Archive for 2011
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July 2011
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Time to Book Ghost Walks for Groups
I lead lots of Guided Walks throughout the year, but without doubt the Ghost Walks are the most popular.
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Leicester Riverside Festival
Anne and I had a pleasant afternoon recently at the Leicester Riverside Festival.
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"Boogie Nights" at Salford
Anne and I went to see a production of musical at Salford recently.
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Hauntings
A pretty fascinating book has been published recently, on real ghost stories.
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Re-hallowing of Launde Abbey
Anne and I went recently, with some friends, to the re-hallowing of Launde Abbey.
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Walking Week Launch
I took part recently in the launch of the annual Leicestershire Walking Week.
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Enhance Group Visits to Melton Mowbray
May I remind group travel organisers that their visit to Melton Mowbray can be greatly enhanced by using a Blue Badge Guide, such as myself?
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Old St. Martins Walks for Council
I led two short Guided Walks recently in conjunction with Leicester Adult Education Centre, to coincide with Adult Learners` Week.
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Mystery Weekend
Anne and I had a weekend away recently. This is something that quite rarely happens.
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What I Did in Eastwood
Eastwood (Essex) is a former village, which is now on the outskirts of Southend, and close to Southend Airport.
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Visit to Holmfirth
I went on another of the Coach Trips run by Woods Coaches of Leicester recently.
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Academic Venues Show 2011
I went to another trade show in London recently.
June 2011
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Who Are All These Kings?: James II
James II was the last Stuart king of England. He was also James VII of Scotland.
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Lord Carey and the King James Bible
Anne and I went to Leicester Cathedral recently for a fascinating talk by Lord Carey (George Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury).
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Cinema Reminiscences at Westcliff
I recently made my stage debut at the Palace Theatre at Westcliff!
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Shorelines a First for Southend
There is a short festival during July in Southend which is a world first.
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Welsh Marches Tour
I led another of my popular Coach Trips recently. This time it was the "Welsh Marches Tour".
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Christ in the Centre
Once again this year, Leicester celebrated Good Friday with the annual event Christ in the Centre.
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Enhance Group Visits to Leicester
May I remind group travel organisers that when they visit Leicester, their enjoyment can be greatly enhanced by hiring a Blue Badge Guide, such as myself?
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Italian Visitors Shown St. Nicholas
I was able to show some visitors from Italy one of Leicester`s fine collection of mediaeval churches.
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Coach Trip into Lincolnshire
I went recently as a passenger on one of the excursions run by Woods Coaches of Leicester, the splendid company from whom I hire coaches for my own trips.
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London Walks Coming Soon
Everybody who enjoys my Guided Walks in London will be pleased to know that my next London Walks day will be in a few weeks` time.
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Excellent Familiarisation Day in Calderdale
I attended an excellent Familiarisation Day recently, organised by the council at Calderdale in West Yorkshire.
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Visit to Leek and Salford
Anne and I went together recently on one of the Coach Trips run by the Paul Winson company of Loughborough.
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Sampler Guided Walk for Group Organisers
I am planning a special Free sampler Guided Walk in Leicester later this Summer, for Group Organisers - people who organise social events for clubs, societies or workplaces.
May 2011
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Peter Tells of Mediaeval Religious Houses
I went to an excellent talk recently at the newly-reopened St. Martins House (formerly Leicester Grammar School), beside Leicester Cathedral.
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Lericestershire Legends and Traditions
I gave a talk recently to former staff members of Leicestershire County Council, at Holy Trinity Church in Leicester.
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Nearly Time for Children`s Arts Festival
The annual children`s arts festival in Leicester is almost upon us.
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International Visitors Experience Haunted Leicester
A group of visitors to Leicester from around the world were recently treated to their own private Ghost Walk in the city.
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Enjoyable Weekend in Yorkshire
Anne and I had an enjoyable weekend recently with the Northern branch of the Group Travel Organisers Association (GTOA) in South Yorkshire.
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Leicester is Birthplace of Modern Tourism
The City of Leicester, one of Britain`s oldest, is rightly acclaimed as the birthplace of modern tourism.
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Jack Speaks of Championship Triumphs
A recent meeting at Grace Road of the Leicestershire Cricket Society, which I attended of course, gave the opportunity to savour some of the cricket team`s triumphs of yesteryear.
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Successful Trip to Ripon
I led another of my very successful Coach Trips recently, his time to the historic cathedral city of Ripon in Yorkshire.
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Leicester Has Elected Mayor
Leicester is the largest city in the United Kingdom outside London to have a directly elected Mayor.
April 2011
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Excellent Coach Trip to Barnard Castle
I took part as a passenger recently on a Coach Trip to the splendid market town of Barnard Castle in County Durham.
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Inspirational People Speak at College
I was invited to visit Babington College at Beaumont Leys recently, to speak to pupils.
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Easter Eggs, the Easter Bunny and the Cross
Throughout the year, I give a good number of talks to clubs and societies.
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Best of Britain and Ireland 2011
I went to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham recently, for a travel trade show.
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Looking Back at Leicester`s Cinemas
I went to a talk recently at Age Concern in Leicester.
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Lots of Holidays
In Britain, we are embarking on a quite long period of national holidays.
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Popular London Walks
I recently spent the day in London, leading another two of my popular London Walks.
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Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes is a popular seaside resort in Humberside, formerly Lincolnshire, coterminous with Grimsby.
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Great Days Out
I went to an outstanding travel trade show recently in Manchester.
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Think About Ghost Walks Now
Approaching Easter might seem like a funny time to start thinking about next Autumn`s Ghost Walks.
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Destinations 2011 at the NEC
I went to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham recently, for a travel show.
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MCC Secretary at Grace Road
I went to another meeting of the Leicestershire Cricket Society recently at Grace Road.
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Tell Me Your Ghost Stories
The Ghost Walks are probably the most popular of all my activities. "Haunted Leicester" is the most popular of them all, but there are other walks, both in Leicester itself and in other towns around Leicestershire.
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Confex 2011
I spent the day in London recently, attending the Confex trade show.
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Ghosts Feature in Talk at Syston
I gave my "Haunted Leicester" talk at Syston recently.
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New Options for Walks in London
Those of you who enjoy my Guided Walks in London may be pleased to know that there are now some more!
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Narborough Walk for Birthday Treat
I led a Guided Walk recently around Narborough.
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Group Travel Show at Southsea
I went to a Group Travel Show at Southsea recently.
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Be in Leicester on Good Friday
The vibrant and historic city of Leicester will again be host to Christ in the Centre on Good Friday.
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Essex Leisure and Tourism Show
I went once again to the annual Essex Leisure and Tourism Show recently.
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Popular Free Mystery Tour Again
I recently led the "Free Mystery Tour" Coach Trip again for Leicester people.
March 2011
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What I Did in Great Wakering
Great Wakering is a village a few miles from Southend, and is notable for having the lowest rainfall in the country.
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Jeremy Coney Visits Grace Road
Jeremy Coney was the speaker at a recent meeting of the splendid Leicestershire Cricket Society.
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Travel Trade Fair at Dorking
I travelled to Dorking recently for a Travel Trade Fair.
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Who Are All These Kings?: Charles II
Charles II was King of England and Scotland in the mid 17th century. He is remembered as "Old Rowley" and as "The Merry Monarch", but his early adulthood was far from merry.
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International Vistors Shown Leicester
I was privileged recently to be able to show some of the best of Leicester to a group of visitors from countries across the world.
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Deanery Social in Belgrave
My wife Anne and I together went recently to a Deanery Social in Leicester.
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Visiting Churches and Cathedrals
Those of you who like visiting historic churches and cathedrals will find many of my Coach Trips of great interest.
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Worthwhile Day in County Durham
I spent a day recently being shown around County Durham on behalf of the local tourism industry.
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Destinations 2011 at Earls Court
I went to London recently for the Destinations travel show.
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Guided Walks Around Historic Towns
Those of you who appreciate a Guided Walk around a historic town with a Blue Badge Guide may be interested in the forthcoming Coach Trips which I am leading from Leicester.
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Enjoyable Coach Trip to Lincoln
I went recently as a passenger on a Coach Trip to the historic cathedral city of Lincoln.
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Fine Hospitality at the Stanneylands Hotel
My wife Anne and I enjoyed an excellent overnight stay recently at the Stanneylands Hotel at Wilmslow, on the edge of the countryside.
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Leicester Will Have Elected Mayor
Those of us who have a vote in Error with link will soon be casting votes for an elected Mayor. Leicester will be the largest city in the country to have a directly elected Mayor.
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Excursions 2011
I went recently to the annual Excursions trade show at Alexandra Palace in London.
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Rev Mike at Grace Road
I attended another meeting of Leicestershire Cricket Society at Grace Road recently.
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Next London Walks are in July
Many of you will know that three times a year I have a day in London, when I lead two Guided Walks on the same day.
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Groby Scouts Have a Haunted Evening
I led another private Ghost Walk for a group recently. This time it was for the Boy Scouts from Groby.
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After Eight Perform in Church
Anne and I went to an enjoyable concert on a recent Saturday evening.
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No Smoking Day
Today is No Smoking Day.
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Joining in Sing Christmas!
Anne (my wife) and I joined in the annual Sing Christmas! event, organised by BBC Radio Leicester.
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Coach Trip to Southport
I went on a Coach Trip recently to Southport, with Woods Coaches, the Leicester company from whom I hire coaches for my own excursions.
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Buy this Book and Follow the Detectives
A most unusual book arrived on my desk recently. It turned out to be an absolutely first class one!
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Darren and David Return to Grace Road
Another meeting of the splendid Leicestershire Cricket Society took place at Grace Road recently.
February 2011
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A Haunted Walk Around Blaby
I led a private Ghost Walk recently around Blaby.
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Southend Film Festival Coming Soon
The Southend-on-Sea Film Festival 2011 is coming soon, and the organisers are hoping to build on the success of last year`s event.
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Robin Stars in Oscar Wilde Play
My wfe Anne (and son Kevin) travelled to Salford recently, to see a production of an Oscar Wilde play, "The Importance of Being Earnest".
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Everybody Loved Worcester
A recent Coach Trip which I led, as part of my public programme, was "Worcester".
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High Hopes for Leicestershire Cricket
Another cricket season will be underway in a few weeks.
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Christmas Talk at Market Harborough
I gave my Christmas talk "The Holly and the Ivy" at Market Harborough recently.
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Barkby Schoolchildren Explore Historic Leicester
I led a Guided Walk recently around the fascinating city of Leicester for a party of schoolchildren.
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Reopening of Launde Abbey
The excellent Launde Abbey, now used as a retreat by the Diocese of Leicester, is to be reopened this year.
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Winter Food Festival
My wife Anne and I spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon at Leicester Market recently. This award winning market is the largest covered one in Europe.
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Cinema Talk to Camera Club
I recently gave a talk to the Fosse Co-op Camera Club, at a Catholic Church Hall in Leicester.
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A Few Seats Left on Free Mystery Tour
There are a few seats left on my annual Free Mystery Tour, which takes place next Wednesday 23rd February.
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Mark Talks to Cricket Society
I went to another meeting of the Leicestershire Cricket Society recently, at Grace Road.
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Talk on Christmas Customs
I gave a Christmas - themed talk recently to the Syston Historical Society, in the town`s Methodist church hall.
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Trevor Bailey
Very sad news that Trevor Bailey died yesterday morning in a fire at his nursing home in Westcliff. He was 87.
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London Walks Much Enjoyed Again
I recently had another one of my popular days in London, leading two different Guided Walks.
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Another Ghost Walk
I led another Ghost Walk in Leicester recently, this time for local Freemasons.
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What I Did in Shoeburyness
Shoeburyness, known to locals as just Shoebury, is a suburb of Southend located where the estuary of the River Thames becomes the North Sea.
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World Travel Market
I went to London recently, this time for the biggest travel trade show of them all.
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Luxury Travel Trade Fair
I went to another travel show in London recently.
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Who Are All These Kings?: Richard Cromwell
Richard Cromwell was not actually a king, but did succeed his father as ruler.
January 2011
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Spooky Walk for Council Staff
I led a Ghost Walk recently for employees of Leicester City Council.
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Students Go A-Haunting
I led a special Guided Walk recently for a party of students from Regent College in Leicester.
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Not Too Early to Book Christmas Talks
It mght seem a bit premature to start talking about next Christmas, when it`s still only January.
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The Story of Writing
There was a most intresting talk recently at the Central Lending Library in Leicester.
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Autumn Tour Around Wyre Forest
Each year, as part of my Coach Trips programme, I organise one known as the Autumn Colours Tour, where we endeavour to look at a wooded area and see the trees at their Autumnal best, while visiting three nice towns for about an hour each.
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What I Did in Southchurch
Southchurch is a former village which is now a suburb of Southend, my home town.
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Peter Bowler Speaks to Cricket Society
I attended another meeting of the Leicestershire Cricket Society at Grace Road recently.
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Coach Tour in Lincolnshire
I went as a passenger recently on a Coach Trip run by Woods Coaches of Leicester. This is the splendid company from whom I hire coaches for my own excursions.
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Walks in London in March
Those of you who have enjoyed my Guided Walks in London in the past will be glad to know that it`s not long until the next time!
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Ratby Beavers Go A-Haunting
I was in Loughborough recently to lead a private Ghost Walk.
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Recce for Walking Weekend
I spent a couple of days recently in Lincolnshire, as guest of the Olde Barn Hotel at Marston, where I spent a night.
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Top Tourist Attractions Visited in 2010
Another subjective and unscientific listing, but here are the Top Twenty tourist attractions that I visited in 2010.
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Top Places Visited in 2010
It is obviously a subjective and unscientific listing, but here are the Top Twenty towns / cities which I visited in 2010.
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Christmas Favourites
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, I carried out some polls among my Facebook friends.