London Embankment Walk
25th April 2024
Starting at
Embankment Tube Station we wandered through the Embankment Gardens looking
at its history and that of the mansions on the Strand. We noted various
memorials en route towards the King's Chapel of the Savoy. We then continued towards
Somerset House, St Mary Le Strand and towards the Royal Courts of Justice where
the tour ended.
RHS Wisley Gardens
26th March 2024
A small group of members had a gentle walk around these gardens in the sunshine looking at the spring flowers and blossom on the trees. A cup of coffee and a chat before the walk and lunch afterwards.
Holy Trinity Parish and Garrison Church Windsor
29th February 2024
Holy Trinity is thought to be the only church in the country functioning as a parish church which is also used by the army chaplains for services. It was founded with a gift of 200 guineas from Queen Victoria who wanted it to be built for the spiritual welfare of her troops garrisoned at Combermere and Victoria Barracks, and for the growing population of Windsor.
Stanley Spencer Gallery, Cookham
17th January 2024
The artist Stanley Spencer lived in Cookham, Berks and a small group of CERSA members had a 'Walk and Talk' about him. The walk took us around the village of Cookham where our guide pointed out his home and other interesting places where Stanley painted. The talk was back in the warmth of the gallery and another guide talked about his paintings. Very interesting indeed.
Afterwards we retired to the Bell and Dragon for a very nice lunch.
Christmas lunch
5th December 2023
Christmas lunch at the Boleyn Hotel in Staines had 32 members enjoying a 3 course meal with coffee and mincepies. All who attended had a good chance to have a chat with members they maybe had not seen for a while.
Museum of London Docklands
14th November 2023
The museum of London was not always a museum. For over 150 years it was a warehouse that stored goods like tea, coffee and spices brought on ships from all over the world. So customs would have been involved in these goods and all through this museum there were Customs articles and pictures.
Kew Gardens
10th October 2023
On a beautiful sunny day some CERSA members had a lovely walk in Kew Gardens. A walk through 'The Great Broad Walk' stopping to admire The Hive structure and read notices about the honey bee. We then had an outside walk and talk by a Kew volunteer about 'Kew's Amazing Trees'. Some followed this up with lunch at the nearby 'Maids of Honour' restaurant.
The Museum of English Rural Life
Reading
12th September 2023
A small group of CERSA members met up at this very interesting museum to hear and see some excellent displays of English rural life objects.
Charterhouse, London
11th July 2023
Today some Heathrow CERSA members enjoyed a tour of Charterhouse in London. It was the site of a medieval monastery of the Carthusian Order then a Tudor mansion then a boy's school. Today it is an Almshouse where about 40 'brothers' live.
Brookwood Military Cemetery
13th June 2023
Ten members gathered on this very hot day for a very interesting tour in Brookwood Cemetery. Paul our guide had some very good life stories of people buried there.
AGM
3rd April 2023
How nice to have another AGM in person and we had ours in The Bells, Staines to, among other issues, discuss past events and hear about new ones for the rest of the year.
London Transport Museum
Acton Depot
28th March 2023
Anyone who watches the TV Programme “Secrets of the London Underground”
on the Yesterday Channel would recognise this place. Some of it is filmed here at the London
Transport (LT) Museum Depot, right beside Acton Town Tube Station on the
Piccadilly Line in West London. A small group of members visited this museum in March.
Windsor
Visit and lunch
23rd February 2023
A few members met in Windsor for lunch and a chat. Windsor has a lot to offer in the way of a visit to the Castle, watch the changing of the guard or shopping.
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The National Archives
Kew
18th January 2023
The first event of 2023 and a small group of members visited the Archives for a 'behind the scenes' tour. It was very interesting indeed on what is stored there and for how long. At the end of the tour we were given a 'goodie bag' as a reminder.
Christmas lunch
6th December 2022
Nearly 30 members sat down to a 3 course Christmas lunch with wine at The Boleyn Hotel in Staines. A good time drinking, eating and catching up with friends and colleagues.
British Library
18th November 2022
What a very interesting visit to the British Library. Fascinating facts about books, stamps and the library itself and what is stored there. We had a Treasures Tour with an excellent guide. Did you know that Shakespeare's Folio was compiled and printed by two of his friends after he died.
Walk around Virginia Water and lunch
8th November 2022
A small group of members braved the rain and wind (only at the start of the walk) to walk round Virginia Water and then retire to the Belvedere pub for a warming drink and lunch. Nice to catch up with news and have a chat with friends.
Museum of London
28th September 2022
A group of members visited this museum which is due to close at the end of the year and not due to open on their new site in Smithfields for a couple of years. It tells the story of London from Roman times to the present day including the Great Fire of London.
Chelsea Physic Garden
12th July 2022
A small group of Heathrow CERSA members and friends had a very interesting tour with a guide who talked about all the different kinds of medicinal plants and trees in this garden which was established by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London in 1673.
Hell-Fire Caves
West Wycombe
9th May 2022
The caves were originally excavated by Sir Francis Dashwood in the 1740's to give employment to the villagers following a succession of harvest failures. The chalk from the caves was used to build the main road from West Wycombe to High Wycombe. Sir Francis established a club later to be known as the Hell-Fire Club and they used the caves for meetings and parties.
Heathrow CERSA members had a interesting walk round the caves and then retired to a local pub for lunch.
Brooklands Museum
15th March 2022
A small group of members had a lovely walk round this very interesting museum (indoors and outdoors) full of planes, racing cars, motor bikes and pedal bikes. Also the London Bus Museum has moved here now. We had lunch and a good chat in the Sunbeam cafe.
RAF Bentley Priory
23rd February 2022
RAF Bentley Priory at Stanmore played a pivotal role during the Battle of Britain as Headquarters Fighter Command. The Museum explores the important Battle of Britain history of Bentley Priory through the stories of The One, The Few and The Many.
Eighteen members, family and friends had a visit to this interesting museum and afterwards had a good chat and lunch at The Hare pub.
Christmas lunch
7th December 2021
At long last we could meet at a social event which was the Christmas lunch at The Boleyn Hotel in Staines. We had 23 members sitting down to a 3 course lunch with wine after a welcome drink in the bar. A good chance to meet again and have a chat with friends.
Cliveden House and Grounds
10th March 2020
A small group of nine members visited Cliveden. We had a walk on the Parterre with its unusual shaped flower beds and a walk in the Water Garden as well as a house tour which proved very interesting. We were told the history of the house and the people who had lived there, Nancy Aster being one of the most well known.
Postal Museum at Mount Pleasant
18th February 2020
This museum is very interesting and included a ride on the 'mail train' which is underground. Several films projected on the walls explained what happened to the mail bags when they were delivered to the workers. The museum above ground had several areas of interest including post boxes and stamps.
Battle of Britain bunker at RAF Uxbridge
16th January 2020
The first social event of 2020 was a trip to the Battle of Britain bunker. A small group of members visited this state of the art new building with a new reception area, shop and cafe. The facility is a must for military history enthusiasts.
Christmas lunch
3rd December 2019
The last social of this year was the Christmas lunch at the Thames Lodge Hotel in Staines. 30 members which including some members from CERSA Surrey enjoyed a three course lunch with wine. A good chance to catch up on news with members we may only see at this lunch.
Trinity House, London
25th November 2019
Trinity House contains a number of interesting and valuable artefacts, instruments, furnishings, sculptures and paintings. All to do with lighthouses, buoys and ships. Members had a very interesting and excellent tour with a expert guide. Plus a cup of tea and biscuit at the end.
Dorney Court
29th August 2019
A group of members had lunch at The Palmer's Arms and then a guided tour of Dorney Court which is grade 1 listed early Tudor manor house dating from around 1440 located in the village of Dorney, Bucks
Kneller Hall Open Air Concert
20th July 2019
What a fantastic evening of music to suit all tastes from 'The Light Cavalry Overture' to a selection of music from 'West Side Story' . We even had the winner from Britain Got Talent who sang 'Wind beneath my wings'.
Frogmore House and Gardens
29th May 2019
Our visit to Frogmore House and Gardens took place on a soggy Wednesday 29th May. We welcomed several colleagues from neighbouring London and Surrey branches. Mike Thompson, pictured above, braving the rain as we huddled under brollies, gave us an interesting insight into the Mausoleum and grounds. After a walk in the gardens the Tea Tent proved a very popular meeting place as the rain pretty well stopped play. Nevertheless we had a good day together.
Chiswick House and Gardens
8th May 2019
A small group of members visited Chiswick House and gardens in May. Chiswick House is a good example of 18th century architecture and its gardens are the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement.
AGM The Bells, Staines
8th April 2019
Some members having their lunch after the AGM
Farnborough Air Sciences Museum
12th March 2019
From 'Cody to Concorde' at this museum. We learnt that Samuel Franklin Cody became the first man in Great Britain to make a powered, controlled, sustained flight in a heavier-than-air machine in 1908. It only lasted 27 seconds but it marked the birth of a new era of military air power.
The Musical Museum
29th January 2019
Christmas Lunch
4th December 2018
The final event of 2018 was the Christmas Lunch held at The Thames Lodge in Staines. We were joined by some members of CERSA Surrey and with a very good number from CERSA Heathrow we all sat down to a very enjoyable 3 course lunch with a glass of wine. A cup of coffee and a mincepie completed this lovely meal.
'Secret London' Walk
5th November 2018
London's secret village of Clerkenwell, a stones's throw from St. Paul's was the setting for this 2 hour walk. A wealth of facts and stories told by an official London guide. Thank you Sid for arranging this lunch and walk.
Walk in Virginia Water
9th October 2018
What a lovely day for a walk in Virginia Water. The sun was out and the leaves on the trees are changing to a fantastic range of Autumn colours. Ideal setting if you had your camera.
The Royal Military School of Music
Kneller Hall Open Air Concert
Wednesday 11th July 2018
Frogmore House and Grounds
6th June 2018
Frogmore House and grounds are opened to the public for 3 days on 2 occasions usually each year in aid of charity. We had a chance to walk around the lovely grounds and see Queen Victoria's tea house, the Gothic Ruin, the Duchess of Kent's Mausoleum and The Royal Mausoleum (which hold the remains of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria). We also had the chance to view inside Frogmore House and see the treasures that are on show.
Poppy Factory, Richmond
14th March 2018
A small group of members had a very interesting visit to the Poppy Factory in Richmond.
We listened to a presentation about the history of how the Poppy Factory started and then had a chance to make your own poppy in the factory.
Guards Museum/Chapel concert/lunch
27th February 2018
A very cold day but a few members braved the snowy conditions to see the changing of the guard and a tour round the Guards museum. Followed by a lunch time concert in the guards Chapel then lunch at the Civic Service Club.
Burns Supper at Merits 23 January 2018
A table was booked for 12
at the Richmond Catering College to celebrate the Immortal Memory of Robert
Burns and enjoy a meal which highlighted the best of Scottish food. The evening provided an opportunity for the students to
practice their culinary skills and to experience the demands of silver service.
Christmas Lunch 5th December 2017
For our last event of 2017 we met at the Thames Lodge in Staines for our Christmas Lunch. A good number of CERSA members came for a good meal with wine and a chance to catch up on news with each other.
Helene's Norwegian Meal
10th November 2017
Some CERSA members met at Helene's (who is from Norway) house for a lovely home cooked Norwegian meal. Meatballs, red cabbage and roast potatoes all cooked from her mother and grandmother's recipes.
Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Southall
11th September 2017
This was a very interesting visit where we had a tour around the temple and a chance to visit the kitchens (volunteers do all the cooking). Here Helena is having a go at making a chapatti. Afterwards we had a spicy curry and other tasty dishes at a local restaurant.
Kneller Hall Open Air Concert 19th July 2017
What can we say about this excellent concert with the Band of the Household Cavalry, the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas and musicians from the Royal Military School of Music. A fantastic evening with music of Vaughan Williams, Arnold, Wood and Elgar. We waved our flags and sang our hearts out in the last section of the evening 'Last night of the Proms' and enjoyed the fireworks.
Boat trip down The River Thames7th June 2017
What a lovely day on Wednesday for this boat trip from Windsor. Two hours of almost 5 miles of picturesque Thames scenery with a number of sights of historic interest.
London Walk and lunch
16th May 2017
On Tuesday 16 May a group of Heathrow CERSA members had lunch at the Sherlock Holmes pub, complete with a mini museum, just off Northumberland Avenue near to Embankment Station. The lunch was arranged by Sid as a prelude to an historic London walk, led by a Blue Badge guide.
Watts Gallery, Compton Surrey
2nd March 2017
A small number of members visited the Watts Gallery, Artists' Village in March. A very interesting place comprising of the Watts Gallery, Watts Studios and the Watts Chapel
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| Watts painting Gallery |
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| De Morgan Art and Ceramics exhibition |
Combermere Barracks, Windsor
January 2017
For the first event of 2017 a group of members paid a visit to the Household Cavalry Museum and Archives at Combermere Barracks in Windsor. There was an opportunity to try on some uniforms, Brian was the first.
Christmas Lunch
December 2016
Sid and Geoff enjoying their annual Christmas lunch at The Thames Lodge, Staines. Always a good time to eat, drink and chat with members. Thanks for Trish for arranging this event.
Battle of Britain Heritage Walk
November 2016
A small group of Heathrow CERSA members went on this very interesting walk in London the day after Remembrance Sunday.
Fullers Brewery Tour
October 2016
What a very interesting tour around the Fuller's Brewery in Chiswick. A history lesson on how it all started, how it all works and tastings of different beers at the end. Then a convivial lunch at the Mawsons Arms next door
London Fire Brigade
September 2016
What a beautiful sunny day to celebrate 150 years of the London Fire Brigade and 350 years since the Great Fire of London. A small group met with Bryan, our guide, at the Fire Brigade memorial near St. Paul's Cathedral. After a talk and a pizza for lunch we took the Thames Clipper boat to the old HQ of London Fire Brigade to see some more memorials and then to a fire boat moored at Lambeth. A good day out with lots of history.
Kneller Hall open air concert
July 2016
Thirteen CERSA members enjoyed this open air concert on a lovely warm evening. The highlight for most of us was the 1812 overture, with fireworks, and of course 'the last night of the Proms' music was a very close second.
Boating down the River
June 2016
This very popular annual boat trip was on a different part of the River Thames this year. We started at Richmond, after a very nice lunch at the White Cross hotel, and finished at Hampton Court with a stop half way to let off a few members who only had time to go as far as Kingston.
A Trip to Faversham
May 2016
A group of members had a very interesting day out in Faversham last Tuesday the 3rd May. A place full of history, all related to us by the town guide. The day started with lunch in The Bear hotel followed by the guided tour and finished with a much needed cup of tea.
The Neasden Temple
(Shri Swaminarayan Mandir)
March 2016
After a member's lunch in February the third social event of 2016 was a visit to this very interesting temple followed by a delicious lunch at the Shayona Restaurant.
Battle of Britain Bunker
RAF Uxbridge
January 2016
Our first event for 2016 was to the bunker. Nine intrepid members braved the frosty morning to have a 10.00am tour of this very interesting WWII bunker and museum.
Christmas Lunch
December 2015
About thirty members attended this year's Christmas Lunch at the Thames Lodge Hotel in Staines. Good food again and a chance to meet and have a chat with friends. Thank you Trish for organising it.
The Courtauld Gallery
November 2015
A small group of Heathrow CERSA members had a very interesting visit to this gallery.
The Poppy Factory Tour
October 2015
On a crisp, sunny afternoon on the 13th of October, a group of Heathrow CERSA members gathered at the Poppy Factory, in Petersham Road, Richmond, for a guided tour.
We were welcomed with complimentary tea/coffee and
biscuits (Michael Nolan was seen to be the first at the biscuits), before our
guide, Sheena, gave us an interesting presentation, which included an
introductory film about the factory, its history, and those that have
benefited from its work.
Kneller Hall Open Air Concert - July 2015
This was the final concert of the season at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall and it had an appropriate title of 'Last night of the Proms'. Music from The Dam Busters March to Riverdance and of course Fantasia on British Sea Songs and Pomp and Circumstance No1. We waved our Union Flags until our arms ached.
Trish said "Just like to thank Michael for organising the event which was absolutely brilliant. Best one I have attended so far, and weren't we lucky with the weather.Thanks for sharing your wine"
River Thames boat trip - June 2015
This popular event was again a very good day out with a surprise visit from Mike and Angie Flude from Wales. After lunch at the King and Castle we bought our tickets for the two hour boat trip down the Thames. Informative commentary from the Captain and lively talk inside the boat within our group made it an enjoyable trip. Do not miss it next year.
Frogmore - June 2015
A small group of Heathrow CERSA members met for an interesting walk around Frogmore House Gardens and some had a tour of the house itself. Frogmore is only open to the public twice a year for 3 days so we say thank you to Mike Thompson for arranging this visit.
A Day in Rochester - May 2015
Last year member Dave Bucklee warily suggested
"Rochester is lovely, why not come over to visit". So we planned a day out in May with him in Rochester, Kent. Lunch and a fantastic guided walk left us all wanting to come back another time.
Thanks Dave and Audrey.
March 2015 visit to Bletchley Park
Twelve members visited Bletchley Park this week and had a very interesting trip.There was a range of galleries and displays about wartime Bletchley Park including the Enigma collection. You could visit Huts 3 and 6 to experience how it felt to work in these huts in Top Secret.
Also you could visit the National Radio Centre. The photos show inside and outside Bletchley House.You will need to go again, too much to see and do in one day.
January 2015 visit To BA Heritage Museum
Christmas Lunch 1st December 2014
BBC Broadcasting House tour - 12th November 2014
By popular demand a group of Heathrow CERSA members booked a tour of the BBC on Wednesday the 12th November. We had a good look at the News room and our guide explained what went on and who sat where. The best bit of the tour for Heather was actually going on The One Show set which is smaller than it looks on the TV. We were not allowed to sit on the 'Pudsey yellow cover' on the famous green settee where Alex and Matt sit. Read all about our visit in the January Retiring Room.
Heathrow CERSA - London Tour of the Inns of Court
22 October 2014
Fifteen members and four friends of Heathrow CERSA travelled to London on 22 October to enjoy one of our best London tours for many years. The day got off to a great start with real ales at £2.90 a pint and excellent lunches for modest prices at the 'Cittie of Yorke' pub restaurant on High Holborn. At 1.30pm everyone moved off to Chancery Lane to meet our Blue Badge guide for the day, Vicky Wood. Vicky gets high marks by way of positive online feedback for her 'Legal London' tour of the Inns of Court and after fifteen minutes into the tour we could all see why. Our guide's enthusiasm for her subject was maintained throughout the 1hr 45 mins of a tour that included all the Inns of Court (Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple). We also visited while going between the Inns, the Royal Courts of Justice and the shop Ede and Ravenscroft where lawyers’ wigs and gowns are on display. Both Gordon Hodson and Russ Ayling had seen action at the RCJ during their careers and it was good to hear the tales they had to tell.
Kneller Hall Concert in the Park
23rd July 2014
Sixteen Heathrow CERSA members and friends attended this 'Last Night of the Proms' concert at The Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall.The best part of the evening was when the band played Jerusalem and Fantasia on British Sea Songs and the hundreds of people that were there sang to the heavens and waved their flags.
Windsor Boat Trip 3rd June 2014
What a lovely peaceful river trip 14 of us had on 3rd June departing from Windsor Bridge and travelling as far as Boveney and back. The sun shone throughout the pleasant voyage as we passed under Brunel's Iron railway bridge and also Windsor Race course. A most enjoyable afternoon.
Spring Walk in Windsor Great Park 19th May 2014
Eleven of us had a most enjoyable walk in the park on 19th May spotting the huge variety of Rhododendrons in full bloom. May is the best time of the year to see this spectacle. A wholesome lunch followed in the Savill Building (not) named after Norman and Mavis S two of our members who joined us on the walk ( pictured above) .
Heathrow CERSA AGM - 14th April 2014 - Windsor
Twenty four members attended our AGM at the King and Castle pub in Windsor. Pictured above is our 2014 Committee and members having a hearty lunch. At the AGM we said a thank you to long standing committee member and newsletter editor Norman Shackley, who is standing down from both roles.
CERSA Founder member, Gordon Hodson, presented a bottle of Champagne
to our 100th member Norman and Mavis Saville at the AGM.
Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon - 11th March 2014
Windsor and Eton Brewery visit - 22 January 2014
A small group of Heathrow CERSA beer enthusiasts made up our party for the first outing of 2014 to the Windsor and Eton Brewery, for what was a most enjoyable visit. Will, brewer and our guide for the day was very knowledgeable, extremely patient with all our questions and importantly was in charge of replenishing our glasses as we toured the compact little brewery in Windsor.
Gordon Hodson commented "I’ve been on several
brewery tours over the years but that was the best yet. Our guide was very
friendly and easy going from the start and he gave the clearest explanation
about the role and use of hops I’ve heard. It was also the first time I’ve ever
been given a beer tasting at the outset. We certainly had a good sampling of
their wide variety of beers. A really worthwhile,
informative and enjoyable outing"
Heathrow CERSA welcomed our largest Christmas meal party at the King and Castle in Windsor on 2nd December. New members helped make a total of thirty five to enjoy a three course lunch including wine and coffee for a bargain price of £12 a head. There was a lively buzz around the seasonal decorated room, as members caught up on each others news.
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The Royal Opera House Tour 6th November 2013
20 Heathrow CERSA members and friends had a back stage tour of the Royal Opera House.We had an entertaining guide who kept our interest throughout the tour with information including the sets and scenery, costumes and the seamstresses. The best part was watching one of the leading ballerina rehearsing for the current production with her choreographer.
BBC Broadcasting House 13th October 2013
This October guided tour of the New BBC Broadcasting house was a great success.
Heathrow CERSA members Alistair and Marsha Nicolson, Norman Shackley and Marjorie Hodson were the volunteers to read a script in one of the radio recording studios.
In the course of the guided tour we were led through a number of historic rooms and studies in the older part of the original building.
