On the 1st July 2000 eight of us went to London for 3 days to see the Millenium Dome and the London Eye, we stayed at
the Youth Hostel at Rotherhythe, a place we have stayed on a previous visit to London. It was an enjoyable break
with decent weather. We all enjoyed ourselves and I particularly enjoyed the London Eye, very different to what I had
expected and when we were at the top we could see for miles in many directions.
London July 2000
Phab at Butlins September 2000.
On friday 15th September a group of 12 members from the club enjoyed a holiday together at Butlins,
Skegness, because of the petrol crisis we had a meeting on the previous Monday to discuss if we should go
as we couldn't be sure of getting enough petrol to get us back, anyway the result was that we should continue,
9 of us went in the minibus and Mandy took her car, I unfortunatly arrived with the back of my car smashed
in, so that started the holiday off well, anyway this is what some of them thought about it! The first words that Paul
Crocket said was " this looks boring" but he was soon chatting up all the ladies as usual and enjoying every minute,
his poor mum was rushed off her feet. We had 3 chalets with 4 people in each. We all visited Eastgate Market,
Fantasy Island and Skegness Town and on the Sunday we all went for lunch together. Other avtivities included
swimming amusements, shopping and the Skyline Pavillion seeing various shows. There was lots of laughter
and we came back with a lot more stuff than we went with, all told everyone wants to go again, told by Amanda Corden.
Unless stated reports by Gerald Wilkinson
Cottages in Wales 2002
In July 2002 19 of us went to Wales for a week, we stayed in 3 purpose built cottages.
They were situated 31 miles south of Aberistwyth and about 7 north of Cardigan. With
so many of us and enough luggage for a week we had to use 3 cars and the minibus. The
cottages were superb even for those of us in wheelchairs, even the weather was great,
while most areas were having a lot of rain, we escaped with about 4 short showers and
and 2 of those were in the night.
During the week we visited a butterfly sanctuary, Aberistwyth, a castle, a craft village,
waterfalls, a ride on a narrow guage railway, the National Coracle Centre long with other
places of interest.
In the evenings we played games in the superb room on site.
Blackpool
In July 16 of us went to Blackpool for 3 days, the weather was awful with very high winds and a little rain. We
used the services of a booking agent and were very dissappointed, knowing that we had about 5 wheelchair users, they
booked us in a decent looking hotel but it was about 2 miles out of Blackpool which caused us many problems. The breakfast in
the hotel was quite good but the evening meal was always luke warm and not appetising, 7 of us on a table of 8 sent our
cold apple pie back one evening because it was cold, was the other OK, no I don't eat puds. It wasn't a total disaster,
we went to see a show starring Joe Longthorne, Orvil with his minder and Billy Pearce, he was hillairious and had us in
tears. We stayed at the Norbreck hotel.
Upton-upon-Severn 2003-1st
First group from Burton Phab Club 14th to 16th May, the name of the river boat is the
Gloucestershire Dart and it is over 65 feet long and 12 feet wide, the facilities were
surprisingly good, but it was not easy to turn a wheelchair around in either the toilet
or shower-room. During our 3 day trip we did some sight seeing
, had some pub meals and some of us had a go at piloting the boat.
To see these photo's
click here
Upton-upon-Severn 2003-2nd
Our holiday began on the monday evening. Ruby picked us all up about 5pm and we set off for Upton-upon-Severn,
where we were to join our boat. When we arrived, we were introduced to Dave who was to be our skipper for
the week. We all went on board and chose where we prefered to sleep.
It had started raining during the journey down and by now it was bucketing it down. Nevertheless, Ruby braved
the elements and with Dave went and fetched us all fish and chips for our tea.
The next morning (tuesday) it was still raining. After breakfast we walked into Upton before setting off for
Tewkesbury. By the time we got there the showers had stopped so we all went into town. Some of us went shopping
with others going to see the abbey, unfortunately there was a sacred service taking place so we were unable to
go inside. We had a cup of coffee in the refectory cafe instead then browsed the shops as we made our way
back to the boat.
In the evening we all went for dinner at a nearby pub then returned to the boat had more drinks and a
couple of games of bingo.
In the morning (wednesday) we set off for Eckington which was to be our next stop for the night. We walked into
the village in the evening for dinner at the local pub. Iain took one look at the menu, decided it was rather
expensive and then went into one of his fits (it wasn't that dear Iain!!) Anyway he was alright and we all enjoyed
lovely meals.
After breakfast on the thursday morning, we set off for Pershore where we had visitors. Gwyn Richards, an old
friend of Rubys and Sue Bellingham from Phab and her husband. We had all been for a walk round Pershore in
the afternoon then some went swimmimg at the local leisure centre which was quite close to where the boat was moored.
Then in the evening we all went to the Millars Arms for a meal where Gwyn and his wife joined us.
Friday morning we set off for Evesham which was to be our last port of call. Some went a walk round the town in
the afternoon then in the evening we had a meal and a drink in a pub across the road.
The following day (saturday) was our last and we chose to stay in Evesham. The weather was now beautiful and in the
afternoon we noticed a wedding party had come onto the grassed area between us and the road, from the hotel opposite.
We watched as they had photos taken then the photographer came down to the boat and asked the skipper if they could
take some photos on the boat. Dave duly obliged and the bride and groom and two small children, a bridesmaid and a
pageboy, jumped on to the deck and had photos taken.
We had also seen a vintage vehicle parade pass by as we had been watching the wedding party.
Well, it was a lovely end to a lovely week.
We had seen some beautiful scenery and wildlife while sailing the river, including three herons and also a large
dragonfly which came on board and ended up in Iain and Hazels quarters. Poor thing was frantically trying to find
its way out of the window. It did do in the end!
Everyone took a turn at steering the boat, especially Iain who hogged the wheel so much he had to be upgraded
to "vice-captain".
Hazel, Keith and Mark had eagerly helped out at the many locks we had passed through.
Rubys two grandaughters (who had joined us to make up the numbers) nine year old cousins Shannon and Sophie were
delightful and kept us entertained and the local ducks and swans very well fed!
Mark, very sportingly went along with a little game they were playing and ended up with a make-over.
With make-up
on his face, nail varnish on his nails(black and pink!!!) and a bandana on his head you could have mistook him for
Boy George!
The skipper had been very helpful, nothing was too much trouble for him.
All in all it was a superb holiday. The only problem was....IT WASN'T LONG ENOUGH!!
Jenny Anderson
On 16th July 17 of us went to Skegness, the weather was awful, and I think you either love Butlins or loathe it, for me personally it is too noisy and smokey and I am now firmly in the latter camp, having said that some in our club love it.
Wales May 2005
On 14th May 21 of us set out for a week near LLanwryst, the weather could have been better, but it didn't stop some from getting about every day.
The accomadation for the wheelchairs users was good, the scenery as we looked from our cottages was amazing, something to die for (figure of speech)Written by Jed
On 14th May 21 members of Burton Phab Club went on holiday to Glan-y-Borth Holiday Village in Llanrwst, Wales. We had 6 cottages in all. These cottages were equipped for disabled people and were right next to the River Conwy. When it was warm in the evenings people would sit out on the patio gazing across the river. One evening some of the men went across to the park and played football. We could have had a barbecue there but the weather wasn't good enough for that. At the beginning of the week Dave and Fran came to stay with us. David was the skipper on the Gloucestershire Dart a couple of years ago. It was so peaceful we could have stayed forever. During the day people went to various places such as Betswy-coed, Llandudno, The Great Orme, around the mountains and lakes of Snowdon. The scenery was beautiful. There were plenty of sheep all around us. From the cottages, the village was walking distance. Most nights some of us went to the Pub just up the road. Some of us went up the Great Orme which is 1100 metres above sea level. We even passed a place called The Ugly House. Four of our members went to the Welsh Slate Museum. Some would have like to have gone up Snowdon but the train only took one wheelchair at a time and it cost £20. There was plenty to see and do but not enough time as we came home on 21st May, unfortunately. Most of our members would love to go again. Written by Mandy
On the 10th of June 2006 22 of us went for a week at the Glany Borth Holiday Village in
Llanwryst. Mid Wales. This was our seconnd visit annd fortunately the weather was brilliant this time.
Our transport was 4 cars and our minibus, some of the places we visited were Conwy which is not good for wheelchairs due to it being hilly and a lot of the paths being cobbled.
Bettys c Coed is ok with a variety of shops, railway station and ample parking. Llan Berris is ok too, with Electric Mountain, a hydro electric power station in the mountain, well worth a visit, but not so the lake railway which I heard described as boring.
Llandudno is good for wheelchairs but it can take a while to find a parking space. The
front is wide and flat and there is plenty of shops.
London July 2000
Skegness, because of the petrol crisis we had a meeting on the previous Monday to discuss if we should go
as we couldn't be sure of getting enough petrol to get us back, anyway the result was that we should continue,
9 of us went in the minibus and Mandy took her car, I unfortunatly arrived with the back of my car smashed
in, so that started the holiday off well, anyway this is what some of them thought about it! The first words that Paul
Crocket said was " this looks boring" but he was soon chatting up all the ladies as usual and enjoying every minute,
his poor mum was rushed off her feet. We had 3 chalets with 4 people in each. We all visited Eastgate Market,
Fantasy Island and Skegness Town and on the Sunday we all went for lunch together. Other avtivities included
swimming amusements, shopping and the Skyline Pavillion seeing various shows. There was lots of laughter
and we came back with a lot more stuff than we went with, all told everyone wants to go again, told by Amanda Corden.
surprisingly good, but it was not easy to turn a wheelchair around in either the toilet
or shower-room. During our 3 day trip we did some sight seeing
, had some pub meals and some of us had a go at piloting the boat.
