Probus Holiday to Brighton – 19 September to 23 September 2022
Preamble
The Probus Holiday in September 2022 to the popular Brighton was another feather in the caps of organisers Graham and Pam. It was disappointing that Graham & Pam could not accompany us on the holiday due to personal reasons.
Many things, important things happened in the United Kingdom leading up to the week of our holiday in September.
Mr Boris Johnson was ousted as Prime Minister. We got a new lady PM called Liz Truss and our Gracious Queen Elizabet II passed away in Balmoral in Scotland.
Changes were happening all around us. People were unsure of the new PM and the entire country was in shock at the news of our Queen having passed away. There was a lot of emotion being displayed everywhere and here we were preparing ourselves to go to Brighton on the Probus organised coach holiday. Indeed, a welcome respite from all the emotive news in the media for at least 5 days of our holiday.
As every year it was a good holiday.
The SCVPC holiday to Brighton was scheduled from Monday 19 September to Friday 23 September 2022 and as in the past years there were two pick-up points – The Crown Pub first and the second one on Jockey Road outside The Royal Sutton Coldfield Conservative Club. Paul, our stalwart coach-driver was to collect us all and take us to Brighton. But instead of the usual 8 to 9 am pick-up this time we were leaving at 1:00 pm. The reason for the delayed start on Monday the 19th September, was that it was the day of Funeral of Our Late Queen Elizabeth II in London and majority of places where the coach would normally have a ‘comfort stop’ or we would visit a National Trust site enroute to our hotel in Brighton were likely to be shut out of respect towards Our Queen on the day of her funeral. So, we just headed straight for “The Old Ship Hotel” in Brighton.
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Monday 19 September 2022
By the time I got to the second pick-up point at Jockey Road some members were already there. There was greetings and cheery conversation while waiting for the coach to arrive. Inevitably necks were craned to espy the coach in the distance. Then it arrived. While Paul loaded the baggage, we climbed aboard to be greeted by those already seated having been collected from pick-up point number one. After a brief pronouncement from Paul about health & safety on the coach and that it was our responsibility to use the seat belts, we were off. Anticipating that there would be excessive traffic towards London, Paul took a route away from roads leading towards London. This probably lengthened our time to reach the hotel but avoided heavier traffic. We arrived in Brighton close to 6 pm.
Approach to Brighton was through a lot of residential and built-in areas but once in Brighton itself I could see an assortment of architecturally different buildings some impressive some not so. And of course, we got the view of the magnificent Royal Pavilion built by the prince Regent in oriental style of architecture. Before we could reach the hotel, which was situated on the seafront our coach joined the traffic-choked seafront dual carriage way taking us past ‘Old Ship Hotel’. Paul had to find a place where he could do a U-turn and head back in the right direction for the hotel. It was slow going on the congested road but it afforded us the view of the sea, the pier, the promenade with a lane for cyclists too and the chain of hotels with names like Hilton, Grand etc. We finally stopped right in front of our hotel. The luggage was unloaded by Paul and taken to the foyer/reception area while we queued our way to see the lady at the special desk laid out for us to pick up our key-cards for our rooms. We were also enlightened the all-important location of the dining room for our dinner and breakfast. Off we went in search of our rooms and search it was, at least for me - for the hotel was true to its name Old Ship Hotel. There were stairs and lifts in two different directions – just like in an old ship leading to different decks (levels) except here the stairs (not steps) were carpeted - depending upon which floor your room was situated.
The tourist book tells us that the “Old Ship Hotel was built in 1559. It was later bought by Nicholas Tettersells, with the money given to him by Charles II as a reward for taking him to France during the Civil War.”
I was on the second floor and the lift taking me up was allegedly built in 1920. It was slow could only carry three people with baggage but it worked. I couldn’t help thinking that the pace of the lift matched my own so I was not too unhappy. After using the lift, I had to manoeuvre through about four doors or was it five - located not in the more familiar layout of straight hotel corridors - there were turns before I got to the room. The room and bed were good and comfortable – no view of the sea from the window! – you can’t have it all. Our cases were delivered to our rooms quite quickly which was a relief for I wanted a wash and change before dinner at 7:00 pm.
Dinners throughout our stay were good and even catered for me being a vegetarian. The best part of course is the chit chat at the dining tables exchanging notes about our travels, frivolity and laughter. We noticed that Paul, our driver was coming each evening late for his dinner. We wondered why and discovered later, that he had to park the coach as I understood, about 40-minute walk away from the hotel! It appears there was no provision of coach-park close to our hotel. It would certainly make him hungry I hazard a guess.
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Tuesday 20 September 2022
At 9:30 am we boarded our coach waiting for us a few steps away from the entrance of the Old Ship Hotel on the edge of the busy road. Paul had obviously had an early breakfast and gone to fetch the coach before we had finished our breakfast.
This morning we were going to Leonardslea Lakes and Gardens a magnificent grade 1 listed and it did not disappoint us. The gardens were lush and covering the Sussex downs as far as the eyes could see. There were many paths laid out at varying levels for one to choose. Some were easier to walk on than others. Scattered among the trees quite random, were creative sculptures which added to the enjoyment or should I say amusement for these were for sale. Not cheap at several thousand pounds sterling each. Then quite suddenly we were at the Lakes. The Lakes were surrounded by trees and bushes – don’t ask me to identify the flora – which provided breath taking beauty of colourful reflections on the calm and still waters of the lakes. I bet during deeper autumn when the leaves on the trees change to yellow, brown and red colours the sight would be even more breath taking.
Inevitably the cameras-phones came out. A peaceful and calming influence it was especially when we were seated outside a small garden-café sipping our respective beverage taking in the beauty of the lakes and surrounding trees. It was ‘treely’ (truly) an arboreous experience.
We couldn’t visit every lake and surrounding trees but what we saw we enjoyed. Some of us managed to go to the Doll’s House Museum which was a treat as well for within large glass cabinets were miniature scenes from the ‘olden- days’ displayed with amazing detail. There was a post office, a haberdashery, an apothecary, all with miniature workers in appropriate clothes for the vocation. And there was a full display of farm showing farmer at work, farm animals and even the fields with plants, a cottage with its own garden and more.
Of course, we didn’t miss National Trusts café for light lunch and snacks.
The same afternoon we went to Nymans a grade II listed National Trust Garden for all seasons set around a romantic house and ruins once belonging to the Messel family so the NT book tells me. The garden was very beautiful with beds of vibrant and colourful flowers including one of my favourites ‘Dahlias’- indeed a pleasure for all senses.
We reached the hotel at a reasonable time not without Paul having to drive the coach through narrow roads and meeting the Brighton rush-hour. We had a bit of time before dinner so, Allan, David and myself walked across to the popular late Victorian Brighton Pier which the brochure tells me, was built in 1899 and now caters for today’s visitors with amusement arcades and rides for children”. Thankfully when we walked on the pier the arcade and the rides were shut so, it was relatively quiet. It would come alive at dusk and stay noisy until dark, I was sure. By 7 pm we were all seated for our dinner. The food, the company, the frivolity all made it a good evening.
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Wednesday 21 September 2022
All change! This morning we did not follow the stated itinerary for today. I am sure there must be a good reason. We still visited all the places we were supposed to but not in the expected order. Instead of proceeding to National Trust’s Standen House and Gardens first we headed to Sheffield Park and Garden. I was intrigued that we are miles away from South Yorkshire in lush East Sussex and visiting Sheffield Park! – why Sheffield I mused? The garden was magnificent with lakes at its centre, a treat for all our senses. The brochure tells us that it was created over centuries originally designed in the 18th century. There are many paths to choose to walk on with each giving a different view of the landscape equally breath taking. There is a lot of walking if one were to see the entire vista from different angles. I didn’t see it but the NT informs me that Pulham Fall and the cricket pitch was added by the 3rd Earl of Sheffield in the 19th century. That answers the query in my head ‘Why Sheffield’ – now I know. There were variety of trees I had never seen or heard of but the sights were pleasing, peaceful and plenty. Sheffield Park was truly worth a visit.
After our visit to Sheffield Park, we headed to Sheffield Park Station which was just round the corner as it were and we reached there quite quickly. We had been informed by our erstwhile organisers that the train we were to board is called the Bluebell Railway and we will ‘journey through 11 miles of beautiful Sussex scenery’ to East Grinstead. For the steam train enthusiasts –
“The Bluebell Railway was one of the first preserved heritage lines in the country – many were preserved straight out of service from British Railway”. This provided the finest collection of vintage steam locomotives and carriages.
The 11 miles journey to Grinstead gave us a continuous delight of seeing beautiful scenery but we had added bonus in the company of ‘the Inspector’ or was it ‘the guard’ who was so knowledgeable, so proud and so enthusiastic about the Bluebell Railway that he showered us with facts and figures mingling it with funny anecdotal incidents in the birth of Bluebell. One of the highlights of the journey was that we went through a very long tunnel – interesting facts about it were mentioned which need to be researched for those interested. I find it fascinating at the Steam Railway stations the nostalgic collection of advertising boards displaying adverts for groceries, cigarettes, health drinks, etc from bygone days and there is always a couple of unique shaped containers for carrying milk!
Out of Grinstead Railway station we found our coach waiting for us to take us to Standen House and Gardens. We hadn’t travelled far when the coach came to an unexpected halt. Some of us including me craned are necks got to the edge of our seats to get a better view of the front of the coach to find out what was causing the stoppage. It was a narrow-tarmacked road with some houses but nothing unusual except the road was further reduced in width due to cars parked on the road. No longer wide enough for the coach to drive through without the risk of damaging the coach and the parked cars; this was not acceptable. We then saw David Widney who had been deputised to be in charge, step out of the coach and approach the person whose car was obstructing our way through. I did not see or hear anything but gathered that apparently the man was refusing to move his car. I believe some further ‘negotiation’ ensued, which resulted in the coach being able to go through. David Widney was the hero of the hour! Quite quickly we reached the National Trust’s Standen House & Gardens which has been called ‘an arts and crafts family home set in beautiful hillside garden’. NT Handbook tells us that James and Margaret Beale chose this idyllic location to build their rural retreat, nestled in the Sussex countryside. The estate is well spread out and one would need a day or two to explore both the vast gardens and the family house. I managed to go to the house, which was a treat for all interested in arts and crafts. We walked on various paths in the expansive gardens and got a lovely view from the sloping garden. I have a weakness for second hand bookshops and NT always entrap me with their excellent selection; I always end by buying a book or two ostensibly as gifts for my rapidly growing grand-daughters. Standen House was a pleasant experience indeed. We left round about 4:30 pm reaching our hotel at about 6:00 pm.
At dinner we had two familiar guests arrive - Mick and Margaret Noble who before they relocated in Sussex were members of our Probus in Sutton Coldfield. It was good to see them and I am sure they enjoyed the dinner and company of our members at the dining table.
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Thursday 22 September 2022
Today we headed towards Surrey to visit National Trust Polesden Lacey. It is an Edwardian House and vast estate located on the North Downs near Dorking in Surrey and promised to be a pleasant experience. It was. At a cross road Paul brought the coach to a halt quite unexpectedly. The reason was a sign on the road announcing that the road ahead was closed! Paul contacted (what did we ever do without mobile phones in our pockets!) the NT and discovered that the sign should have been removed and the road was clear to go so, we proceeded as planned much to the relief of everyone. Polesden Lacey was indeed a treat with its vast lush grounds and lovely gardens with stunning view of the Surrey Hills. The House was not disappointing at all with its magnificent collection of artefacts, paintings, sculptures and lavish decoration in high ceiling rooms. A veritable treasure trove. NT brochure tells us that “Polesden Lacey was the weekend party house of Margaret Graville, a popular and powerful socialite in the early 1900s”. Mrs Greville had a gift for networking entertaining aristocrats, movie stars and maharajas. Apparently, King George VI and Elizabeth the Queen Mother spent part of their honeymoon here. In our random groups we walked the well laid out paths of the gardens feeding our senses and felt simply good. As always, I couldn’t stay away from the NT’s second-hand book shop and succumbed. The café provided us with welcome sustenance and that much needed cup of tea and coffee.
Back to the coach and we set off at 3 pm to go to Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking where we were promised an outdoor vineyard train tour. I am sure we were all looking forward to that train tour. The coach couldn’t take us right to the doorstep of the Offices of the Estate for there was a bridge too low across the road for the coach to pass under. We disembarked and cheerfully wearing broad smiles, walked the 300 yards to the offices alongside stunted growing vines taking pictures of bunches of grapes suspended from well secured vines. We used the facilities and waited outside the offices to be ushered to the open vine-yard train. The train was made up of several linked carriages being pulled by a Land Rover. It was no different to the children’s trains in theme parks and zoos only a little bigger to accommodate adults. We all came aboard with not much persuasion and with exciting anticipation. The driver was our guide. If my memory is not failing me, we were given an introductory talk before we set off. Th train wound its way up a hill and as we went along, we got a birds-eye view of the vine-yards all laid out so symmetrical. Halfway up the hill the train stopped and the driver/guide stood with a portable microphone telling us all about the statistics of the estate, layout of the land and how high we were etc. It was a cold afternoon, the strong breeze blowing through the carriages felt chilly. After the talk the gentleman disappeared followed by some cluttering noises, then he reappeared with tall plastic glasses used for drinking champagne and passed then to each of us. Then came the bottles of wine produced on the estate and each of our glasses were filled. What a pleasant surprise. Sipping this lovely wine, we carried on higher to the top of the hill which gave a wonderful view of the Estate with its acres of vines and nestling among the lush growth alongside the estate, there was Dorking.
Cheerful, happy with good wine inside us our train wound down hill back to the smart offices of Denbies Wine Estate. Everyone made a bee line for The Shop selling various wines produced in the Estate and lot more. I ended up by buying two bottles of “Surrey Gold” – white wine we tasted on the train ride. Good marketing with converted customers.
Back to the coach after a wonderful experience of visiting Denbies. In the warmth of the coach a little dozing didn’t go amiss. We reached ‘The Old Ship Hotel’ a little later than usual consequently the dinner was delayed, which was welcome. Last night it was and there was good cheer, fun and laughter all round at the dining tables. Most of us didn’t linger after dinner for our cases needed to be packed and left outside our room doors before, we go for our early breakfast in the morning not later than 8:00 a.m. we were told!
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Friday 23rd September 2022
Throughout our 5 days of holiday in Brighton we were lucky to have had dry and mostly sunny weather. But today, as we say farewell to our hotel and Brighton it is raining, as if the clouds are sad to see us go. Once we left Brighton behind, we didn’t meet any more rain on our return journey. We had one more treat en-route at National Trust’s Hughenden Manor in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. As we travelled on familiar route homewards unsurprisingly a quiet had descended in the coach. Nobody was talking perhaps wrapped up in thoughts about home and the immediate tasks to be attended. Personally, I have travelled many times on M40 and passed the signs for High Wycombe without knowing that there was an important NT Manor situated in High Wycombe, home to the colourful Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. It was a fascinating house set in Chiltern Valley packed with personal memorabilia of this well-known statesman. We were very lucky to get a knowledgeable speaker/guide who gave us a potted history not only about the Manor but background to the career path of charismatic Benjamin Disraeli. I seem to recollect that we were told that Disraeli had an upstairs room specially decorated for Queen Victoria who I believe did stay there. I am willing to be corrected if my memory is playing tricks with facts.
What took me by surprise was that Disraeli’s home was used during WWII as headquarters for a top-secret operation called “Hillside”. Again, if my memory serves me right the operation was consisting of reading and deciphering aerial photographs over Germany and converting these into maps, a laborious task indeed, for RAF pilots to take with them on bombing raids. With limited technology available then the work done by Hillside map makers increased the accuracy of bombing missions but precision was not possible.
There was a poignant quote on the wall of one of the rooms by Kathlyn Hudson, one of the map makers – which I reproduce here:
“With our paintbrushes we had helped to kill people we did not know”.
Hughenden Manor was a pleasant surprise for me and I am so glad it was part of our itinerary on our way back home. Suitably refreshed we got back on our coach, no doubt thinking about our wonderful Brighton holiday but eagerly now looking forward to getting home.
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Another good and successful Sutton Coldfield Vesey Probus holiday organised by Graham & Pam Russell. Thank you both.
Ajai Kapur 1 February 2023
I might add, the writing here is my point of view and I am sure other members will carry their own view and memories of our Brighton Holiday.
