WHEN COTTON WAS KING

We are hoping to do a walking tour of Manchester late April 2020 to coincide with the Study day we are offering on April 22 2020 called When Cotton was King, leader Brian Healey. This will cover the many mills and landmarks covered in his Manchester study day. More details in January Newsletter with firm times. Bus or train travel and an intensive walking day is planned.

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AUCKLAND CASTLE And THE AUCKLAND PROJECT

LATE SPRING 2020

We are also hoping to do an overnight visit to the Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, home of the Prince bishops. This amazing project is the vision of Jonathan Ruffer, Fund Manager and philanthropist. Auckland Castle is undergoing a multi million pound conservation programme. The State rooms are being returned to the Georgian designs of renowned architect James Wyatt 1746-1813 and the impressive Spanish Zuberon paintings ( currently on tour in the USA ) will be rehung in the long dining room. A new Mining art gallery to rival the Pitmen painters gallery has opened and a Spanish art gallery and tapas bar are opening HOPEFULLY along with the Castle and Palace and new Faith museum towards the back end of 2019. Also the fabulous Auckland tower. I am waiting for the definite opening of the castle – before I confirm dates for this tour. You can understand that as it is GRADE 1 star, the builders are behind. I want to make sure all is available to visit before confirming dates. We shall stay overnight in a hotel local to Bishop Auckland, and we shall also visit the newly renovated Bowes Museum the next day. We intend to take a coach up to Bishop Auckland and this will take us to the Bowes museum the following day and then drive home afterwards. Please look at the Auckland project on line and also the new Bowes Museum pages.

Again details will be in the January newsletter.