Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Excellent Day at Salisbury Cathedral

I spent an excellent day recently in the historic city of Salisbury.

I had been invited, along with some other Blue Badge Guides (mostly from London and the South of England), by Salisbury Cathedral, to be given an idea of current developments there.

After the welcomes, we had a talk on some of the artworks which will be displayed in the cathedral over the next few months.

We then had a fascinating visit to the stonemasons` yard, where we were able to see masters at work on the never ending cycle of restoring stonework.

Then it was the Chapter House, where one the few copies of the Magna Carta is housed. The display has been much improved.

We then climbed part of the way up the tower, for a stupendous internal view down the length of the cathedral.

And the visit ended with a cream tea!

Thanks to Salisbury Cathedral for a most interesting and enjoyable day.

Posted by colin on Saturday 18th May, 2013 at 10:02am

Travel Trade Show at Portsmouth

I recently attended a travel trade show in the outstanding maritime city of Portsmouth.

The show took place in the Royal Dockyard.

As always, it was a pleasure to see and chat to lots of friends old and new.

I was lucky enough to be given a preview of the new museum housing the Mary Rose, Henry VIII`s flagship which sank nearby in the 16th century.

And I also availed myself of the offer of a cruise around Portsmouth Harbour.

Posted by colin on Tuesday 14th May, 2013 at 4:25pm

Heritage Open Days

I attended a meeting in Leicester recently, to discuss Heritage Open Days.

The meeting was held at the historic Guildhall, which dates back to the 14th century.

We reviewed Leicester`s programme for last year, and discussed the format for this year`s event.

I am considering contributing some Guided Walks showing aspects of the city`s long history.

Posted by colin on Sunday 12th May, 2013 at 9:39am

Essex Tourism and Leisure Show

I attended one of my favourite annual trade shows recently.

This time it was the Tourism and Leisure Show, organised by the Essex tourism people.

Having previously been held at Wood Green Animal Shelter, at Colchester and at Brentwood, the show has taken place for the last few years at the Five Lakes Hotel at Tolleshunt Knights, near Maldon.

A large proportion of the exhibitors are from the lovely and historic county of Essex, but there are plenty from neighbouring counties too.

It`s always nice for me to go back to my native county of Essex, but it`s also great to chat with friends old and new.

Posted by colin on Friday 10th May, 2013 at 9:19am

Street Names of Leicester

I gave a talk on "Street Names of Leicester" recently.

It was an after lunch talk, at Devonshire House, and was for De Montfort Probus Club.

Leicester has a very eccentric collection of street names. Some refer to ancient gates into the Old Town, while others appear to do so, but in fact don`t! Many refer to aspects of Leicester`s very ,ong history.

Among the names discussed and explained were Butt Close Lane; Cheapside; Every Street; Gallowtree Gate; Horsefair Street; and Pocklingtons Walk.

I will be happy to deliver this talk to your own group. Just ask!

Posted by colin on Tuesday 7th May, 2013 at 9:02am

Trade Show at Brooklands

I went to another travel trade show recently.

This time it was at the historic Brooklands at Weybridge in Surrey. Brooklands was the world`s first motor racing circuit, and later was important in the aircraft manufacturing industry. The museums here reflect this history.

As usual, it was great to circulate and chat to friends old and new.

Posted by colin on Friday 3rd May, 2013 at 4:01pm

Short Break at Hythe

My wife Anne and I recently had a short break, just a couple of nights, at Hythe in Kent. We were able to spend some time with our daughter Gillian and her partner Daz, who live in the town.

We stayed at the Stade Court Hotel, on the seafront.

On the full day, we visited Ashford, and the two "antient towns" that were added to the Cinque Ports in the Middle Ages, Rye and Winchelsea, and also went down to Rye Harbour. In the evening, we had a meal at an excellent Wetherspoon`s in Folkestone.

The next day, we had a look at Sandgate Castle before returning to Folkestone and catching the train back to Leicester.

It was a very nice break.

Posted by colin on Sunday 28th April, 2013 at 10:56am

Leicestershire Legends and Traditions

I recently gave a talk at Dobbies Garden Centre at Mancetter, near Atherstone. I have been there to give talks a couple of times before.

This time it was "Leicestershire Legends and Traditions".

I talked about the little known St. Morrell at Hallaton; the story of Richard III and the old woman on Bow Bridge in Leicester; the water turning to blood at Garendon Pool; and the terrifying Black Annis.

Not to mention the Bottle Kicking and Hare Pie Scramble at Hallaton; the Whipping Toms in the Newarke; the giant Bel who lived at Mountsorrel; and the Mock Hare Hunt in Leicester.

During the Winter months Dobbies have a special deal including a talk, coffee and biscuits and lunch for a very reasonable price.

Posted by colin on Tuesday 23rd April, 2013 at 5:13pm

Free Mystery Tour

I recently led the 2013 "Free Mystery Tour", for people from Leicester.

This is one of the morning Coach Trips in the Leicestershire area. I have been running this free one for many years now. The route is a secret until the day, but always shows many places of interest in the area.

We started as always at St. Margarets Bus Station in Leicester.

This time we travelled down through the South of the county and into Northamptonshire, where I stopped for a few minutes at Geddington, to let the group see the surviving Eleanor Cross.

From there we went on to the lovely little market town of Oundle, where most visited the splendid tea rooms known as the Coffee Tavern in the Market Place.

That was followed by a short stop at Fotheringhay, where Richard III was born and Mary Queen of Scots was executed. Most of the group paid a visit to the magnificent St. Mary and All Saints Church.

Woods Coaches supply the vehicles and drivers for all my public Coach Trips. They are an excellent company.

If you live in the Leicester area and have not been on any of my Coach Trips, you really should!

Posted by colin on Sunday 21st April, 2013 at 10:38am

Travel Trade Show at Knebworth

I went to a travel trade show recently at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire.

It was one of the series organised by The Beautiful South, the tourism body for South East England. They always arrange the shows at places of interest.

As always, it was useful for me to do some networking, and chat to friends old and new.

And the house itself, as well as its gardens, was well worth having a look around.

Posted by colin on Friday 19th April, 2013 at 9:15am