeds. We alighted at Sandal/ Agbrigg to be picked up in car by Glenn, who drove us to Stanley Ferry where we were met by Derek and Russ. Derek and Mark decided discretion was the better part of valour and opted to sit outside the pub avoiding the extreme heat. Russ, Glenn and John then did a very short walk and joined us at the pub. A very nice meal was had and talk turned to memories of our days at Thackrays, with some surprising revelations!. We then departed for our various homeward destinations, ending a pleasant get-together.

Streetlife Hull

 Wednesday 17th June 2026                      Street life Hull

Today’s outing would see 6 of the Lads take a trip to the East Yorkshire City of Hull, they intend to pay a visit to the Museum Quarter and indulge themselves etc. It will be Colin, Derek, Brian, Dave, Mark and John Howarth taking part, all meeting up at Leeds Railway Station in order to board the 10:27 train heading for Hull. The journey takes just over an hour to complete, so hopefully there will be no rain showers to contend with upon their arrival at the Paragon, in fact it was a very pleasant morning, warm and sunny. 

After a few minutes sorting out directions it was over the main road and heading along the cities shopping precincts in search of the Museums about a mile away. With plenty of time on their hands it was a leisurely stroll taking in the atmosphere of the city’s many interesting buildings etc.

A suggestion that it maybe advisable to book a table at our intended lunchtime venue was taken care of by Derek, 1:00pm was the time chosen, that would be at the Lion & Key pub close to the museum quarter.

The Street Life was our first port of call so to speak, this building giving the lads a glimpse of bygone days here in this city, different modes of transportation alongside the various shops displaying their products etc, all very interesting and absorbing. This particular visit lasted for an hour or so before the headed off in the direction of the pub, just a few hundred yards away. 

Surprisingly it was scarcely occupied just a handful of punters enjoying drinks and meals just like we were about to do, a brief browse of the menu and it was off to the bar to place our orders. Our meals did eventually come after some 40 minutes waiting, but we all enjoyed them ever so much, well pleased.

It turned out to be an extended lunch , leaving the Lion & Key at about 2:30 . From here we returned to the Museum Quarter, this time making a visit to the Hull and East Riding Archaeological Museum, another fascinating experience for us all, so many artefacts on display that had been discovered in this particular location, far too many to mention but so full of information etc.

Now with over an hour extending our knowledge still further, it was off in search of an ice cream parlour back nearer the city centre, but this was to no avail, instead we returned to the Paragon Station and took a drinks break courtesy of a Costa Coffee kiosk. 30 minutes was spent in here before it was time to jump aboard the 17:03 train taking us back in the direction of Leeds , then our own individual journeys home.

Yet another great day out with the Lads.

Cheers Everyone.

Happy Birthday Keith

 Wednesday 10th. June 2026           Happy Birthday Keith 

It was a belated birthday meal celebration for one of the gang today, Keith. His choice of venue was that of the Railway Inn at Drighlington, a place we have visited on a few previous occasions etc. It would be 9 of the Lads making their way to this location, those being Colin, Mark, John Hey, John Howarth, Brian, Russ, Derek, Dave and Keith of course. 

A time of midday was agreed upon to meet, with the lads travelling there by various modes of transport etc. We were soon sat around a suitable table and with drinks to hand we now browsed their extensive menu of which there were great choices to be made, various conversations now ensued as only to be expected, many topics being discussed before our meals arrived they were mainly about football and the health of a few of our comrades plus the choice of our next outing or adventure, looks like it could be a return visit to the east coast city of Hull and experience what it has to offer.

With our meals consumed with great enjoyment it was time to say goodbye to the staff at the Railway Inn and take our respective journeys home.

Great choice of venue today avoiding the rain but embracing the company etc.

Cheers Everyone.

Merchant Adventurers York

 Wednesday 3rd June 2026.                 Merchant Adventures 

What a day full of surprises, little did some of the Lads know what to expect when they arrived in the city of York. It was a group of six that gathered on the concourse of the railway station in the city, Derek and Dave travelling from Wakefield, whilst John, Colin, Brian and Mark had made their way via Leeds, all meeting up at a few minutes after 11am.

Various opportunities were on their minds, should they visit one of the many Museums here in the city or just take a riverside walk, it wasn’t too long before the choice was obvious etc, upon leaving the station they were met with rain, it had been forecast, so had it, on the previous two days but without any significant downfalls. So a walk was on the cards! however the decision was made to visit the Merchants Hall situated somewhere in the city centre.

After a few moments of discussion with a suitable person the lads now found themselves on a bus and heading along the city streets wondering where to get off etc. Some seven minutes later and they were off the bus and walking along Merchant Gate only a few yards from their intended destination. Soon inside this ancient building they began to inspect its magnificent structure that of huge Oak beams and flooring that had stood the test of time, this Hall had been constructed in the middle of the thirteen century to accommodate local merchants selling their goods etc. There was a vast array of artefacts on display for us lads to both see and read about, wooden chairs and benches, storage chests and silverware from those bygone days, so impressed were we all at the character of this building and the many people that would have used it throughout the many years to follow etc.

The Lads spending much more than an hour browsing it’s delightful existence, before setting off to find a suitable cafe for lunch, a couple establishments were suggested only to find they could not accommodate 6 of us, we did eventually get seated in the Oasis Cafe and what a very pleasant experience for us all, great choice of food and a good atmosphere to boot! This cafe is only a few hundred yards away from the railway station, so within striking distance if a rain shower comes along.

Now with the time approaching 2:25 pm the lads began their short journey back to the station in order to take their respective trains homeward bound.

Upon reflection today’s adventure was a great choice, full of intriguing stories of bygone times.

Cheers Everyone.

Newmiller Dam

 Wednesday 27th May.                Revisit to Newmiller Dam

With a cooler day of late in prospect, seven of the Lads have made the decision to make a return visit to this pleasant location on the outskirts of the city of Wakefield. Those involved would be Mark, Colin, John, Brian, Derek, Keith and Dave.

A suggested time to meet up at the Dam was that of 11:20, some of the Lads had arrived by bus or car, it was just a short walk for Dave from his home.

Once all gathered it was best foot forward with a leisurely walk around the perimeter of the Dam. Many other visitors were taking advantage of this cooler weather to do the same thing, the temperature over the last few days have been around 30 degrees proving difficult to cope with for some etc.

As the lads made steady progress glimpses of the wildlife here were noted along with some new additions to the woodcarving fraternity, mainly in the shapes of animals and birds, great work by someone. Obviously many conversations ensued with the lads splitting off into various groups as they ambled along taking a few minutes at times to reflect upon different aspects of this particular location.

Eventually the Lads completed their circumnavigation of the Dam and now headed off in the direction of a lunchtime venue, eventually settling on their usual spot of the Beuley Cafe with mainly Sausage Egg and Chips from their menu along with a choice of drinks. More conversation now took place over lunch with the main topic being football and the reflection of Leeds Uniteds passed season and the performance of certain players etc, we did also mention next weeks intended location but no firm commitment was decided on at this particular time, weather forecast the main stumbling block.

Now with the time approaching 2:00 it was farewell to the Beuley Cafe and Newmiller Dam, as most of the lads made their way to the nearby bus stop and the start of their return journey home. Keith and Brian leaving by car, whilst Dave returned home on foot.

Upon reflection today’s outing proved most pleasurable to all involved 

Cheers Everyone.

Scarborough in the Sunshine

 Wednesday 29th April 2026.               Scarborough in the Sunshine 

Taking advantage of a sunny day in prospect and the booking of an advance ticket to the coast, a total of 7 of our group would be on the Scarborough bound train heading for an adventure. Dave and Derek joined the train at Dewsbury whilst John , Colin, Mark, Glenn and John Howarth boarded at Leeds. 

At a few minutes before 11am the train arrived in Scarborough, there to meet the gang was Brian , he had arrived with his daughter a few days earlier. True to the weather forecast it was a sunny morning with a gentle breeze to contend with, though not as chilly as expected.

From the vicinity of the station the lads slowly made their way down the high street heading towards the Catch 55 fish and chip restaurant. It took just a little over 15 minutes to reach this establishment, once inside our group found a suitable spot to sit admiring the splendid views of the beach front here at the resort. We were warmly welcomed by the very pleasant and accommodating staff who provided us with a sumptuous meal and service etc.

With time not an issue at the present moment it was a leisurely early lunchtime dinner for the lads before they ventured further down the high street on to the waterfront. At this point some of the lads decided to take a bus ride along to the North Bay while the rest of us took the choice of walking there. It turned out to be a good call etc, this walk along Marine Drive giving the lads a great opportunity to stretch their legs and take in the sea air along with the great views of the surrounding coastline.

After almost an hour of pleasant walking this group met up with the lads who had taken the bus, they had whiled away that hour sat in a local cafe enjoying a cuppa and soaking up the glorious sunshine etc.

It was now time to make a return journey, this was achieved by all of us boarding an open top bus and travelling back towards the harbour area of the resort. Leaving the bus adjacent to the next nominated establishment that of the Harbour Bar where some of the lads decided to indulge themselves to some degree, ie, Knickerbocker Glory’s or Peach Melba’s yum, yummy, the rest of the gang found themselves sitting on a bench enjoying chatting to other visitors to the resort.

With information about a bus that would take them up to a point near the railway station, they greeted this with approval, so at a few minutes after 3 pm they took this journey along the winding streets of Scarborough heading for their destination. From this point and within no time at all they were sat inside the station and waiting to board the train that would whisk them off in the direction of Leeds and beyond.

What a Great Choice for today’s Adventure, full of good humour, positivity and plenty of sunshine to boot.

Cheers Everyone.