Trade Reviews

The article below was written by Joyce Holmes, Group Travel Organiser from Wigan Women's Friendship Club. She and her husband Ray attended one of the group travel FAM' events - the Merseyside Capital of Culture Group Travel Showcase 29-31 March. This is what she thought of the event:

My husband and I went on a Merseyside" Capital of Culture" Familiarisation Event on 29th March until 31st March, which was organised by Steve Reed Tourism Ltd., and led by Steve, this is day trip territory for my group. There were fifty group organisers and coach operators in the party. I had not visited a few of the attractions and some had changed dramatically over the years.

We stayed at the Ramada Encore Hotel at Haydock, a new hotel which had only been open a few weeks. The bedrooms have modern décor and are bright and spacious, they are equipped with power shower, telephone, tea/coffee facilities, flat screen satellite TV and hi speed internet access. It is conveniently situated close to junction 23 of the M6. There is a hotel car park but as yet no directions of how to get to the car park from the main road, but I am sure this will be rectified.

We were introduced to the Hotel Manager, and he provided an informal buffet lunch for the party, and the food was excellent.

After lunch we boarded the coach provided by Oakwood Travel, to visit The World of Glass at St.Helens I had taken a group here many years ago but in 2000 this new building was built, which I had not seen. "The World of Glass" is an award winning visitor attraction based on the history and uses of glass. We saw a multi-sensory audio visual show, a demonstration of glass blowing, and explored the furnace and the fascinating underground tunnels. I was very impressed by this attraction and thought that there was something to suit everyone including children.

Then it was on to Knowsley Safari Park and Hall, where we saw the longest park wall in the country at a length of nine and a half miles. The Hall which dates back to the 12th century is used for weddings and private functions. As there was a wedding reception taking place we were only able to glimpse the hall from a distance. It is a fine impressive house owned by the 19th Earl of Derby, and it was interesting to learn from Edward Perry the Director that private groups can have a tour with a meal. When The Queen visits the North of England she very often stays here. We then drove into the Safari Park, a huge complex of 550 acres. Apparently there are only five safari parks left in the country. Unfortunately by this time the weather had changed and it was quite wet so the animals had mostly gone inside, although we did see some peacocks, and we were entertained by an amusing Sea Lion show which was very good.

Our next attraction was Norton Priory Museum and Gardens. Nearly a millennium ago this was the home to a community of Augustinian canons Now it is an award winning site, an historical gem and a haven for wildlife, with over 38 acres of gardens, including the National collection of tree quince. My grandchildren would love this attraction, even the youngest a two year old, as you can pick up a story sack for a refundable £5 deposit , so she could be entertained whilst the older ones explored the ruins or the sculpture trail and gardens.

From there we were taken to the 12th century All Saints Church at Daresbury. This church is associated with Lewis Carroll who was born in the parish and there is a Lewis Carroll window. Mrs Rutter gave us a short talk and explained that groups can have a guided visit with afternoon tea.

By this time it was early evening so when we arrived at the Everglades Park Hotel at Widnes the Bucks Fizz reception was particularly welcome. This hotel set in the beautiful Cheshire countryside has 67 well appointed bedrooms. We had a delicious three course meal from a choice of menu and afterwards counted the calories! No good for the slimmers as I gained 2lbs over the weekend. During the meal we were given a quiz sheet and several of the group won prizes, including myself, I won a family ticket to The World of Glass. We eventually arrived back at the hotel about 10.00pm but as the clocks were going forward an hour we lost an hours sleep.

The following morning after a hearty breakfast we left the hotel at 8.30.a.m, and drove to the village of Crosby which is situated between Liverpool and Southport. There we saw Anthony Gormleys "Another Place" one hundred cast iron male images which have been so popular that there has been a petition for them to stay. Then on to Southport Pier the country's oldest surviving and the second longest pier in the country at 3,600ft, for a ride on the train to the end of the pier, where we had a welcome cup of tea and chance to play on the slot machines with old pennies, I lost all my money, does that make me a bankrupt! From here we were taken to Churchtown and a star attraction The Botanical Gardens. This dates back to 1874 and consists of 23 acres of breath taking floral displays, wrought iron bridges, museum, aviary, bandstand, wild life area and café. The head gardener Mr Alan Foxall met us and gave us a guided tour. Whenever I have visited the gardens the flowers have been beautiful, whatever the season, a credit to the gardeners. They do sell some of their plants from the greenhouse in the afternoons. There are no entrance charges and many a happy afternoon can be spent in the gardens, perhaps listening to the Brass Band on a Sunday afternoon. Churchtown is a delightful village with old world thatched cottages and interesting shops.

Lunchtime had arrived and we were taken to The Dining Rooms within the Alexandra and Victoria Hotel, on West Street, Southport for lunch. We were welcomed by Mr Morton the Managing Director for a unique dining experience. After a roast beef lunch which included a mouth watering sweet we left to board the coach. I had not heard of this establishment and told Mr Horton it was indeed "a hidden gem" and I will be returning.

We then went on through the Tunnel to Port Sunlight on the Wirral. Port Sunlight was founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever for his soap factory workers, and amazing garden village. To this day the householders are bound by strict rules and cannot alter their houses or gardens. Firstly we visited the Sunlight Vision Museum which offers an insight into the way of life for the very first villagers. We watched a film show and looked at the memorabilia; some of us then went into the shop and bought some soap.

Just across the road is The Lady Lever Art Gallery which was opened in 1922 and houses outstanding Victorian paintings, 18th century British furniture and the best collection of Wedgwood Jasperware in the world.

Our last attraction of the day was Ness Gardens, The University of Liverpool's Botanic Gardens at Neston, Cheshire, forty six acres of gardens set on the bank of the Dee, with views across the North Wales. We were shown into a theatre for a short DVD and then split into two groups for a tour of the garden. Luckily the weather kept fine so we were able to enjoy the walk. A new visitor centre was opened in 2006, so quite a few of us purchased gifts from the gift shop. Before leaving we enjoyed a delicious buffet meal, again no good for the waistline

On our last day Monday, we left at 8.30.a.m. for Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, the largest Cathedral in Britain. It also has the heaviest peal of bells, and the world's highest and widest gothic arches. This was one of the highlights of the weekend in fact Ray; my husband said he would have gone on the tour for this visit alone. He went up the tower and photographed the panoramic views of Liverpool. The party were split into two groups and we had a guided tour of the cathedral, and learnt that the cathedral cost five million pounds to build, and that there is six tons of glass in the West window. The architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott who also designed the red telephone box had only designed a pipe rack, before he submitted his designs for the cathedral. We also saw the film show showing the building of the cathedral. Steve had arranged a travel showcase in the well of the cathedral so we were able to visit the various attractions and obtain details of what they had to offer. Our visit to the cathedral was over two hours and we really did appreciate this as there was so much to see.

Leaving the Cathedral we were taken to the Atlantic Tower Hotel a modern deluxe hotel on Liverpool's waterfront. We were shown several rooms which had panoramic views over the river, and then we were directed to the restaurant where a delicious buffet lunch was awaiting us. The coach then took us to Albert Dock to see The Beatles Story, where we had an audio guide around the exhibition. This is a unique visitor attraction covering the life, times, culture and music of the Beatles. We then boarded the Mersey Ferry for an hours cruise, and we were surprised at the number of passengers on board.

Leaving Liverpool our final destination was Haydock Park Race Course, the most visited race course in the U.K. This premier race course has over 30 top class racing days each year. Everyone was given a free race ticket, refreshments, and an insight into the workings of a race course.

So ended our "fam trip" to Liverpool. I have joined quite of few of Steve's trips but this one has been outstanding. It is a reflection of all the hard work he does in organising these weekends and we are very grateful to him.

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