Firstly I just want to say a special ‘Hello and Welcome’ to all our members as this is a commemorative issue is going to every one of our members up and down the country – and that can’t be said for about 8 years now!
Dianne Livingstone Spice London
You may or may not know but Spice is celebrating its 35th anniversary (not sure what may have given that away?) and every time I am asked to write a piece for the newsletter I seem to start with where has the time gone? But it’s true… the weeks, turn into months then years and suddenly it’s 11 years since I first met my very good friend Dave who gave me the opportunity to get out of a job I really didn’t enjoy and not only work with some amazing people but also meet many interesting, extrovert and often very funny members! Starting with Spice in 2005 I can honestly say I have never woken up and thought I really don’t want to go to work today – don’t get me wrong it has the odd it trial and tribulation but on the whole I count myself very fortunate! This issue is a nostalgic look back at Our Spice memories... among the stories we have covered profiles of some of our longest term members (still in membership) living the dream with Spice. There is an interview with Dave and a plotted history of Spice plus our Coordinators’ have taken pen to paper and shared some their stories with you - some of which really made me laugh out loud. The newsletter also has our logos from yesteryear see if you can spot them whilst you go through the issue.
Richard Coulter Spice West Midlands
Lauren Fawkes Spice Manchester & Yorkshire
Jamie Morris Spice Scotland
re
Until next time.. .w ha ta
g for…Live aitin y o u uw rD yo r ea
Kathryn Buttle Spice Thames Valley & Solent
m
... Ian Purvis, Spice UK General Manager
Steve Dell Spice East Midlands
Ian Purvis Spice UK
Kate Alderson Spice Bristol & Cardiff
Name: Tina Bryant Which Group are you a member of? East Mids How long have you been a Spice member? 7 years - and I can honestly say that they have been have been the most fun years of my life! Why did you join Spice? I’d been a single mum for many years and my son was about to spread his wings and go to uni. It was time for me to get a life of my own. A friend of mine was thinking of joining Spice so we went along to the local open evening together. I was quite nervous at the beginning but there were so many great events on offer, I just decided to go for it! What has been your favourite event? Well, I would have to say Centre Parcs. I’ve been four times, each time was different and so much fun, but the third time, when I met my fiance, has to be the best What has been your most challenging event? A DIY weekend in Wales. It was at quite a lonely time in my life and the journey up on my own was challenging in itself. I was so nervous but when I arrived I found there were five of us ladies in one room. We’d all brought wine or chocolate to share and it was like a
lovely party right from the beginning! And as for the DIY - well, I learned drilling and tiling and bricklaying to name just a few. I left that weekend feeling completely invincible! What is your funniest memory in Spice? I have so many, and they mostly involve dressing up! I think it has to be the Dolly Parton Tribute night - Mike Sampson in his blonde wig and inflatable boobs winning the Best Dolly Award. What would be your advice for a new member? There are so many adventures to be had, things you wouldn’t even have dreamed of! Get booking and start having fun! Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? Yes, I went to Cuba. It was an amazing holiday and I wouldn’t have done it on my own. Being part of Spice meant everything was always well organised and there were always friendly Spicers for company! Have you had an embarrassing Spice moment? Yes. I’m sure there are a few..........! What is your life philosophy in one sentence? Enjoy the moment!
Name: Adrian Spencer Which Group are you a member of? London How long have you been a Spice member? 28 years (Since July 1988) Why did you join Spice …It was by chance! Walked in to a WHSmiths one lunch time during work and was browsing through ‘Pursuits’ magazine and saw the ‘SPICE’ advert at the back in the mult-activity section – Thought, that looks really interesting, so joined and the rest is history as they say! If I had walked passed WHSmiths, what a different path my life would have taken! What has been your favourite event? Probably Fire Eating, but Bungy Jumping, Bridge Jumping, Zorbing and all the water sports events - you name it, were all favourites. What has been your most challenging event? Bungy Jumping – I hate heights, but loved it in the end!
What is your funniest memory in Spice? ….Barstool Karting was the funniest – driving around a track in converted go-karts! What would be your advice for a new member? …. Just go for it - and try the things you’ve not done before or you think will challenge you. Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? ….Yes – A few of the Skiing holidays & La Santa (Lanzarotte) Have you had an embarrassing Spice moment? … Being sick after I got out of the Zorb at the bottom of the hill!!! I got a lot of ribbing for that! What is your life philosophy in one sentence. …. Try and make the most of what life throws at you even if you think its outside your ability and confidence zone, whenever you can.
Do you remember this...
Name: Heather Morton Which Group are you a member of? Birmingham Spice, it will always be that to me! How long have you been a Spice member? Since May 1992. Why did you join Spice? To be honest i have no idea. I and a few friends saw the launch posters and thought it looked fun. What has been your favourite event? Best event ever was flying a Jet Provost, I didn’t stop grinning for a week. Must be getting on for 18 years ago, but still makes me smile. Coincidentally most memorable ones are all activity/ driving ones. Helicopter, go karts, hovercraft,
formula ford, combine harvester, all great fun. What has been your most challenging event? Abseil off Vyrnwy dam. Aberdovey ice cream re-appeared if you know what I mean? What is your funniest memory in Spice? Barry rugby tackling ‘bad boys inc’ in an attempt to stop them mooning out of the back of the coach when leaving ragley hall. Arrest averted! What would be your advice for a new member? Don’t play safe, do activities that challenge your thoughts and abilities. You will never find a safer or more supportive environment to try new things. Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? Yes a few. Grand canyon, just save up and do it......fantastic. Have you had an embarrassing Spice moment? Ehhhhemmmm of course not! What is your life philosophy in one sentence? Be kind, give your time freely and be happy.
Name: Tony Evans
What has been your most challenging event? Abseiling 200ft
Which Group are you a member of... Thames Valley and Solent
What is your funniest memory in Spice? Watching the bus catching on fire! (you had to be there)
How long have you been a Spice member? A long time!! (25.5 years)
What would be your advice for a new member? Get out there and give it a go; even if you don’t like it, you’ll know more about yourself Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? Yes – Skiing, Thailand, Australia
Why did you join Spice? At the time I was looking for different things to do
Have you had an embarrassing Spice moment? I’d rather not say ;-)
What has been your favourite event? Skiing Holidays!
What is your life philosophy in one sentence. Try anything once.
Name: John Tribble Which Group are you a member of? Spice Scotland. How long have you been a Spice member? Only 24 years! Why did you join Spice ? I discovered Spice through a friend I use to know. It sounded like a really easy way to try out various activities without all the hassle of organising it yourself. What has been your favourite event? There have been many over all those years, but probably the weekend breaks, the Spice Castles tour - 6 castles in a weekend. Also weekends in Braemar, Inveraray and walking around Glencoe to name a few. What has been your most challenging event? Probably the Acting for Fun classes. I am a pretty shy guy, so the thought of performing in front of others was daunting. However, it was probably one of the most useful events I ever did, as I realised that acting is not just for actors. Most people have to give a speech or a presentation at work during some point their life, this course gave me a real confidence boost for such tasks. And yes, it was a lot of fun too!
What is your funniest memory in Spice? Well, I did the fire eating experience a while ago and feeling full of confidence, a few days later at a party I was invited to I gave a demonstration of my new skill in the hosts back garden and ended up setting fire to their lawn! Someone reluctantly ended up pouring their pint of beer over the flames to prevent a major disaster. Needless to say, I have not tried giving demonstrations again. What would be your advice for a new member? Once you have joined, go to an event where you can spend some time meeting plenty of members and find out what they would recommend. Then book the events you fancy early to avoid disappointment! Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? Yes, I did the Spice Australia trip, something I will never forget. The weekend in Bangkok then off to Sydney, Alice Springs, Uluru and Kings Canyon, finally Cairns for white water rafting and the Great Barrier Reef. We were constantly on the go! Have you had an embarrassing Spice moment? Trying to do tap dancing. I discovered I have no rhythm, at least in my feet. What made it worse was I always seemed to be standing next to a girl who was really good. What is your life philosophy in one sentence? You only live once, so enjoy it!
Name: Christine Harrison Which Group are you a member of? Spice Yorkshire. How long have you been a Spice member? According to Lauren, I’ve been a member for 24 years. Apparently I’m the longest serving female Yorkshire member. Maybe I’ll get a silver award next year! Why did you join Spice? One of my friends had moved away and joined Spice Manchester. She casually mentioned she was going to New York with Spice, so I joined my nearest group and booked the New York trip as my first event. Within a year I’d moved to Leeds and started a new social life with Spice. What has been your favourite event? There’s been lots of favourite events. Fire eating/breathing; Narrowboat weekend; Balls and parties; Bunk barn weekends What has been your most challenging event? The Grand Canyon rafting holiday. I’d never wanted to camp and not been rafting before but it was an incredible experience.
which they had to cook at the table. The waitress came back to check on us and started flapping around as they’d cooked it all wrong. What would be your advice for a new member? Don’t procrastinate. Book it, do it ! Be a regular at quiz nights/ bowling/meals and try the weekends to get to know people quicker. Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? I’ve done lots of the long haul holidays. Australia, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Japan, Brazil, Caribbean cruises, The Grand Canyon. They’ve all been great. Have you had an embarrassing Spice moment? Thankfully nothing bad to report here although, as a Voluntary Coordinator, I’m regularly approaching people in restaurants to ask if they’re with Spice, especially if they’re on their own. What is your life philosophy in one sentence? You can’t take it with you! Which four people (dead or alive) would you like to have dinner with? Michael Palin, Joanna Lumley, Charles Darwin, Dervla Murphy (all keen travellers) Favourite film? Pretty Woman
What is your funniest memory in Spice? On holiday in a Japanese restaurant with a couple of Spice guys. They chose a meal
Name: Jo Beaumont Spice Group: Spice Bristol & Cardiff How long have you been a member? 12 years Why did you join Spice? Hadn’t been in Bristol long and wanted some fun.
Favourite posession? A diamond ring I bought in Malaysia. The next morning I learnt that my mother had passed away.
What is your funniest memory in Spice? When at Center Parcs doing Spice Triple Challenge, having to do Karaoke in the middle of the pathway. What would be your advice for a new member? Once you become a member just book a few events together to get started. Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? Yes went to Lake Garda was absolutely amazing.
What has been your favourite event? Cardiff weekend with East Midland Spice.
Have you had an embarrassing Spice moment? Trying to get over a stile and had to get two men to help me over backwards.
What has been your most challenging event? 6 miles walk in the Cotswolds as some people know I’m not a walker.
What is your life philosophy in one sentence? You are only on this earth once so make the most of it.
Name: Roger Mellor
life is to live each day never waste a moment, having watched two lost friends die of cancer you appreciate life.
Spice Group: Spice Manchester How long have you been a member? 29 years
Which four people (dead or alive) would you like to have dinner with? Richard Branson, Paul McCartney, Gary Barlow and of course Dave Smith who I first met in Barbados in 1987 who told me about this “little “ club of his called Spice.
Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? Been on several Spice holidays including New York, Las Vegas,Turkey, Egypt, France most memorable being the two week tour in 1992 of Egypt where we covered everything even going in King Tuts tomb on Christmas Day...and no he didn’t have a tree up ...
Favourite movie? has to be Lawrence Of Arabia ticks every box true story, fabulous settings, fantastic music.
My most embarrassing Spice moment? Trying to jump off a camel by the Pyramids when led off by a couple of dodgy characters, they have to sit first. What is your life philosophy in one sentence? My philosophy on
Most treasured belongings? has to be my father’s war records some framed in my house which include a letter from the King after he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Do you remember this...
Interview with the founder Dave Smith Do you hear that title and think of it fondly? Do you miss us? What made you want to move on? Definitely miss you guys and all my friends around the country - Spice was 35 years of my life going at 100 miles an hour, and I definitely miss the excitement, challenge and fun of running the show, however I was also really clear it was time to hand on the baton. A bunch of things started to come together at the same time telling me it was time to move on… my elderly parents were needing more care time which I didn’t have, and I wanted to have time for them, I thought I had taken Spice as far as I was able given my skill set and energy - it was hard keeping up with the pace of change the last few years since the internet got going. Moreover I had always promised myself I would hand it on when I reached 60. Life is short, I have been a cop, a herdsman on a kibbutz, a YMCA Manager, and I wanted to fit a few more experiences in before my time came. I also didn’t want to just hang on to it until was too old and it withered with me. It was time.
next months ‘event ’ - a Frisbee Golf Champagne Pic Nic at a friends farm. The initial plan was one event a month on the last weekend, and the Annual Membership Fee was 12 Guineas! (£12.60p)
How many members did you get to be a viable business? Well, I didn’t set it up to be a ‘business’ in the beginning - it was a labour of love that I ran alongside my full time business (I was a personal development tutor - teamwork, leadership, that sort of training). It took about 4 years to get to 300 members then Granada decided to do a documentary on the Club (its on YouTube now) and the phone didn’t stop ringing for a month, and we jumped to 1200. I was working day and night and my main business was suffering, so I called a meeting of the Club and proposed to go full time at that stage, get better discounts, put on a bigger programme, and be there to take calls, and take a wage to which everyone agreed.
How long did you keep the one group before starting the next group? Manchester started in May 1981, and the next Group was Spice Crew and Stoke (long gone thats another story) in 1985.
What made you start Spice? I wanted to join a club that was just like Spice, but there wasn’t anything back then remotely like it. There were single sport clubs like Golf and Badminton Clubs, but but nothing for adults that looked like my old scout group or youth club, doing lots of fun activities and adventures with the same gang every week! I’d worked in the YMCA for 6 years, run Venture Scout Groups and been involved with lots of other community organisations, so decided I could set up one using the best bits of each.
Which order did the groups get franchised? Spice Manchester , then Crew Stoke, London, Lancashire, West Yorks, Birmingham, Yorkshire, Thames Valley, Scotland, Birmingham, , South Yorks, East Midlands, Bristol and Cardiff.
When were holidays added to the mix? Pretty much from the off, - I was a skier and people were wanting a ski trip, so that was our first holiday in Jan 1982 - Three Valleys £145!
Can you remember your first event? Oh yes - it was an Army Assault Course (in Fancy Dress of course), I always tried to add a bit of Spice to events. This was followed by the
= members nationally
The History of SPICE the last 35 years...
1982
1985
1986
1987
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1990
Spice is la Dave S unched in M anches mith as ter a bedroo m. Mem hobby run fro by m his bership (60p in is to membe day’s money) 10 guineas rs - 25 - 5 initia by the l end of year on A Spice e m Tandem ember was th e S and me kydive passe 2nd ever mbersh nger in ip grew UK to 80 Granad aT Spice g V aires docu mentar enerati y abou n t 500 - D g 2000 enqu iriesave go es ‘fulltime’ Spice U K growin is formed wit g natio nal me h franchises mbersh Spice L ip to 80 ondon, 0 Crew & Stoke o pen First trip to La S arta, an Spice L annual ancash event ire ope ns - 1,0 00 Spice F irst Win g Walk ing eve nt Lindsa y starts working with Sp 2,600 ice Spice W est Yor kshire First D launch ragon B es oat Ra ce at C Thame hester s Valle y open s 3200 Spice U K orga nise th Bungee e Uk event 4,00 m ’s first Spice a embers rra Weeke nge the first C nd in N otingha entre Parc’s Spice U m k River R ’s inaugural G afting tr rand C a ip - an annual nyon Spice S event ctoland Spice B 4,500 ir Spice a mingham op e ppear n on Noe s l’s TV a ddicts
1981
Best Spice event?
slide down with fireworks times to the second I finished the drop.
Oh my - I could choose so many. But our Grand Canyon Rafting Trip eased its way into my soul. It came about in the late 80’s when I took a bus load to the UK’s new IMAX that had opened in Bradford, to see the Imax film Grand Canyon. This featured the rafting company we still partner knew we had to go do it.
with, and I just
In those days it took ages to set up - writing to Imax USA to get the contact, then writing the Rafting Company - remember this was in the day before fax’es, never mind email and websites. Its a a journey like no other, removed from the world, in the most stunning natural landscape you can imagine. I have been lucky enough to go 3 times. It is a peak lifetime experience and I am humbled to have had the opportunity - it can be done by almost everyone, so if it calls to you GO! Local events - I would say our fire eating workshop which is so unique to Spice stands out, that first Bungie Jump, and of course those many Fancy Dress parties.
Most memorable story? I was asked to dress up as Father Christmas and abseil down the Manchester Town Hall clock at the Christmas Lights ‘Switch On’, and at the bottom of the rope behind a screen, I was to switch with Noel Edmunds, and he would walk out on stage in front of 1000’s, in the same costume, so it looked like he had done the abseil. This was rehearsed a few times in the middle of the night in the lead up to it, I had so seconds to
On the night with the TV broadcasting live - I set off and after about 10 yards my father christmas white long beard got wrapped around the carribena and I was stuck hanging in front of Manchester Town Hall Clock, for 20 mins! Noel Edmunds had to go on stage and explain - after the initial panic for me, I experienced a ‘costello moment’ - its happened, I could do nothing but observe the panic below and await rescue.
Your most embarrassing moment? Well I guess the time I planned a Treasure Hunt through cheshire with one of the clues (How old is the Church lecture?). The answer was on the Notice Board outside the Church but I didn’t think all the teams would pile into the church whilst a service was going on, one every 5 mins for an hour! It made the National Press and not in a good way!
What advice would you give to a new member? Get yourself booked on three events as soon as you join, too many people join and then wait a while, and lose momentum. Choose any event which takes your fancy, but don’t be afraid to tell the event Co-ordinator and indeed everyone its your first event. Choose something thats active like a walk, behind the scenes, activity like abseiling or a sport - and not something passive (like Theatre or Dining - your experience is very dependent on who you sit next to). But most of all if you can - get yourself on a weekend - a great way to make friends and meet people.
Don’t settle for a life of mediocrity, choose to create a full and fascinating life. Dave Smith, Founder of Spice
2004
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Dave ( Fo reigns under) - hand to Rob s over the Spice 3 5th Ann iv Spice 2 5th Gra ersary nd can Expedit yon Ra ion fting
2000
13,500 Spice L ondon North a nd Sou 14,800 th mer Spice S ge o merge uth ‘York’s a nd ‘We st York s’ Spice C ardiff la unches 15,000 Over 7 00 mem bers ce 25th A nnivers lebrate ary Spice’ 100,00 0th Sp ice me mber jo ins Spice G ro into on ups consolid e desig a n and p te websites latform Spice U K Spice h launches ‘Spic as deliv e TV N EW ere events, and jus d over 100,00 S t over 1 0 30 yea million b rs of Sp ookings ice . Spice C harity F un through £250K d raising goe s
1999
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1996
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1994
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1993
Do you remember this...
Key Spice Holiday Partners
club
For many years Spice has enjoyed an excellent relationship with our travel UK’s leading adventure partner Exodus Holidays – the UK’s travel company, Exodus leading adventure travel company. offs Spice members a 5% discount for independent 5% discount for direct bookings!
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Discount, simply advise
them you are a Spice To book your independent holiday with Exodus and claim your Member Spice member at thediscount time of call 0845 863 9606. To qualifybooking. for the Spice Discount, simply advise them you are a Spice Member AT THE TIME OFThis BOOKING. discount discountThis cannot be cannot be used in conjunction with any other used in conjunction withdiscount, i.e., you are unable to add Loyal Customer any other discount. Further Discount with an Early Booking discount to your Spice Discount!details can be found at exodus.co.uk
Spice Cancellation Policy Evening and one day events
Providing you give us more than seven days (includes weekends and bank holidays) notice you will receive a full refund as a Credit Note, less a Cancellation Fee of 20% of the cost of the event OR loss of deposit (whichever is lower) with a minimum of £3. (Except where stated otherwise in the Newsletter event description). Credit Notes are valid for 12 months and only redeemable against events.
Ticketed events Note: Theatre, Concerts, etc. These are non-refundable unless we can resell your place, as tickets will have already been purchased.
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hundreds Wehas aretaken delighted to beofworking withleading Spice boot to camp retreat and promote ourtodance it is offering salsa, all Spice members customers many holidays exciting whether are Ceroc, ballroom tango we cover it5% all of – UK destinations overorthe years all retreats. Our clients weekends or 7 orJamaica, 14 night breaks . Club Free - Cuba, Miami, are extremely diverse and we SpritAustria have taken 23,000 customers towelcome various all different fitness and Malta. destinations over the years from Cuba, Miami, levels and ages. Our stunning Jamaica to Calpe, Spain, Austria and Malta. We We have increased our venues are in the UK and Spain have increase our portfolio of activities from dance of and activities toorder to qualify where we are surrounded by to portfolio fitness, ski golf. In for the include fitness, ski and call golf.reservation natural beauty. Throughout the Spice Discount, simply number They are099 offering 5% let off them know week on 0207 4816aand youwith areNew You Boot Camp, price of anyAT of THE their TIME OF BOOKING. you will not only see fabulous a the Spice Member holidays across all dance resultswith in your fitness, weight This discount cannot be used in conjunction any other i.e., you are unable to add styles, calldiscount, 0207 099 4816 loss and inch loss but you will be Loyal Customer Discount with an Early Booking to book and let them know educated on how to change your discount your Spice Discount! you are atoSpice Member at lifestyle to reach your goals and the time of booking. This attain optimal health. SOLOS discount cannot behave usedwithdrawn in Regretfully SOLOS their Spice conjunction with any other Member Discount as from 1st August Further 2013. details can be found at discount. newyoubootcamp.com or call 0207 099 4816 to booking stating Further details can be found you are a Spice members at the at clubdanceholdays.com time of booking.
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as per the Tour Operators Terms and Conditions as supplied with Holiday Information Packs. Cancellation must be in writing. A back up phone call is recommended. You should assume you are still booked until you have written confirmation of your cancellation.
General Where cancellation is received within the cancellation period prior to an event, you will lose all monies paid (and also be liable for any balance) unless we can replace you. If you simply do not turn up for an event without contacting us you will automatically forfeit any monies paid, and will be liable for any balance.
Should Spice Cancel an event.....
Should Spice cancel any event you will be refunded directly back by the payment method used. Our policy is that wherever possible we will always issue a refund. Note: This excludes overseas trips which have a separate Holiday Cancellation Policy. Providing you give us more than twenty Holidays and overseas trips eight days (includes weekends and bank holidays) notice you will Note: more than three overnights or outside UK. Cancellation is as receive a full refund as a Credit Note, less a Cancellation Fee per the Terms and Conditions as supplied with Holiday Information of 20% of the cost of the event OR loss of deposit (whichever GENERAL EVENING AND ONE DAY EVENTS Packs. Cancellation should be in writing. Where cancellation is is lower). (Except where stated otherwise in the Newsletter within the cancellation period prior to an event, you will Providing youaregive more seven received days (includes weekends Where cancellation is received within the cancellation period prior to an event description). Credit Notes valid us for 12 monthsthan and only lose all monies paid (and also be liable for any balance) unless we redeemable against events. can replace If you simply not turn up for an event without event, you will lose all monies paid (and also be liable for any balance) and bank holidays) notice you will receive a fullyou. refund as adoCredit Holidays and Overseas trips contacting us you will automatically forfeit any monies paid, and will unless we can replace you. If you simply do not turn up for an event Note, less a Cancellation Fee of 20% of the cost of the event OR be liable for any balance. Note: More than three overnights or outside UK. Cancellation is Overnight Events and events costing over £100
loss of deposit (whichever is lower) with a minimum of £3. (Except without contacting us you will automatically forfeit any monies paid, and will be liable for any balance. where stated otherwise in the Newsletter event description). Credit Notes are valid for 12 months and only redeemable against ice newsletter summer 2014.indd 9 6/18/2014 3:26:28 PM SHOULD SPICE CANCEL AN EVENT..... events. Should Spice cancel any event you will be refunded directly back by the payment method used. Our policy is that wherever possible we will TICKETED EVENTS Note: Theatre, Concerts, etc. These are non-refundable unless we always issue a refund. can resell your place, as tickets will have already been purchased. HOLIDAYS AND OVERSEAS TRIPS Note: More than three overnights or outside UK. Cancellation is as per OVERNIGHT EVENTS AND EVENTS COSTING OVER £100 Note: This excludes overseas trips which have a separate Holiday the Tour Operators Terms and Conditions as supplied with Holiday Information Packs. Cancellation must be in writing and a back up phone Cancellation Policy. Providing you give us more than twenty eight days (includes weekends and bank holidays) notice you will call is recommended. You should assume you are still booked until you have written confirmation of your cancellation. Where cancellation is receive a full refund as a Credit Note, less a Cancellation Fee received within the cancellation period prior to an event, you will lose all of 20% of the cost of the event OR loss of deposit (whichever monies paid (and also be liable for any balance). If you simply do not is lower). (Except where stated otherwise in the Newsletter turn up for an event without contacting us you will automatically forfeit event description). Credit Notes are valid for 12 months and only any monies paid, and will be liable for any balance. redeemable against events.
us B ran
Famo
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0161 8 SP 2 KingTel: Street, Not info@spicemcr.com Bristol BS32 4UBLivingstone Co-ordinator: Dominic Renshaw Co-ordinator: Dianne Co-ordinator: Richard Coulter ww www.spicebham.com dianne@spicebristolcardiff.com NG1 2AS info@ www.spiceuk.com c Ge SPICE (East Midlands) 118, Shiplake Bottom, SPICE (Scotlan 32a Street, 6a, Burnett Road, Streetly, www.spicemcr.com Tel:High 01276 479Bagshort, 253 www.spicebristolcardiff.com SPICE (Manchester) Tel: 0845 017 Co-ordinator: Steve Dell 13,103 T Peppard Common, Surrey, GU19 5AZ Sutton Coldfield dianne@spicebristolcardiff.com SP Co-ordinator: Lauren Fawkes info@spiceeastmi SPICE (Bristol & Cardiff) Co-ordinator: Jam Foxhall Business Center, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 5HR Tel: 01276 479 253 Livingstone West Midlands, B74 3EJ (Thames Valley &S SPICE (W (West W est Midlands)Co-ordinator: SPICE (London) (Tham www.spiceeastmid SPICE (Scotland) CoStables, 11SPICE Poplar Dianne www.spicebristolcardiff.com 63 Easter Langsid 2 King Street,Road Nottingham, SPICE (East The Midlands) Tel: 0118 972 4810 dianne@spicelondon.co.uk Tel: 0121 353Co-ordinator: 6161 Co-ordinator: Dominic Rensha Co-ordinator: Dianne Livingstone Richard Coulter The Stretford, Manchester, 9AN 130 Aztec Dalkeith, 2F Co-ordinator: Jamie MorrisEH22 NG1 2AS M32 Co-ordinator: Steve Dell www.sp www.spicelondon.co.uk dominic@thamesvalleyspice.co.uk info@spicebham.com 118,Langside Shiplake Bottom, 32a High Street, Bagshort, 6a, Burnett Road, Streetly, Almondsbury, Stre Tel: 0161 864 3849 Tel: 0845 017 1031 Tel: 0131 531 2653 63 Easter Crescent, Foxhall Business Center, SPICE (East Midlands) www.thamesvalleyspice.co.uk www.spicebham.com Peppard Common, Surrey, GU19 5AZ Street, Nottingham, Sutton Coldfield info@spiceeastmids.com Tel: info@spicemcr.com Bristol BS32 4UB info@spicescotlan 2 King Dalkeith, EH22 2FN. Co-ordinator: Steve Dell SPICE (Manchester) www.craigdon-edinburgh.com www.spiceeastmids.com Henley-on-Thames, RG9 (Tha 5HR Tel: 01276 479 253 West Midlands, B74 3EJ (W SPICE SPICE (West W est Midlands) SPICE (London) info www.spicemcr.com Tel: 01276 479 253 www.spicescotland NG1 2AS Tel: 0131 Foxhall Coulter Business Center, Co-ordinator: Lauren Fawkes SPICE (Yorkshire) Tel: 531 01182653 972 4810 dianne@spicelondon.co.uk Tel: 0121 353 6161 Co-ordinator: Co-ordinator: Livingstone Co-ordinator: Richard SPICE (Bristol & Cardiff) ww dianne@spicebristolcardiff.com Promo Code - 15%SPICE Tel: 0845 017 1031Dianne info@spicescotland.com 2 King Street, Nottingham, The Stables, 11 Poplar Co-ordinator: Lauren Fawkes 118, Shiplake Terms &Road Conditions: Min Street, Spend. www.spicelondon.co.uk dominic@thamesvalleyspice.c 32aÂŁ20 High Bagshort, 6a, Burnettwww.spicebristolcardiff.com Road, Streetly, Co-ordinator:info@spicebham.com Dianne Livingstone SPICE (Scotland) info@spiceeastmids.com Maps and are excluded. www.spicescotland.com NG1 2AS Stretford, Manchester, M32Vouchers 9AN The Stables, 11 Poplar Road Peppard Com www.thamesvalleyspice.co.uk Surrey, GU19 5AZ Sutton Coldfield 130 Aztec www.spicebham.com Jamie Morris Delivery only in MainlandCo-ordinator: UK www.spiceeastmids.com As a m Stretford, Manchester, M32 Tel: 0161 864 3849 SPICE (Manchester) Henley-on-Th Tel: 01276 479 253 West Midlands, B74 3EJ Tel: 0845 017 1031 Almondsbury, 63 Easter Langside Crescent, 9AN SPICE (East Midlands) many Tel: 0845 094SPICE 2200 (Yorkshire) info@spicemcr.com Co-ordinator: Lauren Fawkes Tel: 0118 972 dianne@spicelondon.co.uk 0121 353 6161 Bristol BS32SPICE 4UB (BristolTel: & Cardiff) info@spiceeastmids.com Dalkeith, EH22 2FN. Co-ordinator: Steve Dell info@spiceyorks.com www.spicemcr.com The Stables, 11 Poplar Road Co-ordinator: Lauren Fawkes dominic@tham www.spicelondon.co.uk info@spicebham.com Tel: 01276 479 253 Co-ordinator: Dianne Livingstone Tel: 0131 531 2653 Spice UK National Office Spice East Midlands www.spiceeastmids.com Foxhall Business Center, www.spiceyorks.com Stretford, Manchester, M32info@spicescotland.com 9AN The Stables, 11 Poplar Road www.thamesv www.spicebham.com dianne@spicebristolcardiff.com 1308788 Aztec 0161 873 01827 767150 2 King Street, Nottingham, Vi SPICE (Scotland) Stretford, Manchester, M32 Tel: 0161 864 3849 SPICE (Manchester) www.spicebristolcardiff.com Almondsbury, www.spicescotland.com info@spiceuk.com office@spiceeastmids.com From the home9A pa NG1 2AS As Co-ordinator: Jamie Morris Tel: 0845 094 2200 info@spicemcr.com SPICE (York Co-ordinator: Lauren Fawkes Bristol BS32 4UB SPICE (Bristol & Cardiff) sho Event button. www.spiceuk.com www.spiceeastmids.com As a amember of spice you can enjoy Tel: 0845 017 1031 member info@spiceyorks.com of 63Dianne EasterLivingstone Langside Crescent, The Stables, 11 Poplar Road www.spicemcr.com Co-ordinator: Tel: 01276 479 253 Co-ordinator: SPICE (East Midlands) info@spiceeastmids.com many exclusive and money In thesaving Search eve Spice you can enjoy Dalkeith, EH22 2FN. www.spiceyorks.com The Stables, Stretford, Manchester, M32 9AN 130 Aztec Co-ordinator:dianne@spicebristolcardiff.com Steve Dell Spice Bristol / Cardiff www.spiceeastmids.com can search for a t deals. many exclusive and Tel: 0131 531 2653 SPICE (Scotland) Stretford, Tel: 0161 864 3849 www.spicebristolcardiff.com Almondsbury, FoxhallSpice Business Center, Scotland 0117 971 5593 by clicking onMan the From the home page click the info@spicescotland.com Co-ordinator: Jamie Morris money saving deals. 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Looking back...
First ever holiday
Do you remember this...
First ever newsletter
have visited hundreds of destinations over the years here are some of our memories...
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Kate – Spice Bristol & Cardiff I have been a co-ordinator for only a few months, so I don’t really have any stories to tell yet, but I wanted to share my story of how I came to be involved with Spice. I left Jersey in September 2012 and arrived in Bristol with no home (it was still being built), no job and no friends living near. I had decided that I needed to make some changes to my life and that Bristol was the place to be. Not knowing anyone was difficult, and when I started working the people I worked with were mainly men, so there wasn’t a lot of chance of making strong friendships there. My sister emailed me to say she had found a group online that I might enjoy, so I went along to a Spice Preview Night in February 2013. I signed up that night and haven’t looked back since. I now have friends all over the country, I have met some fantastic people and been to some beautiful places. My most memorable event was White Water Rafting down the Grand Canyon. The canyon is a beautiful place, and you can’t describe being there and the things you see on the way, it is an exciting and life-changing trip. As well as this though, I met an amazing group of people, and some of them have become very close friends. You definitely get close to people on this trip when you are sleeping out under the stars and with them 24/7. There is never an excuse for being bored with Spice, there is always somewhere you can be, something you can do and I have never once regretted signing up. I now have amazing friends, a home and the best job in the world!
Jamie – Spice Scotland When looking for memorable moments, positive and stressful I look no further than our Spice Scotland Ski Trips. On one occasion when attempting to check in a Chambery airport I was advised none of our group were on the flight manifest so couldn’t travel. In an attempt to get everyone home I asked if there were any seats available on the flight we could purchase – I was advised there were 31 – guess how many were in our group? After a bit of head scratching by the airport staff we were all eventually allowed to board. What followed will remain with me as one of those funny and embarrassing moments – after being sat on the plane for ¾ hour (still waiting to take off) the cabin crew were frantically running around clearly trying to sort a problem. Katie and myself were sat in seats 1a and 1b, we were approached by a member of the cabin crew and asked to go with them – all the way to the back of the plane – back row seats. When we sat down the announcement was made that we can now depart as the plane has been rebalanced! Really? We received a bottle of champagne for our troubles. On another trip – The Sella Ronda (a ski route around a central mountain) in Italy myself and two fellow members – all of us lower intermediate skiers at the time decided to do the easier route which went the opposite way to all the other skiers – not just the Spice ones. We had the best time, tea, cake, relaxing, photos, more tea, wine and nearing the end of the route (so we thought) decided to stop for burgers. As these arrived we asked our waitress where on the map were we in relation to the end of the route – we thought we were over ¾’s of the way round – we hadn’t made half way! What followed can only be described as survival mode – the fastest and most reckless skiing you have ever seen to try and make up the time. We missed the last lift back the start by minutes and were stranded on the mountain. It was getting dark, we weren’t worried!!! We managed to call a taxi – only for someone to steal it, we were finally helped by an Italian lad who had a Scottish relative – he got us a taxi and we arrived back at the hotel at the same time as the main bus – and it only cost us in the region of £120! That’s a lesson learnt but truly character building. Donald and Lorna – we’ll have the Sella Ronda.
Richard – Spice West Midlands
It was not unusual for the phones to start ringing as soon as the final Villa & Rooming List for a Spice Center Parcs Weekend was sent out. It’s a complicated document and a lot of care goes into trying to put likeminded people together as we know that it has the potential to make or break someone’s weekend. We can get things wrong. But never quite as wrong as happened on this occasion around 15 years ago: My colleague Maggie took a call from a lady who had only recently joined the group. She wanted a bit more information about the person she had been roomed with as the name seemed familiar to her. “Does she live in the Warwick area?” .. “does she work in finance?” .. “her approx. age?”Maggie answered the best she could within our data protection rules. Then suddenly, with the power on an earthquake, the phone line turned blue! “That’s the Fxxxxxx Bxxxx who ran off with my husband after 20 years of happy marriage ..” Yes, it transpired that we had put the “scorned ex wife” and the “evil mistress”. And not only in the same villa, but in the same room! We had obviously thought the two would go together well. The trouble was, this husband must have thought that very same way! Not wishing to see newspaper headlines of “bloodbath in villa 917”, Maggie quickly sorted it for the lady to be cancelled, refunded in full and kept well away from her nemesis in future. Incidentally, the other lady concerned stayed a member for many more years. I remember her as a feisty lady who could be quite demanding at times. On such occasions, I would think to myself .. “If only you knew what we had saved you from, you might be a little more grateful to your Spice team!”
Steve – Spice East Midlands I have been a supplier and then a coordinator for many years. In that time I have learnt the role is varied and provides many challenges and interesting situations. Here are just a few… • • • • • •
One of my early walks a lady turned up wearing high heels – she convinced me she could walk better in them than she could in boots – she did too! The twice yearly clock changes often involve receiving a call to say “where is everyone” and needing to be informed they either have an hour to wait until we get there or we are half way round the walk. Occasionally a member calling has to be told the event was yesterday – or tomorrow – you can either wait there or come back tomorrow. The Christmas Dinner Dance table plan always throws up some challenges. From the request for 15 people to sit on a table of 10, to a list of people NOT to sit them with, to and the request to sit with someone who hasn’t even booked the event. On a weekend away 2 members both claimed they didn’t get any sleep as the other one was snoring all night! We meet many interesting characters – not many people have Dracula in their mobile phone book!
Kat – Spice Thames Valley Hi, I’m Kat Buttle, Spice’s newest Coordinator. When asked to write my favourite story about being a coordinator, I found it difficult having only been in the job a few weeks! So I hope you won’t mind if instead, I share with you my first Spice event as a member.Some of you may have heard about Spice Thames Valley and Solents legendary ski trips and for those who have heard of them, you will most certainly of heard of the ‘Exploding toilets’ and ‘Burning Buses’. I managed to avoid the exploding toilets but my first ever Spice event was the ‘Burning Bus Ski Trip’. The trip was a joint Thames Valley and Yorkshire trip and I joined the trip because my cousin and I had always gone skiing together and as a member of Spice she wanted to give the Spice ski trip a go and as my skiing buddy, I was going too! And so my Spice journey began. Whilst the Thames Valley crowd were en-route to the ski-resort, most were sleeping off the hangover whilst Dom was faithfully working on his laptop facing the rear of the bus. When he looked up he could see smoke coming from under the back seats; he got the bus driver to pull over and I was awoken to Dom’s voice telling everyone to vacate the bus. Half asleep and dazed I was trying to figure out what was going on when a fellow Spicer ran down the bus shouting ‘fire’. I dutifully got off the bus before realising that I’d left my handbag tucked away ‘Oh, I’ll get it when they let us back on’ I thought…. Hmmmm….. Needless to say I never did see that handbag again…. Or the new shoes that I had bought at the airport (they were a beautiful, red, patent shoe – completely inappropriate for a ski trip but they winked at me). In fact, out of the whole trip, most lost something, approximately half of us lost our main luggage and of course, I was the only one to lose both! My cousin’s credit card took a hammering that week and my room buddy and I (not my cousin) got to see more of each other than we anticipated as both of us had lost our main luggage. As silly as it sounds it was a great trip; I made some life-long friends and we now have traditional ‘burning bus songs’ that still get sung on chairlifts. My fellow Spicers on the trip showed camaraderie, warm friendship and a sense of adventure that I knew I’d want to be part of for a long time; 6 years later I am now at the helm of the Thames Valley and Solent group and look forward to seeing the group through its next phase. Exciting times J
Dianne – Spice London I have been running Spice London for 20 years and I still think I have the best job in the world. I have met so many wonderful Spice members over the years and had so much fun on all the Spice events and in particular on the Spice holidays. There are too many to mention but Rafting the Grand Canyon, travelling round Iceland and the Best of the West trip to America are high on my list of favourite trips. Another one was a trip to Barbados which started off by Dave Smith from Spice UK ringing me up and asking me ‘if there was any chance I could drop everything and run a trip to Barbados including a week on the Star Clipper’ How could I refuse such a fabulous offer. It was amazing and we swam with turtles, jet-skied, walked through rain forests and watched a volcano erupt just as we were sailing past. One of my funniest stories from that trip was when we were all in the bar having a few drinks on the last night aboard the clipper when one of the members went to bed and her partner stayed in the bar with the rest of us. They had previously agreed that he was to pack the bags and put them outside the cabin door for the 5.00a.m pick up Breakfast the next day was one of the funniest breakfasts ever, as he had packed everything into the bags, and he meant everything, and now his girlfriend didn’t have anything to wear. We laughed so much but between us managed to find some clothes for her to wear until we were reunited with our bags. times :)
Do you remember this... Lauren – Spice Manchester & Yorkshire For those in the know, the word SPICE conjures up friendship, fun, adventure – in fact Spice means so many different things to different members who joined for their own reasons and get a real kick out of the camaraderie that can be found by being a member. We all know that when SPICE was set up, it was all about ‘the Spice of life’ however if you mention Spice to those not in the know, you often get a wry smile or an inquisitive knowing look and I have many memories of explaining myself & more importantly the ethos of SPICE. Back in my days of being a Spice volunteer host I was asked to host a meal at the Mongolian Grill on Sackville Street in Manchester – it was a particularly unpleasant evening weather wise and I had several phone calls from members who were trying to locate the venue or were running late due to the awful weather. As the venue was a little bit tucked away I offered to stand outside with my Spice Red Clipboard and I was carrying a red brolly to protect me from the rain. Cars kept slowing down & winding their windows down to chat to me and being the friendly conscientious host that I was, I of course asked if they were looking for SPICE. If you aren’t familiar with Manchester city centre (as I obviously wasn’t at the time) you would not realise that the restaurant was located in the red light district. It turned out that they were looking for SPICE but most definitely not the type of SPICE I was offering – it was only after I was asked if I was a working girl & how much I was charging it clicked. I scurried back in to the restaurant and talked the rest of the party in via the phone with a very red face!
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Coordinator’s Corner Welcome to your Autumn 2016 Live It. I t’s been
Welcome to new members You’ve taken the first steps and joined Spice; the next step is to come along to your first event. I know this can be a daunting prospect when you don’t know anyone else in the group but there’s no need to be apprehensive, Spice are a friendly bunch. Most of us come along on our own to events so we’re all well used to meeting and welcoming new people. A great way of getting into Spice is by booking your first events right away and getting your first event “under your belt”. Even better is to try a weekend away and get to know a smaller group of people really well. If you’ve not been to a Spice Preview Night we hold them most months, so do make an effort to come to one of these, and please next time I am on an event, come up and say hello so I can put a face to the name! After preview evenings we sometimes follow with new members dinners. A great way to get started immediately. st
If you want advice on a great 1 event or how Spice works, give me a ring and we’ll chat through it. Do you have a friend, work colleague or family member who could do with some added Spice to life? Tell them about us – we’ll thank you and so will they.
It’s been a busy summer with lots of great events. Some highlights include a wonderful Mallaig break with another brilliant Spice crowd and stunning location. Some great golf at Montrose with Andy Greig winning the overall title as the Spice Masters Golfer for 2016, another hugely successful Edinburgh Festival break with 60 members from around the UK joining us for our annual extravaganza with lots of you joining us to, and as I write this we are just back from a lovely break in Dumfries. The weather was once again perfect and the Spice crowd lively. We’ve enjoyed boat trips, lots of evenings out at a variety of restaurants and completed the coast to coast walks following the Forth and Clyde canal. Looking ahead sees the release of the Christmas events – we’ve not changed too much as they were so good last year we thought we’d revisit some of them – a party night with sleepover at the Pond in Glasgow and Christmas lunches at All Bar One in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Add in some quizzes and we’ll definitely get you in the festive mood. For the past 5 or 6 years we have offered a Hogmanay break in Edinburgh with events running along side it. This year I have decided not to run that rd event (the due date of myself and Katie’s baby being the 3 January helped make the decision) and as such we are offering a new year event in Glasgow instead. The Edinburgh Hogmanay will be back with a bang for 2018. The Spice weekends keep getting better and better and 2017 sees some fantastic locations on offer – Blairgowrie, Mull, Loch Ness to name a few, along with sailing the Inner Hebrides once more and another run of See Glasgow. Ski Champoluc in January 17 is almost full – just 3 spaces left at the time of writing this, don’t miss out and get booked today. It’s going to be a great week. 2017 is a landmark year for Spice in Scotland – 25 years since we started getting members out and about meeting some people and making new friends. We will have a host of events throughout the year to celebrate. I hope you can join us on these. Full details will appear as they are arranged. I look forward to seeing you out and about and sharing Spice experiences with you.
Jamie Contact us T: 0131 531 2653 10am until 4pm Monday to Friday except on public holidays. or leave a message on the 24 hour answer phone. Email us at info@spicescotland.com Book events online 24 hours a day at www.spicescotland.com/events Facebook at facebook.com/SpiceScotland Twitter @SpiceScotland
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Events October & November 2016 Monday 3 Oct Preview Evening Glasgow O'Neill's
10 Oct Preview Night - Edinburgh
Tuesday 4 Badminton Edinburgh
Wednesday 5
Thursday 6 Badminton Glasgow
Friday 7 Meal B4 Bar Night Metropolitan
Saturday 8 Yacht Taster Sailing Day
Sunday 9 Polo Taster! The Real Sport of Kings!
Glasgow's Music Mile Tour
11 Badminton Edinburgh
12
13 Badminton Glasgow
14
The Witchery Meal and Ghost Walk Tour 15 BBC Scotland Studio Tour and Lunch Evening Showboat Cruise on the Waverley
17 Oct Horse Riding Beginner Lesson Lasswade Riding Centre
18 Badminton Edinburgh
24 Oct
25 Badminton Edinburgh
19 Skittles at The Sheep Heid Inn
26 Meal - New Members Edinburgh Villager
20 Badminton Glasgow
27 Badminton Glasgow
21
28 Edinburgh Haunted Pub Crawl The Big Varietete
31 Oct
1 November Badminton Edinburgh
7 Nov Preview Evening Glasgow O'Neill's
8 Badminton Edinburgh
2 Pool and Pizza Night Glasgow 9
3 Badminton Glasgow 10 Badminton Glasgow
4 Ballachullish Bargain Break 11 Glasgow West End Pub Crawl
Ramble Blackness Castle by Bo'ness
16 Highland Adventure Safari - The Roaring Stags Ramble Blackchester Fort Circuit Lauder
Saturday Night at the Movies The Queen of Katwe and MP's 22 Meal - Elite Dining - Brian Maule at Chardon D'or Murder Mystery at The Maitlandfield 29 Jen’s Walk
23 Quad Biking
30 Rifle Shooting
Samhain Firewalk at Tir na Nog Meal - The Juniper, Scottish Gin Bar 5
12 Meal Namaste Kathmandu
6
13 Hill Walk West Kip, East Kip and Scald Law from Threipmuir
Spice Scotland Ltd, 63 Easter Landside Crescent, Dalkeith, EH22 2FN – 0131 531 2653 info@spicescotland.com www.spicescotland.com Registered in Scotland: Company No. SC375093 Vat Reg. 990853577
Events November and December 2016 Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
14 Nov Preview Night Edinburgh 21 Nov
15 Badminton Edinburgh
16
17 Badminton Glasgow
23 Indoor Tennis
24 Badminton Glasgow
19 Rotating Dinner at Alla Itallia 26 A Play, a Pie and a Pint Moving Pictures
20 The Aerial Assault at Ratho
22 Badminton Edinburgh
18 Great Grog Christmas Wine Fair 25 Meal Birdtree and Bellfish
28 Nov
29 Badminton Edinburgh
30 Pool and Pizza Night Edinburgh
1 December Badminton Glasgow
2 York Christmas Markets
5 Dec Preview Evening Glasgow O'Neill's 12 Dec Preview Night Edinburgh
6 Badminton Edinburgh
7
8 Badminton Glasgow
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13 Badminton Edinburgh
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15 Badminton Glasgow
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19 Dec Christmas Quiz and Fun Night Glasgow 26 Dec
20 Christmas Quiz and Fun Night Edinburgh 27 Twixtmas Winter Break in The Lakes
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29 Walking Weekend New Year in The Lake District
30 New Year Break London with Thames Cruise
2 Jan
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Yorkshire New Year Walking and Social Break 6 Meal October Cafe and Late Bar
Meal - Rotating Dinner at Merchants 3 Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Tour Glasgow Escape 10 Spice Glasgow Christmas Party Night & Sleepover 17 Walk Gladhouse Reservoir Circuit - Mulled Wine and Minced Pies 24 Spice National Christmas Break 2016 31 Glasgow Hogmanay – Mi Casa and Arta
27 Walk - Croy Hill and The Antonine Wall - Nr Kilsyth
4 Indoor Climbing at Glasgow Climbing Centre
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18 Spice Christmas Lunch - Edinburgh - All-Bar-One & Glasgow - All Bar One 25 Merry Christmas
1 January Happy New Year
7 Curling at Braehead Come and Try Session
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Spice Scotland Ltd, 63 Easter Landside Crescent, Dalkeith, EH22 2FN – 0131 531 2653 info@spicescotland.com www.spicescotland.com Registered in Scotland: Company No. SC375093 Vat Reg. 990853577
Spice Free New/Potential Member Preview Evenings No need to book, simply turn up! Each is in an area exclusive to Spice Scotland. All your questions answered – a short presentation about Spice and how it work’s.
Glasgow & the West Mondays 3rd Oct, 7th Nov, 5th Dec & 9th Jan 2017 at 8pm prompt Conservatory, O’Neill’s, 71 Albion Street, Glasgow, G1 1NY O’Neill’s is on the corner of Bell Street and Albion Street, the Preview Night is in the Conservatory (rear and left of bar), which is exclusive to Spice for the evening. Please get your drinks from the bar before joining us.
Edinburgh & the East Mondays 10th Oct, 14th Nov, 12th Dec & 16th Jan 2017 at 8pm prompt The Outhouse, 12a Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH1 3LY The Outhouse is in Broughton Street Lane, off Broughton Street (through archway near top). We are in the upstairs lounge which is exclusive to Spice for the evening. Please get a drink from the bar and join us.
Spice Scotland Weekends and Holidays Weekend/Holiday
Date
Cost
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Ballachullish Bargain Break Glasgow Party Night Sleepover Spice National Christmas Break Spice London New Year Walking Twixmas in the Lakes Walking New Year in the Lakes Ski 2017 – Champoluc February Bargain Break 2017 The Magic of Mull See Glasgow Highlands Wildlife Break Inner Hebrides Sailing - May Loch Ness Summer Social Inner Hebrides Sailing – August
4 – 6 November 2016 10 December 2016 24- 27 December 2016 30 Dec – 1 January 2017 27 – 29 Dec 2016 29 Dec – 1 Jan 2017 21 – 28 January 2017 24 – 26 February 2017 28 – 30 April 2017 12 – 14 May 2017 20 – 25 May 2017 26 – 29 May 2017 30 June – 2/3 July 2017 25 – 28 August 2017
£109 £90 £284 £320 £209 £360 £769 £119 £159 £149 £899 £299 £155 £299
£30 £20 £50 £65 £40 £70 £150 £30 £30 £30 £200 £60 £30 £60
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All Spice Scotland Weekends can be booked with a deposit (amounts vary depending on weekend cost) – full balance will be due the month preceding weekend date, ie. Montrose Golf Break will be due 1 June 2016 unless specified otherwise
Ballachulish Bargain Break WHEN: WHERE: PRICE: INCLUDES: SLOTS:
Friday 4 November - Sunday 6 November 2016 Based at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel and Leisure Centre, Ballachulish, PH49 4HL £114 Member, £134 Guest. 2 nights bed, breakfast, dinner, plus excursions/walks on Sat & Sun Max. 64 (52 twin/doubles, 12 single) – almost full
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This legendary weekend just keeps getting better and better - this is your chance to stay at the fantastic Isles of Glencoe Hotel right on the shores of beautiful Loch Leven. The Hotel: Isles of Glencoe Hotel and Leisure Centre Almost afloat, nestling on the lochside on the side of a peninsula reaching into Loch Leven, this friendly hotel offers everything for which you dream whilst on a weekend away; spacious bedrooms with loch and mountain-views and a relaxed, convivial ambience. Dive into the sparkling waters of the heated pool as they entice to the delights of the Leisure Centre: jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, exercise room and solarium. Outside you can explore easy lochside trails. There will be an additional Spice programme of optional activities during the day on both Saturday and Sunday, we will be offering one of our reasonably easy VC walks on each day led by one of our VC walk leaders there will also be a visit to a local place of interest on Saturday and Sunday. The scenery will be stunning, the hotel fantastic and in the excellent company of Spice members a weekend to remember is certain.
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Saturday 10 December 2016 The Pond Hotel, Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 0XP £90 Member, £110 Guest. (Deposit £20) Single Supp £20 (includes 2 nights bed & breakfast accommodation; Christmas Party Night with 4 course dinner and entertainment) SLOTS: 20 (20 twin/doubles/Single rooms) – Party Night Ticket only available at £40 Join us for our annual Spice Glasgow Christmas Party Night with the added option of a great value sleepover. Ideal for those from further a field or those wanting to avoid the late night taxi home. The evening includes a Christmas 4 course dinner followed by music from the resident DJ. A simple formula for a great night out. The evening starts at 7pm with carriages at 1am. Dress is smart/casual. Breakfast is included and rooms can be booked as singles, doubles (for 2 of you) and twins. If you don’t know anyone to share with don’t worry we’ll find someone to share with you if needed. Book now to secure your slot on this great Christmas Party Sleepover. This event is also available to book as a Party Night Ticket Only – please see separate event write up. WHEN: WHERE: COST:
Spice National Christmas Break WHEN: WHERE: PRICE: INCLUDES:
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Saturday 24 – Tuesday 27 December 2016 The Double Tree By Hilton, Islington, North London, N1 9LA £284 Member, £314 Guest. £65 single sup. 3 nights accommodation with breakfast, 2 x 3 course evening meals, 1 x evening buffet, 3 course Spice exclusive Christmas Dinner, Mulled Wine & Mince Pies on Xmas Eve, Treasure Hunt, Cocktail Making class & much more! SLOTS: Max. 40 (20 twin/doubles, 20 single) On early bird price until 31st October has been applied - price increases by £30 after this time. This Christmas we are thrilled to be staying at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Islington, North London having spent the last 3 Christmases with them in Manchester, Leeds and Lincoln and been looked after so well. This fabulous 4 star hotel, is situated just 5 minutes walk from Angel Tube Station and a 15 minute walk from both Kings Cross and St Pancras Railway stations allowing easy transport options. Arrive anytime on Christmas Eve when you are free to explore the lively surrounding areas full of restaurants and bars and then we’ll meet up in the hotel bar before going for our dinner, a 3 course meal at the delightful Marco Pierre White Steak House & Grill within the hotel. The menus will be provided approximately 1 week in advance of the event for you to make your choices. After dinner if you have the energy (we all know how tiring the run up to Christmas can be) we have a few options to choose from, including Christmas Eve late night mass or perhaps if we are lucky we will find a bar open late in to the evening. Be back for midnight if you don’t want to miss out on our mulled wine and mince pies at the hotel! Christmas day will comprise of a lazy breakfast and a local area walkabout, Secret Santa (please allow for a present valued around £10) and a bit of time to relax before we partake in our Spice exclusive fabulous 3 course Christmas dinner. For those who have room left, we will be served a light evening buffet in our Spice reserved area in the evening before we have the option to take part in a festive quiz or just socialise with our Spice friends old & new. If we are lucky we may even find a local pub open for some Christmas Spirit! On Boxing day after breakfast there is an optional treasure hunt in the local area In the evening we sit down to our 3 course meal in the Marco Pierre White Steak House & Grill followed by a Spice exclusive Cocktail Making Class with the hotel’s trained mixologist’s; expect bottle juggling and plenty of high spirits. On the final day we will enjoy a buffet breakfast before saying our farewell to both the hotel and our fellow Spicers. Accommodation: The Doubletree by Hilton provides for a comfortable stay in contemporary surroundings. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and have flat screen televisions, complimentary WiFi access throughout the hotel, an array of satellite & digital channels, complimentary and tea & coffee making facilities. All bathrooms have walk in power showers over baths, mist free mirrors & hairdryers. There a bar 60 to relax in serving an array of drinks and of course we have our Spice exclusive breakout area where we can relax, chat & generally socialise.
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New Year Break London with Thames Cruise WHEN: WHERE: PRICE: INCLUDES:
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Friday 30 January 2016 to Sunday 1 January 2017 Novotel London West, One Shortlands, Hammersmith, London W6 8DR £320 Member, £340 Guest. £125 single sup. 2 nights B&B 4 star hotel accommodation, New Year's Eve party cruise on the River Thames which includes a cold buffet supper and ALL Beer, Wine and Soft drinks, party with a DJ and disco. Also includes the boat being moored at London Eye for the New Year's Eve fireworks, open decks which can take everyone for that special New Year view. Cruise finishes at 1.00a.m. Services of a Spice host throughout. SLOTS: Max. 52 (26 twin/doubles, 26 single) A wonderful opportunity to celebrate New Year in London! This very special New Year break includes 2 nights 4* hotel accommodation on a B&B basis staying in the NovotelLondon West Hotel. The hotel combines a convenient location with contemporary comforts and amenities. The rooms are spacious, clean and airy with a range of amenities provided. There is easy access to all of London’s attractions from this great hotel. We will celebrate the arrival of 2017 cruising down the River Thames where we will enjoy a party cruise onboard the Clifton Castle which we have hired exclusively for Spice on this very special evening. Our cruise departs & returns from Putney Pier. As an added bonus we will moor close to the London Eye for the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Our cruise package includes ALL your drinks – thought that might get your attention! Novotel London West Hotel - you will be able to arrive anytime after 2.00p.m. on 31st December. The bedrooms are spacious with contemporary design and perfect for our needs. There is Lounge Bar which acts as a focal point for us meeting up and there are two restaurants serving international cuisine. If you have any time there is a fully equipped fitness centre. From our hotel it is only a 3 minute walk to Hammersmith tube station into central London. This New Year Break will be fully co-ordinated and drinks and supper will be organised for the arrival night and throughout the day of New Year’s Eve so that everyone can make full use of their stay in London. On New Year’s Eve evening we will meet for an early evening drink or cocktail before leaving our hotel and heading for Putney Pier where we will board our cruise boat to head down the River Thames. The Clifton Castle is a party boat which we have hired exclusively for Spice. There are tables and chairs for you to have your buffet supper and there is plenty of space for when we start the dancing. There is an outside deck which is large enough to have us all up there toasting in the New Year! The atmosphere on the Thames is always amazing on New Year’s Eve and we will be moored up close to Big Ben to hear the strike of midnight and watch the fireworks which light up London on this special occasion. There are always lots of boats on the Thames for this evening and it is truly an amazing sight.
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Twixtmas Winter Break in the Lakes th
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WHEN: Tuesday 27 to Thursday 27 December 2016 WHERE: Glaramara, Borrowdale, the Lake District, CA12 5XQ COST: £203 Standard Single, £209 ensuite Twin, £229 single ensuite Guest £20 Supplement INCLUDES: 2 nights dinner, bed and breakfast, 2 picnic lunches and guided walks on 2 days SLOTS: 41 (in 28 Twin and 10 standard & 3 single ensuite) WalkWise Walking Programme: Quite simply this centre is one of the finest walking locations anywhere in the country, truly immersed in the deep Lakeland valleys and surrounded by majestic mountains and inviting Lakeland fells. By contrast, there are delightful river valleys with tranquil lakes, dancing waterfalls and peaceful woodland, providing enchanting scenery for all levels of walkers. To allow you to choose a walk that suits you best, WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day. And they will all be led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles with 2500+ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 6-9 miles with less ascent. However, the programme is flexible and can be altered to suit your needs. All walks are weather dependent and own transport may be taken to the walk starts. Accommodation: Is in Glaramara, a purpose built walking centre at the foot of the Borrowdale Valley in the heart of the beautiful Lake District National Park. The centre is ideal for walker located in a commanding position in the beautiful vale of Borrowdale, it offers a mixture of standard single and twin-bedded en-suite rooms. Some of the bedrooms have lovely views of the surrounding valley and hills and all have complimentary tea/coffee facilities. As part of the continuous programme of development, all the single rooms have just been refurbished and a New ladies shower room installed. There is a well-stocked bar and comfortable lounges, so you can relax in the evenings. Their catering has an excellent reputation amongst walkers for good wholesome food, the portions are plentiful and the packed lunches satisfying! Then, should you have any excess energy, there is a cosy bar, or three excellent country pubs within walking distance for an evening drink!
Walking Weekend New Year in the Lakes WHEN: WHERE: COST: INCLUDES:
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Thursday 27 December 2016 to Sunday 1 January 2017 Glaramara, Borrowdale, the Lake District, CA12 5XQ £360 Standard Single, £269 ensuite Twin, £399 single ensuite Guest £20 Supplement 3 nights bed and breakfast, 2 evening meals, 3 picnic lunches, New Year Gala Dinner and Party and guided walks on 3 days SLOTS: 41 (in 28 Twin and 10 standard & 3 single ensuite) Walkwise Overview: Following the traditional overindulgence of the festive period, why not take a wonderful opportunity to escape and join the Spice traditional New Year Break to the Lake District. Glaramara in Borrowdale is understandably one of our most popular locations and once again it will play host to three days of fantastic walking in the heart of the Lake District, culminating in what always proves to be an excellent New Year's Eve party! And by popular request, to make New Year's Eve Disco and party, go with an even bigger swing, and to celebrate the continuous improvements that the centre is making we have decided to make this New Year Party a Black Tie Affair. So don’t forget to pack your posh frock or Dickie Bow and remember to have a Happy Christmas but save some energy for a great New Year! (There is a Twixtmas break also at Glaramara if you would like to extend your winter break) For the hard walkers there are some truly wonderful high level options, there is a smorgasbord of temptations with the Gables, Glaramara, Allen Crags, Eagle Crag, Sergeant Crag, High Raise, Ullscarf, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson to name a few. As if that’s not enough it’s only a short hop over Honister Pass to a range of walks in the beautiful Buttermere valley. The final choice of walks and routes will be selected closer to the time when the weather and everyone’s ability and previous experiences of Borrowdale have been established. Meanwhile for the gentler walkers there are some beautiful lower fells that can be reached without too much effort: Castle Crag, Kings How and Bessy Boot are all wonderful viewpoints providing excellent value for your efforts. Styhead Pass and Sprinkling Tarn lie at the very heart of the most spectacular mountains in England, and there is also the dramatic scenery of Dale Head Tarn and the Newlands valley. But we must not forget the beautiful Langstrath and Buttermere valleys, and the hidden tea shops in the hamlets of Watendlath, Seathwaite and Rosthwaite, all of which add to the delights of the lower walks. Accommodation: as above for Twistmas Walking
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Ski 2017 – Champoluc – Italy’s own 3 Valleys WHEN: WHERE: PRICE: INCLUDES:
Saturday 21 January – Saturday 28 January 2017 Call 0161 873 8788 to book. 4 Star Chalet Hotel De Champoluc, Champoluc, Italy – Location, Location, Location! £799 – very last spaces. Flights from Edinburgh to Turin, all flight supplements, transfers, chalet accommodation, room supplements, 7 breakfasts, 6 evening meals with choice of menu, including pre-dinner apèritif, choice of complimentary wines with dinner followed by tea/coffee & chocolates, 7 afternoon teas. Wi-Fi (public areas) Spice coordinator (Jamie) After a brilliant trip to Courchevel we are delighted to feature a brand new ski destination for 2017 – Champoluc – Italy’s 3 Valleys. Based in the village of Champoluc we have access to the immense Monterosa ski area on our doorstep. Little know in the UK it also has the benefit of little queueing for the lifts (usually!). The largest resort in the Monterosa area, with great glacier views, uncrowded slopes and fabulous off-piste Champoluc is a delightfully unspoilt village with a top station at over 3,000m, 180 kms of generally uncrowded pistes across three adjoining lift-linked valleys. Surrounded by wooded terrain and based at one end of the Monterosa ski area (with Gressoney in the central valley and Alagna on the far side), Champoluc boasts spectacular views of the region’s dramatic glaciers and peaks. Based here we have access to the whole Monterosa circuit. Champoluc is strung out along a mountain road, and has a classic ski resort ambience, in contrast to other Monterosa resorts, which feel more like authentic little Italian villages. With more hotels than other resorts in the area, Champoluc is the largest base in the three valleys. Ideal for all, Monterosa offers a mix of runs runs, and amazing off-piste and heliskiing opportunities. There are also plenty of good mountain restaurants for a quick fuel stop.
Champoluc is a lovely village with several craft shops, an ice rink, and good restaurants serving delicious Italian classics. Of all the villages in the Monterosa ski area, it’s the best place for après-ski cocktails and live music. The Monterosa ski area is a hidden treasure, made up of three separate valleys and including the resorts of Champoluc, Gressoney and Alagna all on one lift pass. There is an efficient and fast moving lift system so getting from one valley to another is easy on the open, well maintained and well-marked pistes. The area has high altitude skiing, up to 3,275m which rivals most top French resorts and as a result offers good snow conditions throughout the winter. One phrase to describe this area would be ‘Piste and Quiet’ and you will be pleasantly surprised to find relatively uncrowded pistes, especially on weekdays when the Italian weekend visitors are hard at work in their offices. Ask any hotelier the three most important things about their hotel and their answer will always be “Location, Location, Location!” And you really could not ask for a better spot than that offered by our new Chalet Hotel de Champoluc. It’s set at the skiers’ end of the village centre, in a perfect, virtually ski-in/ski-out location at the foot of the home-run piste, and right next door to the main Crest gondola and ski-hire shop. The hotel’s wood-panelling gives the lounge, bar and dining-room a lovely traditional and welcoming Alpine atmosphere - the ideal setting in which to relax after skiing over afternoon tea, and to enjoy our excellent Chalet Hotel cuisine. The en suite bedrooms are spacious and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi and Sky TV, many with extra beds available for families, and most have a balcony or terrace. There’s a games room on the lower ground floor with a pool table, table-tennis, and a small spa area with a free sauna and steam-room. Spice West Midlands stayed here early February and the feedback has been superb – ‘Lovely hotel with 5 star food, one the best I’ve ever stayed in whilst skiing – great skiing too – highly recommended’ – Richard – Coordinator Spice West Midlands Flights – Flybe BE735 – 7.30am – 11.00am Edinburgh – Turin – Transfer Time 1 hr 45 mins. Flybe BE736 - 11.30am – 12.45pm – Turin - Edinburgh The tour operator for this flight inclusive holiday is Inghams (ATOL 0025) for whom we act as Agents. This holiday is protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme in the event of failure of the tour operator. Inghams holiday terms and conditions apply, as supplied with the full holiday information pack. Your money is protected via our trust account in compliance with EC travel regulations. Please call 0161 8738788 to book
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February Bargain Break 2017 WHEN: WHERE: PRICE: INCLUDES: SLOTS:
Friday 24 February – Sunday 26 February 2017 Based at The Angus Hotel, 46 Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 6NG £119 Member, £139 Guest. Single Rooms available at £35 supplement (Deposit £30) 2 nights bed, breakfast, dinner, plus walks on Sat & Sun, Rotating Dinner, Tribute evening. Max. 82 (29 twin/doubles, 24 single) th Now into its 13 year, join us for the biggest and best weekend in the Spice calendar – our February Bargain Break. This year we head back to where it all started – The Angus Hotel in Blairgowrie. This lovely Perthshire town on the banks of the river Ericht offers exceptional accommodation and facilities for the perfect Spice weekend. At just over 1 ½ hrs from Glasgow, Edinburgh and accessible from all over the UK this weekend is the perfect destination. Angus Hotel: The Angus Hotel is Blairgowrie’s premier leisure hotel with a modern indoor pool and health spa and free wifi throughout the hotel. Relax and unwind in a modern and comfortable family owned hotel, one of Perthshire's best known hotels for over 100 years. Situated right at the heart of the pretty county town of Blairgowrie, it's the perfect base for touring the local area. Your weekend includes a 3 course sit down dinner on Friday and Saturday evening, full Scottish breakfasts, daytime walks or places of interest and full evening entertainment on both nights. The Area: With Blairgowrie being in the Heart of Perthshire, there are so many places in the surrounding area to visit. With Dundee, Perth, and Highland Perthshire approximately 30 minutes away it is easy to access the multitude of attractions which the area has to offer. Activities: This excellent weekend is jam packed with activities to suit everyone. On Friday evening we will attempt a Spice Rotating Dinner – over 80 members moving between courses! The perfect chance to meet loads and loads of your fellow Spice weekenders in one action packed evening. Beware – if you come with a friend we cannot guarantee you will sit together during dinner. After dinner we will enjoy a lively private disco. On Saturday enjoy a lovely Scottish breakfast before heading out for the day. You will have the option to join one of the 2 walks on offer from out walk leaders or for a more leisurely day a place of interest will be available too. After our 3 course dinner in the evening we welcome a live tribute act to entertain us – the will be notified nearer the time. Sunday sees us want again start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading out again. There will also be 2 walks on offer or a chance to do some sightseeing before we head home.
The Magic of Mull in Spring WHEN: WHERE: PRICE: INCLUDES:
Friday 28 – Sunday 30 April or Monday 1 May 2017 Isle of Mull Hotel, Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6BB £159/£238 Member, £179/258 Guest. Single Rooms £20 pppn supplement (Deposit £30) 2/3 nights bed, breakfast, dinner, walks on Sat & Sun SLOTS: Max. 30 (24 twin/doubles, 6single) Includes 2/3 nights bed, breakfast, 2/3 x dinner, plus walks on Saturday and Sunday Spring in Scotland – for the last few years the weather has been excellent so this is your chance to get away for a very special social weekend. We head to the stunning Isle of Mull for a Magic of Mull break. Sited on the crescent of Craignure Bay you will find the breathtaking Crerar Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa. (The same people who we stayed with on the Loch Fyne break in 2015). Conveniently close to the ferry terminal, the hotel is perfectly situated; central but still giving you the feeling of being a million miles away from it all. With panoramic sea views, extensive spa facilities and the Sheallach-Na-Mara restaurant this is a fantastic weekend destination! Mull may be small, but there is much to do here! Wake early and spot deer and birds amongst wildflowers in the garden, spend days visiting castles, take a drive to Tobermory, where Balamory was filmed, with its colourful cottages, open farm and cute shops, this village charms everyone, and a tour of Tobermory Distillery, established in 1798, completes your idyllic island adventure. The Hotel: Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa – The hotel enjoys stunning sea views over Craignure Bay. Choose from single, twin or double rooms elegantly designed with contemporary, natural décor. All are smoke-free, pet-friendly and include all the amenities you would expect from a hotel of this standard. Sheallach-Na-Mara restaurant provides fabulous food and a warm, welcoming ambience. Enjoy the luxury of the Leisure Club and Spa, experience breathtaking sunrises and sunsets as you unwind in the outdoor hot tub or take a dip in the indoor swimming pool surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. Spa facilities, free for all on the weekend, include a 17-metre swimming pool, Air conditioned fully equipped gym with outdoor decking area, Steam room, Norwegian spruce sauna, Hydro foot spa and Temperature controlled relaxation suite. There is the option to extend your stay until the Monday if wanted. PLEASE BOOK EARLY for this wonderful weekend! 17
See Glasgow – A Cultural & Social Break WHEN: WHERE: COST: INCLUDES: SLOTS:
Friday 12 May – Sunday 14 May 2017 Alexander Thomson Hotel, Argyle St. Glasgow, G2 8LY £149 Member, £169 Guest. Single Supp £60 (£30 deposit) 2 Nights B+B accommodation, Friday evening Spice exclusive party night. 30 – 10 Singles and 20 Twin/Doubles See Glasgow – a cultural and social break. Glasgow - European City of Culture, Commonwealth Games host is just Pure Dead Brilliant. st Join us on our 1 Glasgow weekend and your chance to experience this lively city. See Glasgow – a cultural, walking and social break.
Glasgow - European City of Culture, Commonwealth Games host is just Pure Dead Brilliant. After the success of our 2016 break we are delighted to welcome you back in 2017 – join us for our Glasgow weekend and your chance to experience this lively city. We stay right in the city centre; at The Alexander Thomson Hotel, a short walk from Central Train Station which makes all the attractions and bars! very accessible, either walking or on the subway. There will be a set of coordinated activities throughout the weekend; you can do all of them of just dip in and out as you please (although many will need to be booked in advance). Activities include Macintosh Trails with afternoon tea in the world famous Willow Teas Rooms, Kelvingrove Museum and Galleries, Saturday evening dinner and so much more. The Evenings On Friday night there will be a Glasgow Party Night with sit down 3 course dinner and disco till late. (included in the cost of your weekend) The package includes two night’s bed and breakfast, party night and a host throughout the weekend. Extras: Travel to Glasgow, meal on Saturday and any activities. Throughout the weekend Spice Scotland members will be invited to book the events – remember – people make Glasgow!
Highlands Wildlife, Whiskey and Wonderful Food WHEN: WHERE: COST: INCLUDES:
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Saturday 20 May – Thursday 25 May 2017 The Grant Arms Hotel, 25 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3HF £899 Member, £919 Guest. No single supplement Bed and Breakfast, packed lunch and evening meals throughout. Day trips Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Two evening talks and a Whiskey Tasting experience. Mini bus travel for local sight seeing. SLOTS: 16 – Single, Twins and Doubles Singles are available with no extra supplement on this break. May is the perfect time to visit Scotland, explore the beauty of the Highlands and to meet the special wildlife that lives there. We will be accommodated throughout at the splendid Grant Arms Hotel in Grantown-on-Spey, located within the Cairngorm National Park. The hotel is perfectly situated to put us within easy reach of a wide variety of Scotland's iconic birds and animals. The Grant Arms has developed a reputation for fabulous food and its staff can't do enough for you, it's certainly a place you don't visit just once, you'll be back again for sure! Professional wildlife photographer and tour leader Ashley Grove is someone who has been back many times. He has called upon his years of experience to put together this fabulous trip for Spice and will look after us throughout. While this wildlife watching experience has been put together to give you an extensive taste of what Scotland has to offer, it will be run at a leisurely pace, so by no means do you need to be super fit to take part, just relax and let Ashley show you around. One of the places we will visit is Findhorn Valley home of the magnificent Golden Eagle. The road through the valley follows the river, where among other birdlife, Dippers bob on the rocks before plunging beneath the water for their food. The Eagles are ever present here and it is by far the most reliable site to see them on the Scottish mainland. This area is also home to the Mountain Hare and herds of Red Deer and there is also the possibility of White-tailed Eagle. Also on the itinerary is an evening spent in the comfortable dusk hide at Rothiemurchus, which is always a great experience. Wildlife we might expect to see from the hide includes Red Deer, Red Squirrel, Wood Mouse and Badger, but the main attraction is the illusive Pine Marten. At this time of year the adults may even bring the kits into feed, which is a real privilege to witness. Apart from the one evening in the Rothiemurchus hide, evenings will be free for us to socialize together and enjoy the hotel facilities. As well as a comfortable and well-stocked bar, the hotel also offers an extensive library of wildlife books and other reading material, plus information on local attractions and a wildlife sittings notice board. On two evenings Ashley will be giving one of his after diner talks in the hotels lecture suite.
Scottish Sailing Breaks 2017 Inner Hebrides May or August Bank Holiday Sailing Weekend - Firth of Lorne WHEN: WHEN: WHERE: COST: INCLUDES:
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Friday 26 – Monday 29 May 2017 (3 nights) th th Friday 25 – Monday 28 August 2017 (3 Nights) The Aislig Bheag Yacht (Departure Oban) £299 Members, £319 Guests 3 Nights on board, Tuition, Safety Equipment, Meals and Snacks Participate in an enjoyable trip afloat exploring Scotland’s West Highland Shores while learning a range of sailing skills. Visit islands, secluded anchorages and view wild life in its natural environment while making passage in a luxurious ocean going sailing yacht. Your ‘home for the weekend is the "Aislig Bheag" (Gaelic for small dream or vision and is pronounced Aishlick Vaick in a soft lilting highland accent). She is a Jeanneau Trinidad 48', which for ease of handling, has roller reefing on the foresail and lazyjacks on the mainsail. The inconspicuous pilot house is equipped with large panaoramic windows making the main saloon light and airy. Your skipper John Vickers is a professional seafarers and fully qualified RYA Offshore Yachtmaster. Cruise Ecosse have been providing Spice with sailing holidays since 1993 and know how to get everyone involved while maintaining a relaxed social atmosphere. Arrive Friday evening at Oban. During the first evening you meet the Skipper and get to know your sailing colleagues. Then it’s time for a safety briefing followed by a demonstration of the yacht’s equipment and, if possible, a short practice sail in sheltered waters where the Skipper will show you how to steer the yacht and handle the sails. In the morning, with a fair wind, we will set sail across the Firth of Lorne. The crew’s progress in learning how to handle the yacht, and the wind direction, will decide on Saturday evening’s destination. It would be our intention to sail around the Island of Mull over a 3 day weekend and visit the Islands off the west of Mull like Iona and Staffa. This also applies to whether we stop for lunch or eat while sailing. Our second night will be at a remote anchorage such as Tinker’s Hole or the Island of Ulva. Our third night will probably be spent in Tobermory Bay where we can end up enjoying the local nightlife. Whatever our destinations we will stop in sheltered waters and the yacht’s inflatable tender may be used for excursions ashore. The price includes tuition, the use of all safety equipment, meals and snacks. If you have a favourite nibble or tipple you are welcome to bring it along.
Loch Ness Summer Social Weekend WHEN: WHERE: COST:
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Friday 30 June – Sunday 2 or Monday 3 July 2017 Drumnadrochit Hotel, Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness, IV63 6TU 2 Night - £155 Member, £175 Guest. Single Supp £50 (£30 deposit) 3 Night - £230 Member, £250 Guest. Single Supp £75 (£50 deposit) INCLUDES: 2/3 nights bed, breakfast, dinner, walks on Sat & Sun SLOTS: 30 – 10 Singles and 20 Twin/Doubles The Area: Loch Ness is one of Scotland’s largest and most famous lochs, known around the world thanks to its elusive monster Nessie. This impressive stretch of water is 23 miles long and over 700 ft at its deepest, making it Scotland’s largest loch in terms of volume. Loch Ness runs from Loch Dochfour to Fort Augustus, it is bordered by picturesque villages such as Foyers and Dores and you can drive along the western edge of the loch on the A82. Overlooking the water from the western shore is Urquhart Castle, a former royal castle that has witnessed some of the most dramatic periods in Scottish history. Our base for the weekend is a short distance away in Drumnadrochit. The Hotel: Affordable accommodation close to Loch Ness during the summer has proved elusive over the years so we are delighted to have secured the Drumnadrochit Hotel – a fantastic location. Housed within the world-famous Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, this family-run hotel is ideally located for touring the Highlands. It offers peaceful surroundings, cosy accommodation, free Wi-Fi, and on-site parking. As part of the Exhibition Centre, it benefits from a variety of shops (including the Nessie Shop and the Whisky Shop) and even offers hourly cruises across Loch Ness – something we’ll be looking at one of our activities. Each of the en suite rooms comes equipped with a flat-screen TV, a hairdryer, and tea and coffee facilities. The Loch Ness Bistro offers hearty home-cooked cuisine made from the finest locally sourced produce and ingredients. Diners can also expect comfortable surroundings and some spectacular views. During our stay morning breakfasts and evening dinners are included, you also have the option to extend your visit to 3 nights rather than our usual 2 night breaks. Activities: Simply too many to mention, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness boat trips, monster hunting! There’s lots to do in the local area along with our usual VC led walks on Saturday and Sunday we’ll certainly be out and about exploring. Places are limited so ensure you book early to secure your slot – this will be memorable.
Spotted this break with a few spaces remaining and Edinburgh flights.
Madrid Mini Break WHEN: WHERE: COST: INCLUDES:
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Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 October 2016 (3 nights) The Hotel Anaco, Madrid £619 Member flying from Edinburgh. Flights (incl hand luggage), transfers to hotel, 3 Continental breakfasts and 1 evening meal. 3* hotel accommodation on a twin share basis (local rating). Half day guided city tour, entrance to a Flamenco show EXTRAS: Hold luggage allowance. Travel Insurance available through Spice UK. Single supp £160. Some drinks & some meals, optional excursions and personal extras. Madrid is the capital of Spain and the third largest city in Europe after London and Berlin. It is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. However while the city possesses modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighbourhoods and streets. Madrid has really revamped itself in the past couple of years and the centre of the city is smartening up with new boutiques, delis, cafés and gastrobars opening up every week. It’s perfect for a culture-rich long weekend or city break, with great food and a lively atmosphere at night. Although it is cold in winter, there are usually a lot of bright, sunny days and it is often warm enough to sit outside during the day. Just remember your hat and gloves. The weather is best in spring and autumn. Your itinerary Day 1 – Depart the UK and meet your coach at Madrid-Barajas airport. The drive to the city centre takes approximately 30 minutes, and you will roll through Madrid’s elegant boulevards and squares, and will no doubt catch a glimpse of some of its enormous, dominating architecture - a tantalizing look at your trip to come. After your journey, you’ll check into your hotel. The Hotel Anaco is 60’s chic all the way with a lean stylish design that has been consistently updated and refined as the years have gone by. It is located In a very central urban area, surrounded by restaurants, theatres, cinemas and shops, and not at all far the major monuments, so doing some sightseeing on your own won’t be a problem at all. After check-in, you’ll head out to dinner at a nearby restaurant (included) – the area is full of great eateries, so it will be a pleasant short evening stroll, lead by your tour leader. Madrid cuisine tends to be full, hearty meals, with strongflavoured pork and chickpea stews being a local favourite, as well as the legendary tapas dishes. Day 2 - This morning, you’ll embark on a half-day tour of Madrid. Your coach and English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel, and lead a panoramic tour, taking in the highlights of the city. Sights will include the grand architecture of The Royal Palace and Prado Museum, the bustling squares of Plazas de Espana, Puerta del Sol and iconic cultural hotspots such as the Las Ventas bullring and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Some walking may be required to truly get to know parts of the city personally - Madrid’s compact size makes it well suited to walking tours too. As Spain’s historic capital, Madrid has an abundance of Royal history, and your guide will tell the stories of the imposing medieval cathedrals, churches and palaces. As the home of the Franco dictatorship, it also has a fascinating modern history, with a cultural and liberal centre arising from the conservative establishment. The tour will take approximately 4 hours, and you will be dropped back at the hotel afterwards, with time on your own for sightseeing afterwards. Day 3 - Today will be at your leisure until after dinner (not included). Your coach will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you directly to the highlight of Madrid’s lively nightlife – a traditional Tablao for a flamenco show. Flamenco is one of Spain’s most enduring imports and it remains, after centuries of preservation, a vital part of Andalusian culture. A vibrant and enthralling harmony of guitar, song and dance this evening will be the quintessential Madrid experience. The show times will depend on the available performances, but can be expected to last approximately 90 minutes, with a transfer time of no more than 20 minutes each way. Day 4 - Once again, you’ll check out of your hotel and board your coach (the time will depend on the flight time booked), and transfer to the Madrid-Barajas Airport. The transfer time is approximately 30 minutes. Provisional flight information Edinburgh EasyJet Depart 1205 / Arrive 1600 hand luggage only – supp for hold luggage Return 2110 / Arrive 2305
SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Badminton – Edinburgh - Weekly Date: Tuesday’s throughout the year, see web for full dates. Place: Meadowbank Sports Centre, London Road (EH7 6AE) Time: 8pm to 10pm Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest A sociable badminton evening suitable for beginners and experienced players. All are welcome
Badminton - Glasgow Date: Thursday’s throughout the year, see web for full dates. Place: Scotstoun Leisure Centre, 72 Danes Drive (G14 9HU) Time: 7pm to 9pm Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest Badminton suitable for all standards. Come along, get some light exercise. You can pay the coordinator on the night for this event.
Meal B4 Bar Night - Metropolitan Date: Friday 7th October 2016 Place: The Metropolitan, 5 Candleriggs, Merchant City (G1 1LE) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £17 Member, £19 Guest Includes: 2 Course Dinner, Glass of Wine, Service Metropolitan is a stylish cocktail bar and restaurant venue, situated in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City. Offering a varied selection of local produce in a range of styles, Metropolitan brings a modern twist to traditional Scottish fare and fine dining. Tonight we will enjoy a new members meal with 2 courses from a set menu with glass of wine and service included. After dinner we’ll stay in the Merchant City for a few post dinner drinks.
Yacht Taster Sailing Day Date: Saturday 8th October 2016 Place: Rhu Marina, Rhu, Helensburgh (G84 8LH) Time: 9:30am to 5pm Cost: £70 Member, £75 Guest A day’s sailing tuition aboard the Aislig Bheag. Join Aislig Bheag at Rhu Marina for a day’s sail and get experience of sailing a large yacht under sail. Itinerary as follows: 9:30 – Join the yacht, meet the skipper over a coffee while having a safety briefing. 10:00 – Depart the marina and set the sails, destination will depend on the weather and wind. 13:00 – Stop for lunch, please bring a packed lunch (hot and cold drinks will be provided) 14:00 – Set sail for the return to Rhu 17:00 – Disembark at Rhu Marina You will get the opportunity to take part in the following: Helm the yacht Set and trim the sails Tacking, reaching and running downwind. Navigation using both paper and electronic chart plotter. Competent crew skills Book now as spaces are limited.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Glasgow's Music Mile Tour Date: Saturday 8th October 2016 Meet: Killermont St entrance of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow (G2 3NY) Time: 1:45pm to 3:45pm Cost: £17 Member, £18 Guest From Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to King Tut’s, via Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow’s Music Mile tour is a whistle-stop guide around the city centre, an area teeming with music venues past and present. Hear tales from the heyday of the late, lamented Apollo; check out the home of Celtic Connections and marvel at the many successful bands that started out at King Tut’s. Finishing at the famous venue, this tour includes the opportunity to follow in the early footsteps of Oasis, Blur and the Manic Street Preachers. Depending on access, you may have the chance to stand under the lights at King Tut’s and grab a selfie on the stage that helped launch so many great acts. This tour also entitles customers to a reusable card giving a tasty 25% discount on food at King Tut’s. The Glasgow’s Music Mile tour is a great way to see what makes Glasgow’s music scene tick. Join us as we explore a neighbourhood rich in both musical myths and scuzzy backroom stages where the next generation of guitar heroes are paying their dues. Duration: Approx 2 hours; Distance: 1.5 miles (2.4km); Starts at Killermont Street entrance of Glasgow Royal Concert Hall; Finishes at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Cost includes booking fee.
The Witchery - Meal and Ghost Walk Tour Date: Saturday 8th October 2016 Place: The Witchery Restaurant, Castle Hill, Edinburgh (EH1 2NF) Time: 6pm Cost: £36 Member, £40 Guest Includes: 2 Course Dinner, Service, Guided Tour, Spice Host One of the most popular events returns to the Spice Scotland programme. A chance to try two of Edinburgh’s most famous attractions on the same night! This event is always a sellout! A fabulous evening combining a delicious 2-course dinner at The Witchery, one of Edinburgh’s premier restaurants followed by an atmospherically spooky Murder and Mystery Walk Our table at the award-winning restaurant The Witchery is booked for 6pm – we will dine on courses from a set early evening menu before embarking on a Murder walk. During the Murder walk you will visit the scenes of horrific murders, tortures and supernatural happenings within the historic Old Town of Edinburgh. Your guide through the dark courts and eerie alleyways will be none other than deceased Highwayman Adam Lyal, executed in the Grassmarket in 1811! Hopefully, any spooky encounters won’t put you off your dinner! In the interests of safety, please wear sensible shoes and warm clothing, as the tour will take place outdoors and along cobbled streets. Sample Supper: Assiette of Iberico charcuterie; Roast Hot Smoked Salmon with Beetroot, Horseradish; Garden Pea Veloute, Anster scones The Witchery's fish pie, Wagya Beef Patty, burnt onion mayo, straw fires; Wild garlic tagliatelle, roast San Marzano tomatoes, lemon pesto
Ramble - Blackness Castle by Bo'ness Date: Sunday 9th October 2016 Meet: Industrial estate behind Carriden Parish Church, Bo'ness Time: 11am Cost: £4 Member, £5 Guest A leisurely Sunday stroll taking in great views and time to wander around Blackness Castle. This coastal route to formidable Blackness Castle offers impressive views across the Forth. The walk is a ‘there and back’ walk of just over 5 miles and is suitable for all. At this time of year it’s worth wearing suitable walking boots and attire. The walk (with time to visit the castle) should last around 2 hours or so. 22
SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Polo Taster! The Real Sport of Kings! Date: Sunday 9th October 2016 Place: Thom Bell, North Kilduff, Kinross (KY13 0PN) Time: 11am Cost: £60 Member, £65 Guest It’s been 5 years since we offered this unique experience in the events programme so we are delighted to see it make a welcome return – today we play Polo! Thom Bell, who started playing polo himself, about nine years ago, has fantastic enthusiasm for the game and is now Scotland’s highest qualified instructor. Governed by the HPA, Hurlingham Polo Association, Thom has qualified as a Grade 3 HPA Instructor. Anyone can learn to play polo, whether you have riding experience or not, our Taster lesson will take place at Thom’s stables, in Kinross. This really is something special for a Saturday afternoon. We will arrive for 11am for an introduction, refreshments and a few short films about polo. We then receive a safety briefing from your instructor before we head to our wooden practice horse. Here you will learn the basics of using the polo stick – how to swing, balance and more importantly how to avoid hitting the real horse. When familiar with the techniques we head to the stables to meet our horse for the real thing!! We will receive a riding lesson including how to mount and control your horse. No riding experience is necessary as full instruction is given. Your instructor will then give a demo on how to ride your horse with polo stick in hand. If the group is confident and has the ability (on out last visit all members took part in the game) you will be put into teams and you will participate in the Spice Scotland Polo chukka. Please note – your instructor will decide if your group can participate in a game of polo. If we do not get a chukka you will enjoy the freedom of riding and hitting the ball in open space. Please wear flat sole shoes with a heel (or let the office know shoe size if you do not have any), and advise height, weight and riding ability when booking. IMPORTANT! As with all equestrian sports Polo can be a dangerous and unpredictable activity. We have specifically selected this supplier for their excellent safety record and policy but there is no way to absolutely guarantee safe participation. Full Public Liability Insurance is in place but Personal Accident Cover is not applicable and you will be required to sign indemnity forms. Please note that you book the event on this basis and must supply full and accurate information to the supplier.
BBC Scotland Studio Tour and Lunch Date: Saturday 15th October 2016 Place: BBC Studios Pacific Quay and La Fiorentina (G51 1DA) Time: 11:30am Cost: £22 Member, £24 Guest Includes: Guided Studio Tour, 2 course lunch, service, Spice host. This is your opportunity to explore the BBC Studios at Pacific Quay. Under expert guidance our tour will last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. This is a walk around the building, including the central staircase and broadcast studios when programme requirements permit access, and includes the chance to try out producing or acting in a 'just for fun' radio drama. On our last visit our group headed to the Mrs Brown set, sat at Jackie Bird’s news desk along with other famous rooms. The Pacific Quay studios offer an insight into the state of the art way our tv showsare made today. After our tour we will make the short walk to La Fiorentina for a light 2 course lunch. (NB. We will need to move any cars parked at the studios). Please meet at BBC Scotland, 40 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1DA. The entrance to BBC Scotland is through the reception area where your tour guide will meet you. Access is from Millennium Square, directly opposite the entrance to the Glasgow Science Centre. Parking is available free of charge in the BBC Scotland car park. On arrival press the buzzer on the entrance barrier to connect to the security office. Please quote Jamie Morris group at the barrier. There is a security presence around the building at all times. Please do not bring large items with you as there will not be a cloakroom service, and these items may not be permitted past the security barriers. All bags will be checked, and visitors will be wanded with handheld metal detectors. Still photography is permitted at certain points on the tour, our tour guide will let you know when these opportunities arise. Video cameras are not permitted.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Evening Showboat Cruise on the Waverley Date: Saturday 15th October 2016 Place: Glasgow (G3 8HA) Meet: Quay at Glasgow Science Centre Time: 7pm Cost: £19 Member, £21 Guest Welcome aboard the Waverley for a traditional cruise and sail back in time on one of the world’s greatest historic ships – magnificently restored with her towering funnels, timber decks, gleaming varnish and brass. This time we’re sailing from the Glasgow Science Centre on a ‘Party Cruise’ featuring live music. With live music and dancing on this evening showboat cruiseKthis will be a trip to remember. Please BOOK EARLY as this boat is always a sell out! Includes Booking Fee.
Saturday Night at the Movies - The Queen of Katwe and MP's Date: Saturday 15th October 2016 Place: Vue Omni Centre and MP's Bistro (EH1 3AJ) Time: 4:45pm Cost: £37 Member, £40 Guest We begin our evening with a return to the Vue Cinema in the Omni Centre for what will be one of the most heart warming and inspirational films of the year – Queen of Katwe. David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o star with newcomer Madina Nalwanga in Mira Nair’s biopic of a Ugandan chess prodigy. Phiona Mutesi, the gifted and determined teen at the center of Queen of Katwe, is an aspiring chess master who can see as many as eight moves ahead. Unfortunately, so can the audience: The inspirational true story of the Ugandan girl’s ascent through the competitive ranks lays out its pieces and strategies all too clearly. The film is expected to have the same Slumdog – now that’s an impressive camparison. After the movie we head to the excellent MP’s Bistro to enjoy a delicious two-course meal (starter/main or main/dessert) plus glass of wine and service to chat over the movie we enjoyed beforehand. Includes: 2 Course Dinner, Glass of Wine, Service, Cinema Ticket. Extras: 3rd Course, Cinema Snacks, Drinks Please meet at the Vue Cinema, The Onmi Centre, Edinburgh. Please note film times are yet to be released so the start time may change slightly.
Ramble - Blackchester Fort Circuit - Lauder Date: Sunday 16th October 2016 Place: Lauder (TD2 6SR) Meet: Lauder Post Office on Market Place (Bus Service available) Time: 10:30am Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest This pleasant, easy-going circuit climbs rolling countryside to the remains of Blackchester hillfort and then across farmland with good views before descending and following the Harry Burn back to Lauder. The walk is just over 7 miles in length with 168 metres ascent (suitable for most Spice members – if in doubt call the Spice office for advice) and should take around 3 hours (including a stop at Blackchester Fort). Please ensure you wear suitable footwear and clothing as sections of this walk can be muddy. At the end of the walk if numbers permit we’ll stop for lunch in Lauder.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Highland Adventure Safari - The Roaring Stags Date: Sunday 16th October 2016 Place: Drumdewan Farmhouse, Aberfeldy (PH15 2JQ) Time: 1:15pm Cost: £40 Member, £44 Guest We have done this event many times but it never fails to amaze, particularly at this time of year when Scotland is at its autumnal finest and we have chosen this particular time because of the added attraction of the Roaring Stags at the time of year when these magnificent beasts proudly proclaim their sovereignty to the world! This Highland Adventure Safari is a real chance to see the Scottish hills in their summer finery without getting cold, wet or tired. Spot the wildlife as we ascend to over 3,000ft. Some members opt for a long hard walk – others choose to do it the easy way! You will go on an exciting Landrover Safari into a secret Scotland – all off road and all on wild and unspoilt private land between Aberfeldy and Rannoch. There’s a good chance of seeing deer on the hills and the Arctic hare. The Safari will be 2½ hours of sheer adventure taking you into a wild wonderland with a stop for tea/coffee and shortbread – not to forget a wee dram! On the hill, a bothy has been built to enable the group to experience the hill environment in greater comfort when the weather is less than perfect. The wilderness of Highland Perthshire at its finest awaitsK as do the Roaring Stags BOOK NOW! Note: There is a café at the start and end point of your trip which will depart at 1.30pm prompt! Directions: A9 Perth to Ballinluig, A827 to Aberfeldy, turn right in village onto B846 Weems/Castle Menzies and Drumdewan Farmhouse is signposted 3 miles along this road.
Horse Riding Beginner Lesson - Lasswade Riding Centre Date: Monday 17th October 2016 Place: Lasswade Riding Centre, Kevock Rd, Lasswade. (EH18 1HX) Time: 6:50pm to 8pm Cost: £25 Member, £28 Guest We head to the Edinburgh & Lasswade Riding Centre, the premier riding school in the Lothians, for a Horse Riding Lesson. The Edinburgh & Lasswade Riding Centre provide exciting tuition and your chance to try horse riding for the st nd rd 1 time (or 2 , 3 etc). They have an excellent range of horses for all standards and sizes and are noted for the quality of their instruction. We will enjoy an hour lesson where you will learn to control, walk and possibly canter. A great event so please BOOK EARLY! Directions and meeting details will be sent beforehand.
Skittles at The Sheep Heid Inn Date: Wednesday 19th October 2016 Place: The Sheep Heid Inn, 43 The Causeway, Duddingston, Edinburgh (EH15 3QA) Time: 8pm Cost: £8 Member, £9 Guest A great nightK.. the chance to mix and mingle over a game of skittles in Scotland’s oldest surviving public house – The Sheep Heid Inn. The evening includes 2 games that usually take around 2 hours. Teams will be allocated on the night. Early dinner? If you would like to meet at 7pm for dinner (payable on the night) please let us know when booking and we’ll reserve a table. Spaces are limited so please book early.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Meal - Elite Dining - Brian Maule at Chardon D'or Date: Saturday 22nd October 2016 Place: Chardon D'or, 176 West Regent Street, Glasgow (G2 4RL) Time: 6pm Cost: £30 Member, £33 Guest An elite dining is on offer this evening as we sample the delights of Glasgow’s leading restaurant, Brian Maule at Chardon D’or. Our amazing deal includes three exquisite dishes and coffee and chocolate at this superb venue. Brian Maule left his Ayrshire home town to train in the culinary capital of France, Lyon, where he worked with some of the country’s most respected chefs. His potential was spotted by the Roux Brothers of Le Gavroche fame and at the age of only 24, he was appointed head chef at their world famous Michelin star London Restaurant, in charge of a select brigade of 18 chefs. Brian opened the doors of his Glasgow fine dining restaurant Chardon d’Or in 2001, bringing his international reputation for preparing some of Europe’s best food with him. Whilst dishes may sound straightforward enough on the menus, Brian Maule has skilfully created flavour combinations that keep customers coming back for more. This will be a truly unique quality eating experience and, as places are limited to just 8, we recommend that you BOOK EARLY! Please join us for this will be a classy and unforgettable evening packed with dishes that are consistently great! Includes: 3 Course Dinner, Coffee, Chocolates, Service. Extras: Drinks,
Murder Mystery at The Maitlandfield Date: Saturday 22nd October 2016 Place: Maitlandfield House Hotel, 24 Sidegate, Haddington (EH41 4BZ) Time: 7:15pm Cost: £34 Member, £38 Guest Includes: 4 Course Dinner, Tea/Coffee, Murder Mystery Could you murder a good night out? The Maitlandfield House Hotel provides a really super night out with a difference as we return for one of their famous Murder Mystery Dinners. The event will include a five course dinner and the theatre, so you have the best of both worlds - food and entertainment. This is a new plot combining murder, intrigue, suspense and entertainment, with audience participation. This is a must for all budding detectives. A group of actors will present a plot and remain in costume and character, mixing with you throughout the meal and giving you the opportunity to question and grill them. You guess who the murderer is and after the meal all will be revealed in the final act with prizes for the winners.
Quad Biking Date: Sunday 23rd October 2016 Place: Craigluscar Activities, Dumfermline, Fife (KY12 9HT) Time: 12:40pm Cost: £45 Member, £49 Guest An event with brilliant feedback every time! We head to Fife and Craigluscar Activities for an amazing 1-hour trek – these four-wheeled all terrain vehicles (ATVs) allow the rider to experience the thrills of off-road driving in the beautiful surroundings of Craigluscar Hill. After instruction on controls and safety procedures, we will test these machines to their limits by following an experienced leader over winding hill and forest tracks. You will see wonderful views over the Forth Valley and a variety of wildlife. All the bikes are easily controlled providing a safe but thrilling challenge. All instruction, safety equipment and insurance are supplied, including helmets, gloves and coveralls. The trek lasts for an hour and is suitable for all.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Meal - New Members - Edinburgh - Villager Date: Wednesday 26th October 2016 Place: Villager, 49-50 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh (EH1 1EJ) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £19.50 Member, £22 Guest Tonight is an opportunity for our new members to come along and enjoy a Spice meal in great surroundings. Whilst new member meals are recommended for new members we welcome all members along to meet and mingle with our recent additions. The Villager is a lovably eccentric cocktail bar and restaurant on George IV Bridge. Great for people watching, it has two rooms decked out with a quirky mix of chandeliers, gilt-edged mirrors and hip hop/graffiti-inspired wall markings. Being on the George IV this is great central location ideal for Waverley station and the bus routes. Tonight we will dine on 2 courses from a set menu and the service has been included in the cost. rd Includes: 2 Course Dinner, Service, Spice Host. Extras: Drinks, 3 Course (£4.40 payable on the evening)
The Big Varieté at The Britannia Panoptican Date: Friday 28th October 2016 Place: The Brittania Panoptican, Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HD Time: 7:15pm Cost: £8 Member, £9 Guest A Friday night at The Panoptican – a showcase of the new oddities of the Glaswegian cabaret scene. We’re not sure what to expect here but a lively, fun night is assured.
Edinburgh Haunted Pub Crawl Date: Friday 28th October 2016 Place: Edinburgh City Centre (EH8 8BN) Meet: Meeting Details will be advised Time: 7:30pm Cost: £4 A spooky pub crawl with a guarantee in place – we’ll definitely see some spirits tonight. Join us for an evening visiting some of Edinburgh’s haunted hostelries. All the venues tonight will have a spooky story to tell and this is our chance to explore a few. This bar night will be a good chance to mix and mingle over a few drinks. There is a charge for this event but your first drink is included. We usually manage around 6 venues on and around Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Meeting details will be sent beforehand to all booked.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Samhain Firewalk at Tir na Nog Date: Saturday 29th October 2016 Place: Tir Na Nog, Balfunning, Balfron Station (G63 0NF) Time: 6:30pm Cost: £55 Member, £60 Guest One for the bucket list – the shortest walk you’ll ever do – The Samhain Firewalk (Samhain means Halloween). Firewalking can be presented as an ancient ritual of initiation, or as a cutting-edge personal development tool. It has been practiced across the globe for thousands of years, and has participants as diverse as young girls in Bali, Orthodox Christian devotees in Greece, and celebrities like Oprah Winfrey.. It is seen by some as an ‘adrenaline rush’ experience, and by others as a deeply spiritual act. It is inherently dangerous, and yet thousands of people have walked the coals unharmed. Oona McFarlane (MA Hons), Reiki Master Teacher, Neter Seichim Master Teacher, SUNDOOR Advanced Firewalk Instructor and Trainer of Instructors, NLP Master Practitioner, Ericksonian Hypnotherapy Master Practitioner will be your guide and teacher for this fantastic experience. The Firewalk ceremony is a symbolic rite of passage into a new way of being. Participants will have the uplifting experience of making a physical commitment to their chosen path forward – clarifying their vision for the future, and gathering all their courage, passion and focus into taking that first step towards it, knowing that – as in life – there are risks involved and fears to be faced in order to make dreams come true. In the moment of choosing to walk on fire, we give ourselves an opportunity to affirm our trust in our own power and magic, to demonstrate our ability to use our fear for transformation, and to rekindle our passion for our visions of what could be. Book early as this is a public event (max 40) and is filling fast. We will confirm bookings with Oona as they come in.
Meal - The Juniper, Scottish Gin Bar Date: Saturday 29th October 2016 Place: The Juniper, 2nd Floor, Princes Square, Glasgow (G1 3JN) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £21 Member, £24 Guest Includes: 2 Course Dinner, Glass of Wine, Service, Spice Host Extras: 3rd Course, Supplements The Juniper Scottish Gin Bar is at Cranachan on the second floor of Princes Square on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. Open on Friday and Saturday nights, the venue has a neat, contemporary take on Scottish design. Antler chandeliers and walls decorated by Glasgow’s famous Timorous Beasties design studio confidently set the stage for the modern Scottish cuisine served in The Juniper Scottish Gin Bar. With more than 60 Scottish gins to choose from, The Juniper Scottish Gin Bar certainly lives up to its name. In addition to the drinks list, which includes many innovative cocktails, there is an inviting food menu with a distinct Scottish flavour. Cullen skink soup; haggis and black pudding fritters and prime Scottish rib-eye steak underline Scotland’s reputation for the finest natural produce. Not that the menu is all about Caledonian flavours. Options such as the pan-fried, dukka-crusted goat’s cheese with an orange and rocket salad or the risotto of the day demonstrate the chefs’ versatility. Tonight we will dine on 2 courses from a lovely menu with glass of wine and service included.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Rifle Shooting Date: Sunday 30th October 2016 Place: Craigluscar Activities, Craigluscar Farm, Dunfermline (KY12 9HT) Time: 1pm Cost: £35 Member, £38 Guest Try your skill and accuracy using a .22 rifle on an eight-lane 25 metre rifle range. An instructor will give you 30 practice rounds then score you out of 10 rounds. Directions From Forth Road Bridge Northbound M90 take Junction 3. Follow A907 to Dunfermline. Halbeath Road, Sinclair Gardens roundabout take third turn (Crieff and Knockhill Racing circuit). At second set of traffic lights turn right (A823 Crieff). Pass through Wellwood village then take first left (Gowkhall, Carnock and Oakley). Pass council tip until you come to small crossroads. Turn right onto the farm road and turn right at the Y junction. At the farm turn left up the hill to the cottages and park at the shed on the left. From Kincardine Bridge East on A985 to Dunfermline to Cairneyhill roundabout. Take second exit and follow A994 through Cairneyhill to Crossford. Take second turning left, Lundin Road (opposite Keavil House entrance). Follow road to T-junction at Carnock Road and turn right. At the 30mph sign turn left up Craigluscar Road. At crossroads go straight over onto the farm road and turn right at the Y-junction. At the farm turn left up the hill to the cottages and park at the shed on the left.
Pool and Pizza Night - Glasgow Date: Wednesday 2nd November 2016 Place: The Ball Room, 130 Ledard Road, Battlefield, Glasgow (G42 9RA) Time: 7pm Cost: £12 Member, £13 Guest A pool night in the convivial surroundings of The Ball Room on the Southside – a welcoming fully licensed venue with good quality pool tables. The price includes 2 hours’ table time and pizza! We will arrange a variety of pizzas with vegetarian options also available. Don’t worry if you don’t play as we will be playing a very relaxed game, probably doubles, which should be great fun for all. BOOK EARLY!
Ballachullish Bargain Break Date: Fri 4th Nov 2016 - Sun 6th Nov 2016 Place: Isles of Glencoe Hotel and Leisure Centre (PH49 4HL) Cost: £114 Member, £164 Member Single, £134 Guest (Deposit £30) Includes: 2 Nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, VC Walks See Weekends and Holidays Section for full details
Glasgow West End Pub Crawl Date: Friday 11th November 2016 Place: West End, Glasgow Time: 7:30pm Cost: £4 Join us for an evening visiting some of Glasgow’s West End hostelries. All the venues tonight will be in and around the West End with a route planned. This bar night will be a good chance to mix and mingle over a few drinks. There is a charge for this event but your first drink is included. We usually manage around 4 - 6 venues around Glasgow’s West End. Meeting details will be sent beforehand to all booked.
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Meal - Namaste Kathmandu Date: Saturday 12th November 2016 Place: Namaste Kathmandu, 17-19 Forrest Road, Edinburgh (EH1 2QH) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £25 Member, £27.50 Guest Includes: 3 course dinner, large glass of wine/pint/softdrink, service Extras: Extra Drinks Namaste Kathmandu is a long established Nepalese and Indian restaurant on Edinburgh’s Forrest Road. Simply decorated with scenes of Nepalese life and beautiful tapestries from the Himalayan region. Tonight we will dine on 3 courses from the set menu with large glass of wine, beer or soft drink included.
Hill Walk - West Kip, East Kip and Scald Law from Threipmuir Date: Sunday 13th November 2016 Place: The Pentland Hills (EH14 7JT) Meet: Threipmuir car park, Mansfield Road, Balerno Time: 11am Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest This excellent circuit from the north side of the Pentlands tackles West and East Kip - the shapeliest of the range - en route to Scald Law, the highest. It then returns to the start via Green Cleuch. The walk is along well marked hill paths but with some rough and steep sections. At just over 7 miles in length and with nearly 500 metres of ascent this walk is suitable for those members with some experience of walking in the hills – we expect to be out for around 4 ½ to 5 hours. If unsure as to whether this walk is for you call the Spice office for guidance. Walking boots, wet weather gear and a packed lunch are essential for this fantastic day in the hills. Please meet at Threipmuir car park, Mansfield Road, Balerno at 11am.
Great Grog Christmas Wine Fair Date: Friday 18th November 2016 Place: Merchants Hall, 22 Hanover St. Edinburgh (EH2 2EP) Time: 6pm to 8:30pm Cost: £19 Member, £21 Guest Nothing like a bit of advance planning! 100+ wines wander around Un-Tutored tasting. Tickets fully redeemable against a case of wine purchase! Tickets will be purchased according to demand so please book early. Please note this is a public event.
We are delighted to team up with Scotland’s leading sports equipment retailer – just in time for you winter walking, ski gear and anything else needed to enjoy the great outdoors.
Promo Code - 15%SPICE – use this when booking online at www.craigdon-edinburgh.com or visit the new Edinburgh Superstore just off the Lothianburn Junction of the city bypass.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Rotating Dinner at Alla Itallia Date: Saturday 19th November 2016 Place: Alla Italia, 192 Pitt St. Glasgow (G2 4DY) Time: 8pm Cost: £22 Member, £25 Guest A return to Alla Italia for an old favorite as we enjoy a Spice exclusive Rotating Dinner. Opened in early 2014, Alla Italia is an Italian restaurant on Pitt Street in Glasgow city centre. As well as the welcoming dining room, it has a cocktail bar where guests can enjoy drinks while listening to the live background music played at weekends. Authentic Italian classics with fresh produce is the name of the game here. The chefs at Alla Italia take great pride in locally sourcing as many ingredients as possible. The dishes are freshly prepared and cooked daily. Tonight we have exclusive use of the downstairs restaurant area and your opportunity to enjoy a unique Spice Dines evening. At our rotating dinners we will move you between courses to new tables – thus meeting and mingling with other members as you go. It’s great fun and with great food too, this is the perfect Saturday evening dinner. Please book early as early bookings will almost certainly generate more and more bookings – the more who come along the better the rotations! Includes: 3 Course Dinner, Tea/Coffee, Service. Extras: Drinks, Sides and Supplements
The Aerial Assault at Ratho Date: Sunday 20th November 2016 Place: Edinburgh International Climbing Centre, Ratho (EH28 8AA) Time: 2pm Cost: £14 Member, £16 Guest We make a return visit to one of the most exciting and amazing adventure experiences on the planet! Edinburgh International Climbing Centre (formally The Adventure Centre at Ratho) is one of the wonders of the Adventure Sport World! Go for it guys and gals – this will definitely be a thrill of a lifetime! It’s well worth doing, just to see this incredible venue with the Aerial Assault Course being the complete test of mind, body and nerve wrapped in total safety. Climb to level five of the arena and then make the final spine tingling ascent up a spiral staircase right to the edge of the arena. Once you're there you'll get harnessed up. If you're lucky enough to be first you'll head straight out onto the assault course. Otherwise you have to wait. One hundred feet above the arena. Once you reach the edge take a deep breath and step straight out into the open air. The Aerial Assault Course is the ultimate adrenaline rush, a truly unique experience where you, quite literally, let it all hang out 100ft from the ground. The ride begins with a death-defying twisted zip slide and ends with a series of increasingly formidable obstacles. Directions: Take the A8 until you reach Newbridge Roundabout. At Newbridge roundabout take the 1st exit onto the B7030 (signposted Newbridge). Take the first left after the petrol station (Cliftonhall Road). Follow road straight avoiding signs for Ratho. Travel round the side of the Newbridge Industrial Estate, under the railway bridge and passed the Newbridge One estate. Travel under the bridges (first canal & then M8) and up the hill. The EICA is on the left. It can be identified by a triangular pillar at the end of the road.
Indoor Tennis Date: Wednesday 23rd November 2016 Place: Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, 177 Colinton, Edinburgh (EH14 1BZ) Time: 7pm to 8pm Cost: £7 Member, £8 Guest An evening of tennis for all standards as we head to Craiglochart Tennis Centre for an indoor session. Please book as soon as possible so we can confirm the court and time as soon as possible. Please bring along a racquet.
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Meal - Birdtree and Bellfish Date: Friday 25th November 2016 Place: Birdtree & Bellfish, 923 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow (G3 7TQ) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £18.50 Member, £20 Guest Includes: 3 Course Dinner, Glass of Wine/1/2 Lager/Softdrink, Service Taking its name from the symbols on Glasgow’s coat of arms, Birdtree & Bellfish offers an updated take on traditional Scottish hospitality. Part of the Lorne Hotel on Sauchiehall Street, it is a cosy, homely space with an open fire and two bars: one cocktail bar and one trad Scottish pub. A relaxed, casual restaurant, Birdtree & Bellfish is perfect for a Spice evening dinner. The chefs at Birdtree & Bellfish deliver classic Scottish home-style cooking with a modern flourish. It is the sort of food that your granny might cook if she watched MasterChef. Sometimes this means traditional dishes like Cullen skink or clootie dumpling with ‘yer granny’s custard’. With other dishes, this approach means mixing and matching unexpected ingredients.Tonight we will dine on 3 courses from the Market Menu with a drink and service included.
A Play, a Pie and a Pint - Moving Pictures Date: Saturday 26th November 2016 Place: Oran Mor, Great Western Rd, Glasgow (G12 8QX) Time: 12pm Cost: £17.50 Member, £19 Guest A Play a Pie and a Pint at Oran Mor does exactly what it says on the tin. Join us for an afternoon drama with food and drink included – a pie/quiche and a pint, glass of wine or soft drink! Today’s show is Moving Pictures. Zulu, Where Eagles Dare, The Alamo, Spartacus. Can trips to the local picture house fifty years ago still be having an influence today? When charged with the task of emptying all the ‘rubbish’ from a dilapidated cinema projection room, a film fan finds himself caught up in a series of movie homages that threaten his sanity and more importantly his pay packet. Philip Differ has been creating comedy for television, radio and theatre for over thirty years. Starting off as a writer, he has gone on to produce and direct some of Scotland’s most popular shows including Only an Excuse? Scotch and Wry and Watson’s Wind Up. Please meet at the ticket office at Oran Mor at 12pm
Meal - Rotating Dinner at Merchants Date: Saturday 26th November 2016 Place: Merchants, 17 Merchant Street, Edinburgh (EH1 2DQ) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £32 Member, £35 Guest Includes: 3 Course Rotating Dinner, Glass of Wine, Tea/Coffee, Service Tonight join us to enjoy a unique Spice Dines evening. At our rotating dinners we will move you between courses to new tables – thus meeting and mingling with other members as you go. It’s great fun and with great food too, this is the perfect Saturday evening dinner. Please book early as early bookings will almost certainly generate more and more bookings – the more who come along the better the rotations! We return to the lovely Merchants restaurant, a favourite with Spice members. Everyone is welcome but this event is particularly great for new or returning members. If you come with a friend, beware, you may not sit together! We will dine on a 3 course menu with tea/coffee, service and glass of wine is also included in the cost.
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Walk - Croy Hill and The Antonine Wall - Nr Kilsyth Date: Sunday 27th November 2016 Place: Croy Hill and The Antonine Wall (G65 9SG) Meet: The Boathouse, Auchinstarry Marina, Kilsyth Time: 11am Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest This interesting circular route takes in two Roman hill forts on the Antonine Wall, both good viewpoints, as well as the Forth and Clyde Canal. The route starts and finishes at Auchinstarry Marina on the canal where is parking, toilets and a pub/restaurant. The walk is around 7 miles in length with just over 200m of ascent making it a walk suitable for most but please call the Spice office for guidance if unsure. Please ensure you wear suitable walking boots and clothes for the November weather. Bring a packed lunch too. Meet at The Boathouse, Auchinstarry Marina, Kilsyth – Croy train station is around 1 mile away and if we know in advance we can see about getting a pick up from the station.
Pool and Pizza Night - Edinburgh Date: Wednesday 30th November 2016 Place: The Ball Room, 25 Jocks Lodge, Edinburgh (EH8 7AA) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £12 Member, £13 Guest A pool night in the convivial surroundings of The Ball Room at Meadowbank. – a welcoming fully licensed venue with good quality pool tables. The price includes 2 hours’ table time and pizza! We will arrange a variety of pizzas with vegetarian options also available. Don’t worry if you don’t play as we will be playing a very relaxed game, probably doubles, which should be great fun for all. BOOK EARLY!
Glasgow – The Classic Escape Game rd
Date: Saturday 3 December 2016 Place: Escape Glasgow, 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow (G2 6HJ) Time: 7pm Cost: £15 Member, £17 Guest The same minimalistic design is evident throughout, but this time with even more twists and turns as your progress through the game. The room contains hidden containers, locked boxes, codes and a massive variety of puzzles. You will be pushed to the limit. Code breaking, observational skill and mental dexterity are just some of the areas that will be tested in our Glasgow Classic Escape. The bigger test will be in your skill as a team. Working together brings results, be organised and communicate constantly. Bounce every idea off someone else, as crazy as some may seem they may be the right answer. The aim of the game is to beat us and gain your freedom. Locked in a room with just sixty minutes to Escape, it will be the quickest hour of your life. The key you seek is in the safe. Can you recognise the hints and clues given and translate them into success? Do you have what it takes to free yourself from the Classic Live Escape Game?
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Haunted Vaults and Graveyard Tour Date: Saturday 3rd December 2016 Place: Moonlit Gravestones and Haunted Vaults (EH1 1RD) Meet: Tron Kirk, Royal Mile, Edinburgh Time: 6:45pm to 8:30pm Cost: £16 Member, £18 Guest A relaxing (not) evening tour courtesy of Auld Reekie Tours tonight as we head over ground and underground in one spooky spectacular! Moonlit Gravestones & Haunted 1700’s Underground Vaults await you! Edinburgh’s Old Town is steeped in Folklore, Legends & Myths, and an abundance of evil. Your guide shall take you to Greyfriars Graveyard, home of the famous Greyfriars Bobby – nice dog – who had cocked his leg where rotting corpses lay below and whose names were made famous in many novels and history books, and sent chills down many a reader. Then on to the infamous and haunted Niddry Street underground vaults, probably the scariest place in the world! Once home to the destitute, prostitutes, criminals, witches and a hellfire club, and is possessed by something evil that awaits you. Please wear stout footwear, and this tour is not suitable for those of a nervous disposition. You have been warned!!! Please meet at the Tron Kirk on The Royal Mile.
Indoor Climbing at Glasgow Climbing Centre Date: Sunday 4th December 2016 Place: Glasgow Indoor Climbing Centre, (G51 1RN) Meet: 534 Paisley Rd West, Glasgow Time: 10:15am to 12:30pm Cost: £24 Member, £26 Guest The Glasgow Indoor Climbing Centre allows you to learn outdoor skills indoors and avoid the rigours of the Scottish weather. During this session your instructor will encourage you all to climb, letting you experience the feeling of being in a harness, climbing walls, being lowered back down and belaying (holding the rope for the person climbing). For the brave there will be the opportunity to abseil from the spire – the venue is a converted church! All equipment hire (helmet, harness, shoes) and entry into the centre is included in the price. All you need to do is turn up in loose fitting, comfortable clothes, with long hair tied back and no jewellery on hands or wrists.
Spice Glasgow Christmas Party Night Date: Saturday 10th December 2016 Place: The Pond Hotel, Great Western Road, Glas (G12 0XP) Time: 7pm to 1am Cost: £40 Member, £44 Guest Includes: 4 Course Christmas Party Night inc of Entertainment Join us for our annual Spice Glasgow Christmas Party Night (with the added option of a great value sleepover – see separate event write up). The party evening includes a Christmas 4 course dinner followed rd by music from the resident DJ. This is our 3 year at this venue and it’s possibly the best value Christmas Party Night in the City – great fun too. The evening starts at 7pm with carriages at 1am. Book now to secure your slot on this great Christmas Party Night. Includes: Christmas Party Night and Entertainment. This event is also available to book as a Party Night Sleepover – please see separate event write up. The menu does have to be pre ordered, we’ll contact you a few weeks before the event for menu choices.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Spice Glasgow Christmas Party Night Sleepover Date: Sat 10th Dec 2016 - Sun 11th Dec 2016 Place: The Pond Hotel, Great Western Road (G12 0XP) Meet: Check in from 3pm Cost: £90 Member Twin/Double, £100 Guest Twin/Double, £110 Member Single, £120 Guest Single (Deposit £20) Includes: B+B Accomodation in Twin/Double/Single room as per booking with Christmas party night ics 4 course dinner and entertainment. Join us for our annual Spice Glasgow Christmas Party Night (with the added option of a great value sleepover – see separate event write up). The party evening includes a Christmas 4 course dinner followed rd by music from the resident DJ. This is our 3 year at this venue and it’s possibly the best value Christmas Party Night in the City – great fun too. The evening starts at 7pm with carriages at 1am. Book now to secure your slot on this great Christmas Party Night. Includes: 1 Nights Bed and Breakfast Accomodation in Twin/Double/Single room with Christmas Party Night and Entertainment. The menu does have to be pre ordered, we’ll contact you a few weeks before the event for menu choices. This event is also available to book as a Christmas Party Night Ticket Only – please see separate event write up.
Walk - Gladhouse Reservoir Circuit - Mulled Wine and Minced Pies Date: Saturday 17th December 2016 Place: Glashouse Reservoir Meet: Details will be sent Time: 11am Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest Join us for a pre Christmas walk around Gladhouse Reservoir just outside Edinburgh. We hope for a crisp winter day but please be dressed for any weather. Most of our route is along farm tracks and minor road but there may be some muddy sections so sturdy footwear is required. During this circular walk we will enjoy lovely views of the water throughout in attractive landscape. The winter wildlife should be plentiful too. On the walk we will stop and enjoy some Christmas favourites – mulled wine and mince pies to get us in the Christmas mood. The walk is 5 miles in length but flat so suitable for everyone – the walk should take just over 2 hours or so with stops. Meeting details will be sent to everyone booked beforehand.
Spice Christmas Lunch - Edinburgh - All-Bar-One Date: Sunday 18th December 2016 Place: All-Bar-One, 29 George Street, Edinburgh (EH2 2PA) Time: 1:30pm Cost: £29.50 Member, £32 Guest Includes: 3 Course Christmas Lunch, Glass of Prosecco, Service. All Bar One George Street Edinburgh is a stylish city bar perfect for our Spice Christmas Lunch 2016. We are delighted to return to a venue that offers a semi private space to indulge in an excellent selection of food and drink. We will enjoy 3 courses from the lovely Christmas menu with glass of prosecco and service paid. This really does represent one of the best value/quality we have been able to find once again. This year to keep the lunch organized we are asking for pre orders. After lunch the city is our venue to enjoy an afternoon wander. We will contact you in December for menu choice options.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Spice Christmas Lunch - Glasgow - All Bar One Date: Sunday 18th December 2016 Place: All Bar One, 56 St Vincent St. Glasgow (G2 5TS) Time: 1:30pm Cost: £29.50 Member, £32 Guest Includes: 3 Course Christmas Dinner, Glass of Prosecco, Service. All Bar One Glasgow is a stylish city bar perfect for our Spice Christmas Lunch 2016. After the success of the Edinburgh visit in 2015 we wanted to bring the lunch to Glasgow for 2016 to indulge in an excellent selection of food and drink. We will enjoy 3 courses from the lovely Christmas menu with glass of prosecco and service paid. This really does represent one of the best value/quality we have been able to find in the city. This year to keep the lunch organized we are asking for pre orders. After lunch the city is our venue to enjoy an afternoon wander. We will contact you in December for menu choice options.
Christmas Quiz and Fun Night - Glasgow Date: Monday 19th December 2016 Place: The Conservatory, O'Neill's, Albion Street, Glasgow (G1 1NY) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £4 Member, £5 Guest An annual favourite – super fun and an event that will definitely get you in the festive swing! Be prepared for anything as we have a festive evening sure to get us in the spirit of Christmas. Our Christmas Quiz will have the usual mix of General Knowledge and Music trivia plus a bit of yuletide knowledge and some special features! This is always one of the most popular and fun quizzes of the year so please BOOK EARLY! There will be prizes on offer.
Christmas Quiz and Fun Night - Edinburgh Date: Tuesday 20th December 2016 Place: The Outhouse, 12a Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh (EH1 3LY) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £4 Member, £5 Guest An annual favourite – super fun and an event that will definitely get you in the festive swing! Be prepared for anything as we have a festive evening sure to get us in the spirit of Christmas. Our Christmas Quiz will have the usual mix of General Knowledge and Music trivia plus a bit of yuletide knowledge and some special features! This is always one of the most popular and fun quizzes of the year so please BOOK EARLY! There will be prizes on offer.
Spice National Christmas Break 2016 Date: Sat 24th Dec 2016 - Tue 27th Dec 2016 Place: The Double Tree By Hilton, Islington, North London (N1 9LA) Meet: Venue after 3pm Cost: £284 Member Twin/Double, £314 Guest Twin/Double, £349 Member Single Includes: 3 nights accommodation with breakfast, 2 x 3 course evening meals, 1 x evening buffet, 3 course Spice exclusive Christmas Dinner, Mulled Wine & Mince Pies on Xmas Eve, Treasure Hunt, Cocktail Making class & much more! Extras: Lunch on boxing day and entrance to any optional activities taken. The event is on the early booking price until 31st October 2016 when the price increases by £30 per person Full Details available on the Spice Scotland website
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Twixtmas Winter Break in The Lakes Date: Tue 27th Dec 2016 - Thu 29th Dec 2016 Place: Glaramara, Borrowdale, Lake District (CA12 5XQ) Meet: Arrive from 4.00p.m. Evening meal at 7.00pm Cost: £209 Member Twin Ensuite, £203 Member Standard Single, £229 Member Ensuite Single Includes: 2 night's accommodation, 2 evening meals, 2 picnic lunches, 2 breakfasts, 2 days of guided walks with a choice of 2 walks each day Extras: Transport to walk starts if used. Guests pay £20 extra See Weekends and Holidays Section for full details
Walking Weekend New Year in The Lake District Date: Thu 29th Dec 2016 - Sun 1st Jan 2017 Place: Glaramara, Borrowdale, Lake District (CA12 5XQ) Meet: Arrive from 4.00p.m. Evening meal at 7.00p.m Cost: £369 Member Twin Ensuite, £360 Member Standard Single, £399 Member Single Ensuite Includes: 3 breakfasts, 2 evening meals and a New Year Gala dinner, and New Years Party 3 picnic lunches, 3 days of guided walks Extras: Transport to walk starts if used. Guests pay £20 extra See Weekends and Holidays Section for full details
New Year Break London with Thames Cruise, 2 Nights Luxury Hotel Date: Fri 30th Dec 2016 - Sun 1st Jan 2017 Place: Novotel London West, One Shortlands, Hammersmith, London (W6 8DR) Meet: Check in from 2.00p.m. Check Out 12 noon Cost: £320 Member Twin/Cruise, £340 Guest Twin/Cruise, £445 Member Single/Cruise, Includes: 2 nights B&B 4 star hotel accommodation, New Year's Eve party cruise on the River Thames which includes a cold buffet supper and ALL Beer, Wine and Soft drinks, party with a DJ and disco. Also includes the boat being moored at London Eye for the New Year's Eve fireworks, open decks which can take everyone for that special New Year view. Cruise finishes at 1.00a.m. Services of a Spice host throughout. Full details on the Spice Scotland website.
Glasgow Hogmanay - Mi Casa and Arta Date: Saturday 31st December 2016 Place: Mi Casa, 15 John Street, Glasgow (G1 1HP) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £32 Member, £35 Guest Includes: Starter, 3 Tapas, Glass of Wine, Arta Hogmanay Ticket Spice does Spanish for Hogmanay as we enjoy a fantastic evening in the city to see in the New Year. We begin with dinner at Mi Casa before heading to Arta – both in the Merchant City so a great central location. Opened in the spring of 2016, Mi Casa is a Spanish tapas restaurant on John Street. From the jamon being sliced on the counter to the pan-fried padron peppers, the focus is on authentic Spanish flavours at this friendly and welcoming bodega. This offers an appropriate warm up for the rest of the evening as we head to Arta to see in 2017. Enjoy 3 floors of live entertainment including ceilidh dancing and the famous Auld Lang Syne Petal Drop. We will dine on a set menu including a starter followed by 3 tapas from an extensive menu with glass of wine and service included. Book now as space sare limited and we can’t guarantee we can get any more once these spaces are sold.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Meal - October Cafe and Late Bar Date: Friday 6th January 2017 Place: October Cafe and Late Bar, Rooftop, Princes Sq. Glasgow (G1 3JN) Time: 7:30pm Cost: £20 Member, £22 Guest Includes: 2 Course Dinner, Glass of Wine or Cocktail, Service, Spice Host After the busy Christmas and New Year period has finished join us for a relaxing and sociable dinner in the city. October Cafe Bar is a cosmopolitan cafe, restaurant and club bar in the penthouse of the fashionable Princes Square shopping centre. At October in Princes Square, the kitchen draws its inspirations from around the world. Every single dish is made from scratch, using the finest ingredients from the best producers in Scotland. Tonight we will dine on 2 courses from the Market Menu with a glass of wine or cocktail (French Martini, Woo Woo or Cosmopolitan) and the service has been paid to.
Curling at Braehead - Come and Try Session Date: Saturday 7th January 2017 Place: Intu Braehead, King's Inch Rd.Glasgow (G51 4BN) Time: 10:30am to 11:45am Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest Your chance to try Curling on this great introduction session. Intu Braehead is our venue for a 1 hour Sessions are aimed at beginners, please wear a clean pair of trainers to change into a warm jumper. Sessions are led by Qualified curling coaches and will last for approx. 60 minutes approx. Try Curling is an initiative of The Royal Caledonian Curling Club, the national governing body for curling in Scotland. This event is free, all proceeds will be donated to a Spice nominated charity. Meeting details will be sent.
Meal – Fine Dining @ North Bridge Brasserie Date: Saturday 7th January 2017 Place: North Bridge Brasserie, The Scotsman Hotel, North Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1TR Meet: Venue Time: 6:30pm Cost: £28 Member, £31 Guest Includes: 3 Course Dinner, Service, Spice Host After the busy Christmas and New Year period join us for a relaxing early dinner at the lovely North Bridge Brasserie. Once the grand entrance lobby of The Scotsman newspaper, the North Bridge Brasserie is the elegant Scottish restaurant of the five star Scotsman Hotel. With its ornate wood panelling and marble features, it is an impressive space. Seasonal Scottish cuisine with a contemporary twist is what the highly skilled kitchen brigade at the North Bridge Brasserie aim for. Ingredients are sourced locally and there is a firm emphasis on fresh, high quality produce. Tonight we dine on 3 courses from a set menu with service included.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Velodrome Cycling Taster Session Date: Sunday 15th January 2017 Place: The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, London Rd. Glasgow (G40 3HG) Meet: Venue Time: 12:30pm to 2pm Cost: £24 Member, £26 Guest It’s taken a while but we are delighted to have arranged a Spice exclusive Velodrome Track Cycling Taster Session at The Sir Christ Hoy Velodrome. After the success of the GB Olympic Cycling Team we wanted to give Spice members the chance to try this fantastic sport. Within this session we will aim to achieve the following: Riders will learn how to clip in and clip out of the pedals Riders will learn how to be able to ride a fixed wheel track bike while concentrating on observation, speed control and position. Riders will learn the safety procedures and how to ride the track confidently and comfortably Riders will ride in a line maintaining the red line or above for a minimum of 5 laps Riders will take part in a individual, timed flying lap – compare your times to the legends Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Bradley Wiggins and our Olympic Heroes – Jason Kenny and Laura Trott. These session outcomes depend on the group and individual’s ability to progress through the session aims. Everything is provided - bikes, shoes and helmets are available so just bring yourself! If you have your own helmet, feel free to bring it. If you have cycling shoes with look keo cleats, you can use them. Please ensure cleats are in good condition. It is advisable to bring a water bottle with you. What do I need to wear? A t-shirt and cycling shorts is ideal, normal shorts or running tights etc are also fine. It is advisable to wear two tops e.g. a base layer and t-shirt. Please ensure no vest tops are worn. If you have full cycling gear, skin suits etc feel free to wear it! Are there changing facilities? There are changing rooms with showers. You need to bring your own towel and there are lockers to store your belongings. These require 50 pence to operate. Do I need to be super fit? Not at all! As long as you can ride a bike competently, you can take part in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome experience. The session starts getting your shoes, helmet and meeting your transport – your fixed wheel track bike. Track time will be an hour. We require a minimum of 10 for this event to run so please book early as it helps us to confirm our allocated time slot at the earliest opportunity.
Curling Taster - Murrayfield Ice Rink Date: Sunday 5th February 2017 Place: Murrayfield Ice Rink, Riversdale Crescen (EH12 5XN) Time: 11:15am to 1pm Cost: £25 Member, £27 Guest We head Murrayfield Ice Rink to ‘try’ curling - your opportunity to learn the basics and get started. Curling is great fun and provides a little light exercise and is the perfect sport for the winter as it’s played indoors. You will see a major development in your game during this visit, that’s what makes it such great fun and almost anyone can play. A professional coach will teach us the basics before we have a go ourselves. You’ll need to wear loose, warm clothing (inc. warm socks!) and extremely clean flat shoes or trainers. Curling is great fun for beginners and proficient players alike. We can expect to be on the ice for almost 2 hours so please arrive promptly for 11.15pm. Cost includes all equipment, tuition and ice time.
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SPICE SCOTLAND EVENT LISTINGS AUTUMN 2016
Fife Coastal Path - North Queensferry to St Andrews - Over 6 Sections Date: Sat 25th Mar 2017 - Sun 13th Aug 2017 Place: Sections of the Fife Coastal Path Meet: See Individual Write Ups Cost: £20 Member, £22 Guest Our challenge for 2017 is the bulk of the Fife Coastal Path Route – North Queensferry to St Andrews – 61.5 miles – almost 100 km. (We are avoiding the official 1st section of the walk as work continues on the new Queensferry Crossing, we won’t be sure of full access in the area, we can perhaps do this section at the end). The route links some of Scotland's most picturesque former fishing villages as well as the home of golf - St Andrews with its ancient University. In between are miles of golden beaches, attractive woods and nature reserves but the route also threads its way through industrial towns such as Kirkcaldy and Leven. History is everywhere, from the winding gear of the former coal yards to ruined castles and the pictish and prehistoric carvings in the Wemyss caves. The route is well waymarked and offers straightforward walking. Some sections can be muddy underfoot. The stretch between Crail and St Andrews (via Kingsbarns) is long and relatively remote, giving rougher going than the rest of the route. We will enjoy coastal views along most sections. The walks will each have an individual write up but for the time being we are inviting members to book the whole series (this offers a £10 discount on the individual walk cost assuming individual spaces are available when booking opens). Each walk is suitable for most although please check the individual write ups for distance as most have little or low level ascent. Please check each individual walks transport as some sections are remote and will require lift shares and car shuttles. Please wear suitable walking boots, attire and bring a packed lunch for each walk. Saturday 25th March 2017 – North Queensferry to Burnt Island – 11.5 Miles Sunday 23rd April 2017 – Burnt Island to East Wemyss – 11.75 Miles Saturday 20th May 2017 – East Wemyss to Lower Largo – 7.25 Miles Sunday 18th June 2017 – Lower Largo to Mt Monans – 8.75 Miles Saturday 22nd July 2017 – St Monans – Kings Barns – 13.5 Miles Sunday 13th August 2017 – Kings Barns – St Andrews – 8.5 Miles Book now and you’ll enjoy a monthly walk – the perfect way to get out and about in 2017.
When it comes have a very
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