Preston 144 September Trainspotting

Buxton (Derbyshire) was the chosen destination for the September Trainspotters outing.

Leaving Buxton station for the the town centre

The main shopping street. 'Thomas Cook' (left) were still trading on the occasion.

The historic Buxton Baths

Inside 'The Dome'.
This magnificent, former hospital is now the Buxton campus of Derby university.

After a two-hour journey, with a walk between stations in Manchester, it was time for 'coffee & culture'!

We were, somehow, drawn towards Wetherspoons for fish 'n' chips and a few(?) bevvies. 

The Wetherspoon's app for ordering food and drinks was put to the test.
Two gin & tonics appeared, ordered by George in Manchester and two pints of Doom Bar ordered by Craig in Portugal!!!

As Mike put it......"payback time"!

LSA PRESIDENT'S SUNDAY

The day started with mass at Holy Family, Freckleton celebrated by Fr Mathew Pinakkattu and continued at the Glendower Hotel, St Annes-on-Sea.  Before the meal we were very well entertained by the Gathered Voices 'A cappella Choir.  Our guests included GB National President Phil Brown and his wife Linda, and a good number of Circle Presidents from Province.  After the excellent meal the speeches were short, the raffle took longer.  A good day was had by all.

The Choir - standing

GB National President Phil Brown speaking

PROVINCIAL BALL

The 2019 Provincial Ball took place at Lancaster House Hotel near the university.  The event was most enjoyable with a very good menu selection to choose from, well served and many clean plates.  There were approximately 120 participants with most Circles represented and the GB National President Phil Brown and Linda.  Speeches were kept to a minimum to allow for the dancing to begin.  Unfortunately the dance floor was somewhat on the small side and therefore there are no photographs of the dancing to protect the innocent!!!

The Top Table

Most of the Lytham St Annes contingent

ACCRINGTON'S ANNUAL WALK

Accrington Circle held their Annual Summer Evening Walk on Tuesday 20 August. 25 people set off from Rishton Cricket Club on a lovely warm evening. The walk, lead by Paul Birch, was just over three miles in length and went through Cut Wood, along the towpath of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and back along Side Beet Lane to the Cricket Club. Here they were joined by several other members and friends to partake of an excellent buffet supper. The attached photo shows the group as they stopped mid-route to get their breath back. 

PROVINCIAL BOWLS FINALS

Dodging the rain the semi-finals and final match of the season took place at St Michaels-on-Wyre on a very pleasant Sunday afternoon.  Both semi-finals were closely fought with the scores level prior to the last game being concluded.  The results: Longridge 2, Preston South 3 and Accrington 3, Burnley 2.  However the final was not a as close with Accrington beating Preston South 4-1.

Not content with winning the match two of the Accrington team won the first two prizes in the raffle!! 

       THE RUNNERS UP: Cyril Foster, Richard Flynn,Peter Gildert, Mike Flynn and Andrew Robinson.                                  WITH ORGANISERS Lawrence Turner & Mike Finley and PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT Terence Donnelly.

THE WINNING TEAM: Mike Finley!, Paul Birch, Mick McNeil, Jeff Brown & Simon Preugschat (captain) plus see above.

RAFFLE PRIZES but not the Cup.