Ely Soham Dial-a-Ride
Members’ Newsletter December 2011
We held our fourth annual Christmas Fund Raiser Lunch on 26th November. The feedback showed us that everybody had a good time and really enjoyed the lunch. My thanks to the Isle Singers and to Dominos Pizza, St. Mary’s Street, Ely who donated 10 large pizza’s for free. We raised the fabulous sum of £1,825 which will be used to keep the essential wheels of Dial-a-Ride turning. My thanks to all those who contributed raffle and tombola prizes plus the items for the nearly new, bric-a-brac & book stalls. I would like to thank the whole ESDAR team for giving up their time and working so hard to make the event a success, with particular thanks to Kathy Follen and Jim Sirkett for the fabulous food and to Neil Perriment for his disco.
We have said goodbye to Nick Blencowe and warmly welcome Jason Edwards to the ESDAR team. Jason will be responsible for the day to day running of ESDAR and work closely with me on the future development of ESDAR.
ESDAR 100 Club
Thanks to all those who have renewed their 100 Club membership. The November result which was drawn at the fund raiser on the 26th November was 1st – 197 Kevin Weir £50, 2nd – 383 Pat Goldsmith £25, 3rd – 445 Doris Salmon £15. The draw for the ‘Big One’ is fast approaching with prizes of £600, £300 and £125. It will be drawn at the AGM on 14th February. If you want to be involved or increase your chances by adding to your numbers please let me know. All the money raised goes towards the repayment of a £20,000 loan at 0% interest that we took out with Cambridgeshire County Council to purchase BX56 TNN.
Theatre Trips
Please note: Where Dial-a-Ride has to purchase tickets in advance £1 is added to the cost of the ticket which is included in the ticket prices shown.
o Panto!! – ‘Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates’ at Kings Theatre, Newmarket at 7:30pm on Tuesday 10 January
This traditional pantomime is presented by the very popular NOMADS. Once again, they will be delighting their audiences with a mix of good and not so good humour! Tickets are £13 and we require a £13 deposit.
o ‘Smike the Musical’ presented by the Viva Theatre Company at ‘The Brook, Soham at 7:30pm on Thursday 2nd February
This is a great show based in part on Charles Dickens’ Nickolas Nickleby with pop music from the 70’s which we can all remember. The setting is a school and the interaction between teachers and pupils who try to solve their problems by putting on a musical. Tickets are £8 and we require an £8 deposit.
o ‘Rocking Revival with Tribute to Billy Fury and Connie Francis’ at ‘The Brook’, Soham at 8pm Friday 10th February.
Billy Fury and Connie Francis are two of the all times greats from the 60’s. Billy Fury had 24 hits in the 60’s the same number as the Beatles! Connie Francis is best known for ‘Whose Sorry Now’ and ‘Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool. Tickets are £13 and we require a £13 deposit.
AGM plus the ‘Big One’ ESDAR 100 Club Draw – Tuesday 14th February starting at 11:30
Our eighth AGM will be held at Witchford Village Hall starting at 11:30. Please make every effort to attend as it is vital that as many people as possible show their support for ESDAR. Please book Dial-a-Ride in the normal way. There will be a free buffet and raffle. If you would like to provide a raffle prize we would be very grateful. Transport home will start around 14:00. It is very important that as many people as possible attend.
‘Big One’ ESDAR 100 Club Draw
After the AGM we will hold a very brief AGM for the ESDAR 100 Club before drawing the numbers for the annual ‘Big One’ with prizes of £600, £300 and £120. It is not too late to join. It costs £12 per number for 12 monthly draws. If you would like to join or add to your numbers please give us a call.
Excursions
As well as our usual visits to Cambridge Grafton Centre, Cambridge Beehive, Newmarket, St Ives, Kings Lynn, and Twenty Pence Garden Centre we have some additional places as follows:-
o Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, Welney – Wednesday 1st February 12:30 – 16:00
If you have not witnessed the feeding of up to 9,000 Whooper and Berwick’s swans that make their way from Iceland and Arctic Russia to winter on the Ouse Washes this is something to experience. The hide is heated and wheelchair friendly. The centre is modern, has a very interesting museum and a nice café serves hot and cold lunches. Just right for getting out of the house on a winter’s day and it’s not too far to travel. Arrive at 12:30 and leave after the swans have been fed. Cost of entry is £5.35. Normal Dial-a-Ride fares apply.
o Shopping at Mildenhall – Friday 3rd February 12:00 – 15:00
The new Ely Sainsbury’s is due to open in early Spring. If you can’t wait or want to know what you are missing, why not visit Sainsbury’s at Mildenhall? There is also a small market with plenty of places for lunch including a great fish and chip shop. Cost of travel £8.50
o Springfields Outlet Shopping Centre – Tuesday 7th February 12:00 – 15:30
Springfields is a pedestrianised retail centre with over 55 shops and cafes plus a pub, garden centre and formal gardens. Cost £15.75.
o Snow Drop Time at Anglesey Abbey’s Winter Gardens – Wednesday 8th February 12:00 – 15:00
The Abbey is famous for its beautiful winter garden especially when the snow drops are out. We have chosen the middle of the snow drop season in the hope they will be at their best. For those who find walking difficult there are self drive electric buggies available or small groups can be taken round in an electric cart. If you require on-site transport, please let us know when you book and we will make the arrangements for you. The lovely modern restaurant and Lode Mill are open. The house is closed at this time of year.
Arrive at 12:00 and leave at 15:00. Entry £5.68 and the cost of travel is £9.50.
o Downham Market – Friday 17th February 12:00 – 14:30
A very nice town to visit with lots of shops, including Morrisons, especially when it is market day! There is a wide range of places to have lunch. Cost of travel £8.75.
o Wisbech – Fish & Chips plus shopping at Dunelm on Wed 29th February 12:00 – 16:00
First we visit Frank’s Fish Shop whose special offer is cod and chips, peas or beans, bread and butter and a cup of tea for £5.50 before moving on to Dunelm furnishing store. On the same site is Lidl’s (a discount supermarket), a shoe warehouse and a farm shop. Cost of travel £10.50.
Lunches
o ‘Ely Golf Club’ on Monday’s – 16th January, 13th February and 27th February 12:00 – 13:45
Following the great success of our first two visits we have arranged another 3 visits. The club has a lovely restaurant and reasonably priced bar overlooking the Ely countryside and are offering ESDAR a two course lunch for £10. Normal Dial-a-Ride fares.
o ‘The Brook’, Soham ‘Over 60’s Lunches’ - Wednesdays 11th Jan & 15th Feb 12:00 – 14:00
With their new chef you can be sure of an excellent 2 course meal for £7.50 which includes entertainment.
o ‘La Hogue’, Chippenham - Sunday 19th February 12:00 – 14:00
La Hogue serves an excellent Sunday roast lunch (£9.95) which can be combined with some shopping in the farm shop and delicatessen that sells top quality fresh local British food. Travel £9 or £4.50 with a Bus Pass
Pub Lunches
We have a wide variety of pub lunches for you to choose from including all your favourites. We have one new pub for you to try and 2 which we haven’t visited for sometime:-
o New!! The Boot, Dullingham – Tuesday 17th January 12:00 – 14:00
This small traditional village pub offer good food at very reasonable prices. Fare £4.50 with Bus Pass.
o ‘Judes Ferry’, West Row – Sunday 22nd January – 12:15 – 14:15
This popular riverside pub is offering a £9.50 carvery meal for £9.95. Cost of travel £7.50.
o ‘Three Horseshoes’, Houghton – Monday 23rd January 12:15 – 14:15
Situated in the middle of this pretty village a 2 course lunch for £6.95 is available. Cost of travel £10.00.
o ‘Chequers’, Wimbotsham – Friday 17th February 12:15 – 14:15
This country retreat offers a cod/haddock and chips meal for £5. Cost of travel £8.75
ESDAR Escorted Holiday – Mundesley Holiday Village – Escorted ‘Tinsel and Turkey’ Holiday
Monday 26th November to Friday 30th November
Please see the enclosed leaflet advertising our next holiday.
Reminder of Dial-a-Ride Christmas Arrangements
As with last year, our Dial-a-Ride service will stay open around the Christmas and New Year period on all days except public holidays. From Monday 19th December until Friday 30th December the service is available every weekday to all members i.e. we will not restrict you to your normal allocated days and you can book trips for shopping, medical appointments or visit friends and relations provided it is within our area.
If you fancy having a trip out between Christmas and New Year we are offering two pub lunches to the ‘Three Pickerels’, Mepal (Wednesday 28th) and ‘The Ship’, Brandon Creek Friday 30th or the ‘Twenty Pence Garden Centre’, Wilburton (Thursday 29th).
On behalf of all of us at ESDAR we wish you a very happy Christmas and New Year and thank you for all your support.
Fred Langford