January to March 2014
www.spicebristolcardiff.com
r e t t e l s w e n e ic p S t he
Warming Winter Issue! Spicy Winter events…. ● New Year Dinner Shuffle Bristol ● Vulcan Bomber Restoration Experience ● Burns Night & Disco ● Cardiff Wine Tasting Evening ● Walking Weekend - the South Downs ● Segway Trekking in Caerphilly ● Fire Eating Workshop ● Caving at Burrington Combe ● Jazz & Blues Sunday Lunch ● Walking in the Cotswolds
Spice Grand Canyon Rafting September 2013 (lava falls)
special programme of initiative challenge & excitement
Spice Holidays - enjoy more time away with Spice Holiday with a group of like minded Spice members and share your amazing adventures. Select from a fantastic range of holidays from Spice UK. We do everything from Turkish Blue Coast Cruises to Rafting the Grand Canyon, from exploring Italian Lakes to Sports holidays in Lanzerote plus some great ski trips. You can now book your holidays online at www.spiceuk.com.
Chill-Out & Relaxing Holidays ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Algarve Spring Chillout Turkey Blue Coast Cruise Turkey Blue Coast Cruise The Italian Lakes Turkey Chillout Costa Blanca Chillout Turkey Blue Coast Cruise Lake Garda Autumn Special
26�� April 9�� June 18�� August 14�� September 15�� September 21�� September 9�� October 8�� October
Spice - Goes Exploring the World!
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Magical Marrakech 5 or 6 days Rome Mini Break Granada ‐ Festival of Crosses Moscow Discovery Cultural Andalucia Hidden Gems of Barcelona Western Canada Highlights Sicily - Myths & Legends Best of the West USA
13�� February 10�� April 2ⁿ� May 14�� May 18�� May 6�� June 14�� June 26�� June 2ⁿ� August
Spice in the White Stuff - Skiing
Spicy - Adrenaline & Excitement
● Watersports Rhodes 1 or 2 Weeks ● Watersports Rhodes 1 Week ● Grand Canyon Rafting
7�� June 14�� June 9�� September
● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Ski Austria St Christoph Ski Val D’Isere Ski Deluxe Meribel Ski Alpe D’Huez Ski Meribel Ski Morzine Ski Mayrhofen
11�� January 26�� January 2ⁿ� February 2ⁿ� March 9�� March 15�� March 22ⁿ� March
Just Having Lots of Fun ● ● ● ● ●
Austria Ski Jive Spectacular Walking in Lanzarote Best of the Baltics Cruise Italian Cuisine Zumba Spectacular Spain
9�� March 15�� March 17�� June 19�� June 22ⁿ� June
Please contact the Spice UK office on 0161 873 8788 or e-mail info@spiceuk.com for your unique Spice UK membership number. (This is different to your local group member reference). You do not need to login in order to browse the holidays on our web site.
Dianne’s Wee Bit Hello Everyone! Welcome to the latest Spice newsletter and also a brand new year. The start of any year is especially busy with lots of new members and if you have recently joined; then a very big welcome on-board. It all may seem a bit daunting at first but a great tip is to just go for it and jump right-in (take a look at our ‘getting the most from Spice Top Tips’ elsewhere in this newsletter). For new members our activity events are often a great way to start as our longer term members are also trying something for the first time and you’re all in the same boat! Last September, I was very lucky to get the chance to coordinate our amazing Grand Canyon Rafting trip (it seems ages ago) and everyone had a fabulous time on this incredible trip. You may have been lucky enough to have peered from the South Rim over the Canyon but the best way to really experience this unique & very special place is to raft the 280 miles along the river Colorado. Spice are already taking bookings for September 2014, so if you want join us take a look at their web site and to help convince you there are a few photos in this newsletter. If white water rafting really isn’t your thing, Spice UK have some brilliant holidays with something for everyone including some lazy chill-out blue water cruising the Turkish coast, take a look at the page opposite or on their website www.spiceuk.com. Our weekend breaks over the next few months include walking in Windermere, the Isle of Portland in Dorset and a wine tasting & walking weekend in the lake district which sounds like a very nice addition! We also have walking in Bideford in Devon, Canterbury in Kent plus Derbyshire and Suffolk, or how about cycling near the seaside in Bournemouth. March is the start of out sailing on the Solent, these weekends are suitable for anyone who loves getting out on the water from complete novices who want to give it a try to those with more experience. Our social side is packed and includes: Sunday lunch at the Glassboat restaurant in Bristol, a Cardiff wine tasting evening, a microbrewery visit, comedy evenings for Bristol & Cardiff, Raymond Blanc dining and Chinese dining. Take a look at our ‘pay as you go meals’, we charge a small booking fee, you turn-up and pay on the night for whatever you have. Spice membership gives you a great chance to go visit those places you never got around to seeing. Starting in January we are off for a Vulcan bomber restoration experience. In February we are visiting the Wild Place in Bristol, Llanchaiach Fawr Manor, Blaise Castle & Tyntesfield, so lots to choose from! On the activity side we are quad biking in Cardiff & Bristol, Segway trekking in Caerphilly, Driving an Aerial Atom and also a few super cars! We also have ski-tasters, Canadian Canoeing, downhill tubing, indoor climbing, scuba taster sessions and archery plus lots of lovely winter rambles with a few pub stops thrown-in for good measure! Our January ski trip to France is now fully booked but the good news is we have places left for our fabulous second ski trip in March to Verbier and I am really excited to be checking out this new destination for Spice. So if you fancy some Swiss Skiing you need to get booking quickly.
Have fun on the events, Dianne.
Coming Events – January 2014 Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
1 January
2
3 Ten Pin Bowling Cardiff
4 Day at Slimbridge Wetland Centre
5 Hagley Hall Tour, Tea with Viscount Cobham
New Year Dinner Shuffle Bristol
Sunday Brunch+ Live Jazz at the Old Duke
Sikh Gurdwara Visit Birmingham
Titterstone, Clee Hill and Kremlin Ramble
11 Behind the Scenes Bristol Hippodrome
12 Bredon Hill Ramble Worcestershire
Canadian Canoe Adventure
Ski Taster Session – Cardiff
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVEYONE
6 Badminton Night Drop In and Play
7 Pub Quiz Night at Tredegar Arms, Newport
8 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
9 Bath Local Meet and Eat The Cosy Club
10 Fish Friday Supper Commercial Rooms
Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
Murder Mystery Walk Cardiff City
Sunday Lunch at The Glassboat Restaurant
Vulcan Bomber Restoration Experience 13
Preview and Social Bristol North
14 Cirque Du Soleil Quidam WAIT LIST
15 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
16 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury Indoor Climbing Taster - Cardiff
Scuba Diving Taster Session Bristol
17 Downhill Tubing Learn To Play Poker – Bristol Pay As You Go Mezza Luna Cardiff
18 Colour U Confident Workshop – Solihull
19 Mind Management Workshop – NEC
Dungeons After Dark at Warwick Castle
Learn To Ski for Beginners
Early Dining at Loch Fyne Bristol
Sunday Jazz at Ronnie Scotts London Sunday lunch at Y Mochyn Du – Cardiff Wildlife Photography Exhibition
20 Badminton Night Drop In and Play
21 Preview Night Cardiff
22 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
23 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
24 Pyramid Bowling - Cribbs Causway
25 Burns Night Ceilidh & Disco - Bristol
Gloucester Local Meet
Burns Night Ceilidh Disco & 1 Night Hotel
Unique Dining at The Leaf Ham Green
Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience - Bristol
26 Archery - Cardiff Scotland Yard + The Great Train Robbery Visit to Horseworld Rescue Centre - Bristol
Come Dine With Me the Spice Way - Cardiff
27
28 Scuba Diving Taster Session Bristol
29 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
30 Cardiff Wine Tasting Evening Spice Meet and Eat - The Black Cock Inn Cardiff Spice Meet and Eat Commercial Room Bristol
31 Gloucester Microbrewery Visit
Mini Luxury Spa Break - 1 Night - Surrey Xtreme Boot Camp Weekend – Cotswolds Spice Ski Trip 1 - Les Arcs / Vallandry 1 February 2 Chinese New Year Party Pirate Pete Walking Tour, Birmingham Tea+Cake -Bristol Illuminate Bath Festival and Supper
Segway Trekking in Caerphilly WAIT LIST
Saturday Night Comedy at Jongleurs Bristol
Spice Bristol Preview Night Walking Weekend - South Downs, Sussex Walking Weekend - Windermere Lakes
Coming Events – February 2014 Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
3 Badminton Night Drop In and Play
4 Pub Quiz Night at Tredegar Arms, Newport
5 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
6 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
7 Learn To Play Poker - Bristol
8 Canadian Canoe Adventure
9 Acrylic Painting Intro Day Birmingham
The Glee Club Comedy Night Cardiff
Drive Three Supercars Louchborough
Flying Taster Lesson Elstree, Herts
Oil Painting in a Day Paint a Winter Scene
Helicopter Lesson Near Warwick
Raymond Blanc Dining - Bristol
Visit to The Wild Place Bristol
Spice Dines Chinese - Cardiff Western Style Rifle Shooting Afternoon 10
Preview and Social Bristol North
11 Scuba Diving Taster Session Bristol
12 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
13 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
Matthew Bournes Swan Lake – Birmingham
14 Not A Valentines Dinner - Cote Bristol Not A Valentines Dinner - Cote Cardiff
15 Saturday Lunch + Stroll The Brassmill
16 Acting for Beginners Workshop Birmingham
Thames Valley Black Tie 25 Anniversary Ball
Bidford on Avon Ramble
Thames Valley Black Tie Ball - Rooms
Hagley Hall Tour, Tea with Viscount Cobham Learn to Ski for Beginners
17 Badminton Night Drop In and Play
18
Preview Night Cardiff
19 Bristol Curry Night - Three Brooks Inn Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
24
20 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury Cheltenham Quiz Night
25 Cafe Jazz on Tuesday - Cardiff
26 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
27 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
Scuba Diving Taster Session Bristol
Theatre - Dance 'Til Dawn Vincent + Flavia
Spice Meet and Eat Cefn Mably Arms
21 Pay as You Go Gourmet Kitchen Burger Pyramid Bowling - Cribbs Causway
Spice Meet and Eat The Grain Barge Bristol Spice Preview Night - The Grain Barge
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Quad Biking Cardiff Thames Valley Golf + Black Tie Ball W/E Walking Weekend - Isle of Portland, Dorset York Fort Weekend 22 23 Black Tie + Posh Frocks A Visit to Llanchaiach Fawr Party London Manor Drive and Ride the Awesome Aerial Atom
Blaise Castle House Museum + Brunch
Quad Bike Trail Ride Bristol
Learn to Drift in an Out of Control Vehicle
Snorkelling with Sharks London Aquarium February Bargain Break 2014 - Scotland Luxury, Pamper, Black Tie Party - 2 nights Walking + Wine Tasting W/E Lake District Walking Ultimate Challenge Weekend Luxury, Pamper, Black Tie Party - 1 Night 1 March 2 Bridge Abseil + Ladder Live Flamenco Dancing, Climb - Peak District Music + Paella Flight Simulator Experience - Northampton
The Big Abseil 200 Feet Straight Down
Gecko Blasters The Farmhouse, Yate St David's Day Parade, Lunch + Cardiff Castle
Badminton Coaching Weekend Kettlewell Catered Hostel Walking Weekend Walking Weekend - Bideford North Devon
Make the most of your Spice membership! Remember to check our web site regularly as we update it daily, don’t miss out on the fun! To book: www.spicebristolcardiff.com or phone the office on 0742 959 8414 or 01276 479253
Coming Events – March 2014 Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
3 Badminton Night Drop In and Play
4 Pub Quiz Night at Tredegar Arms, Newport
5 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
6 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
7 Crazy Golf Adventure Bristol
8 Leicester + Richard III Experience Walk
9 Fire Eating Workshop Walk Cosmeston Lakes + Medieval Village
Pyramid Bowling - Cardiff
Saturday Dining at The Clifton Sausage
14 Murder Mystery Evening - Bristol
15 Cold War Nuclear Bunker Supper - Cheshire Off-Road Karting Spice Ski Trip 2 - Verbier Tennis Weekend for Beginners Northants
10 Preview and Social - Bristol North
11 Scuba Diving Taster Session Bristol
12 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
13 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
Pay As You Go La Tasca Cardiff
17 Badminton Night Drop In and Play
24
18 Preview Night Cardiff
19 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
20 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
21 Night in the Trenches
Gloucester Local Meet
Pyramid Bowling - Cribbs Causway
25 Cinema Night Cardiff
26 Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
27 Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
Scuba Diving Taster Session Bristol
Theatre - Dirty Dancing
Spice Meet & Eat Cambridge Arms Spice Meet & Eat The Dragonfly Spice Preview Night - The Cambridge Arms
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Watercolour Painting Intro Day Walking Weekend - Tales From Canterbury 16 Caving at Burrington Coombe Moreton In Marsh Ramble Mosaic Making Day Kenilworth
Visit to Tyntesfield and lunch – Bristol Skills for Walking the Hills Walking Weekend - Derbyshire Peaks 22 23 Caving at the Symonds Yat Chatsworth Behind the Caves Scenes - Derbyshire National Space Centre Visit - Leicester Jazz, Blues and Sunday Lunch - Bristol Peak District Classic Caves Day Serenity and Discovery Weekend Walking Weekend - Luxury Elan Valley Walking Weekend - Suffolk Coast 29 30 A Night of Terror at Motorbike Off Road Woodchester Mansion Experience - Walsall Anagram Pub Crawl Bristol Hovercraft 'Flying' Experience-Leicestershire Walk: Forest Fawr near Castell Coch
Toby Carvery Sunday Lunch Winchcombe Explorer Ramble Cotswolds Winter Walk - Castle Combe + Wraxall
Sailing Weekend around the Solent Ultimate Snowdonia Walking Challenge Walking Weekend - Cirencester, Cotswolds
Spice enjoying their trip to Lapland December 2013 – but no sign of Santa!
Why not come along to these regular events Preview Nights & Pub Socials Bristol Club & Preview Nights Commercial Rooms, 43-45 Corn St, Bristol BS1 1HT 30 Jan From 7:30 till 10:30pm ask for Spice table The Grain Barge, Mardyke Wharf, Hotwell Rd, BS8 4RU 27 Feb From 7:30 till 10:30pm ask for Spice table The Cambridge Arms, Coldharbour Rd, Redlands BS6 7JS 27 Mar From 7:30 till 10:30pm ask for Spice table
Bristol North Social & Preview Nights The Swan 14 Gloucester Road, Almondsbury Bristol, BS32 4AA 2nd Monday of each month 13 Jan, 10 Feb & 10 Mar From 7:45pm Spice All presentation at 8:00pm Look for Spice Table
Cardiff Preview Nights Chapter, Market Road, Canton Cardiff, CF5 1QE Every Month 21 Jan, 18 Feb & 18 Mar From 7:45pm Spice Presentation at 8:00pm Ask at reception for Spice
Getting the most from Spice - Top Tips ● Check the web site regularly, we update on a daily basis, make sure you don’t miss that “must do event” ● Booking early means you won’t be disappointed by an event selling out (most do come around again). ● Use any credit vouchers you received when you first joined, as these will expire after 3 months. ● Try something different, you never know you may surprise yourself and love it! ● Use the transport share list if you find it difficult to get to an event, most Spice members are more than happy for a bit of company on a long trip. ● Go on the wait list, we do get members cancelling bookings and we can often arrange for extra slots.
Our regular Club/Preview nights are a great way for members to catch up with each other and socialise over a drink in relaxed surroundings, if you have never been why not drop by. They are also a way for prospective members to come along, meet a few existing members and find out more about Spice & maybe join on the night. A Spice coordinator will be there to welcome you & make some introductions and also give a short talk about how Spice works, it’s all very relaxed and friendly. These nights are always popular and its well worth dropping in. There is no need to book and there is no charge, you only pay for your own drinks on the night, bring a friend if you like.
Meet & Eat + Socials Our Meet & Eat + Socials are a relaxed fun way to make friends with Spice members in your area. We have several lined-up for the new year, take a look at our web site as you need to book these events. Bath Local Meet - The Cosy Club Unit R4, South Gate Place Bath BA1 1AP 9 Jan at 7pm Gloucester Local Meet - The Fountain Inn 53 Westgate Street GL1 2NW 23 Jan & 20 Mar at 7:30pm Caerphilly Meet & Eat - The Black Cock Inn Waunwaelod Way, Caerphilly, CF83 1BD 30 Jan at 7:30pm Cardiff Meet & Eat - Cefn Mably Arms Michaelston-y-Fedw CF3 6XT 27 Feb at 7:30pm Newport Meet & Eat - The Dragonfly Lakeside Drive, Coedkernew, Newport NP10 8BB 27 Mar at 7:15pm
Ceroc Dance Class - Bristol
● Don’t forget Spice UK has some brilliant holidays, check their web site.
The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Rd BS10 5PY 8:00pm for beginners lesson Wednesday nights weekly
● Remember Spice is a network, one big family, you can attend events with another group, just call us to book.
Ceroc Dance Class - Thornbury
● Call the office if you have any questions about an event, or are not sure about something, we are happy to help.
Armstrong Hall Complex, 4 Chapel St BS35 2BU 8:00pm for 8:15 beginners lesson Thursday nights weekly
and make the most of your Spice membership!
Finding events or an event in your local area Do you want to find a type of event (e.g. walking, meals out etc.) or events in your local area. You can do this quickly and simply on the Spice Bristol & Cardiff web site. ● From the home page click the Event button. ● In the Search events block you can search for a type of event by clicking on the dropdown on Category for example walking, parties, Weekend breaks etc.
Chill out taster yoga and Pilates weekend - Oct Wonderful weekend expertly organised by Jenny and Louise our yoga and Pilates teachers. Lovely hotel , good food and opportunities to swim, use sauna and explore beautiful grounds. It was fun learning so much in the company of other like minded people and I returned home feeling very relaxed, equipped with an informative folder designed to help with future practice. I recommend this weekend to anyone looking for a weekend away with a difference' and cannot speak highly enough of the professionalism and support given by Jenny and Louise.
● You can find an event in your area simply by selecting the Area e.g. Bath, Cardiff. ● You can also search on Words, by using Words ● When done click the magnifying glass icon to find what you want. Free flowing bubbly afternoon tea - Nov We thoroughly enjoyed our time at The Bubbly Afternoon Tea at County Hall. We all agreed that the surroundings were quite luxurious, plus we had a lovely window table overlooking the Thames and were able to watch the lights coming on as the sky darkened (also spotted Santa zooming down the river on his RIB-although we wondered at first whether we'd had too much to drink!). But the food was amazing ! lovely dainty sandwiches, two kinds of scones, clotted cream and a selection of gorgeous cakes... unlimited bubbly..and the service was excellent… All in all a very good afternoon out.
Dinner at The Albany - Sep This was the first event that I attended as a SPICE member having only joined on-line the previous night. I have to say that despite my reservations before arriving it was a really nice evening and I was welcomed an made to fee totaly at ease with the other attendees. I have subsequently met up with 3 members since that event and booked several other SPICE events.
vents E t n e c e R t u id abo Benjamin Franklin Tour and Lunch - Oct What You sa This was my first Spice event that I had booked and attended Theatre-Charlie & The Chocolate factory 24 Oct This was my first theatre trip with Spice loved meeting Kim and fellow Spicers. Absolutely brilliant evening I'm looking forward to doing more Theatre evenings with Spice.
and i thoroughly enjoyed it. Our meeting place The Ship and Shovel was excellent had a lovely meal there. My fellow spice members were lovely and very easy to chat to. The house itself and tour were fascinating and i learnt a lot of stuff about Franklin I didn't know before.
The Total Archery Experience - Aug A really fun day playing bows and arrows in the woodlands of Surrey. An amazing opportunity to have a go at using all kinds of different types of bow too, who knew there were so many? Mike is incredibly knowledgeable about his subject too. I hope there is a follow up improvers' session sometime so I can have another go!
Dover street wine bar - jazz evening - Sep Fabulous venue, lovely food, good menu, great service, good value, great set of spice people, jazz good, disco v good. Will definitely go again.
Ten Pin Bowling - Cardiff Date: Friday 3rd January 2014 Place: The Red Dragon Centre, Hemingway Road (CF10 4JY) Meet: Hollywood Bowl inside the bowling alley at 7:30pm Cost: £15 Member, £17 Guest Includes: 2 Ten pin bowling games, Shoe hire, Host Tonight, it’s back to the traditional Ten Pin Bowling so it’s a case of strike em down and rack up the score. Ten Pin Bowling is a great laugh and it doesn't matter if you've never bowled before or if you are at the top of your game, join us tonight for some fun. We’ll meet inside Hollywood Bowl by the shoe collection point at 8.00pm. Tonight we’ll be playing 2 full games and we’ll add up the scores from both games to find a winner. At the end of the game there will be a small prize for the best overall scorer.
Day at Slimbridge Wetland Centre Date: Place: Cost:
Saturday 4th January 2014 Slimbridge, Gloucester (GL2 7BT) Main Entrance - Visitor Centre at 11am £16.50 Member, £18.50 Guest Includes: Entrance to Slimbridge, Otter & Swan Talk, Spice Host Extras: Refreshments Join Spice today as we visit the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre in Gloucestershire. It’s a relaxing day out where you can learn many interesting things about the wildlife and just relax in the beautiful, natural surroundings. There’s plenty of birdlife with Slimbridge being lucky enough to be the only place in the world where you can see all six species of flamingos, as well as glimpse Hawaiian geese, Cranes and Eider ducks to name a few. The mammals at the Back from the Brink area include harvest mice, water voles, shrews, otters and a beaver. Try to spot the beaver if he comes out for a swim, see the otters being fed or try to spot a tiny harvest mouse or a shrew. There’s an otter talk at 11.30am where we can meet the friendly family of Otters: Flo, Minnie and Ha Ha and hear a talk as they tuck into a tasty fish supper and there’s also a swan feed where we can watch the Mute Swans being fed and hear a commentary highlighting many of the swan’s characteristics, adaptations and history. It’s a fabulous way to spend a Sunday.
New Year Dinner Shuffle - Bristol Date: Saturday 4th January 2014 Place: The Living Room, Explore Lane, Harbourside, Bristol (BS1 5TY) Ask for Spice Table meet at 7pm Cost: £29.99 Member, £31.99 Guest Includes: 3 Course Dinner Shuffle Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks Tonight we are visiting the Living Room Bristol, a cool and contemporary restaurant and piano bar, located close to the city centre on the city’s stunning Harbourside. We are having a three course dinner and will be doing one of our famous “Dinner Shuffles” where half of us move places after Starters, and the other half move after the Main Course, so it’s a very social evening and you are guaranteed to sit next to lots of different people! It’s the perfect way to start the New Year! Please see our web-site for a sample menu.
Hagley Hall Tour, Tea with Viscount Cobham Date: Sunday 5th January 2014 Place: Hagley Hall, Hagley, Worcestershire (DY9 9LG) at 12.45pm for 1.00pm Cost: £24 Member, £26 Guest Today we have arranged a special tour of Hagley Hall with Viscount Cobham. On arrival we will meet The Viscount who will take us on a private tour, 45 - 60 minutes, and give us a full history of the Hall and some of his stories! After the tour there will be afternoon tea and cakes. About Hagley Hall: Designed in the 18th Century Hagley Hall was the last of the great Palladian houses to be commissioned. It remains the family home of the Lyttleton family. There are outstanding views to Worcestershire, bounded by the Malverns to the south and the Clee Hills to the south west. The interior contains a distinguished collection of 18th century furniture and family portraits including works by Batoni and Lely and has some of the finest examples of Italian plasterwork. Hagley Hall has been a family home and an integral part of the local community for 250 years.
Sunday Brunch + Live Jazz at the Old Duke Date: Sunday 5th January 2014 Place: V-Shed, Cannons Rd, Bristol (BS1 5UH) Pitcher and Piano - Spice Table at 11:30am Cost: £14.99 Member, £16.99 Guest Includes: Breakfast, Service, Jazz at the Old Duke, Spice Host Extras: Drinks Sunday’s are the right kind of day for enjoying a late and leisurely breakfast and some jazz and blues, so today we’re off to the Pitcher and Piano for a filling breakfast, followed by a short walk to the Old Duke where we can listen to some stunning jazz. We’ll meet at the Pitcher and Piano for some breakfast with choices on the menu such as full English, Eggs Benedict and smoked salmon & scrambled eggs amongst others. After this we’ll make our way over to the Old Duke for the jazz which starts at around 1ish. The Old Duke is world famous for its’ live, traditional, New Orleans inspired Jazz and blues music and is sure to be keep us toe-tapping throughout the afternoon. Named after Duke Ellington, some real legends of jazz have taken to the stage of Bristol's Old Duke and continue to do so today. It’s a fantastic Sunday out, so don’t miss it!
Shropshire Walk – Titterstone & Clee Hill Date: Sunday 5th January 2014 Place: Clee Hill Village Near Ludlow at 10.30am Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Enjoy 8 scenic miles with Alan, aimed at regular Walkers with a good level of fitness, as there is one steep ascent. This time the walk is going to be from the village of Clee Hill across country through the pretty village of Cleeton St Mary, eventually joining the Shropshire Way from which we will climb to the top of Titterstone Hill. From the top of the hill there are tremendous all-round views across to Wales and North toward Birmingham. After the walk we can finish off with a drink at the local inn, the Kremlin.
Pub Quiz Night at Tredegar Arms, Newport th
th
Date: Tuesday 7 January & 4 February Place: Tredegar Arms, 4 Caerphilly Rd, Bassaleg (NP10 8LE) Spice sign on table at 8:30pm Cost: £2 Member Includes: Pub Quiz and Spice Host Extras: Food and drinks This is a light-hearted evening - 5 fun rounds of general knowledge plus a couple of bonus rounds. Registration for the quiz is at 8.30pm, but why not join us for a bite to eat beforehand from 7.30pm. This is a pay as you go event so you pay a deposit of £2 to secure your place and then you pay on the night for any food and drinks that you have. Spice need you to book in the usual way as we need to book a table at the pub and we will organise a Spice host for the evening.
Bath Local Meet and Eat - The Cosy Club Date: Thursday 9th January 2014 Place: Unit R4, South Gate Place, Bath (BA1 1AP) The Cosy Club - Ask for the Spice Table at 7pm Join Spice tonight for our Bath Meet & Eat which we have every other month. Each time we head to a new pub for a social night-out. It’s a great opportunity to come along, meet some fellow SPICE members over a drink and perhaps have a bite to eat – it’s entirely up to you. We’ll let the pub know we’re coming and anyone who fancies a meal can choose, order and pay on the night. If you’ve already eaten then just come along for the social chat and a drink. Everyone is welcome including established members, newer members and anyone thinking of joining SPICE. Book online (members) or drop us an email (non-members) so we know you’re coming and one of our Spice hosts will be there to meet you.
Fish Friday Supper - Commercial Rooms Date: Friday 10th January 2014 Place: 45 Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1HT (BS1 1HT) Commercial Rooms - Spice Table at 7:30pm Cost: £12 Member, £14 Guest Includes: 1 Course Meal, 1 Drink, Service, Spice Host Join us tonight at the Commercial Rooms, Bristol for a lovely Fish supper. This Wetherspoon pub is the former Bristol Commercial Rooms, a gentleman’s club and meeting place for the city’s merchants, built in 1811. We’ll be having a delicious meal of freshly battered cod and chips served with peas or mushy peas, tartar sauce and a drink. Most importantly, it’s a chance to get together with other Spice members and catch up over an informal and relaxed meal.
Behind the Scenes Bristol Hippodrome Date: Saturday 11th January 2014 Place: Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustines Parade (BS1 4UZ) Bristol Hippodrome - Main Entrance at 10:15am Cost: £29.50 Member, £31.50 Guest Includes: Theatre Tour of Bristol Hippodrome, Booking Fee, Drink, Service, Spice Host This is an ideal way to spend a Saturday morning whether you’ve lived in Bristol all your life, are a regular theatre goer who wants to find out more, or just plain curious. Entertainment is the name of the game. Join us behind the scenes of Bristol’s West End theatre. Presented by our knowledgeable guide, the tour will take us around the front of house and backstage areas, and includes the history, the shows, the stars, and of course a smattering of gossip and ghost stories. After our tour which lasts about 2 hours, we’ll head off to a local pub to have a drink (included in the price) and catch up.
Canadian Canoe Adventure th
Date: Saturday 11th January & 8 February Place: Symonds Yat (HR9 5QT) from 10.00am to approx. 3.30pm Cost: £52 Member, £59 Guest The team from Forest Adventure have come up with a varied route for Canadian style open canoes - enjoyable for absolute beginners and practiced paddlers alike. They have planned out for us, one of the most scenic, most photographed, stretches of the Wye, from Kerne Bridge to Huntsmans Bridge taking in views of Symonds Yat as we go. Having allowed four and a half hours for the trip, it should be a leisurely day and will include a stop for coffee and a stop at a pub! The open canoes minimise our chance of getting wet, which is just as well at this time of year! All specialist equipment is provided.
Murder Mystery Walk - Cardiff City Date: Saturday 11th January 2014 Place: Browns, The Friary Centre, Cardiff (CF10 3FA) Outside Browns 11am Cost: £6 Member, £8 Guest Includes: Murder Mystery Walk and Quiz, Spice Host Extras: Refreshments A strange new mummified body has been discovered recently in the Ancient Egyptian section of the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. This grim discovery was only noticed when museum staff were packing up the exhibits ready for the next destination. The mummified body in question gave off a strange putrid aroma and was much heavier than other exhibits. A pathologist stated that the body was human and had probably been deceased for less than two months. Who carried out this crime and how did the victim die? Join Spice today as we hunt for the answers by following the clues on this circular walk of 2 miles. You’ll be taken to all the best parts of Cardiff city, taking in both the historical and the more recent cultural attributes of a unique and vibrant modern city. You’ll be divided up into teams and given an easy route and lots of clues to follow. After our walk we’ll meet back at Browns where we see how everyone’s done and give a prize to the winning team.
Bredon Hill Ramble Worcestershire Date: Sunday 12th January 2014 Place: Ashton under Hill near Evesham, Worcs (WR11 7SW) at 10.00am Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This 11 mile ramble with Alan Roberts is suitable for regular walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. This time we are going to walk up the Bredon Hill to the Banbury Stone where you get tremendous views of the Cotswolds, the Malvern Hills and all the way north toward Birmingham. The route will start at Ashton-under-Hill, progressing via Fiddler’s Knap and the Wychavon Way to Elmley Castle.
Ski Taster Session - Cardiff Date: Sunday 12th January 2014 Place: Ski & Snowboard Centre, 198 Fairwater Road, Fairwater, Cardiff (CF5 3JR) Main Entrance from 1:30pm to 3pm Cost: £18.50 Member, £20.50 Guest Includes: 1 Hour Ski Taster Session, Booking Fee all equipment & Spice Host Today you have an opportunity to try out skiing for the first time at the excellent Ski and Snowboard Centre. This group lesson is designed for those who have never been skiing before. It includes an induction to equipment, static exercises, walking, climbing and sliding on skis. Our lesson lasts for an hour and all equipment is supplied. As we’re in the middle of winter please wear long-sleeves, long trousers (avoid jeans in case it’s wet) and a pair of gloves. You may also want to wear a hat for warmth as well.
Sunday Lunch at The Glassboat Restaurant Date: Sunday 12th January 2014 Place: Glassboat Restaurant Welsh Back, Bristol (BS1 4SB) Ask for the Spice Table meet at 12:30pm Cost: £24 Member 2 courses, £26 Guest 2 courses, £29 Member 3 courses, £31 Guest 3 courses Extras: Drinks Located on the floating harbour in the heart of Bristol, Glassboat affords spectacular views of the city: bridges, churches and of course the swans on the water itself. Glassboat’s unique interior has been carefully restored to make the most of the original polished wooden decks, sculptured oak and portholes – which have been complemented by a recent glass extension offering all-round views of the bucolic water setting. This unbeatable location is matched by the food, overseen by Head Chef Charlie Hurrell, whose menus feature something for all appetites. Join Spice today as we indulge in a 2 or 3 course Sunday lunch at this well-known and popular venue.
Scuba Diving Taster Session - Bristol th
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Date: Tuesday 14 January & Tuesday 28 January 2014 Place: Dean Lane, Bedminster, Bristol (BS3 1BS) Bristol South Swimming Pool from 8pm to 9:30pm Cost: £35 Member, £37 Guest Never tried SCUBA diving? Then this is your chance to experience the sensation of breathing underwater. The 1 hour session will be conducted by a professional instructors or divemasters who will first explain to you what you will be experiencing and take you step by step through your scuba equipment and diving safety procedures. Once equipped you will start in the shallow end of the dive pool taking your first breaths underwater! As you progress at your own pace your instructor will take you towards the deeper end of the pool. There are male and female changing facilities on site, please bring along your swimwear, a towel and an old T-shirt to wear over your swimwear. Please note: We need to know your chest size and shoe size so that we can provide you with the sized wetsuit and flippers.
Indoor Climbing Taster - Cardiff Date: Place:
Thursday 16th January 2014 St Catherines Park, Pengham Rd, Cardiff (CF24 2RZ) Boulders Climbing Centre 6:45pm to 8:30pm Cost: £15.50 Member, £17.50 Guest Includes: 90 Minute 'have a go' climbing session, Booking Fee, Spice Host Join Spice and try your hand at indoor climbing this evening as we join a taster session at Boulders – Cardiff’s premier climbing centre. Scale the heights in a comfortable all weather environment as our personal instructor shows you the ropes and provides expert tuition for beginners. The emphasis this evening is on allowing beginners to try out the sport and have loads of fun climbing! Our session lasts for an hour and a half and all safety equipment will be provided including climbing shoes (all sizes catered for).
Downhill Tubing Date: Place: Cost:
Friday 17th January 2014 Gloucester Ski And Snowboard Centre (GL4 6EA) Spice Sign at 7:30pm £29.99 Member, £32 Guest Includes: Mulled Wine or Hot Chocolate and Mince Pie, 45 Minutes Tubing, Chicken or Vegetable Curry, Booking Fee, Spice Host Extras: Drinks with meal If you’ve already tried Skiing and Snowboarding now is the time to try yet another way of getting from the top of a slope to the bottom very quickly - Tubing. This evening we descend (literally) upon Gloucester Ski & Snowboarding Centre for a Christmas celebration with a difference. We've enjoyed this excellent evening for the last few years and it was so much fun that we’ve decided to go back and have another go. We’ll be welcomed upon arrival with Mulled Wine or Hot Chocolate and a Mince Pie each before setting out onto the slopes for 45 minutes of a thrilling downhill Tubing session. We’ll then head indoors again for a lovely warming Chicken or Vegetable Curry.
Learn To Play Poker - Bristol th
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Date: Friday 17 January & 7 February Place: The Swan, 14 Gloucester Rd, Almondsbury (BS32 4AA) Meet: Function Room Upstairs - Ask for Spice meet at 7:15pm to 10:30pm Cost: £7.50 Member, £8.50 Guest Poker Nights have very quickly achieved something of a cult status with Spicers all over the country, and Spice Bristol is no exception! Our Learn To Play Poker event will allow anyone to enjoy this excellent game. Don’t worry – it’s all for fun with plastic chips, but there is a SPICE prize for the winner. Garry Ellis who hosts this evening for us will start by teaching you everything you want to know about the game before you try your hand!! Please arrive for 7.30 SHARP for the training session so we don’t leave anyone behind. If you are just coming for the competition arrive for 8.15 SHARP so we can get under way on time. Whatever happens we’ll be finished by 10.30pm.
Pay As You Go - Mezza Luna Cardiff Date: Friday 17th January 2014 Place: Mezza Luna, 159 City Road, Cardiff (CF24 3BQ) Ask for the Spice Table, meet at 7:30pm Cost: £2 Join Spice tonight as we visit Mezza Luna and transport ourselves to a distant exotic location surrounded by unique decor of wall castings depicting various scenes from across the Mediterranean and the Middle East. They serve a wide selection of Lebanese mezze dishes and grills, as well as Moroccan tagines. You can also indulge in selection of desserts and speciality teas typical for both regions or inspired by the cuisines. They’re also quite famous for the entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays with a live performance of a belly dancer. This is a pay as you go event so you pay a deposit of £2 to secure your place and then you pay on the night for any food and drinks that you have. Spice need you to book in the usual way as we need to book a table at the restaurant and we will organise a Spice host for the evening.
Colour U Confident Workshop - Solihull Date: Saturday 18th January 2014 Place: Solihull (B91 1UQ) meet at 9.30am for 9.45am - 1.30pm Cost: £10 Member, £15 Guest Extras: £50.00 balance paid direct to supplier on the day. Have you ever bought an item of clothing that has sat in your wardrobe unworn because there's just something not quite right about it? In this current economic climate, we really can't afford to make any more shopping mistakes. Knowing which colours really suit you...and which don't....are two very important steps to ensuring that everything you buy works for you making you look younger, healthier and slimmer. Lesley Cox, Colour Me Beautiful consultant, will help you discover which colours complement your unique colouring and how they can be combined to suit you in different ways. At this workshop you will each have your own colour analysis and then, as a group, you'll receive a make-up lesson using Colour Me Beautiful cosmetics in the colours that are in your palette. At the end of the workshop you'll take away: a wallet containing 30 fabric swatches in your colours to take with you on all future shopping trips, your own personalised make-up prescription, listing your best cosmetic shades....and loads of confidence.
Dungeons After Dark at Warwick Castle Date: Saturday 18th January 2014 Place: Warwick Castle (CV34 4QU) meet at 7.00pm for 7.15pm Cost: £49.50 Member, £52 Guest Do you dare enter The Castle Dungeon after dark? Deep in the heart of the Central Courtyard lies The Castle Dungeon where the plague is taking no prisoners. Prepare to experience the darkest, bloodiest and most frightening times in Warwick Castle’s history. The Castle Dungeon will provide the ultimate evening of scarily good entertainment complemented by plenty food and wine, if you still have the stomach for it! Stay close together and beware, things get more sinister after dark. Please note that this is not a Spice exclusive, but a public evening that Spice have an allocation of tickets for.
Early Dining at Loch Fyne Bristol Date: Saturday 18th January 2014 Place: Old Granary, Queen Charlotte St, Bristol (BS1 4HQ) Loch Fyne - Ask for the Spice Table meet at 6:30pm Cost: £21 Member, £23 Guest Includes: 3 Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks Tonight we are in for a treat dining at The Loch Fyne Restaurant in Bristol situated in the historical ‘Old Granary’ – a beautiful listed building on the waterfront. We’ll be enjoying a 3 course meal which includes a choice of one side dish with the main. After dinner we can go for a drink or two at one of the many pubs around the area. Please note to take advantage of the ‘best menu offer’ this is an early dining evening and you must arrive promptly at 6.30p.m.
Learn to Ski for Beginners Date: Sunday 19th January 2014 Place: Avon Ski & Action Centre, Lyncombe Drive, North Somerset (BS25 5PQ) Time: 3:40pm to 7:30pm Cost: £30 Member Includes: 1 and half hour ski lesson, All equipment, Booking Fee, Spice Host Today you have an opportunity to try out skiing for the first time at the excellent Mendip Snowsport Centre. Whether you have never donned a pair of skis or are looking for a bit of a refresher this is the event for you. With a small group of 8 we will have our own dedicated instructor who will start us off from scratch and teach us everything we need to know to get started on the slopes. If you’re a bit rusty and fancy a bit of a refresher then this is also the chance for you to come along and rekindle those skills with the help of an expert. Our lesson lasts for an hour and all equipment is supplied. As we’re in the middle of winter please wear long-sleeves, long trousers (avoid jeans in case it’s wet) and a pair of gloves. You may also want to wear a hat for warmth as well. After our lesson we’ll pop into the Café on-site for a hot chocolate (or whatever you prefer) and a bite to eat (payable on the day) and a chance to share the highs and lows of our new found skills.
Sunday Jazz at Ronnie Scotts - London Date: Sunday 19th January 2014 Place: Ronnie Scotts, 47 Frith Street, London (W1D 4HT) Ask for Spice Table Time: 12pm Cost: £40 Member Includes: Sunday Jazz ticket, 1 Course Lunch, Service Charge and Spice Host Today we are visiting one of the oldest and most iconic jazz clubs in the world – Ronnie Scotts in London. This will be a lazy Sunday afternoon, chilling out and eating, whilst listening to the cool sounds of the Jazz musicians. Scheduled to play are The Jive Aces who are the UK’s top Jive and Swing Band. This is high energy music where swing meets Rock ‘n Roll, not to be missed! This very popular six piece group have performed at thousands of festivals throughout the UK, Europe, Japan and Caribbean, 30 countries in all. Semi Finalists on Britain’s got Talent!
Sunday Lunch at Y Mochyn Du - Cardiff Date: Sunday 19th January 2014 Place: Y Mochyn Du, Sophia Close, Cardiff (CF11 9HW) Ask for the Spice Table Time: 12:30pm Cost: £14 Member, £16 Guest Includes: 1 Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks Join us today for a lovely Sunday lunch at Y Mochyn Du which has been named after a popular (and slightly irreverent!) traditional folk song from West Wales. This great pub has a reputation for good food and excellence in service with an emphasis on home cooking using fresh ingredients. We’ll be having a traditional Sunday lunch with choices such as Roast Welsh Beef, Roast Chicken, Thick Cut Roast Pork or Glamorgan vegetarian sausages. All of these are served with Yorkshire pudding, fresh vegetables and roast potatoes. It’s a great opportunity to meet up with other Spice members and spend a lazy Sunday together, eating and socialising.
Wildlife Photography Exhibition Date: Sunday 19th January 2014 Place: M-Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol (BS1 4RN) Main Entrance Time: 11am Cost: £15 Member, £17 Guest Includes: Entrance to Exhibition, Panini and Tea/Coffee, Spice Host Encounter the rich array of wildlife on our planet in this world-renowned exhibition from the Natural History Museum – touring at M Shed for the very first time. Now in its 49th year, the competition provides a global showcase of extraordinary images celebrating the drama, beauty and splendour of the natural world with astonishing, creative and sometimes humorous wildlife photography. This year’s stunning images will be complemented by a display celebrating Bristol’s diverse and special wildlife. Get up close to rarely seen natural history specimens as we discover the secrets of Bristol’s wild residents. Are your neighbours furry or flowery? Beautiful or bizarre? Find out, and get a ‘wow’ from our local wildlife! After we have finished at the exhibition we will have a Panini and tea or coffee (included in the price) in the M-Shed café which gives us a great opportunity to chat to other Spice members and discuss the exhibition.
Unique Dining at The Leaf Ham Green Date: Place:
Thursday 23rd January 2014 St Katherine's School Ham Green, Bristol (BS20 0HU) The Leaf at Ham Green Restaurant – Spice from 7pm Cost: £21.50 Member, £23.50 Guest Includes: 3 Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks The Leaf at Ham Green offers a unique experience, being the only fine-dining restaurant run by a secondary school in the UK. The restaurant prides themselves on serving an excellent choice of freshly prepared, locally sourced, seasonal dishes as well as offering great value and excellent service. Everything is prepared, cooked and served by the Catering and Hospitality students. The stylish, modern and well-appointed restaurant is complemented by state of the art kitchens and guests can enjoy glorious rural views from the Al Fresco Terrace. Since being opened to the public in 2011 this restaurant has been fully booked every Thursday evening when it opens.
Pyramid Bowling - Cribbs Causway st
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Date: Friday 24th 21 February & 21 March Place: Hollywood Bowl, Cribbs Causway (BS10 7TT) inside the main entrance at 7:30pm Cost: £15 Member, £17 Guest Includes: 2 Games Of Bowling, Shoe Hire, Spice Host, Prizes Extras: Drinks / Food Tonight we’re playing our ever popular Pyramid Bowling. The game is very simple and is basically a clever variation on normal Ten Pin Bowling that helps to even out the experts and the beginners. Ten Pin Bowling is always a great laugh and it doesn't matter if you've never bowled before or if you are at the top of your game, join us tonight for some fun. Meet inside by the shoe collection point where your Spice host will be waiting to say ‘Hi’ and introduce everyone. At the end of the game there will be prizes for the best team score (the lower the better!).
Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience - Bristol Date: Place: Cost:
Sat 25th Jan 2014 - Sat 6th Sep 2014 Weston Lodge Farm, Portishead, Bristol (BS20 8LF) 1.45pm at venue £39.99 Member - 30 Clays, £42.99 Guest - 30 Clays Includes: 30 Clays, All Equipment, Instructor Staying cool, calm and collected is the name of the game while on a clay shoot. Clay pigeon shooting is a thrilling experience, demanding concentration, a keen eye and quick reactions. Waiting with the finger on the trigger, we can guarantee you'll feel your heart pounding as you wait for the trap to release your target. Aim, fire and hit! We will be clay pigeon shooting a variety of different sporting targets set off by automatic traps. Names such as the High Pheasant, Driven Pheasant, Dropping Duck, Running Rabbit and Rising Teal will all become familiar to you as you shout "pull" and your target is released. Our experience will last for around 2 hours starting at 2pm during which time we’ll work our way around 5 different areas, each offering a different challenge. At each area we’ll all get 6 shots at the clays and there will be a score kept to see who is our own sharpest shooter. .
Come Dine With Me the Spice Way - Cardiff Date: Saturday 25th January 2014 Place: Rod's House - address will be advised at 7:30pm Who hasn’t sat through an episode of ‘Come Dine with Me’ and thought to themselves, ‘I could do better than that!’ Well, here’s your chance to find out if that’s true as Spice have their very own version of come dine with me. It is all just for fun and Rod is hosting this event at his place. The idea is that we will have a 3 course meal with wine and each of the Spice members who book will contribute to the meal. Rod will serve up the main course so if you decide to join in with this event you need to let us know which other element of the event you are going to do. i.e. we need someone to do a starter or a dessert and then someone to contribute some wine. You MUST book for this event as the places are limited due to the size of Rod’s place!
Burns Night Ceilidh + Disco - Bristol Date: Place: Cost:
Saturday 25th January 2014 College Green, Bristol (BS1 5TA) Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel - Spice Table 7pm £40 Member, £44 Guest Includes: Arrival Whiskey, 4 course plated meal, raffle, disco, Celidh Band and a Bag Piper who will pipe the Haggis in with the Chef Not sure what to do now the Christmas festivities are now over? Why not celebrate Burns Night with Spice at the Marriott Bristol Royal Hotel and embrace the work of Scotland’s greatest poet. The Burns Night Charity Ball is in aid of The Prince’s Trust so you’ll not only be having great fun, but will also be supporting a good cause. Tonight A Wild Haggis we’ll be having a traditional Burns night and you can expect to be greeted with the sound of bagpipes, evoking the spirit of the highlands. There will be an arrival whiskey, a traditional 4 course plated meal with the ‘Piping’ of the haggis for the main course and no doubt, some tatties and neeps. Add to that a raffle, disco and Celidh band and it promises to be a fantastic night out.
Burns Night Ceilidh Disco + 1 Night Hotel Date: Place: Cost:
Sat 25th Jan 2014 - Sun 26th Jan 2014 Marriott Hotel, College Green, Bristol (BS1 5TA) Arrive from 4.00pm £99 Member Twin + Party, £140 Member Single + Party, Includes: 1 Night B&B Luxury Hotel Accommodation at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, Burns Night dinner which includes Arrival Whiskey, 4 course plated meal, raffle, disco, Celidh Band and a Bag Piper who pipes in the Haggis with the Chef and services of a Spice Host. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore Bristol and celebrate a traditional Burns Night with other Spice members! This break includes one night’s luxury hotel accommodation on a B&B basis staying in the four star Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel. With a fabulous location next to Bristol Cathedral and the historic waterfront, the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel offers ideal accommodation for enjoying England's south western charm and there is easy access to all of Bristol’s attractions from this fabulous hotel. On Saturday night we will celebrate Burns night at the Marriott Bristol Royal Hotel and embrace the work of Scotland’s greatest poet. The Burns Night Charity Ball is in aid of The Prince’s Trust so you’ll not only be having great fun, but will also be supporting a good cause. We’ll be having a traditional Burns night and you can expect to be greeted with the sound of bagpipes, evoking the spirit of the highlands. There will be an arrival whiskey, a traditional 4 course plated meal with the ‘Piping’ of the haggis for the main course. Add to that a raffle, disco and Celidh band and it promises to be a fantastic night out. You will be able to arrive any time after 2.00pm on Saturday and we will arrange an afternoon meet on Saturday so that we can head out into Bristol to explore the area. Later in the evening we will meet in the hotel bar for a drink before moving through to our tables for dinner.
Mini Luxury Spa Break - 1 night - Surrey Date: Place: Cost:
Sat 25th Jan 2014 - Sun 26th Jan 2014 Foxhills Spa Resort, Ottershaw, Surrey (KT16 0EL) Check in is at 2.00p.m. £189 Member Twin Share, £139 Member Twin no treatment, Includes: 1 night luxury stay at Foxhills Resort on a twin share basis, 3 course evening meal on Saturday evening, Breakfast on Sunday morning and 1 beauty treatment from the list below EXTRAS: Lunches if required and any additional treatments Foxhills is a resort hotel, with a luxury health spa and is located on a 400 acre Surrey estate so we have a superb opportunity to relax and be pampered at this wonderful Hotel set within its own grounds, just 5 minutes from the M25 (J11). For our Luxury Spa Mini break we have included one 40/45 minute treatment and a delicious 3 course dinner on Saturday evening, a luxury overnight stay in one of the 4 star rooms on a twin share basis. Check in to our rooms is at 2.00p.m. but we will meet in the bar at the hotel at 1.00pm so that we can meet socialise as a group before checking in. The Spa has a 20m indoor lagoon pool with vaulted ceiling and mood lighting and there are individual treatment rooms featuring Elemis treatments. There is also a thermal area with Hammam, rasul and ice fountain and there is an air conditioned fitness area featuring the latest equipment. We have reserved some time for us to have treatments at 3.00pm on Saturday OR 10.00a.m. on Sunday morning and we have included 1 treatment in our price. More information on our web-site.
The Great Train Robbery Investigation Date: Sunday 26th January 2014 Place: The Star, 6 Belgrave Mews West, London (SW1X 8HT) Upstairs function room from 1:45pm to 5pm Cost: £69 Member, £75 Guest Includes: 3 hour investigation of The Great Train Robbery with ex Scotland Yard detectives We are joining our friends from Right Angle events who have run some fabulous experiences for Spice all to do with forensics and this is a NEW experience for us. If you are fascinated with crime, forensics and mystery then don’t miss this fabulous experience on The Great Train Robbery run by former Scotland Yard Detectives. This is an unusual and unique experience and places are limited so book your place real soon..... An ex Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector will take you through the audacious and breath taking Great Train Robbery which took place in 1963. You will see some of the original images and see some short films of the events. See our web site for more.
Archery - Cardiff Date: Place: Cost:
Sunday 26th January 2014 Taff Valley, Cwrt y Celyn Farm, Pontypri (CF37 5BJ) 11:30am £16 Member, £18 Guest Includes: Approximately one hour archery session, instruction, equipment provided. Bring cash for a visit to the pub afterwards Bullseye! Improve your aim, hand-eye coordination and agility while hopefully not hitting one of the sheep in the process!!! Today, with a Grand National Archery Society Coach, we’ll learn the real skills and proper techniques of an ancient sport; Archery. The archery session will start with a training round, on easier training bows, following onto a scoring round with higher poundage field target bows. Various arrows will be used suiting your ability. If it’s great weather, we’ll be outdoors, with fabulous views of the valleys below, but if it’s raining we'll head into the barn. After our exercise we will head to the nearby Rose & Crown pub (optional) at mid-day for a bite to eat (payable extra on the day).
Visit to Horseworld Rescue Centre - Bristol Date: Sunday 26th January 2014 Place: Staunton Lane, Whitchurch, Bristol (BS14 0QL) Horseworld Visitor Centre – Entrance at 11am Cost: £17.95 Member, £19.95 Guest Includes: Entrance to Horseworld Visitor Centre, 1 Course Lunch, Service, Spice Host Set in beautiful stone farm-buildings just to the south of Bristol and the west of Bath, is HorseWorld, an award-winning Visitor Centre that rescues horses, ponies and donkeys that have been abandoned, mistreated or neglected. They are often the only lifeline for animals treated so cruelly they had given up hope. Each animal rescued is nursed back to health and, wherever possible, rehomed to give it a second chance. Today we’ll visit to learn more about how and why animals like these are rescued, and we’ll discover how they’re nursed back to full health and how they guarantee them a safe and happy future. We’ll meet some of the rescued horses, ponies & donkeys, and see some of their work in action as well as exploring over eight acres of adventure.
Cardiff Wine Tasting Evening Date: Thursday 30th January 2014 Place: Havannah Street, Cardiff (CF10 5SD) St David's Hotel & Spa from 8:15am to 8:30pm Cost: £20 Includes: Wine tasting with over 30 different wines, Spice Host The format is simple – You’ll be greeted and provided with a glass, which is yours to keep. You then simply pass from table to table at your own pace tasting which ever wines you like. Laithwaite's staff will be there to serve you and we invite you to discuss the wines, or anything else with them if you wish. Over 30 favourites from our range will be available for you to try, from everyday drinking through to classic and fine wine, including some old heroes as well as new and unusual styles that you might not have had the opportunity to try before
Spice Meet and Eat - The Black Cock Inn Date: Thursday 30th January 2014 Place: Waunwaelod Way, Caerphilly (CF83 1BD) The Black Cock Inn - Spice Table at 7:30pm Join Spice tonight for our monthly Meet & Eat. Every month we head to a new pub for a social night-out. It’s a great opportunity to come along, meet some fellow SPICE members over a drink and perhaps have a bite to eat – it’s entirely up to you. We’ll let the pub know we’re coming and anyone who fancies a meal can choose, order and pay on the night. If you’ve already eaten then just come along for the social chat and a drink. Everyone is welcome including established members, newer members and anyone thinking of joining SPICE. Book online (members) or drop us an email (non-members) so we know you’re coming and one of our Spice hosts will be there to meet you. Our venue tonight is The Black Cock Inn, a rustic and friendly country pub serving great food and situated about a mile from Caerphilly. Found among the hills just to the north of Cardiff, at the start of the Welsh Valleys, and aside a quiet country lane, The Black Cock Inn is a perfect retreat for this evenings meet.
Gloucester Microbrewery Visit Date: Place: Cost:
Friday 31st January 2014 The Docks, Gloucester (GL1 2EH) Gloucester Brewery - Main Entrance at 7pm £24.50 Member Includes: Half Hour Talk and Tour of the Brewery Site, Tasting of 3-4 Different Beers, Buffet of local meats & cheeses which complement the selection of beers available that evening, Complimentary branded straight pint glass. Gloucester Brewery is based in a converted horses stable within the Heart of the Gloucester Docks, and has become an integral part of the new, modern, developing city of Gloucester. Tonight Spice has decided it’s time we go and look at this fabulous little brewery by joining in on one of their brewery tours. Here, we’ll get to have a look around the Brewery, listen to a short talk about how the brewery got started, how the brewing process works, and get a decent tasting session of the beers on offer, not to mention a few tasty nibbles to get that thirst going. The brewery will even give us a glass to drink our beer from which we can then take home afterwards.
Spice Meet + Eat - Commercial Rooms Date: Thursday 30th January 2014 Place: The Commercial Rooms, 43 - 45 Corn Street, Bristol (BS1 1HT) Spice Table Time: 7:30pm Extras: Drinks and Food Join Spice tonight for our monthly Meet & Eat. Every month we head to a new pub for a social night-out. It’s a great opportunity to come along, meet some fellow SPICE members over a drink and perhaps have a bite to eat – it’s entirely up to you. We’ll let the pub know we’re coming and anyone who fancies a meal can choose, order and pay on the night. If you’ve already eaten then just come along for the social chat and a drink. Everyone is welcome including established members, newer members and anyone thinking of joining SPICE. Book online (members) or drop us an email (non-members) so we know you’re coming and one of our Spice hosts will be there to meet you. Our venue tonight is The Commercial Rooms which occupies a Grade II listed building on Corn Street, which, originally served as a Gentlemen’s Club. There is an extensive selection of fresh food with decent portions and some great offers on every night.
Walking Weekend - South Downs, Sussex Date: Place: Meet: Cost:
Fri 31st Jan 2014 - Sun 2nd Feb 2014 Norfolk Arms Hotel, Arundel, Sussex (BN18 9AB) Arrive from 4.00p.m. Meal at 8.00p.m. £169 Member Twin Share, £209 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 evening meals and choice of 2 guided walks each day. Extras: transport to start of walks if used Walkwise Overview: West Sussex is simply a stunning area of outstanding natural beauty, filled with history, wildlife, picturesque villages, enchanting country pubs, rolling countryside and meandering river valleys, all of ensure your walks are beautiful varied, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. Further, numerous trails and paths criss-cross the beautiful countryside allowing everyone easy access to what is now Britain’s newest National Park. Then add to this the charming Georgian Coaching Inn that is the Norfolk Arms, set beneath the walls of the amazing Arundel Castle and this will be one of the must do WalkWise weekends of the year… Best book this one early I think it’s going to be popular! The WalkWise Walking Programme: Our two walking days are planned to provide contrasting scenery and a variety of countryside. One day the walks will be focused around the beautiful Arun Valley and Arundel Park. Here the beautiful River Arun sweeps its way down through the valley in slow peaceful meanders. There are deep reedbeds on its banks which provide a wonderful habitat for the wildfowl and also make a nice back drop for a photo too. The walks are full of variety and interest. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of around 10-12 miles and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles. Accommodation: The Norfolk Arms hotel is well placed right on the High Street in the centre of Arundel. It simply oozes a wealth of history and heritage. It is a charming Georgian Coaching Inn, built over 200 years ago by the 10th Duke of Norfolk, but today it also provides for the modern traveller, with en-suite bedrooms with WIFI, colour television and radio, direct dial telephone, tea and coffee making facilities, oh and a hairdryer. In the evening the Arun Restaurant offers an extensive menu together with an excellent and imaginative wine list. There are also two very pleasant bars which serve everything from local ales to cream teas!
Walking Weekend - Windermere, Lakes Date: Place: Meet: Cost:
Fri 31st Jan 2014 - Sun 2nd Feb 2014 Windermere Hydro Hotel, Windermere (LA23 3BA) Arrive from 4.00p.m. Meal at 8.00p.m. £165 Member Twin Share, £205 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 evening meals and 2 guided walks Extras: Transport to start of walks if used Walkwise Overview: Bowness is one of our favourite destinations as it sits directly on the majestic and largest lake in England! It has a great hotel, great location, town, oh and great walking too!!! The Hydro is one of oldest Lake District hotels and it blends a mixture of Victorian elegance with modern leisure facilities. It’s ideal location, just set back from the village of Bowness-on-Windermere affords spectacular views over the lake but also makes it within an easy stroll of all the pubs too - perfect! Furthermore, it’s on the gateway to the Lakes and as such is an ideal base to access a huge variety of walks across Southern and Central Lakeland. The WalkWise Walking Programme: With our base sitting at the Gateway to the Southern and Central Lakes, we truly do have a smorgasbord of choice of walks for all levels of ability of walker. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles with about 3,000ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles with less ascent. Accommodation: The hotel has been extensively modernized including the addition of the Hydro Spa with Jacuzzi, sauna and mini gym! If you're after a quiet moment, just relax in the coffee lounge looking over Bowness towards the lake. The rooms all have private facilities, colour television, telephone and tea and coffee making equipment. Many of the rooms have spectacular views over Lake Windermere and the Lake's edge is only minutes away.
Chinese New Year Party - Birmingham
Date: Saturday 1st February 2014 Place: Chung Ying Gardens, Thorpe Street (B5 4AT) at7.30pm Cost: £32 Member, £35 Guest This is always a really popular night, and the feedback we get is brilliant! This year the New st Year falls on Friday 31 January, so we’ll 'bringing it in' tonight! 2014 is the Year of The Horse – so come along for the ride! As usual we will take over the top floor of this excellent restaurant right in Birmingham's Chinese Quarter which is well known for its excellent authentic Cantonese food and lively staff. Eating Cantonese style, the tables will be laden with mouth-watering specialities
Illuminate Bath Festival and Supper
Date: Saturday 1st February 2014 Place: 1 Terrace Walk, North Parade, Bath (BA1 1LY) The Huntsman at 6pm Cost: £16 Member, £18 Guest Includes: Walk - Illuminate Bath Festival, 1 Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Join Spice tonight as we explore Illuminate Bath, a festival that transforms the city’s streets. Now in its third year, this festival brings beautiful and engaging projected artworks to the city centre. Banishing the gloom of January’s long evenings, this ‘festival of light’ will include a number of original installations in public spaces, all of which can be explored. The lighting and visual effects are scattered around the Bath city centre in the area around the Roman Baths, Bath Street, Stall Street, Abbey Church Yard and Kingston Parade. We’ll meet at the Huntsman first and have a drink together and will then set off to see the artworks. After our walk, we’ll head back to the Huntsman for a delicious 1 course meal.
Saturday Night Comedy at Jongleurs Bristol
Date: Saturday 1st February 2014 Place: The Cuban, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5SZ Jongleurs Comedy Club - Main Entrance 7:30pm Cost: £27.50 Member Ticket + supper, £29.50 Guest Ticket + supper, £18 Member Ticket only Tonight we’re off to Jongleurs in Bristol, located in the best new bar and live entertainment venue in town, The Cuban! Each show features a Compere who will host your evening, and they introduce 3 top acts who will do their finest to make you laugh. The shows sometimes include open spots - a chance to see brand new talent trying out for the first time on a professional stage. All the seating is allocated so no fighting for the good views, tasty bar food is available before the show and the Cuban Bar next door is perfect for after work beers and pre-show cocktails as well as late night drinks after the show.
Pirate Pete Walking Tour, Tea + Cake -Bristol
Date: Sunday 2nd February 2014 Place: Black Beetle Statue, Anchor Square (BS1 5LL) Spice Sign & Pirate Flag from 1:45pm to 3pm Cost: £17.50 Member, £19.50 Guest. Includes: Guided Pirate Walk, Booking, Tea/Coffee & Light Snack, Service, Join Spice and Pirate Pete today as we go for a walking tour of Bristol’s Maritime History around the Harbour side. We’ll discover Long John Silver’s treasure chest in the smugglers cave, visit Treasure Island’s Spy Glass Inn where the press gangs roamed and find Blackbeards Lair in the medieval port. It’s a pleasant walk around the quays, discovering Bristol's turbulent history, at the harbour side haunts of the pirates and swashbucklers of the 17th and 18th centuries. Fun, interesting and educational, it is convenient entertainment with a bit of history thrown in! Sure to make you laugh and cry, learn and yet have fun, Pete’s walk around Bristol is a treat for any scallywag! After our walk, we’re off to V-Shed, a local JD Weatherspoons for some coffee or tea and a light snack of either the savoury or sweet persuasion (included in the price).
Segway Trekking in Caerphilly
Date: Sunday 2nd February 2014 Place: Mountain View Ranch, Heol Penybryn, Caerphilly, Gwent (CF83 1NG) Time: 10:45am Cost: £25 Member, £27 Guest Includes: 1 Hour Segway Experience, Spice Host The Segway is the latest weird and wonderful must try gadget. It’s a 2 wheeled defier of logic and today we’re going to give them a go! Powered by electric motors and gyros you simply stand on it and away you go. It may not look much but you're guaranteed to have the Segway smile during and after your ride. We’ll first get to grips with these two wheeled wonders in a 15 minute training session and will then hit the rough stuff as the experienced ranchers take you up hills, over streams and whatever stand in your way on these amazing off road machines! This is a driving experience you’re bound to love! We advise all participants to wear clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and which they do not mind getting damaged. Personal protective equipment will be worn for most activities and wearing appropriate clothing will make this a more comfortable experience.
Learn To Play Poker - Bristol
Try Not To Get Too Flushed
Date: Friday 7th February 2014 Place: The Swan, 14 Gloucester Rd, Almondsbury (BS32 4AA) Function Room Upstairs Time: 7:15pm to 10:30pm Cost: £7.50 Member, £8.50 Guest Poker Nights have very quickly achieved something of a cult status with Spicers all over the country, and Spice Bristol is no exception! Our Learn To Play Poker event will allow anyone to enjoy this excellent game. Don’t worry – it’s all for fun with plastic chips, but there is a SPICE prize for the winner. Garry Ellis who hosts this evening for us will start by teaching you everything you want to know about the game before you try your hand!! Please arrive for 7.30 SHARP for the training session so we don’t leave anyone behind. If you are just coming for the competition arrive for 8.15 SHARP so we can get under way on time. Whatever happens we’ll be finished by 10.30pm.
The Glee Club Comedy Night - Cardiff
Date: Friday 7th February 2014 Place: Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff (CF10 5BZ) at entrance to the club at 7:30pm Cost: £19 Member, £21 Guest This evening we are back at The Glee Club on Cardiff Bay. The Glee Club is a great independent comedy club and is a hugely popular part of the Spice programme. Tonight, more of the best professional circuit comics perform for our pleasure. The Glee Club's policy is to only pick acts that are on the national circuit and have performed at the London Comedy Club so bring along your best heckles for a laughter filled evening! Tonight there will be a compere and three acts to entertain you during the course of the evening. Date: Place: Cost:
Raymond Blanc Dining - Bristol
Saturday 8th February 2014 The Friary Building, Cabot Circus (BS1 3DF) Brasserie Blanc - Spice Table at 7pm £28.95 Member 3 Courses, £26.95 Member 2 Courses, Includes: 3 Course or 2 Course Option, Glass of Red or White house wine, Service Charge & Spice Host Raymond Blanc is not only a well-known name, but he also was voted the AA’s Chefs Chef of the year by his peers and has also received an honorary OBE. Tonight we’re off to the fabulous Brasserie Blanc in Bakers and Cutlers Halls, The Friary Building to sample his famous recipes with the focus being of fresh, local, seasonal and tasty cooking. This is a good opportunity to catch up with other Spice members in the area as we enjoy an optional 2 or 3 course set menu including a glass of wine in relaxed company.
Spice Dines Chinese - Cardiff
Date: Sat 8th Feb 2014 Place: 44 Tudor Street, Riverside, Cardiff (CF11 6AH) Riverside Cantonese - Spice Table meet at 7:30pm Cost: £26 Member, £28 Guest Includes: Chinese Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks Tonight we’re off to the Riverside Cantonese Restaurant to experience Cantonese cuisine, one of the eight culinary traditions of Chinese cuisine. The Riverside Cantonese is one of the oldest established Cantonese restaurants in South Wales and although the Hong Kong trained chefs may keep up with trends, they never forget the centuries-old tradition that has made Cantonese food the most popular in Britain. Date: Place: Cost:
Western Style Rifle Shooting Afternoon
Saturday 8th February 2014 Birmingham Shooting Centre, Hockley (B18 7RL) Choose Time Slot £4 Member Extras: Pay balance of £25.00 on arrival at club Cost is £29 – PAID AS - £4 deposit to Spice to book. Balance of £25 to club on arrival (no credit cards) Members only (no guests) for security and due to limited numbers Includes approx. 50 rounds of ammunition Choose Arrival time when booking (4 each at: 1.45pm, 2.45pm or 3.45pm) This is an extremely sought after Spice event, and we have recently revised the format with staggered timeslots to minimise waiting time. You are welcome to stay for the whole afternoon if you wish, but this way, you know when you will be on the range rather than having to wait your turn. With extremely tight firearms laws, it is rare to find opportunities for our members to fire live ammunition. However, under close expert supervision, here’s an opportunity to fire Western Style Lever Action Rifles (like John Wayne used!). They are 357 Magnum Calibre, but recoil is similar to that of a full power spring action air rifle, so you don’t need to be built like a cowboy! After booking in (bring photo ID such as passport or driving licence), we will have a safety talk including range rules and weapon handling safety and etiquette. We’ll then be introduced to our weapons and have time honing our skills on the range. There will be 4 instructors, so 4 people can be shooting at any one time, as the rules dictate that tuition has to be 1:1 when you are using this class of rifle. Depending on what is going on the day, we should be able to meet other club members and learn about their firearms. Afterwards, we can relax in the club bar.
Helicopter Lesson - Near Warwick
Date: Sunday 9th February 2014 Place: Wellesbourne Airfield (CV35 9EU) from 12.45 for 1.00pm Briefing Cost: £99 (£105 Guest) Paid as £9 (£15 Guest) deposit to Spice, plus £90 balance paid on the day by either cash or card This is a classic Spice event - you've just got to fly a helicopter one time in your life! We're just sorry we can't make it cheaper, but helicopters are extraordinarily costly to run! This isn't a pleasure flight, it's a lesson - and real occasion. Your session starts with a full briefing on helicopters in general and the controls of the Robinson R22 you’ll be flying. These machines are touch sensitive and challenging. You’ll be in the air for approx. 15 memorable minutes.
Visit to The Wild Place - Bristol
Date: Sunday 9th February 2014 Place: Wild Place, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol (BS10 7TP) Main Entrance - Spice Sign at 10:30am Cost: £17.50 Member, £19.50 Guest Includes: Entrance to Wild Place, Coffee/Tea or Soft drink and Sandwich, Spice Host The Wild Place Project is an interesting and fun attraction in Bristol that provides adventure and learning, with an emphasis on protecting threatened habitats on our doorsteps and around the globe. The Wild Place Project is an open space, comprised of natural beauty that utilises the existing woodland and environment. Today we’ll discover ‘Madagascar’, which is home to several lemurs, visit the Edge of Africa with zebras and eland roaming in the grassland and see Okapi in the ‘Secret Congo’. You can take off your shoes and enjoy an array of textures on the Barefoot Trail without worrying about getting muddy feet as there are washing facilities at the end of the Barefoot Trail. We’ll also pay a visit to the award winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden and the Sanctuary Garden. We’ll go to the Courtyard café for a drink and a bite to eat at lunchtime, with a sandwich and cup of tea/coffee or a cold drink included in the price.
Not A Valentines Dinner - Cote Bristol
Date: Friday 14th February 2014 Place: 27 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol (BS8 4JG) Cote Brasserie - Ask for the Spice Table meet at 7pm Cost: £29 Member, £31 Guest Includes: 2 Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks It’s time to get out with your Spice Bristol buddies for a fun evening, there be no peering over a candle-lit table on this one thank you very much! We’ve chosen Cote because the food is great and we can enjoy each other’s company and we have been promised they have banned red roses for the night just for us (well no not really)! For our meal we will be having a main course and a dessert from a fairly extensive menu.
Not A Valentines Dinner - Cote Cardiff
Date: Friday 14th February 2014 Place: 25 Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff (CF10 5BZ) Cote Brasserie - Spice Table at 7:30pm Cost: £29 Member, £31 Guest Includes: 2 Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks It’s time to get out with your Spice Cardiff buddies for a fun evening, there be no peering over a candle-lit table on this one thank you very much! We’ve chosen Cote because the food is great and we can enjoy each other’s company and we have been promised they have banned red roses for the night just for us (well no not really)! For our meal we will be having a main course and a dessert from a fairly extensive menu.
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Walking Weekend - Isle of Portland, Dorset
Fri 14th Feb 2014 - Sun 16th Feb 2014 The Heights Hotel, Isle of Portland (DT5 2EN) Arrive from 4.00pm £169 Member Twin Share £209 Member Single Includes: 2 nights hotel accommodation, 2 evening meals, 2 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and 2 days of guided walking The Isle of Portland juts out into the English Channel, with a causeway connecting it to the mainland. This means that the island enjoys a sunnier and drier climate than the mainland. The island is home to some of the most fantastic scenery found on the heritage coast and it is an ideal venue in itself to explore. The hotel compliments the walking and is an ideal venue to base ourselves. It has stunning views across the causeway to the coastline beyond; the food, service and friendly staff all add to the mix and help create the ideal walking weekend away. The WalkWise Walking Programme: This venue is a perfect for abilities of walkers, with pleasant gentle strolls around some stunning villages and also some rugged, undulating cliff top routes for any harder walkers. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles. Accommodation: The three star Hotel is set on the summit of the Isle of Portland and has spectacular coastal views overlooking Chesil Beach and Weymouth Bay. The hotel makes the most of its situation and the views abound from the bar, restaurant and the coffee shop. The bedrooms have all been designed with comfort in mind and are en suite with shower and bath, and all come with satellite TV, radio, hairdryer and hospitality tray. The hotel has its own leisure centre with gymnasium, steam room and sauna!
Saturday Lunch + Stroll - The Brassmill
Date: Saturday 15th February 2014 Place: Avon Mill Lane, Keynsham, Bristol (BS31 2UG) The Brassmill - Spice Table at 12:30pm Cost: £16 Member, £18 Guest Includes: 2 Course Meal, Service, Gentle Stroll, Spice Host Extras: Drinks The Avon Valley evokes idyllic images of rich verdant landscape, winding gentle waters and quiet country pubs – and at its heart you’ll find The Brassmill at Keynsham. With its still, green millpond and ducks, and standing by a foaming weir, this listed building with its exposed wooden beams could not be more appealing as a place to enjoy some delicious pub fayre. Today we’ll be enjoying a lovely 2 course meal and will then go for a stroll along the Kennet and Avon Canal. The area is rich in history with plentiful Roman remains and the town itself played a part in the English Civil War. It’s a good opportunity to try this fabulous Vintage Inn and to spend some time with other Spice members in the area.
Acting for Beginners Workshop Birmingham
Date: Sunday 16th February 2014 Place: Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Gt Hampton ST (B18 6AD) from 11.00am Finish at 3.00pm Cost: £39 Member, £42 Guest Always wanted to know what it's like to be an actor? Wanted to try it but were just a little nervous? Want to have fun, build confidence and make new friends? Hosted by Acting Coach Tracey Street, this beginner's workshop will cover anything from basic acting technique to character creation to ensemble work, in a supportive, relaxed environment. There will be a fair amount of moving around so please wear comfortable footwear.
Bidford on Avon Ramble
Date: Sunday 16th February 2014 Place: Bidford, Between Stratford & Evesham (B50 4AA) from 10.15am - 10.30am Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Today we find Alan in the picturesque village of Bidford-on-Avon. From the village we will follow the Heart of England footpath through the pretty villages of Barton and Dorsington, with their old world charm and thatched cottages. We continue across country to Long Marston, where we join up with Monarchs Way and head north toward Weston-on-Avon, again a beautiful riverside village with an abundance of pretty thatched cottages. We stop here for lunch and drinks at the Shakespeare Pub. After lunch we follow the Avon Valley Footpath Although flat and easy walking, this is a full days walk of 14 miles, so is suited to regular Walkers with a good level of fitness.
Learn to Ski for Beginners
Date: Sunday 16th February 2014 Place: Lyncombe Drive, North Somerset (BS25 5PQ) Avon Ski & Action Centre from 3:40pm to 7:30pm Cost: £30 Member, £32 Guest Includes: 1 and half hour ski lesson, All equipment, Booking Fee, Spice Host Today you have an opportunity to try out skiing for the first time at the excellent Mendip Snowsport Centre. Whether you have never donned a pair of skis or are looking for a bit of a refresher this is the event for you. With a small group of 8 we will have our own dedicated instructor who will start us off from scratch and teach us everything we need to know to get started on the slopes. If you’re a bit rusty and fancy a bit of a refresher then this is also the chance for you to come along and rekindle those skills with the help of an expert. Our lesson lasts for an hour and all equipment is supplied. As we’re in the middle of winter please wear long-sleeves, long trousers (avoid jeans in case it’s wet) and a pair of gloves. You may also want to wear a hat for warmth as well. After our lesson we’ll pop into the Café on-site for a hot chocolate (or whatever you prefer) and a bite to eat (payable on the day) and a chance to share the highs and lows of our new found skills.
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Spice Challenge - Quad Biking Cardiff
Sunday 16th February 2014 Cwrt y Celyn Farm, Upperboat, Pontypridd (CF37 5BJ) Taff Valley Quad Centre - Spice Sign at 11:15am £29 Member Includes: Includes: ` hour quad bike trek on farm, equipment and safety briefing, Spice Host. Take the Spice Activity Challenge and join us for an action packed day of Quad Biking! It’s a fun way to discover the superb Welsh countryside, get out in the fresh air, learn something new, and spend time with other Spice members. All Quad biking sessions start with a safety briefing and initial training on the practice circuit. Once the expert instructors are happy with our progress, we will follow them trekking, around the 360 acre working hill farm. We’ll be using the semi-automatic 90cc and 250cc Honda quads and will experience the ultimate off-roading as we drive along a woodland safari trail – over mogul hills, up inclines, down declines, across fields and through some radical mud puddles! We suggest you take a change of clothes with you as you are likely to get very wet and muddy but that is part of the fun! After we finish we have the option to join us for lunch (payable on the day) at the Rose & Crown Pub.
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Bristol Curry Night - Three Brooks Inn
Wednesday 19th February 2014 Bradley Stoke District Centre BS32 8EF The Three Brooks Spice Table 7:15pm £8.99 Member, £10.99 Guest Includes: Curry, Drink, Service, Spice Host
The Three Brooks Pub in Bradley Stoke is a comfortable local that serves real ale and traditional pub food. This evening is an opportunity to meet up socially with both new and longer term Spice members and to enjoy a curry and drink together. Tonight we’ll be enjoying a choice of Curry and rice PLUS poppadums, naan bread with mango chutney AND a drink.
Cheltenham Quiz Night
Date: Thursday 20th February 2014 Place: The Brown Jug, 242 Bath Rd, Cheltenham (GL53 7NB) Inside the Bar at 7:30pm The Brown Jug Pub is situated in Bath Road and is well known for their well-stocked bar, local produce and excellent creative cooking. Tonight is their famous Quiz night and we’d like to enter a Spice team or 2. It costs £1.00 each to enter the Quiz AND it includes a curry and rice! The Quiz master is fantastic and it’s a really fun evening! A team can have up to 4 people in it, so hopefully we can get a ‘Spice One’ and a ‘Spice Too’ and maybe even ‘Three’ team together. This is a relaxed and fun social evening and is a great way to meet up with other Spice members in the local area.
Luxury, Pamper, Black Tie Party - 2 nights
Date: Fri 21st Feb 2014 - Sun 23rd Feb 2014 Place: Thistle City Hotel, Central St, London (EC1V 8DS) Arrive from 2.00pm, Meet at 7.30pm Cost: £215 Member Twin Share £325 Member Single, Includes 2 night luxury 4 star hotel stay in a twin or single room with leisure centre, swimming pool, spa & sauna, ticket to Black Tie & Posh Frocks Ball on Saturday night which includes 3 course meal, half a bottle of wine per person & service, DJ until 1.00a.m. Spice Host for the weekend, Breakfast on two mornings with a late check out This weekend Spice London have their Black Tie & Posh Frocks Ball and we are offering you the option to make it a luxury weekend in London, staying at the 4 star Thistle City Barbican Hotel, which is a great NEW hotel for us in the City of London. Our party is being held in the hotel on the Saturday night but as there is a fabulous leisure centre complete with indoor swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi and the option for beauty treatments we thought a 2 night stay might be just the ticket for a spot of luxury, chill out and pampering. You can check in from 2.00p.m. The hotel has a lovely restaurant and comfy bar to enhance your stay as well at the Otium on-site health & leisure club. This weekend will be fully co-ordinated by a Spice Host, and meet points will be arranged for Friday evening and throughout Saturday so that everyone can make full use of their stay in London. On Saturday evening we will all be dressing up in our finery before heading downstairs to the Black Tie & Posh Frocks Ball which is being held in the hotel. Dress code is flexible, but we suggest that men wear black tie or a lounge suit, and ladies wear a dress (long or short). Included in the Black Tie & Posh Frocks Ball will be a superb 3 course dinner, half a bottle of wine, then our favourite DJ, Jonathan Mills will play some fabulous tunes for us to dance the night away to! We have our private party booked until 1.00a.m. As an added bonus we have a menu with choices so we will be pre-ordering our choices so that the evening meal can run smoothly. The bedrooms are tastefully furnished to the highest standards and contain an extensive array of facilities including wireless internet access, TV, tea/coffee making facilities, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer and air conditioning. Menu can be found on our website.
Pay as You Go - Gourmet Kitchen Burger
Date: Friday 21st February 2014 Place: 22/24 Mermaid Quay, Cardiff (CF10 5BZ) Gourmet Kitchen Burger - Spice Table at 7:30pm Cost: £2 The idea for Gourmet Burger Kitchen originated in New Zealand. Where once the traditional burger was seen purely as a fast food option, gourmet burgers have knocked tradition on the head. Gourmet Burger Kitchen has created a nutritious, sophisticated product using the best and freshest ingredients available. The menu offers over 20 burgers from classic flavour combinations in beef and chicken such as Cheese, Avocado Bacon and Satay to exciting new burger combinations such as Kiwiburger, The Taxidriver and a Wild Boar & Smoked bacon burger. If meat’s off your menu, no worries, there are some tasty veggie options. The specially developed homemade GBK sauces and relishes help to define each burger. The GBK premises also reflect the simplicity of the operation. The décor is clean, crisp and fresh. The kitchen is clearly visible - watch while you wait, see what you eat, enjoy the creation.
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Walking + Wine Tasting W/E Lake District
Fri 21st Feb 2014 - Sun 23rd Feb 2014 Glaramara, Borrowdale, Lake District (CA12 5XQ) Arrive From 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £190 Member Twin En-Suite, £175 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 evening meals and a choice of 2 guided walks on Saturday and Sunday and a themed wine tasting on Saturday night Extras: Transport to walk starts if used
WalkWise Overview: Great walks and socialising combine to make the affectionately titled ‘Wobbly Walking’. We are back at Glaramara in the Lake District for our annual WOBBLY WALKING WEEKEND. Not only is Borrowdale one of the most popular destinations that WalkWise run, with an excellent centre, superb food and a setting amongst some of England's most spectacular mountains, amazing lakes and beautiful valley. This variety of scenery allows us to create a wonderful array of walking programmes from gentle wanders through the valleys to challenging mountain hikes. But the Wobbly Walking has even more with a themed dinner on the Saturday night, following which Andrew Casey has promised to step back into his role as host for a fun-filled and educational evening of wine tasting! This centre is simply one of the finest walking locations anywhere in the country, with mountains and fells reaching upwards in every direction. By contrast, there are numerous river valleys with tranquil lakes, dancing waterfalls and peaceful woodland, providing wonderful lower level walks. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, so you can choose how you are feeling on the day and select the walk that suits you best! Accommodation: is in Glaramara, an outdoor centre purpose built for walkers at the foot of the Borrowdale Valley in the heart of the beautiful Lake District National Park. The centre has continued to improve its accommodation, and now offers a mix of non-ensuite, single and twin-bedded standard rooms and some NEW en suite twin rooms, all with complimentary tea/coffee facilities, and is located in a commanding position in the beautiful vale of Borrowdale. 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!
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Black Tie + Posh Frocks Party London
Saturday 22nd February 2014 Thistle City Barbican, Central St, London (EC1V 8DS) at 7pm £55 Member Party + Wine, £45 Member Party - No Wine Includes exclusive Spice party, 3 course meal, half a bottle of wine per person & service, Spice Host, DJ until 1.00a.m. Our Spice parties are always a great fun and we are absolutely delighted to have secured a NEW venue for our Black Tie & Posh Frocks Ball. Our party will be held in the Thistle City Barbican Hotel. which is a fabulous 4* hotel located close to the Barbican Centre and has Leisure centre complete with indoor swimming pool & spa. We will enjoy a 3 course meal (menu below) and then our favourite DJ, Jonathan Mills, will play some fabulous tunes for us to dance the night away to! We have our private party booked until 1.00a.m. and we have secured fantastic rates if you would like to stay over. We will meet in the bar at 7pm and have a drink or two before we sit down for our 3 course meal. As an added bonus for this party we have a great menu with choices, so we will be doing a pre-order before the event so that the meal can be served as smoothly as possible. If you are new to Spice you are welcome to come along and join in the fun, the Spice team will be on hand to help with introductions. We suggest that men wear black tie or a lounge suit, and ladies wear short or long dresses.
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Walking Ultimate Challenge Weekend
Fri 21st Feb 2014 - Sun 23rd Feb 2014 Glaramara, Borrowdale, Lake District (CA12 5XQ) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £190 Member Twin Share, £175 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 evening meals, 2 picnic lunches, 2 breakfasts, 2 days of guided walks Walkwise Overview: Glaramara in Borrowdale is justifiably one of the most popular destinations WalkWise run, in an excellent location at the heart of some of England's most spectacular mountains and beautiful valleys…and the food is great. The Ultimate Lakeland Challenge Walking’ event is sure to be stiff yet very rewarding as we tackle some of the Borrowdale’s legendary walks! At grade 1 this means up to 15 miles and up to 5,000ft ascent each day. This ‘Very Hard’ WalkWise Walking Programme: is running alongside a more sedate ‘wine tasting and walking’ package and we shall dine with them Friday and Saturday but leave to the bar, pub or television room after the meal on Saturday night. Accommodation: is in Glaramara, an outdoor centre purpose built for walkers at the foot of the Borrowdale Valley in the heart of the beautiful Lake District National Park. There is a well-stocked bar and comfortable lounges, so you can relax in the evenings.
Drive and Ride the Awesome Aerial Atom
Date: Saturday 22nd February 2014 Place: Prestwold Driving Centre, Loughborough (LE12 5SQ) from 8.00am for 9.00am Cost: £129 Member, £139 Guest Extras: optional £20.00 Collision Damage Waiver on the day The Supercharged Ariel Atom is a race car designed to produce the ultimate performance, an extremely light race car with 300bhp. Top Gears Jeremy Clarkson described this experience as being "the time of my life", a passenger ride in the Ariel Atom is going to leave you with a very big smile on your face! On arrival at Prestwold Driving Centre there will be a signing on and briefing. You will then experience two demo laps in a saloon to learn the racing lines of the 1.8 mile track. This will be followed by four laps driving the awesome Ariel Atom and then two laps as a passenger in the Ariel Atom with an instructor at the wheel before being presented with a certificate at the end of the day.
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Luxury, Pamper, Black Tie Party - 1 Night
Sat 22nd Feb 2014 - Sun 23rd Feb 2014 Thistle City Hotel, Central St, London (EC1 8DS) Arrive from 2.00pm £140 Member Twin Ticket + Wine, £189 Member Single Ticket + Wine, Includes 1 night luxury 4 star hotel stay in a twin or single room with leisure centre, swimming pool, spa & sauna, ticket to Black Tie & Posh Frocks Party on Saturday night which includes 3 course dinner, half a bottle of wine per person & service, DJ until 1.00a.m. Spice Host for the weekend & 1 Breakfast with a late check out This weekend Spice London have their Black Tie & Posh Frocks Party and we are offering you the option to extend your stay with a 1 night stay at the 4 star Thistle City Barbican Hotel, which is a great NEW hotel for us in the City of London. Our party is being held in the hotel on the Saturday night but as there is a fabulous leisure centre complete with indoor swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi and the option for beauty treatments we thought an overnight stay might be just the ticket for a spot of luxury, chill out and pampering. You can check in from 2.00p.m. The hotel has a lovely restaurant and comfy bar to enhance your stay as well at the Otium on-site health & leisure club. On Saturday evening we will all be dressing up in our finery before heading downstairs to the Black Tie & Posh Frocks Party which is being held in the hotel. Dress code is flexible, but we suggest that men wear black tie or a lounge suit, and ladies wear a dress (long or short). The bedrooms are tastefully furnished to the highest standards and contain an extensive array of facilities including wireless internet access, TV, tea/coffee making facilities, complimentary toiletries, hairdryer and air conditioning. We will meet in the bar at 7pm and have a drink or two before we sit down for our 3 course meal. In view of the numbers attending we will be having a table plan and dinner will be served at tables of approximately 8 to 10 people. The lovely menu can be found on our website.
Quad Bike Trail Ride - Bristol
Date: Saturday 22nd February 2014 Place: Weston Lodge Farm, Portishead (BS20 8JY) 10.45am for 11.00am ride Cost: £40 Member, £42 Guest Riding a Quad is great fun and today the experience is even better as you get a chance to put them through their paces on a 5km trail. The 6 250cc KYMCO sports quad bikes have had extras fitted to them - wheel widening spacers to make them more stable (an extra 4") plus bars and safety webbing. The trail starts with driving in and out of poles so that you immediately get used to the controls, reverse into a space individually, and then drive around tight turns around cones at a faster speed. After this is completed we then run across pasture at speed 40-45 mph (if you want to of course). We are taken down a steep bank into woodland and around the trees, up and down the bank in the wood and through the hollows and humps. You will go around the wood 4 times in different directions before heading out of the wood, back cross the pasture and then dive through the cones before arriving back at the start. This takes 50 minutes over 5 km.
A Visit to Llanchaiach Fawr Manor
Date: Sunday 23rd February 2014 Place: Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson, Treharris (CF46 6ER) Main Entrance - Ticket Office 11am Cost: £17.50 Member, £19.50 Guest Includes: Entrance to Manor, Sandwich and Tea/Coffee, Spice Host Llancaiach Fawr Manor stands proudly, as it has done since c1550, overlooking the Glamorgan Uplands. Visitors today step into the Manor House restored and furnished as it would have been in 1645. All the furnishings in the rooms are accurate reproductions of items from the time of the Prichards and many of the originals can be found in the Museum of Welsh Life at St. Fagans. You also never know just whom you might meet when you visit Llancaiach Fawr Manor… If you are very lucky, you might sometimes meet the master of the house, Edward Prichard, or his wife. Certainly the servants are always around, although we can’t say which of them you’ll meet at any time (they have their duties to perform after all!), but you can be sure that there will be someone who will be pleased to show you around the master's fine house - provided that you are of good repute of course! There’s plenty to see both in terms of the house and the gardens and we will also stop for a sandwich and a cup of tea or coffee during our day there.
Blaise Castle House Museum + Brunch
Date: Sunday 23rd February 2014 Place: Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol (BS7 8UR) The Wellington - Ask for Spice Table at 10:30am Cost: £15 Member, Includes: Full English Breakfast, Coffee or Tea, Service, Visit to Blaise Castle House Museum Join us for a lovely Sunday brunch and a visit to Blaise Castle House Museum. We’ll start the morning at The Wellington, a large, detached, traditional red-brick pub at the top of Gloucester Road. It's a much-loved pub that's well known for providing a warm welcome and great service. Here we’ll be enjoying a full English breakfast with sausage, smoked bacon, free range egg, tomato, mushrooms, beans, black pudding and toast, as well as some coffee or tea. After our leisurely meal, we’ll head off to the Blaise Castle House Museum situated in the beautiful parkland of the Blaise Estate at Henbury. The museum is housed in a late 18th century mansion, and contains most of Bristol’s social history collections. Here you can explore hundreds of weird and wonderful objects that show how people used to live in the past. The displays illustrate how households have changed over time, from dog wheels to kitchen ranges, rush lights to street lighting, fire grates to gas stoves, and some unusual early cleaning appliances. See why the washing used to take a whole day, and wonder at the unusual risk of a gas heated bath! The costume collection consists of approximately 10,000 items dating from the 1730’s to the present day, along with textiles such as quilts and banners, and the entire contents of a Bristol haberdasher’s shop. You can also see dolls houses and furniture, a selection from our extensive collection of Britains’ lead soldiers, early puzzles and games, and some fine toy train sets.
Learn to Drift in an Out of Control Vehicle
Date: Sunday 23rd February 2014 Place: Birmingham Wheels Park, Saltley (B8 1AD) from 12.00 noon for 12.30 to 4.30 time slot Cost: £89 Member, £99 Guest Includes Car, tuition and spare tyres! Popularised by films such as Fast and Furious: Toyko Drift and considered a modern day sport, Drifting can actually be traced back to the 1930s as a technique used in motorsport, developed to help the drivers navigate corners faster! Drifting has evolved over the years into its own competitive sport, initially developed in Japan before taking the rest of the world by storm. For the driver, Drifting provides thrills and an adrenalin rush, as well as enjoyment of a grass roots sport. You will be driving a modified Nissan 200SX. Our session today is 4 hours of fun for the absolute beginner. Further info on our website.
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Snorkelling with Sharks - London Aquarium
Sunday 23rd February 2014 County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road (SE1 7PB) SEA LIFE London Aquarium - Main Entrance at 10am £135 Member, £137 Guest
Includes: 15 minute snorkel with a group of over 15 magnificent sharks – including two impressive 2.7m long Sand Tiger Sharks, 8 sleek Black Tip Reef Sharks and two Brown Sharks in the Pacific Reef tank, Full instructional briefing by trained Aquarists, All equipment and orientation, Priority admission to SEA LIFE London Aquarium for the day, Behind The Scenes Tour Ticket for 10.30am, Booking Fee, Spice Host. Come face to fin with some of the most amazing creatures of the deep as you snorkel amongst an array of sharks in SEA LIFE London Aquarium’s dramatic Pacific Reef display. This major new experience stars 16 awesome sharks and you! You will be submerged beneath the water in a mesh divers net as a group of over 15 magnificent sharks – including two impressive 2.7m long Sand tiger sharks, 8 sleek black tip reef sharks and two 2.2m Browns sharks – circle just feet away from you. A transparent perspex floor will give clear views right to the bottom of the 5m deep display, where the lower swimming Bow Mouth and Nurse Sharks dwell. This unique experience is a thrilling, totally safe, fully immersive underwater experience that will enable unprecedented up close access to these awe inspiring creatures. Absolutely no diving experience is required but you must be able to swim. All the instruction needed will be given by the SEA LIFE London Aquarium’s experienced Aquarists. As well as a full orientation, including some fascinating insights into the shark species who reside in the display, the exciting experience also includes a Behind the Scenes Tour of the inner workings of the SEA LIFE London Aquarium. Further details are on our website.
Cafe Jazz on Tuesday - Cardiff
Date: Tuesday 25th February 2014 Place: 21 St Mary Street, Cardiff (CF10 1PL) Cafe Jazz - Ask for the Spice Table 7:30pm Cost: £20.50 Member, £22.50 Guest Includes: Jazz, 2 Course Meal, Service, Host CaféJAZZ is Cardiff's leading jazz and blues venue, founded on a love of hosting the best jazz sounds, new and old, local and international. Join Spice and ‘get into the groove’ as we enjoy a good music, tasty food and excellent Spice company. The jazz starts at 8.30 p.m. and features a band from The Preservation Jazz Society presenting mainly Traditional and New Orleans jazz. We will be eating a two course meal from a set menu with some lovely choices.
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Theatre - Dance 'Til Dawn Vincent + Flavia
Wednesday 26th February 2014 St Augustine's Parade, Bristol (BS1 4UZ) Bristol Hippodrome - Main Entrance at 7pm £39 Member Early Booking, £42 Guest Early Booking Includes: Ticket in excellent seats in the Stalls, booking fee & Spice Host. Meet your Spice host at the entrance to the foyer as we go to the bar for a pre-show drink before going to our seats. Strictly Come Dancing favourites Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace are back with a brand new show, Dance ‘Til Dawn! After wowing audiences across the country with Midnight Tango, the dazzling duo return in a sensational dance show straight from the Golden Age of Hollywood. In 1940s LA, a romance unfolds between a beautiful starlet and her handsome lover. Dance ‘Til Dawn will transport you to a time of elegance with stunning sets, a live band, world class dancers and Vincent and Flavia themselves with their flawless footwork and spellbinding choreography. Dance ‘Til Dawn is a classic, love story that brings vintage Hollywood glamour to the present. This unforgettable evening of timeless sophistication and breathtaking dance is a must see.
Spice Meet and Eat - Cefn Mably Arms
Date: Thursday 27th February 2014 Place: Michaelston-y-Fedw, Cardiff (CF3 6XT) Cefn Mably Arms - Ask for the Spice Table from 7:30pm Join Spice tonight for our monthly Meet & Eat. Every month we head to a new pub for a social night-out. It’s a great opportunity to come along, meet some fellow SPICE members over a drink and perhaps have a bite to eat – it’s entirely up to you. We’ll let the pub know we’re coming and anyone who fancies a meal can choose, order and pay on the night. If you’ve already eaten then just come along for the social chat and a drink. Everyone is welcome including established members, newer members and anyone thinking of joining SPICE. Book online (members) or drop us an email (non-members) so we know you’re coming and one of our Spice hosts will be there to meet you. Our venue tonight is The Cefn Mably Arms, a renowned country pub and restaurant with a history! The building dates back around 900 years, and became a public house some 150 years ago. The oak tree in the Car Park is thought to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest in South East Wales and was, we are told, planted the year after the building was completed. Inspections of the tree within the last few years have confirmed this to be the age.
Spice Meet and Eat-The Grain Barge, Bristol
Date: Thursday 27th February 2014 Place: Mardyke Wharf, Hotwell Road, Hotwells (BS8 4RU) The Grain Barge - As for the Spice Table from 7:30pm Join Spice tonight for our monthly Meet & Eat. Every month we head to a new pub for a social night-out. It’s a great opportunity to come along, meet some fellow SPICE members over a drink and perhaps have a bite to eat – it’s entirely up to you. We’ll let the pub know we’re coming and anyone who fancies a meal can choose, order and pay on the night. If you’ve already eaten then just come along for the social chat and a drink. Everyone is welcome including established members, newer members and anyone thinking of joining SPICE. Book online (members) or drop us an email (non-members) so we know you’re coming and one of our Spice hosts will be there to meet you. Our venue tonight is the Grain Barge, perfectly located in a lovely harbourside location in Hotwells. This historic converted barge is bursting with character, within sight of the SS Great Britain.
Badminton Coaching Weekend Date: Place: Cost:
Fri 28th Feb 2014 - Sun 2nd Mar 2014 National Badminton Club, Milton Keynes (MK8 9LA) any time after 4.00p.m. £185 Member Twin Share, £210 Member Single Includes 2 nights twin room ensuite accommodation, Meals from Friday dinner through to Sunday lunch, 12 hours coaching over Saturday and Sunday, court hire and shuttles. Badminton is a very popular game throughout the country and for this weekend we have booked an exclusive weekend of badminton coaching for Spice members. The weekend is suitable for any level of player as the group will be split depending on ability. The National Badminton Centre is the training centre for England's world class performance players and the Great Britain squad. There are eight top quality courts which are regarded as the best in the Country. The court surface is a high performance Taraflex rubber carpet surface, perfect for badminton playing and there is excellent lighting. There are full changing facilities which will be available for our use. This weekend will include two full days of coaching (i.e. 4 sessions x 3 hours) and therefore fairly intensive so you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to take part in the weekend. We will be staying overnight at the Centre in the accommodation lodge which is very comfortable and offers twin bedded rooms with en suite toilet and shower. (Some single rooms are also available) The lodge also has a restaurant and friendly bar. The weekend starts on Friday evening when you can arrive any time after 4.00p.m. Dinner is served between 6.00p.m. and 7.00p.m. On Saturday breakfast is at 9.00a.m. then your coaching day will start. Sunday will follow a similar format. Your meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch are included in the cost of the weekend.
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Walking Weekend - Bideford North Devon
Fri 28th Feb 2014 - Sun 2nd Mar 2014 Royal Hotel, Bideford, Devon (EX39 4AE) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal is at 8.00pm £165 Member Twin Share, £205 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 evening meals and a choice of 2 guided walks each day WalkWise Overview: The North Devon Coastline is some of the most beautiful in the UK. We will enjoy some tremendous coastal walks; taking in the stunning Hartland Quay and The Point Lighthouse, the beautiful villages of Clovely, Appledore and Westward Ho! Along the way you will experience remote and wild coastal scenery, spot rare wildlife and seek out welcoming tea shops and traditional Inns.
The WalkWise Walking Programme: Those who have previously visited North Devon will know that it has truly spectacular coastal walking! The South West Coastal Path is the longest national trail in Britain, and we will explore some of its finest stretches. One day we will walk the coastal path from Hartland Quay to Clovely. This must be one of our favourite coastal walks in the country as it is simply so dramatic with mighty towering cliffs, magnificent rocky carrs stretching out into the sea, peaceful, inaccessible and secluded sandy bays and expansive views, oh and there are cracking pubs and cafes which simply have to be sampled too. Our second day is more gentle in nature, but no less beautiful! The coastal hills become more rolling in nature yet still provide excellent viewpoints. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, on both days there will be a harder walk of 10 or more miles and a gentler walk of 6-9 miles. Accommodation: Bideford is a picturesque location, and the Royal Hotel is perfectly located on the river Torridge at the end of the ancient Bideford Bridge. Its Regency restaurant has an excellent reputation for first class cuisine with professional, yet friendly service, and there is a comfortable lounge bar to relax in, both before and after dinner! All the bedrooms are beautifully furnished, with private bathrooms, colour satellite TV, and tea and coffee making facilities, along with 24 hour room service. All in all, the Royal offers a comfortable and stylish centre to explore this part of North Devon!
Gecko Blasters - The Farmhouse, Yate
Date: Saturday 1st March 2014 Place: Wellington Road, Yate, Bristol (BS37 5UY) The Farmhouse - Spice Table at 8:45pm Our very own Spice member John Gebhardt will be playing in 'The Gecko Blasters' tonight, a lively 5 piece rock/pop covers band from Bristol. Their aim is to play a set with some of the most popular and catchy tunes around to date, from some classic Beatles to modern day Kings of Leon. So whatever your taste the Gecko's will have you singing along in no time!!! Join Spice as we add our voices to familiar songs such as ‘Knocking on Heavens Door’, ‘Back in the USSR’, ‘Love Machine’ and ‘Another Brick in the Wall’, to name but a few. You can just come along and listen to the music which starts at about 9.00pm but please book online as we would like to have a Spice host there to help with introductions.
St David's Day Parade, Lunch + Cardiff Castle
Date: Saturday 1st March 2014 Place: Bella Italia, 6 High Street, Cardiff (CF10 1AW) Ask for the Spice Table meet at 12pm Cost: £15 Member, £17 Guest Includes: 1 Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks This year St David's Day celebrations in Cardiff will feature a whole weekend of Welsh themed entertainment in the capital city with the National St David's Day Parade on Saturday, and we’ve decided it’s time to go along and join in the fun. The parade will feature a colourful array of traditional costumes, musicians, carnival dancers and banners and eve3ryone is encouraged to come along dressed up in traditional Welsh costume, Welsh themed fancy dress, or maybe in the national colours of Wales to celebrate. We’ll start the day by meeting for a one course meal at Bella Italia in the High Street with its great selection of pizza and pasta dishes.. With plenty of Welsh performers and traditional music sessions, it’s a great way to get into the spirit of the day.
Live Flamenco Dancing, Music + Paella
Date: Sunday 2nd March 2014 Place: El Puerto Ltd, 57 Prince Street, Bristol (BS1 4QH) Ask for the Spice Table meet at 7pm Cost: £14 Member, £16 Guest Includes: Live Flamenco dancing and music, Paella, Service and Spice Host Join Spice today as we go to El Puerto, located in the town centre on the corner of Prince St and The Grove, for an authentic Spanish experience. This Grade II listed historical harbourside building boasts whitewashed walls, large rustic wooden tables and friendly Spanish staff. Tonight we’re in for a treat as we sit back, unwind and relax with great Spanish rhythms, sexy flamenco dancing and live paella cooking. The flamenco is a highly-expressive, Spanish solo dance characterized by hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm and body movements accompanied by live Spanish guitar music. As part of our evening we’ll also enjoy a fabulous dish of paella with choices of different meat in them. It’s a great way to end the weekend!
The Big Abseil - 200 Feet Straight Down
Date: Sunday 2nd March 2014 Place: Avon Gorge, Portway, Bristol (ST56 1745) at layby on the Portway from 1:15pm to 4:30pm Cost: £35 Member, £37 Guest In Bristol we’re lucky enough to have the amazing Avon Gorge with the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge symbolising our great city. But it’s not just a beautiful landmark – it’s also the setting for one of our greatest and most challenging events – The Big Abseil. What a great shot for your photo album! Go ahead and impress your family and friends with this classic Spice event. You will start off by literally ‘getting to know the ropes’ and receive full instruction on the techniques needed for your descent. Your instructor will build up your confidence and calm your nerves before you progress onto the impressive 200-foot descent. Don’t forget to admire the impressive views whilst you’re up there.
Pub Quiz Night at Tredegar Arms, Newport
Date: Tuesday 4th March 2014 Place: Tredegar Arms, 4 Caerphilly Rd, Bassaleg (NP10 8LE) Spice sign on table at 8:30pm Cost: £2 Member Includes: Pub Quiz and Spice Host Extras: Food and drinks From September we have changed our venue for our monthly quiz to The Tredegar Arms in Bassaleg. This is a light-hearted evening - 5 fun rounds of general knowledge plus a couple of bonus rounds. Registration for the quiz is 8.30 - but why not join us for a bite to eat beforehand from 7.30."
Crazy Golf Adventure - Bristol
Date: Friday 7th March 2014 Place: Jungle Rumble, Cabot Circus, Bristol (BS1 3BQ) Meet: 11.15am by entrance desk Cost: £9.50 Member, £10.50 Guest, Includes: 18 Holes, Spice Host, Extras: Drinks Join Spice in the Jungle! Come and share in the fun with other Spice members as we have a golfing experience like none other. Our venue is Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf where we’ve booked a group to play one of the two fantastic indoor Crazy Golf Courses. We’ll head onto the course in groups of 3 or 4 and enjoy 18 crazy, mad and fun holes on this superb new facility. After the game, which will last about an hour, we can enjoy a drink in the café or at a nearby bar.
Pyramid Bowling - Cardiff
Date: Friday 7th March 2014 Place: Red Dragon Centre, Hemingway Rd, Cardiff (CF10 4JY) Hollywood Bowl - At Shoe Collection at 7:30pm Cost: £15 Member, £17 Guest Includes: 2 Games Of Bowling, Shoe HIre, Spice Host, Prizes Extras: Drinks / Food Tonight we’re playing our ever popular Pyramid Bowling. The game is very simple and is basically a clever variation on normal Ten Pin Bowling that helps to even out the experts and the beginners. All will be explained on the night but suffice to say that you’ll be teamed up into pairs or threes and it doesn’t matter whether you score 1 or 10 as you’ll still be making a good contribution to your teams score. Meet inside by the shoe collection point where our Volunteer Co-ordinator will be waiting to say ‘Hi’ and introduce everyone. Tonight we’ll be in teams of 2 or 3 with 6 to a lane and will still be playing 2 full games. At the end of the game there will be prizes for the best team score (the lower the better !!!).
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Walking Weekend - Tales From Canterbury
Fri 7th Mar 2014 - Sun 9th Mar 2014 Abbots Barton Hotel, Canterbury, Kent (CT1 3DU) Arrive from 2.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £169 Member Twin Share, £209 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 evening meals, 2 picnic lunches and 2 days of guided walks WalkWise Overview: Another interesting programme sees WalkWise telling tales from Canterbury. When Chaucer collated the tales we bet he didn’t realise WalkWise would be following in the footsteps of those Pilgrim’s, but we shall do just that and by staying and dining at the 3 star Abbots Barton Hotel we will have all the creature comforts they could never have dreamt of! With a fine network of local paths and ways this is an especially appealing programme due to its amalgamation of coast and country. There is an enchanting mix of rich habitats varying from beaches and sea, cliffs and nature reserves, inland rural sections of the elevated downs and the powerful setting of the Great Stour chalk river and valley system. Full details can be found on our website.
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Saturday Dining at The Clifton Sausage
Saturday 8th March 2014 7-9 Portland Street, Bristol, Avon (BS8 4JA) Ask for the Spice Table at 7:30pm £26.50 Member 3-Courses, £29.50 Guest 3 Courses, £22.50 Member 2-Courses, £24.50 Guest 2 Courses
Includes: 2 or 3 Course Dinner, Service Charge and Spice Host, Extras: Drinks Tonight we are dining at one of our favourite restaurants The Clifton Sausage which specialises in traditional classic British dishes as well as a vast variety of sausages! There is the option to choose either two or three courses from a seasonal Spice Menu offering a selection of starters, main courses and desserts including vegetarian dishes. They use the freshest ingredients from British and regional suppliers wherever possible and have different seasonal favourites and over 100,000 sausages are consumed every year at the Clifton Sausage! This is a busy restaurant so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please allow plenty of time to get to the restaurant/park as this area of Clifton Village is very busy.
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Walk Cosmeston Lakes + Medieval Village
Sunday 9th March 2014 Lavenock Road, Penarth (CF64 5UY) Outside Visitors Centre - Spice Sign at 11:30am £7.50 Member Includes: Guided Walk through Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Wander through Medieval Village
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is a haven for local wildlife. Join Spice today as we enjoy a walk in these splendid surroundings which include a large lake, a sculpture trail and a dragonfly pond. Spring is probably the most exciting of the four seasons after the cold of winter, and the Country Park bursts into life. Flowers stud the meadows with butterflies like the orange tip and a whole host of insects being attracted to the smells and colours as they begin to appear. On a walk through the woods you will see dog violets, blue bells and the clear white flowers of ramsons. Millions of migrant birds arrive, with chiffchaffs, sand martins and wheatears amongst the first to appear in March and swallows, swifts, cuckoos, nightingales and many warblers in April and May. After our walk in the Park, we will wander over to the Cosmeston Medieval Village and step back in time over 600 years as we visit the superbly reconstructed village. Costumed guides are often available to show visitors around the period furnished buildings or you can hire an audio wand (£3.50) on the day to enhance this experience
Fire Eating Workshop - Birmingham
Date: Sunday 9th March 2014 Place: Woodlands Camp, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield (WS9 0SH) Meet: 10.30am for 11am start - Note later time Cost: £39 Member, £45 Guest, Extras: Bring packed lunch, a towel and milk Bob the Fire Eater pioneered this classic event for Spice and taught a whole generation the joys of eating and breathing fire over a period spanning around 25 years of Spice history. Sadly Bob died in 2012 but his legacy remains in the happy faces of those members who have conquered this unique and dramatic skill. In memory of Bob we have created a new Fire Eating workshop with Blair, a performer who we believe to be the only remaining person teaching the same techniques as Bob. Fire Eating & Breathing: This has got to be one of the Spice Classic Events. Go on, It Must Be On Your List of "Got to do's". If you are not sure about doing it then ask around and find out what a great day it is! Over 2000 Spice members have faced the challenge and swallowed fire - and the feedback forms tell us it's crazy - thrilling - adrenaline pumping and more - fire eating is one of our Classic Events that sets Spice and its members far above the mundane and gives you the chance to leave mediocrity behind and become extra-ordinary. The morning session comprises a thorough programme of games and exercises done as a group, designed to boost confidence and team spirit, and to prepare members for the challenge of safely learning this dangerous and esoteric skill. It's lots of fun but never the less taken seriously as danger is ever present, so no messing about on this one. The day culminates in the incredible sight of all the team swallowing firebrands and for the grand finale- a team photo of everyone flame throwing! Are we mad - not when you know how! The day doesn't just teach you a new party trick, but gives a mega boost to your confidence and self-esteem, which lasts long after the event. A great event for new members to meet and 'bond' with others, and discover what Spice is all about. Bob is also justifiably proud that he achieves an almost 100% success rate with members young and old! Because a lot of Spicers make Fire Eating their party piece, firebrands are for sale at a modest extra cost, so bring some cash! Full details on our website
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Murder Mystery Evening - Bristol
Friday 14th March 2014 Aztec Hotel & Spa, Almondsbury, Bristol (BS32 4TS) 7.00pm in Quarter Jacks Bar £41.50 Member, £43.50 Guest Includes: Cocktails, canapés & murder, followed by a 3 course dinner, half a bottle of wine and hot dogs at midnight. Extras: Drinks with dinner Whodunnit..? Enjoy a glamorous evening out but beware as there’s murder in the air! The Aztec Hotel & Spa are our 4 star hosts for this superb Murder Mystery Evening. Included in the price are Cocktails and Canapes on arrival before we enjoy a fabulous 3 course dinner where the murder and intrigue will began. We’ll all be in the thick of the action as we try to solve the mystery and work out Whodunnit…?
Pay As You Go - La Tasca Cardiff
Date: Friday 14th March 2014 Place: Unit 6 , The Old Brewery Quarter, Cardif (CF10 1FG) La Tasca - Ask for the Spice Table from 7:30pm Cost: £2 La Tasca Cardiff is an authentic Spanish tapas restaurant, situated right in the Old Brewery Quarter, in the heart of the city centre, close to the Millennium Stadium and fantastic St David’s shopping centre. The restaurant has two dining floors, an outside patio area and an upstairs balcony, with views overlooking the Old Brewery Quarter’s cosmopolitan-style eating areas. The menu has a huge variety of Tapas and Paellas to choose from and is known for its excellent food. This is a pay as you go event so you pay an admin fee of £2 to secure your place and then you pay on the night for any food and drinks that you have. Spice need you to book in the usual way as we need to book a table at the restaurant and we will organise a Spice host for the evening.
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Skills for Walking the Hills
Fri 14th Mar 2014 - Sun 16th Mar 2014 Lluest Fach Farm, Foel, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) Arrive from 6.00p.m. Buffet Supper 8.30p £138 Member Sharing, £158 Guest Sharing (Deposit £30) Includes: Two nights B&B, Friday evening light supper, lunches, 4 course evening meal and instruction
If you're interested in hill walking, but want to learn more about the practical skills and techniques needed to venture safely out to the hills and mountains of Britain, or you may already have some of these skills but want to increase your level of competence, then this weekend is for you. Anyone who has been out walking on the hills will appreciate the problems that may arise if you are not prepared and this weekend is designed to make sure you're aware of what can happen and what to do about it. The majority of the weekend is practical so you will be out walking in the breathtaking scenery of the Welsh Hills. The countryside in which we’ll be walking, as well as being of outstanding beauty, is ideally suited to developing navigation skills as it is not always easy to follow the paths and rights of way. The emphasis for the weekend is on enjoying the walks and the instruction will be given on the hoof with the each person having the opportunity to develop their own level of confidence. Full details can be found on our website.
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Walking Weekend - Derbyshire Peaks
Fri 14th Mar 2014 - Sun 16th Mar 2014 Makeney Hall Hotel, Derbyshire (DE56 0RS) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £165 Member Twin Share, £205 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 evening meals, 2 picnic lunches, 2 days of guided walking Walkwise Overview: During this weekend we will be exploring not only the amazing Peak District but also the Amber and Derwent Valleys too. For this is the southern Peak District National Park which accentuates the exciting and beautiful scenery of the Peaks. Who could miss the chance to experience fine deep valleys with babbling brooks, stunning undulating moor, park & farmland, raptors & kingfishers, interesting rocky caves, promontories & spires, ancient stone circles & artifacts, pretty hamlets & villages not to mention fine pubs & cafes and so much more all in great company! WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles and a gentler walk of 6-9 miles. Accommodation: Makeney Hall Hotel is a magnificent Victorian country mansion, situated in the heart of Derbyshire, set in six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with breathtaking views across the Amber Valley. Only eight miles from Derby and two miles from the flourishing market town of Belper, the hotel enjoys the most tranquil surroundings. From the informal Cocktail Bar to the elegant oak panelled dining room with an impressive oak fireplace, you’ll find daily and a la carte menus to tempt you wherever you prefer to dine. All bedrooms are decorated in a warmly traditional style.
Spice Ski Trip 2 - Verbier Date: Place: Cost:
Over 30 slots already sold why not join us on the slopes
Sat 15th Mar 2014 - Sat 22nd Mar 2014 Verbier, Switzerland £769 (Deposit £130) Includes Flights, Airport Tax, Hotel Accommodation on Half Board Basis
Extras: Area Ski Pass, Ski Boots & Ski/Snowboard Hire and Ski School, Insurance (prices to be confirmed)
Our Spice London Ski trips are always brilliant fun they are a sociable way of getting onto the slopes with a like-minded crowd of ski buddies and are great for all abilities as you always have someone to ski with (or après ski with)! For our second ski trip this season, Spice London is very excited to be heading to Verbier in Switzerland, a new destination for us. Two years ago our Zermatt trip sold out very fast and this is sure to be another big hit! Verbier, is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and its four huge valleys and 400km of varied pistes make it deservedly one of Switzerland’s top resorts. Despite its exclusive image Verbier has managed to retain most of its alpine charm, its nightlife and après ski are nearly as famous its endless skiing opportunities. Skiing in Verbier For beginners, there is an excellent ski school and sunny nursery slopes both in the village and at Les Essserts and some easy blue runs at La Chaux. For Intermediate skiers Verbier provides a variety of blue and challenging red runs on varied terrain, the 4 valleys cover a huge area so we are able to really put some miles in especially with the efficient Swiss lift system. For expert skiers Verbier offers some of the most challenging skiing in the Alps with a variety of tough reds, exhilarating blacks and is renowned for its steep itinerary runs and outstanding off-piste. Apres Ski The apres ski is throbbing, on the slopes there is the popular Rocks bar at Ruinettes and in town the Médran is great for people watching. Chalet Hotel de Verbier Conveniently located on the 'Place Centrale', Chalet Hotel de Verbier provides a superb base from which to explore Verbier's spectacular ski area. The Medran gondolas, which provide the main access from the centre of the resort up to Les Ruinettes and on to La Chaux and Mont Fort, are less than 5 minutes' walk away. The hotel is furnished in an attractively rustic Swiss style and provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with reception, comfortable lounge with log fire, where afternoon tea and cake is served daily, and an adjoining bar. Includes buffet breakfast and 5 course evening meal, including pre-dinner aperitif and a choice of complimentary wines with dinner, Enjoyed in a separate traditionally-styled dining room. The Tour operator is inghams (ATOL 0025, ABTA V4871) for whom we act as agents and the Terms and Conditions of booking is as per their Brochure. Your money is protected via a Trust Account in compliance with EEC Travel Regulations.
Off-Road Karting
Date: Saturday 15th March 2014 Place: Weston Lodge Farm, Portishead (BS20 8JY) 11.30am at the venue Cost: £39.95 Member, £42.95 Guest How do you fancy testing your driving ability, mixed with the excitement and buzz of competitive racing in our 400cc karts around our off road Bristol karting track? This 600m off road karting track is twice the length of normal circuits. You'll have plenty of opportunity to experience rough terrain karting - twisting, turning, overtaking - providing an exciting and thrilling day out, Enjoy fun and thrills from start to finish - yet stay protected in a complete roll cage, full safety harness and protective clothing overalls and waterproofs and helmets are provided. This is a true Grand Prix racing experience. Each driver competes in 4 races of 5 laps each. Five drivers compete on the track for each race, with a further five drivers being strapped in in the pits in 5 other karts. Each race is timed individually and each drivers races are then added together to find the overall fastest driver. Once the races have been completed, the whole event is rounded off with a medal ceremony for the winners.
Moreton In Marsh Ramble -- Cotswolds
Date: Sunday 16th March 2014 Place: Morton, Cotswolds (GL56) for 10.30am start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest From the pretty Cotswold market town of Moreton in Marsh we start this 12 mile ramble with Alan by travelling westward following the Monarchs and Heart of England ways, passing through the lovely village of Blockley. We then head across country using some of the lesser known routes, passing through Northwick Park, before joining the Diamond way and heading back to Moreton via the pretty villages of Paxford and Aston Magna. Then it’s off to one of the many inns in Moreton.
Caving at Burrington Coombe
Date: Sunday 16th March 2014 Place: Burrington Coombe, Mendips, Somerset (BS40 7AT) from 1:15pm to 4pm Cost: £38 Member, £40 Guest Start your day’s adventure with a briefing before being kitted out with a hard hat and head torch, and full instruction on caving. You will marvel at the underground rock formations and become charged with pride as you beat the underground challenges, you will also discover the fascinating history of the area you are caving in. You may well go in one cave entrance and exit from another!
Tennis Weekend for Beginners Northants Date: Place: Cost:
Sat 15th Mar 2014 - Tue 18th Mar 2014 Marriot Hotel, Eagle Drive, Northampton (NN4 7HW) Arrive for11.30am £158 Member Twin Share, £178 Guest Twin Share, £158 Member Single (Deposit £35)
Great Fun & Superb Value The weekend price includes All the Tennis Coaching, Drills, Practice Matches, Saturday Night Dinner & Accommodation, Breakfast on Sunday, Superb Prize Giving Sunday Lunch, Full Use of Hotel Facilities, Supply of Balls We will be staying at the 4 star Marriott Hotel, and using the LTA Indoor Tennis Centre, with 4 Indoor and 4 Outdoor Courts , which is located a short distance from the Hotel. At the Marriott Hotel the accommodation is indeed luxurious with single & double-bedded rooms. There is no supplement for single occupancy. The lovely rooms have en-suite bath, shower and toilet facilities along with multi-channel TV, tea/coffee facilities, and 24 hour room service. You also have full use of the Hotel facilities - swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and gym. Gerry Wyatt, a very experienced tennis coach, has organised a special Beginner Weekend for us and he will be your coach over the weekend. On arrival you should meet in the Hotel bar. Gerry will be there to meet you and conduct a Welcome Meeting, and provide you with the agenda for the weekend, and discuss some Tennis Basics. The Tennis will consist of 6 hours coaching (3 hours each day) plus some Doubles Match Practise, and some Team Tennis Events. The food at the hotel is excellent and following dinner, we adjourn to the bar for a few wellearned drinks. Date: Place: Cost:
Visit to Tyntesfield and Lunch - Bristol
Sunday 16th March 2014 Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol (BS48 1NX) At the Entrance to the House at 11am £31.60 Member, £18.50 Member + National Trust, Includes: Entrance Ticket to Tyntesfield, One Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Tyntesfield, recently renovated and unveiled in all its’ splendour is a spectacular Victorian Gothic revival house with beautiful gardens and parkland. Join Spice today as we wonder through this mysterious, fairy-tale mansion, complete with spiralling turrets and pinnacles, ornate stone carvings and church-like windows. With 106 rooms and a chapel reminiscent of Saint Chapelle in Paris, Tyntesfield reflects the family life of four generations of the Gibbs family and their servants. It houses the largest recorded collection of treasures in the National Trust, as nothing was ever thrown away, and is certainly something to behold. After our visit, we will go to The Battleaxes, a stunning freehouse pub closely situated to Tyntesfield. Here we will be enjoying a one course meal with selections including firm favourites such a classic burger, ale-battered cod and chips, Wiltshire ham and duck egg and smoked salmon linguini.
Night in the Trenches
Date: Friday 21st March 2014 Place: Whitington, Near Lichfield (WS14 9PY) from 7.15pm for 7.30pm Cost: £19 Member, £24 Guest Includes: Team of re-enactors, props and pyrotechnics We first ran this experience in Spring 2012 to great acclaim and have had many requests for a re run. So we are delighted to have the opportunity to run the event again this March. In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row......During World War 1 trenches began to appear in late 1914. On the western front, trenches ran from the Belgium border to the Swiss Border, and soon became home to millions of soldiers. Many of us will have had relatives who served in the trenches, so this is a unique opportunity to sample for a brief time what it must have been like for them in this “living hell”. This evening we will experience a taste of the life that the soldiers endured in the trenches. This is made possible by an authentic re-creation of the trenches at The Staffordshire Regimental Museum near Lichfield. The Coltman Trench is a replica of a 100 meter section of WW I British trench. It is named after L/Cpl W. Coltman V.C., a stretcher-bearer in the North Staffordshire Regiment. He was the most decorated soldier of the first world war, in addition to his Victoria Cross he was awarded the DCM and Bar and the MM and Bar. Other features of the trench itself are called after the Regiment's six other WW I V.C. winners. The trench is over 2 meters deep and its sides are shored up with sandbags and will be brought to life by a dedicated team of actors with ingenious props and pyrotechnics.
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Serenity and Discovery Weekend
Fri 21st Mar 2014 - Sun 23rd Mar 2014 Lluest Fach Farm, Foel, Mid-Wales (SY21 0PB) Arrive from 6.00pm Buffet Supper 8.30pm £155 Member Sharing, £175 Guest Sharing (Deposit £30) Includes: 2 Nights B&B, Friday buffet supper, 2 buffet lunches, 4 course evening meal and all instruction
This is a weekend of gentle personal exploration for those intrigued by alternative spiritual and holistic practices. The holistic approach deals with the mind, body and spirit as an interactive whole and can help deal with the stresses and pressure of modern day living. Through the use of healing touch, energy therapies, chakra work, sound, dowsing, movement and meditation you will discover and explore hidden elements of yourself. Learning to connect with your hidden self can help promote greater self-confidence which can lead to a more balanced and harmonious lifestyle. Participation will be the keyword during this weekend. Your guide and instructor on this gentle break is Suzanne, a trained holistic therapist working in many different fields. She will introduce you to Chakras, grounding, simple energy work, looking at the balance of body and spirit, meditation and pathworking. Join her at this beautiful secluded country setting, the perfect spot to reflect and discover an alternative you. This relaxing break is based at a secluded 16th Century stone farmhouse in the heart of the Welsh countryside with breathtaking views over the Cambrian Mountains. It sits in its own eight acres of private grounds with large gardens, sculptures, wild life pools and a small menagerie of cats, dogs, sheep and birds. It’s a wonderful relaxing and safe environment which facilitates personal inner inquiry and contemplation. There are seven bedrooms which are a mixture of twins and trebles with shared facilities. Date: Place: Cost:
Walking Weekend - Luxury Elan Valley
Fri 21st Mar 2014 - Sun 23rd Mar 2014 Metropole Hotel, Temple Street, Powys (LD1 5DY) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £169 Member Twin Share, £209 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 evening meals, 2 picnic lunches, 2 guided walks. For those that don’t know this forgotten Welsh Lake District, there is a real surprise: high heather moorlands are home to some of Britain’s rarest wildlife, from goshawk, to hen harrier, black grouse and the stunning Red Kites, deep sheltered valleys are interspersed with ancient woodlands, peaceful reservoirs and friendly villages with inviting pubs. By contrast just a few miles to the east the countryside changes with lush valleys and the friendly Aberedw hills; guaranteeing interesting scenery and varied walking. For this trip we will be based in the four star Metropole Hotel in the historic Victorian Spa town of Llandrindod Wells. This super hotel, comes with tasty cuisine, a real ale beers in the bar & spa pool and leisure facilities making an ideal WalkWise Walking Weekend. The WalkWise Walking Programme: This centre will allow us to explore this relatively unknown area to its full potential. We will explore the valleys and upland moorland, dotted with spectacular reservoirs, and will marvel at the soaring Red Kites in their natural habitat after being very successfully reintroduced. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles with 2000+ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles with less ascent. Accommodation: This opulent 4-star hotel is set amongst the rolling hills in ‘The Heart of Wales’. A super swimming pool, Jacuzzi and spa room are features of this hotel and make our stay relaxing, whilst the recently refurbished bar area, and a lovely dining room with conservatory, make the evenings a pleasure. The hotel bedrooms are decorated and furnished to a high standard and are en-suite, with each having colour TV, trouser press, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and courtesy tea/coffee making facilities. Date: Place: Cost:
Walking Weekend - Suffolk Coast
Fri 21st Mar 2014 - Sun 23rd Mar 2014 Ufford Park Hotel, Woodbridge, Suffolk (IP12 1QW) Arrive from 4.00 Meal at 8.00pm £175 Member Twin Share, £225 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 breakfasts, 2 evening meals, 2 picnic lunches and a choice of 2 guided walks each day Extras: Transport to start of walks if used
WalkWise Overview: A divine coastline, peaceful estuaries and inlets, traditional villages, colourful seaside towns, mesmerising old windmills and welcoming country inns ensure Suffolk is a beautiful county that warrants further exploration. Our walks will take in a wide variety of scenery and the guides will point out the interesting wildlife as we pass. Our base for the weekend is the well renowned Ufford Park Hotel which has its own pool, spa leisure club and we will dine overlooking their extensive golf course. Oh and it’s easy to get to too!! WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day. These walks will be led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10 or more miles and a gentler walk of 6-9 miles. Accommodation: A Suffolk Best Western hotel resort, Ufford Park Hotel, Golf & Spa is beautifully situated in 120 acres of historic parkland in the tranquil heart of the Suffolk countryside.
Caving at the Symonds Yat Caves
Date: Saturday 22nd March 2014 Place: Mitcheldean, Forest of Dean from 10am to approx. 1pm Cost: £35 Member, £39 Guest An unusual morning of caving at this idyllic location, where there are 18 caves on offer. This means that we should get to experience short trips into 4 or 5 different systems. Forest Adventure have been exploring these fascinating cave systems for many years, and have a passion for sharing their discoveries with adventurous people like you. We'll be venturing into caves which are rarely visited, inhabited by stalagmites, stalactites, and... pom-poms!(?) We’ve asked them to aim the caving at beginners level, but a little more challenging than a Caving for the Terrified sessions (if unsure, it may be worth doing one of these first). and the instructor will choose routes that are appropriate to everyone’s ability.
Jazz, Blues and Sunday Lunch - Bristol
Date: Sunday 23rd March 2014 Place: 139 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol (BS3 1EZ) The Spotted Cow - Spice Table at 1:30pm Cost: £16 Member, £18 Guest Includes: Jazz, 1 Course Meal, Service, Spice Host Extras: Drinks Today we’re headed to The Spotted Cow, situated on North Street in the heart of Southville and Bedminster. The pub has a rich heritage dating back to Bedminster’s agricultural past and has stood for over 200 years. This afternoon we’ll be treated to Tony Clark’s Jazz and Blues Sunday. When it comes to Jazz there really can’t be anyone in Bristol with more knowledge than Tony Clark. Now entering his seventh decade Tony has been part of the Southwest Jazz scene for nearly as long. From hosting his own Radio Show to playing alongside some of the greats Tony Clarke has lived and breathed Jazz and happily shared this love with others. Musically, however he does not limit his style to only Jazz and is happy to mix up Blues, Country, Americana and much more and his Sunday sessions are a journey through his vast collection. We’ll start the afternoon by tucking into one of the Spotted Cow’s legendary Roast dinners. The jazz is from 3.00pm to 7.00pm so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the food, the company and the music!
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Cinema Night - Cardiff
Tuesday 25th March 2014 Cine World, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff (CF10 2EN) 7.30pm inside the main foyer Extras: Pay on the night This evening we are getting together at Cineworld in Cardiff to go to the flicks. It’s always good to see a movie on the big screen in the company of a few friends so tonight is our opportunity to do just that. We have no specific movie in mind so we’ll meet up at 7.30pm in the main foyer and see what’s on. With a huge number of screens to choose from there is likely to be something to suit our taste. We’ll try to all agree on what to see, but if necessary we can always divide into a couple of smaller groups to see different films. Directions: Cineworld is situated near the Cardiff International Arena off the Bute Terrace (A4160) in Mary Ann Street, Cardiff. There is car-parking directly opposite in the NCP David Street car-park.
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Theatre - Dirty Dancing
Wednesday 26th March 2014 St Augustine's Parade, Bristol (BS1 4UZ) Bristol Hippodrome - Main Entrance at 7pm £49 Member, £51 Guest Includes: Theatre Ticket, Booking Fee, Spice Host Includes: Ticket in excellent seats in the Stalls, booking fee & Spice Host. Meet your Spice host at the entrance to the foyer as we go to the bar for a pre-show drink before going to our seats. An unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, passionate romance and sensationally sexy dancing. Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.
Spice Meet and Eat - The Cambridge Arms
Date: Thursday 27th March 2014 Place: Coldharbour Road, Redland, Bristol (BS6 7JS) The Cambridge Arms - Spice Table at 7:30pm Join Spice tonight for our monthly Meet & Eat. Every month we head to a new for a social night-out. It’s a great opportunity to come along, meet some fellow SPICE members over a drink and perhaps have a bite to eat. Our venue tonight is The Cambridge Arms, a friendly, bustling local at the heart of the community. It offers excellent food, great liquid refreshment and engaging, smiley service. The menu is traditional with a modern twist, with popular choices including beer-battered hake, steak & ale pie with London Pride and homemade gourmet burgers.
Spice Meet and Eat - The Dragonfly
Date: Thursday 27th March 2014 Place: Lakeside Drrive, Coedkernew, Newport (NP10 8BB) The Dragonfly - in the bar at 7:15pm Join Spice tonight for our monthly Meet & Eat. Every month we head to a new for a social night-out. It’s a great opportunity to come along, meet some fellow SPICE members over a drink and perhaps have a bite to eat. Our venue tonight is The Dragonfly pub is a country pub restaurant oozing rural charm and rustic character and perfect for our Spice pub social. Hearty, comforting classic pub meals are available if you want to have something to eat.
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Sailing Weekend around the Solent
Fri 28th Mar 2014 - Sun 30th Mar 2014 Haslar Marina, Gosport (PO12 1AH) Friday evening 8pm to 4pm £238 Member Shared Cabin, £258 Guest Shared Cabin
The Solent is an ideal location for a weekend sailing cruise. There is so much to see, the beautiful Isle of Wight, many boats and ships passing by and many historic harbours from which to choose our Saturday night stop. With sheltered sailing, we normally sail for the whole day (after a hearty breakfast) and lunch is often eaten underway. Teas/coffees, soft drinks and snacks are available throughout the day. We aim to moor before dark for time to relax, then set off to a restaurant or pub for the evening meal - there are excellent eating places at all the overnight stops. On Sunday, after breakfast we return to Gosport, possibly mooring or anchoring for lunch en route. EnCompass Sailings are experienced at ensuring everyone is catered for whether you wish to try your hand at every new task or just relax and enjoy the maritime scenes passing by. Our Solent cruises are ideal for beginners and intermediates or those of you who just love being afloat under sail. If you are a more experienced sailor you will find that your skills are acknowledged and opportunities created for you to step into tasks that extend you as is your wish. Please see our web-site for more information & cancellation policy.
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Ultimate Snowdonia Walking Challenge
Fri 28th Mar 2014 - Sun 30th Mar 2014 Royal Goat Hotel, Beddgelert, Snowdonia (LL55 4YE) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £169 Member Twin Share, £209 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 evening meals, 2 picnic lunches, 2 breakfasts, 2 guided walks Walkwise Overview: The Royal Goat is a cracking hotel, in the charming village of Beddgelert in the heart of Snowdonia in North Wales - perfect! The Ultimate Snowdonia Challenge is a walking event that sure is going to be stiff yet very rewarding as we tackle some the National Park’s legendary and oft time remote scenery! At grade 1 this means up to 15 miles and up to 5,000ft ascent each day. Be warned this is a serious challenge and you must be an extremely fit and experienced hill walker just to make it. Accommodation: Staying at the 3 star Royal Goat hotel you will find all the comforts you ever wished for together with the hotel’s excellent reputation for food and wine! Comfort is the key word here and the bar and lounges are set up to provide the right ambience to relax and chat. The bedrooms are all tastefully furnished centrally heated rooms, all with en-suite facilities, telephone, hair dryer, clock radio, T.V. and trouser presser.
A Night of Terror at Woodchester Mansion
Date: Sat 29th Mar 2014 - Sun 30th Mar 2014 Place: Nympsfield, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (GL10 3TS) Woodchester Mansion from 9pm to 4am Cost: £59 Member, £64 Guest Includes: Workshop on sensitivity & skills for a successful ghost hunt, If you like the idea of spending a night in a haunted house this location is definitely for you... be prepared to encounter the unexpected, unexplained and bizarre! As night falls you will be led down a lonely dirt track, which winds its way through the woods like a black viper searching for its prey. Suddenly! From the mist there appears a mansion that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror film, in fact this Gothic style mansion has been used on a number of occasions for the Hammer House of Horror TV series back in the 40s & 50s. Woodchester Mansion has gained the reputation of being one of the most haunted locations in the UK; on numerous occasions ghostly shadows have been seen walking down the dark intimating corridors. Reports of Poltergeists activity & full apparitions are often reported. The television programme “Most Haunted” featured the house in 2003 & again in 2005 & is one of the favourite locations for the paranormal research & ghost hunting community. This will be the night of a lifetime as you stay overnight in one of the strangest haunted mansions you will ever encounter.
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Walking Weekend - Cirencester, Cotswolds
Fri 28th Mar 2014 - Sun 30th Mar 2014 The Stratton House Hotel, Cirencester (GL7 2LE) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £165 Member Twin Share, £185 Member Single Includes: 2 nights’ accommodation, 2 evening meals, 2 breakfasts,2 picnic lunches and a choice of 2 guided walks WalkWise Overview: Cirencester is an ideal base to discover the very best walking the Cotswold’s has to offer! Cirencester is known as the capital of the Cotswold’s due to its strategic positioning as an important trading town. This has left a legacy of ancient pathways and most complete historic Roman Villas. Its rich and varied walking typifies this picturesque Cotswold’s area close to many honey-coloured stone villages. Its fine panoramas from dramatic viewpoints, outstanding attractive and tranquil villages, early churches, verdant and resplendent ancient woodlands of beech and oak all make for a wonderful escape for happy walkers. The WalkWise Walking Programme: The walking programme is aimed to get the most out of the area combining two distinctive and contrasting areas for each days walk. To allow you to choose a walk that suits you best, WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On each day there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles. Accommodation: Set on the outskirts of the picturesque and exquisitely preserved ancient market town of Cirencester, the beautiful Stratton House *** Hotel combines traditional elegance and style with all the modern amenities. This 17th Century building, with walled gardens immediately beckons you over its Cotswolds flag-stone floor and into a warm and restful ambience. The Oak Room bar with its old oak parquet-flooring and enormous fire place make for an ideal meeting place for drinks before dining in the enticing restaurant which complements the exquisitely prepared fresh cuisine. The bedrooms are tastefully appointed and are all en-suite with the usual facilities.
Anagram Pub Crawl Bristol
Date: Saturday 29th March 2014 Place: The Cornubia, 142 Temple Street, Bristol (BS1 6EN) In the Bar - Spice Sign at 7pm Cost: £8 Member, £10 Guest Includes: 1 Drink - Pint, Glass of Wine or Soft Drink and Anagram Pub Crawl We’ll start off at The Cornubia pub in Temple Street with a drink and will then move along a route solving some anagram clues at each stop, which will then determine our next location as the evening progresses. One drink will be provided on everyone’s arrival, but no doubt you’ll be wanting to buy a few more, so remember some cash and leave the car at home. This is a fun pub hop for those of you that like their drinking with a little bit of thinking thrown in.
Walk: Forest Fawr near Castell Coch
Date: Saturday 29th March 2014 Place: Tongwynlais,Cardiff (CF15 7L) Forest Fawr Car Park at 10:45am Cost: £5 Member, £7 Guest Includes: 7 Mile Guided Walk, Spice Host Join Spice today for a lovely circular walk from Forest Fawr and passing through Taff’s Well and Rhiwbina Hill. The walk takes us over the hills north-west of Cardiff, with a great mixture of woodland and open hillside and views across the Taff Valley. After the walk we can stop off for a drink and a bite to eat at a local pub nearby (optional and payable on the day).
Motorbike Off Road Experience - Walsall
Date: Sunday 30th March 2014 Place: Frank F Harrison Motor X Track, Walsall (WS2 7NR) from 9.30am for 10am - 3pm session Cost: £89 Member, £95 Guest Due to a special relationship with a long served Spice member we have exclusive access to a fabulous off road facility in Walsall. If you have any doubts about the scale of this track, just put WS2 7NR into Google Earth and see it “from Space”! They have great equipment and brilliant instructors to teach you how to get the best from it. This fantastic introduction will get you riding in ways and on surfaces that you wouldn't believe! There is no better feeling of exhilaration, than riding a motorcycle over off road terrain. The day cater for all levels of experience from complete novice (including would-be riders who have never even sat on a motorcycle before), to experienced road and off-road riders. Your day starts with a safety briefing and introduction. After which you will receive some basic off road riding instruction and assessment. Your instructors will then take you out to the course to build and develop your skills and confidence in a hands-on situation. Most people can get the hang of the skills pretty quickly. However, if the instructors do not feel you can handle a motorbike (or you are not happy on a bike) there is the opportunity to swap to one of their quad bikes instead.
Toby Carvery Sunday Lunch
Date: Sunday 30th March 2014 Place: Woodlands Lane, Bristol (BS32 4QB) Toby Carvery - Ask for the Spice Table from 12pm Cost: £15.50 Member, £17.50 Guest Includes: Carvery lunch, Service, Spice Host Today we are heading to Toby Carvery in Almondsbury in Bristol for a Sunday Roast. This Carvery believes there’s only one way to do our beloved Great British roast - and that's properly. Every spud is peeled on site and checked by hand, all of the meat is slow-cooked to succulent perfection, and the Yorkshire puds are freshly made throughout the day. The Carvery offers a choice of roasts, or a mix of all four, from a selection consisting of Honey & Mustard Glazed Gammon; Succulent British Turkey; British or Irish Beef and Pork with crackling. These go with Yorkshire puds and freshly steamed or roasted vegetables, stuffing and of course, gravy. Best of all, you can go back for more as often as you like!
Winchcombe Explorer Ramble Cotswolds
Date: Sunday 30th March 2014 Place: Main Squatre in Centre of Winchcombe (GL54 5PZ) from 10.00am - 10.30am Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A great opportunity to go and explore the lovely Cotswold Countryside around the pretty town of Winchcombe with Alan. This 10 - 12 mile moderate ramble is a aimed at walkers with a reasonable level of fitness. The countryside in this part of the world can best be described as rolling with maybe the occasional short steep ascent. Places of interest that we may see on route are Hailes Abbey, Sudeley Castle or maybe even a linear walk so that we have the option of getting the train back to Winchcombe on the Gloucester and Warwickshire railway.
Winter Walk - Castle Combe + Wraxall
Date: Sunday 30th March 2014 Place: Castle Inn, Castle Combe, Wiltshire (SN14 7HN) Main Entrance Spice Sign 11am Cost: £7 Member, £9 Guest Includes: Guided Walk, Spice Host Extras: Refreshments In theory you might find a prettier and cosier spot than Castle Combe as a starting point for a cold winter day’s walk, but in practice? No chance. This beautiful walk is a mixture of woodland, meadows and one of the most beautiful villages in England. Because it has climbs to ridges and descents to valleys, there are excellent views. In more recent times the village Castle Combe has played host to many filming activities, the most famous of these being ‘Doctor Doolittle’ filmed in and around the village in 1966. More recently the village has had a major role in 'War Horse', 'Stardust' and 'The Wolf Man'. The village is also a sanctuary to wildlife as it is a conservation area and enjoys the beauty of nature at its very best. This is a great day out in beautiful surroundings, socialising and exercising with other Spice members. After our walk we can stop by the Castle Inn or another pub in the village for a drink and a bite to eat (payable on the day).
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Outdoor Digital Photography Weekend
Fri 11th Apr 2014 - Sun 13th Apr 2014 Lluest Fach, Foel, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) Arrive from 6.00pm - Buffet at 8.30pm £177 Member Sharing, £197 Guest Sharing (Deposit £35) Includes: 2 nights B&B, Friday buffet supper, 2 buffet/picnic lunches 4 course evening dinner party and all instructions Do you own a digital camera? Do you look at the pictures on the screen and your prints and think they’re ok, but they’re not really as you remember when you took the shot. Maybe you’re unsure about manual settings and prefer to leave it on the automatic setting rather than really knowing how to make the most of your camera and the location you’re in? Well this weekend aims to change all that and will allow you to get to grips with how your digital camera really works amidst the stunning and varied scenery that Mid-Wales has to offer.
Your instructor for the weekend is Mark Sisson, a full-time professional wildlife photographer and experienced workshop leader, see http://www.natures-images.co.uk. This is a great opportunity to learn from an experienced professional at a th price well below his usual rates. We’ll focus on a number of the superb outdoor locations near the secluded 16 Century stone farmhouse that will be our base for the weekend. There are lakes, hills, moorlands and streams where we can work on a variety of landscape and close up photographs. This will involve some walking, but nothing too strenuous. Even if you have just a basic compact camera you will have a great weekend. The weekend takes place at a secluded 16th Century stone farmhouse in the heart of the Welsh countryside with breathtaking views over the Cambrian Mountains. This popular retreat is the home of Breakaway Holidays, run by your hosts Barry and Sonya. The cottage sits in its own eight acres of private grounds with large gardens, sculptures, wild life pools and a small menagerie of cats, dogs, sheep and birds. There are seven bedrooms which are a mixture of twins and trebles with shared facilities.
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Easter Walk Weekend Newquay + Cornish Coast
Fri 18th Apr 2014 - Mon 21st Apr 2014 The Beresford Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall (TR7 2PR) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 7.00pm £235 Member Twin Share, £295 Member Single Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation, 3 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 evening meals and 3 days of guided walking WalkWise Overview: The North Cornish coast around Newquay is some of the wildest and most beautiful around Britain. It is open to the Atlantic with its big rollers which make it very attractive to surfers but also creates the stunning coastal scenery. There are wide open sandy beaches, sheltered coves, hidden bays and some delightful fishing villages. Walkwise are planning to walk each of the three days along a separate stretch of coastline. Each day varies in nature visiting various attractive seaside towns like Padstow, Perranporth, Porthcothan and Newquay. Needless to say the coastline is always dramatic with towering cliffs and sea stacks at Trevose Head and Pentire peninsular, then there is the legendary Bedruthan Steps not to mention some of the finest beaches in the world. There is also a host of wildlife along the coast with kittiwake colonys, gannets that effortlessly soar past and spring orchids adorning the pathsides. Our base for this trip will be the Beresford Hotel, ideally located on the seafront overlooking Tolcarne Beach and within the UKs famous surfing town of Newquay… Only perfect!!! WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On each day there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles with 2,000ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles with less ascent. Accommodation: The Berresford Hotel occupies an enviable position overlooking Tolcarne Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed many of the rooms overlook the sea including the bar, lounges, restaurant and conservatory. So it is quite possible just to sit in the hotel and watch the surfers riding the big Atlantic Rollers. It is also right in the centre of Newquay, so on an evening we can stroll into town and enjoy Newquay life and with modern bistros, traditional country inns and sea front bars there is something for everyone. The hotel has two lounges, a bar, restaurant and conservatory and all the bedrooms are ensuite and come complete with digital TV, tea and coffee facilities and telephones.
New Members Easter Walking Weekend
Date: Fri 18th Apr 2014 - Mon 21st Apr 2014 Place: Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) Arrive from 6.00p.m. Cost: £169 Member sharing, £189 Guest sharing (Deposit £35) Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation with full cooked breakfasts, Friday buffet supper and 5 course Easter dinner including cheese and port Extras: Lunches and pub meal on Saturday.
OK, so you’ve joined Spice and now fancy booking a weekend but feel a bit nervous about it. This relaxed and welcoming break is for anyone who’s new to Spice and feels a little daunted by attending their first Spice weekend away, or other members looking for the cosy friendly atmosphere that Breakaway Holidays is known for. This Easter break takes place at a secluded 16th Century stone farmhouse in the heart of the Welsh countryside with breath-taking views over the Cambrian Mountains. There are seven bedrooms which are a mixture of twins and trebles with shared facilities and Wi-Fi is available through. Full details of this break can be found on our website.
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Easter Walking Weekend - Eastern Lakes
Fri 18th Apr 2014 - Mon 21st Apr 2014 Shap Wells, North East Lakes (CA10 3QU) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £210 Member Twin Share, £270 Member Single Includes: 3 nights accommodation, 3 evening meals, 3 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches and 3 days of guided walking Extras: Transport to start of walks if used WalkWise Overview: The Lake District is one of the most beautiful parts of Britain which understandably makes it one of the most popular too, but many people forget about the Eastern Lakes! Our aim for the Easter bank holiday weekend is to take advantage of this and explore the amazing beauty of the Eastern Lake District. We intend to avoid the crowds, take in the peace and quiet and enjoy the wonderful solitude that you can only get in this area of the Lakes. The scenery is second to nowhere and we have some beautiful and varied walks for you, exploring the beautiful Fells and valleys alike. Each day there will be a choice of walks one heading to the fells and one in the foothills. Add to this the comfort of the Best Western Shap Wells Hotel which is set in its own spacious grounds and provides a home to our endearing Red Squirrels! There are with en-suite bedrooms, well stocked bars and spacious lounges which overall makes an ideal Easter Package to explore the Lake District WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10 or more miles with 2000+ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 6-9 miles with less ascent. Accommodation: Set amongst breathtaking scenery we will be staying in the Best Westerns comfortable Shap Wells Hotel. All in all, this hotel has just what we want from a cracking walking base.
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Walking Weekend - Easter in the Lakes
Fri 18th Apr 2014 - Mon 21st Apr 2014 Glaramara, Lake District (CA12 5XQ) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £249 Member SINGLE, £279 Member TWIN en-suite, £299 Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation, 3 evening meals, 3 picnic lunches, 3 breakfasts, 3 days of guided walking Extras: Transport to walk starts if used WalkWise Overview: Set in the heart of the Lake District, Glaramara is surrounded by some of the finest mountain and lakes in the country. Understandably this is one of our most popular locations, occupying a picture perfect setting which is the envy of every walker!! From the front door of the centre, there is a massive range of walking to choose from and the food is great too! 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. alkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, 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. Accommodation: Glaramara, is 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 walkers located in a commanding position in the beautiful vale of Borrowdale, it offers a mixture of single with shared single sex bathrooms and twin-bedded / double en-suite rooms. Some of the bedrooms have lovely views of the surrounding valleys and hills and all have complimentary tea/coffee facilities. 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!
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Walking Weekend - Pembrokeshire Coast
Fri 18th Apr 2014 - Mon 21st Apr 2014 The Cliff Hotel, Gwbert on Sea, Cardigan (SA43 1PP) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £239 Member Twin Share, £299 Member Single Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation, 3 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, evening meals & 3 days of guided walks with a daily choice of walks Extras: Cost of transport
WalkWise Overview: Cardigan Bay and the North Pembrokeshire Coast is a perfect WalkWise escape. It’s a quieter part of the world and there are no crowds to escape from here-even on a bank holiday!! Yet we will visit some of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in the country and its isolation means that there is a plethora of adorable wildlife too, seals, dolphins, razorbills and a plethora of seabirds, especially at this time of year. Our base for the trip will be the Cliff Hotel which is well named as it is perched on the top of Pembrokeshires’ towering sea cliffs and overlooking a beautiful sandy bay. Oh and the Cliff Hotel doesn’t just offer comfortable accommodation, but there is a relaxing spa, pool, sauna and Jacuzzi too, which just ensures that this will be a seriously enjoyable getaway! The WalkWise Walking Programme: What a truly stunning part of the world this is, and what variety too. Obviously there are some simply amazing cliff top walks, as the remarkable Pembrokeshire Coastal Path begins at Cardigan and ahead there are some wonderful sights: panoramic views across the Teifi Estuary where dolphins are often seen playing, rugged rocky headlands jut out into the churning waters, hidden bays, sea stacks and gravity defying sea arches, and the Witches Cauldron. WalkWise provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles with up to 2000ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles with less ascent. Accommodation: The Cliff hotel occupies a very enviable position, high on the cliff top and watching over the bay below. To complement the hotel a spa was added and it’s certainly been worth it as now we can end the walks with a relaxing soak! It is set in thirty acres of headland and overlooking the beautiful Cardigan Bay, with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. The Cliff Hotel offers comfortable accommodation, with all rooms having en-suite facilities and many having a view overlooking Cardigan Bay and the Hotel's golf course. The Spa: The hotel spa is a perfect relaxation zone to unwind, detox and de-stress using marine spa cosmetology to aid the process. The health spa hosts a twenty foot salt water hydro pool, an outdoor pool, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, monsoon showers and a state of the art gym. In the salon arena there are four treatment rooms and a rasul chamber to take you away from daily pressures and ease those tensions.
Mini Break to Stockholm Date: Place: Cost:
Thu 24th Apr 2014 - Sun 27th Apr 2014 3* Star Hotel Rex, Stockholm Heathrow Airport departure £479 Member Twin Share, £609 Member Single (Deposit £150)
Includes: Return Flights from London Heathrow to Stockholm, transfers to/from hotel, 3 nights’ accommodation in a central hotel, sharing a twin room (we will link up shares); Breakfast each morning of our stay; Stockholm Tour & Vasa Museum entrance; Services of a Spice Coordinator throughout. Extras: Meals other than breakfast. Extra tours/ entry fees (other than on day tour). Holiday Insurance is compulsory. This can be obtained from Spice UK (www.spiceuk.com) or privately. Single room option £130 (otherwise we will link twin shares). Stockholm: Stockholm is the largest city in Scandinavia. It’s the place towards which people from all over Scandinavia gravitate. Beauty, food, design, music, shopping and history – Stockholm has it all. Stockholm, one of the most beautiful capitals in the world, is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges. With its 750 year history and rich cultural life, Stockholm offers a wide selection of world-class museums and attractions. Most of the city's attractions can be reached on foot, and there’s a good chance of experiencing a lot of things in a short time. You can visit Stockholm City Hall and climb the City Hall tower for a fantastic view of Stockholm. The green island of Djurgården is home to some of the city's most popular attractions. Visit the world-famous warship the Vasa, the world’s oldest open-air museum Skansen, or Astrid Lindgren’s Junibacken. Our Tour (Saturday Morning): “Introducing Stockholm and the Vasa Museum”: Stockholm is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most beautiful cities and is often called the Venice of Scandinavia. Dramatically situated at a point where the cobalt blue Lake Mälaren meets and clashes with the darker hue of the Baltic Sea, the city has been splendidly endowed by nature. Eating & Drinking: A buffet breakfast is included to start the day, but other meals are not. There is no shortage of places to eat out in the evening. It is usual for us to split into smaller groups for eating out and then to meet up in the many bars. The tour operator for this flight inclusive holiday is Spice UK (Atol 9046). This holiday is protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme in the event of failure of the tour operator.
Lake District Activities Bunk Barn Weekend
Date: Fri 25th Apr 2014 - Sun 27th Apr 2014 Place: Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria (LA22 0HP) Shakleton Lodge from 4pm onwards Cost: £119 Member, £129 Guest (Deposit £25) Includes: Cooked Breakfast and a choice of activities Extras: Food for BBQ Friday and packed lunches during the day Join us for a value weekend in the Lake District. We will be staying in Shackleton Lodge; a bunk barn on the northern shore of Lake Windermere, the combination of sweeping farmland, lake views, a backdrop of mountains and a comfortable friendly environment ensure this will be a great location for a memorable experience. Set in a bounded woodland with a purpose built BBQ. Please see our web-site for more information about the activities and accommodation.
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Tennis Weekend with Coaching - Northants
Sat 26th Apr 2014 - Sun 27th Apr 2014 Marriott Hotel, Eagle Drive, Northampton (NN4 7HW) Arrive 11.30am £158 Member Twin Share, £178 Guest Twin Share, £158 Member Single, £158 Guest Single (Deposit £35)
An Opportunity to play loads of Indoor Tennis with some great Drills & Coaching - Great Fun & Superb Value The Weekend price includes the Tennis Program & Coaching, supply of balls, one night’s luxury accommodation, Saturday Night Dinner, Sunday Breakfast and Prize Giving Lunch. An excellent Indoor Tennis Weekend along with a stay at the 4 Star Marriott Hotel. We are heading to Northampton for another one of our very popular Tennis Weekends. This Weekend is exclusively for Spice and is suitable for all levels of players. The Weekend proves quite intensive, offering up to 7 hours of Match Play, Team Tennis and Coaching. We will be staying at the 4 Star Marriott Hotel, and using the LTA Indoor Tennis Centre, with 4 Indoor and 4 Outdoor Courts, which is located a short distance from the Hotel. The accommodation is indeed luxurious with single & double-bedded rooms. There is no supplement for single occupancy. The lovely rooms have en-suite bath, shower and toilet facilities along with multichannel TV, tea/coffee facilities, and 24 hour room service. You also have full use of the Hotel facilities - swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and gym. Gerry Wyatt, a very experienced Tennis Coach, has organised a special event for us and he will be your coach over the weekend. On arrival you all meet up in the Hotel bar, and Gerry will be there to greet you and conduct a Welcome Meeting, which will provide you with a personalised copy of your Tennis Progamme, the Weekend Timetable etc. The group will be split depending on ability and on both days you will spend time being coached or playing matches in a Doubles Tournament.
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Bank Holiday Walking Weekend Cornish Coast
Fri 2nd May 2014 - Mon 5th May 2014 Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Plymouth (PL1 3LG) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £239 Member Twin Share, £299 Member Single Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation, 3 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 evening meals & 3 days of guided walking Extras: Transport used to start of walks
Walkwise Overview: The stunningly South Cornish Coast and the beautiful South Devon coastline are some of Englands’ finest, and this alone is more than enough reason to visit! Towering cliffs and rugged headlands are all lapped by inviting Mediterranean blue waters, and in between are secluded sandy bays and quaint fishing hamlets. Deep estuaries dramatically cut their way inland, carving beautiful isolated peninsulas. Local ferries and buses will drop us onto these remote and peaceful headlands thereby allowing us to accessing some thoroughly enjoyable walks. Along the way we will call into picturesque villages and enjoy the hospitality of the inviting cafes or welcoming country inns. The delightful Duke of Cornwall Hotel is a treasure in the heart of Devon's city-by-the sea. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles. Accommodation: The Duke of Cornwall, Plymouth's original character hotel, is a true treasure in the heart of Devon's city-bythe sea. Built during the Golden Age of steam, the Duke of Cornwall, was Plymouth's first luxury hotel and continues to provide first class accommodation today, with towers and turrets, ballrooms and oak panels. The restaurant holds 2 RAC Blue Ribbons and it is an AA Rosette award winning Restaurant, so we’ll be well fed too. Add to this is prominent position in the town, being, just minutes from the train stations, the excellent Theatre Royal and the lively Barbican and marina area. In fact it's the perfect base from which to explore the beautiful South West. Naturally all the hotel bedrooms are en suite and come with all the usual facilities including telephone, radio alarm, hair dryer, digital freeview TV, tea and coffee making facilities and trouser press. 24-hour room service and internet access is also available. Oh and the hotel works closely with McCauleys Health Club which is two walk from the hotel and can offer you a discounted session rate.
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Walking Weekend - Snowdonia National Park
Fri 2nd May 2014 - Mon 5th May 2014 Royal Victoria Hotel, Llanberis, Wales (LL55 4TY) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 8.00pm £249 Member Twin Share, £309 Member Single Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation, 3 evening meals, 3 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 days of guided walking Extras: Transport to start of walks if used
WalkWise Overview: Superb, safe and sociable walking that typifies the stunning Snowdonia National Park from Llanberis. Snowdonia is all about impressive open views, craggy ridges, small upland LLyn’s (lakes) with excellent footpaths enabling us to take on superb mountain walking in the great outdoors. This year we are going to walk through three distinct and impressive areas of Snowdonia! We will start locally with the ridge which sits astride LLanberis and Nant y Betws. The middle day will spent between LLanberis and Llyn Ogwen. The last day we will take on the striking Moel Siabod in the Betsy Coed area. As always our comfort will be taken care of by the Legacy Royal Victoria Hotel and this weekend is sure to provide a lot of pleasure! The WalkWise Walking Programme: This area is fascinating for all walkers and with three magnificent walking days ahead we are truly blessed. Two delightful lakes nestle within the rolling hills of the lower valley. The final day will be spent in the beautiful Bets-y-coed areas which again are numerous and offer waterfalls and lakes with an ever-changing landscape while the harder tackle the summit of Moel Siabod which endorses the majestic view of the Classic Snowdon Horseshoe without the ‘madding crowds’!…..oh we are spoilt! Accommodation: We stay in the Royal Victoria hotel, a three star quality hotel on the outskirts of the village. The centre is a delightful large Victorian building with a commanding position overlooking Lyn Padarn. The hotel has a mixture of single, twin and double rooms. All the rooms are en suite with televisions, telephones and complimentary tea / coffee facilities. There are three dining rooms, which have an excellent reputation for their food and service. There are also two bars and lounges to relax in during the evening should you so wish!
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Walking Weekend - Tenby + Pembroke Coast
Friday 23rd May 2014 Clarence House Hotel, Tenby, Pembroke (SA70 7DU) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 7.00pm £210 Member Twin Share, £270 Member Single Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation, 1 evening meal, 3 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, and 3 days of guided walking Extras: Transport to walk starts if used
WalkWise Overview: Terrific Seaside Tenby & Perfect Pembrokeshire Coast Combine with superb safe and sociable walking. Few people would dispute that the Pembrokeshire coast is one of the finest in the country so it will come as no surprise that on all three days we’ll be walking beside or close to the sea! Whether you are looking for longer or shorter walks, the area is a sheer delight. You will feel invigorated walking above the rugged and spectacular limestone and sandstone cliffs that typify the area. Pembrokeshire’s national park is unique in that it is the country’s only national park based entirely on coastal scenery; it boasts beautiful sandy beaches, wonderful headlands, medieval cliff top castles and early Christian sites. Add all this to lively pubs and a superb hotel location with a HAPPY HOUR BAR (which seems to last three hours actually) each night and you have the essential ingredients of a fine walking weekend! The WalkWise Walking Programme: Our first day will be spent by walking back to Tenby from the west via some magnificent coastline at Pembrokeshire’s southernmost point. The long walk spends virtually all day on the coast. This day often finishes by paddling barefoot the entire length of Tenby’s enormous south beach. On Sunday we aim to take in another great coastal day heading all the way back to Tenby from the east. This day has a different feel to the day before with tracks which head down to the coast, promenades, tunnels and also well maintained high cliff paths which swing us back to Tenby via its marina. On Monday the walks incorporate yet more magnificent coastal path. We’ll pass natural rock arches, sea stacks and sites of ancient forts whilst breathing in the clean sea air and listening to the waves crashing below. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On both days there will be a harder walk of 10-13 miles with up to 1,500+ft of ascent, and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles with less ascent. Accommodation: We will be staying in the Clarence House Hotel which is superbly situated in the centre of the Esplanade enjoying panoramic views over the South Shore to St Catherine’s Island, Castle Beach, Giltar Point and the sea beyond. The hotel is used to catering for groups and meal choice is ample and varied while the Seagull Bar keeps us topped up with drinks. The Rose Garden is a perfect place to relax at the end of the day. You can also watch the world ‘sail-by’ from the Caldey View Terrace vantage point; where stunning views abound. All six floors are serviced by a lift and all bedrooms are en-suite with colour televisions and tea and coffee making facilities.
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Walking Weekend North Devon Coast
Fri 23rd May 2014 - Mon 26th May 2014 Valley of the Rocks Hotel, Lynton, Devon (EX35 6HS) Arrive from 4.00pm Meal at 7.00pm £219 Member Twin Share, £239 Twin Sea View, £279 Member Single, Includes: 3 nights’ accommodation, 3 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 evening meals & 3 days of guided walks choice of 2 walks each day Extras: Transport to walk starts WalkWise Overview: The North Devon coast and Exmoor region around Lynton offers an undisturbed tranquillity and timeless charm that is so hard to find! These areas each offer something unique, with tremendous sea-scapes and plunging cliffs to one side and on the other, stunning heather moorland and deep cut river valleys that typify the Exmoor National Park. You are surrounded by hidden haunts, ancient and knarled woodland and sparkling rivers dotted with medieval towns, an abundance of wild life including the Exmoor wild ponies and red deer set around picture-postcard villages with exquisite cream teas! We’ve visited the area many times but this year we’ve put together some new exciting walks! Our hotel, called the Valley of the Rocks, nestles high up on lively Lynton’s west cliff and its nearby country pub is also a very handy attraction. Lynton is an ideal base to explore the North Devon Coast and Exmoor and this unique and varied terrain provide the perfect options for all levels and ability of walkers. WalkWise UK will provide a minimum of two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On each day there will be a harder walk of 10-12 miles and a gentler walk of 7-9 miles.
Accommodation: The Valley of the Rocks Hotel is ideally situated within the lovely cliff top village of Lynton abundant in Victorian architecture, arts and crafts shops and quaint tea rooms. Your stay here is intended be comfortable and clean replete with hearty three course meals and amazing views of the dramatic coastline. The central feature of the hotel is the ornate main lounge and off this is the well frequented Terrace Bar. There are also tea and coffee making facilities in all rooms. Finally, it’s just a couple of minutes’ walk to the village pubs where there is live music most weekends and some cracking traditional local ales.
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Sailing Round The Island Yacht Race
Thu 19th Jun 2014 - Sun 22nd Jun 2014 Shamrock Quay Marina and Haslar Marina Meet: 8.00pm Thursday Evening Time: 8pm £499 Member, £529 Guest (Deposit £50)
STOP PRESS – In 2014, due to the great popularity of this event, there will again be two Spice boats sailing in the race. The two boats are of similar size and design, which gives the opportunity for Spice members to sail against their fellow competing Spice crew as well as the rest of the race fleet – a “Spicing-up” of this already exciting event! Boats and berths for this event are already selling out for 2014 and even 2015. This is a unique opportunity to have one of the most exciting and spectacular sailing weekends in the sailing calendar. Some Spice members have told us that this is the best weekend that they have ever had! The Round the Island Race is THE event of the year for South Coast sailors and attracts big-name international competitors. The 1700 boats competing are a mix of family sailors and top racers. The boats range from small dayboats to round-the world racing yachts and make for a spectacular sight. It is the biggest yacht race in the world and the fourth biggest sporting event in the UK. Some take it very seriously, others just enjoy taking part. EnCompass Sailing fits somewhere in the middle - we usually do very well in our class. This weekend is for people with some sailing experience and understanding; it is not suitable for the complete novice but neither do you need to be an expert. You will be sailing on either “Kelana”, a Dehler 39CWS, or “Zara”, a Sun Odyssey 37. Both boats are fast cruisers, one is fractionally rigged and the other masthead rigged. Both have accommodation for eight. Your skipper will be an RYA Yachtmaster - very experienced in helping Spice crews enjoy great weekends. The price includes skipper, accommodation on board, breakfasts and lunches, snacks and soft drinks, all safety equipment, waterproofs and diesel fees. Evening meals are not included nor are marina charges which are shared amongst the group. Joining instructions, including information on travel and clothing, will be provided a couple of weeks before the event.
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Scottish Walkwise Walking Week
Sat 28th Jun 2014 - Sat 5th Jul 2014 Inchnadamph Hotel, Sutherland, Scotland (IV27 4HN) Arrive from 4.00pm, Meal at 8.00pm £599 Member Twin Share, £619 Guest Twin Share (Deposit £120) Includes: 7 night’s accommodation, 6 evening meals, 7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches. 5 full days professional guiding offering two walks each day.
Not Included: Transport to and from walks. Cost of boats to Handa Island and along Loch Glencoul Dinner on the rest day. Travel Insurance Walkwise Overview: Inchnadamph and Sutherland is quite rightly one of our most successful and popular Scottish walking weeks we have ever run partly because the hotel at Inchnadamph has the best reputation for food of all our Walkwise destinations. True it is remote, but that is the true beauty of the area, everything is remote and in the Highlands they always say that ‘the best is in the North and the West’ and you can’t go much further Northwest than here. Sutherland is quite simply the wildest and remotest corner of Britain, and quite possibly the most beautiful! Much of it is untamed and unpopulated, its geology is unique; individual mountains rise majestically from the landscape and the wildlife loves it. Red deer stags wander around the hotel, eagles soar above and Handa island is a living David Attenborough moment!. Together the grandeur of the scenery combined with its unique natural history naturally attracts hill walkers and backpackers but it also makes this Sutherland one of the Europe’s premier walking and wildlife destinations. WalkWise Walking Programme: So what delights will encourage us back again. Well we could just rerun the previous walks as they were so successful, but there is so much more here too…Foinaven was amazing, Arkle is wonderful, there’s always the most northerly munro of Ben Hope, the shapely Ben Loyal, the amazing triple topped Quinag, the attractive Ben More, or the anglular Assynt, the impregnable Suilven, and the playground of Stac Pollaidh, and then on the doorstep is the temptations of Ghlas Bheinn and Beinn Uidhe. So whether you fancy a lower level or a higher level walks you won’t be disappointed. The only difficulty is deciding which one to do! So why not come and join us on a week of discovery, nature, laughter and the pleasure of enjoying it with like-minded people. Remember to allow you to choose a walk that suits you best, WalkWise will provide two walks on each day, led by professional and knowledgeable walking guides. On all walking days there will be a harder walk of 7 to 15 miles with up to 5500ft ascent, and a gentler moderate walk of 7 to 10 miles long with less ascent, no more than 2500ft. Accommodation: Never heard of Inchnadamph? It’s a remote small hamlet in Assynt, Sutherland on the shores of Loch Assynt which has its own ruined castle (Ardvreck). The name ‘Inchnadamph’ means ‘meadow of the stags’ and on an evening or a morning the Stags are often found grazing the meadows that surround the hotel, and sometimes they are even in the car park. The Inchnadamph hotel has a great reputation, for its friendly staff, relaxed service, great Scottish food and comfortable bedrooms. Further details for this week are on our website.
For your free information pack, contact your local SPICE group SPICE UK (Head Office) National Co-ordinator: Dave Smith 13, Thorpe Street, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 9PR Tel: 0161 873 8788 Fax: 0161 848 9465 Website: www.spiceuk.com E-mail: info@spiceuk.com SPICE (West Midlands) Co-ordinator: Richard Coulter 6a, Burnett Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield West Midlands, B74 3EJ Tel: 0121 353 6161 Fax: 0121 353 6861 info@spicebham.com www.spicebham.com
SPICE (London) Co-ordinator: Dianne Livingstone 330 High Holborn London, WC1V 7QT Tel: 0845 604 8041 Fax: n/a dianne@spicelondon.co.uk www.spicelondon.co.uk
SPICE (Scotland) Co-ordinator: Jamie Morris Suite 2, 81-85 Portland Street Edinburgh, EH6 4AY Tel: 0131 553 0026 Fax: 0131 553 0027 info@spicescotland.com www.spicescotland.com
SPICE (Bristol & Cardiff) Co-ordinator: Dianne Livingstone 130 Aztec Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4UB Tel: 0742 959 8414 Fax: n/a dianne@spicebristolcardiff.com www.spicebristolcardiff.com
SPICE (Manchester) Co-ordinator: Lauren Fawkes The Stables, 11 Poplar Road Stretford, Manchester, M32 9AN Tel: 0161 864 3849 Fax: 08444 120 996 info@spicemcr.com www.spicemcr.com
SPICE (Thames Valley & Solent) Co-ordinator: Dominic Renshaw 118, Shiplake Bottom, Peppard Common, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 5HR Tel: 0118 972 4810 dominic@thamesvalleyspice.co.uk www.thamesvalleyspice.co.uk
SPICE (East Midlands) Co-ordinator: Steve Dell Foxhall Business Centre, 2 King Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AS Tel: 0845 017 1031 Fax: n/a office@spiceeastmids.com www.spiceeastmids.com
SPICE (Yorkshire) Co-ordinator: Lauren Fawkes 33 Great George Street, Leeds, LS1 3AJ Tel: 0845 094 22 00 Fax: n/a info@spiceyorks.com www.spiceyorks.com
Spice Extras Save on your shopping & travel The Spice Extras web site gives Spice members access to vouchers and special offers from over 100 different retailers, service providers and travel companies. Visit www.spiceextras.co.uk to register and save £££’s on your shopping & travel.
Cancellation Policy
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 £3 whichever is the higher amount. (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 nonrefundable unless we can resell your place, as tickets will have already been purchased.
Overnight Events and events costing over £100
Note: This excludes overseas trips which have a separate Holiday Cancellation Policy. Providing you give us more twenty eight 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 £3 whichever is the higher amount. (except where stated otherwise in the Newsletter event description). Credit Notes are valid for 12 months and only redeemable against events.
Holidays and Overseas trips
Note: More than three overnights or outside UK. Cancellation is 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.
The ‘Nuts & Bolts’ of Spice Office Hours
9.00a.m. - 5.00p.m. Monday to Friday. There is a 24 hour answer phone. For emergencies only try the mobile 07702 046730 as it is checked regularly out of hours for messages.
How to Join Spice
Online – www.bristolcardiff.com Telephone – 0742 959 8414 or 01276 479253 Post - Simply complete and return the membership form along with your cheque, credit card details or completed direct debit mandate.
Booking Events
Online – www.bristolcardiff.com Telephone – 0742 959 8414 or 01276 479253 Post - complete and return the booking form along with your cheque or credit card details. Bookings are only secure when payment has been received.
Credit Notes
please remember to quote the number when booking.
Late Bookings
Slots do sometimes become available at the last minute due to cancellations, you can call the office check availability.
Event Info
All event information and descriptions are correct at the time of going to print, errors and omissions and exceptional circumstances excepted
Photographs
Please be aware front cover photos are sourced from all Spice Groups nationwide and do not represent any specific event advertised in this newsletter.
Confirmation of Bookings
Booking confirmations are sent out via email. Where further information is required i.e. directions this will be sent out prior. Full joining instructions are sent out for all weekend events.
If You Can’t Make It To An Event
Please ring the Spice Office if you realise that you cannot make an event so that other members are not left waiting for you to arrive and if it is a ‘team’ type events such as sports evenings we can make the necessary arrangements. Also you maybe entitled to a refund, see the Cancellation Policy for full details.
Guests
Guests are welcome on almost all Spice events. Guests are asked to pay a slightly higher fee and are allowed to attend 2 events, after that time we expect them to become members. This to ensure the value of membership for our members.
Transport Share
If you indicate when booking that you require a lift or are willing to offer or share transport then we are always happy to do our best to link up members for travel share. Please ring the office about 7 days prior and we will be able to give you telephone numbers of possible links.
Most Importantly
Spice is all about enjoying yourself – remember to have lots and lots of fun!!! Never simply “turn up” at a Spice event as this is unfair to those who have taken the time to book and it may mean a wasted journey if we cannot accommodate you.
Spice Bristol & Cardiff Terms and Conditions of Booking Important points to note: Whilst we will do our best to help you get to events, the responsibility of getting to an event rests solely with yourself. If you book an event and you don’t have transport and find that you cannot get to the event the cancellation policy will still apply. If you are due to attend an event but do not have all the information that you feel you need, contact the office in plenty of time. We may not be able to respond to you on the day of your request or it may take a day or so for us to obtain the information. Check your email – additional information is often sent by email. As a guideline you should always have joining instructions for a weekend event at least ONE WEEK before the event starts.
General Terms and Conditions for Weekends As per The Package Travel Regulations Act, 1992. These will be overridden by each individual supplier but are universal to most package suppliers. SPICE Bristol & Cardiff, unless the supplier of the package, only acts as an agent in the sale of the package. No part of this website or the newsletter represents a brochure under the definition of the Package Travel Regulations, all events are listed for the convenience of the members and are for advertising purposes only. The following terms and conditions will apply in respect of SPICE Bristol & Cardiff overnight events. Balances for weekend events are one month prior unless otherwise stated in the event description.
Price Alteration:
Cancellation
We reserve the right to alter the cost for any variation in transportation, including fuel costs, duties, taxes (e.g. VAT rate change) or fees chargeable for services such as landing, embarkation at ports/airports., exchange rate changes for overseas holidays. Notwithstanding the above we will not increase the price less than 30 days before departure. We will not pass on the first 2% of the first permitted price variation. Should the price increase significantly beyond the contractual price we will advise as soon as we can in order that you can decide whether you wish to withdraw without penalty.
See Spice Cancellation Policy.
Complaints Complaints relevant to any aspect of the Spice Bristol & Cardiff Overnight Event as performed should in the first instance be made as soon as possible to the Spice co-ordinator if present or other official. If you make a complaint upon return from your Overnight Event it must be made in writing to Spice Bristol & Cardiff within 10 days of return.
Insurance For any Overnight Event arranged by Spice Bristol & Cardiff which is to take place in Britain, Spice Bristol & Cardiff takes out British Activity Holiday Insurance Services on each member’s behalf. This insurance covers Public and Product Liability risks. You will be covered by your Member Accident Insurance which is part of your Spice membership. This is not a travel insurance policy and will not cover you for cancellation for an insurable reason such as emergency assistance etc. Each member is responsible for ensuring that he/she has taken out adequate insurance for any Overnight Event you have booked.
Any Agreed Special Requests Any requirements which you have indicated on your booking form have been forwarded to the organisers.
Emergency Contact
Spice Bristol & Cardiff office : 0845 604 8041 (24 hour answer phone) Mobile 07702 046730
Medical Condition
Please inform Spice Bristol & Cardiff if you have any medical condition or are taking medication which may affect your participation.
Security
Deposits and prepayments are secured by being deposited in a designated account.
Baggage & Personal Effects: Spice Bristol & Cardiff will not be responsible for loss or damage to baggage, personal effects, money or documents.
Guest Bookings: Guests of Spice Bristol & Cardiff members are permitted to attend Spice Bristol & Cardiff short breaks once Spice Bristol & Cardiff members have had first option to book Overnight Events. Spice Bristol & Cardiff members will be responsible for their guests.
Transfer of booking: Up to three weeks prior to the date on which the Overnight Event commences you may transfer your booking to another Spice Bristol & Cardiff member of the same sex (which is necessary for accommodation purposes). Subject to Spice Bristol & Cardiff Cancellation Policy you will be liable to pay the full cost of the Overnight Event if the Spice Bristol & Cardiff member to whom you transferred the booking fails to pay for the Overnight Event in full.
Liability Spice Bristol & Cardiff will not be liable to compensate you for any damage or loss of enjoyment in respect of your Overnight Event if the failure in the enjoyment was your fault, or could not have been reasonably foreseen or avoided by Spice Bristol & Cardiff or if the failure in your arrangements was the result of the actions of someone unconnected with your arrangements. Spice Bristol & Cardiff’s liability to compensate for any damage or loss (including both direct and indirect loss of enjoyment) will not in any event be greater than the price paid by you for the Overnight Event. If you suffer death or personal injury Spice Bristol & Cardiff will only be liable to compensate you if the death or personal injury is a result of Spice Bristol & Cardiff’s or a Spice Co-ordinator’s negligence.
Event Participation By accepting these terms and conditions you agree to accept the authority and decisions of your Spice Event Co-ordinator accompanying your party.
Join-in with the fun & Book these events…. A few local Bristol & Bath Events New Year Dinner Shuffle
Sat 4�� Jan
Sunday Brunch & Live Jazz
Sun 5�� Jan
Burns Night Ceilidh & Disco
Sat 25�� Jan
Visit to Horseworld Rescue Centre
Sun 26�� Jan
Raymond Blanc Dining
Sat 8�� Feb
Visit to the Wild Place
Sun 9�� Feb
Quad Bike Trail Ride
Sat 22ⁿ� Feb
Theatre - Dance Till Dawn
Wed 26�� Feb
Saturday dining - Clifton Sausage
Sat 8�� Mar
Visit Tyntesfield & Lunch
Sun 16�� Mar
Jazz & Blues with Sunday Lunch
Sun 23�� Mar
Theatre - Dirty Dancing
Wed 26�� Mar
A few local South Wales Events Murder Mystery Walk Cardiff City
Sat 11�� Jan
Indoor Climbing Taster
Sun 12�� Jan
Sunday Lunch Y Mochyn Du
Sun 19�� Jan
Cardiff Wine Tasting Evening
Thu 30�� Jan
Spice Dines Chinese
Sat 8�� Feb
Quad Biking Cardiff
Sun 16�� Feb
Visit to Llanchaiach Fawr Manor
Sun 23�� Jan
Cafe Jazz on Tuesday
Tue 25�� Feb
Pub Quiz Newport
Tue 4�� Mar
Cosmeston Lakes & Medieval Village
Sun 9�� Mar
For more local events See our Web-Site
Winter 2014 Skiing to Verbier Saturday 15�� to 22ⁿ� March 2014 Our Ski trips are always brilliant fun and our trips to the Alps for the 2014 season look to be another fantastic season, lots of Spice members have already booked! Skiing with Spice means you always have a great bunch of people with similar ability to ski with during the day and to party with for that all-important Ares-Ski. For our March trip to the slopes, we are very excited to be heading for a brand new resort (for us) of Verbier in Switzerland. Take a look at the main entry in the newsletter or go to our web site for more information.
Walking Weekend Cirencester and the Cotswolds Friday 28�� to Sunday 30�� March To get the most from our Cotswolds walking weekend we are are exploring two distinctive areas each day. On Saturday we start of from the pretty village of Bourton on the Water where there are some lovely walks. For Sunday we explore the area setting off from the hotel starting from the source of the Thames. As usual with Walkwise there is a choice two walks an easy one and a slightly more challenging one, choose what suits you. Our 3 star hotel is located just outside the market town of Cirencester and has all the usual facilities and makes an excellent base for the weekend.
Mini Break to Stockholm - Sweden Thursday 24�� to Sunday 27�� April Our Spice mini-breaks are a great way to explore a new city and this time by popular request we are visiting the lovely city of Stockholm. Our trip also includes a 3 hour guided tour which should give us our bearings. Top of the list of things to see are the Gamla Stan one of the best preserved medieval city centres in the world with is winding streets and shops. Also a must see is the Vassa a 15�� centaury warship which sunk upon it’s maiden voyage now restored and preserved as a museum. Stockholm is built upon thousands of islands and there is the opportunity to see the city from the water As usual our trip coordinator will ensure you get the best of your time and have a group option for those who want to explore together and also arrange group meals.
And make the most of your Spice membership!
Fun & Spicy Winter Weekend Breaks We have something for everyone in Spice with our Winter weekend breaks! for January Dare you try our extreme boot camp in the Cotswolds or perhaps a more relaxing weekend walking the picturesque South Downs and the Sussex coast? Why not head North to the stunning Lake District for our walking weekend near Windermere.
for February Fantastic scenery is guaranteed with our Isle of Portland Walking weekend. We are also heading to explore the Roman city of York and walking & wine tasting in the Lake District which sounds like a great combo! More walking is to be had in North Devon in beautiful Bideford and another near Skipton in North Yorkshire.
for March
March sees the start of our Spice Solent Sailing, if you have never sailed these weekends are the perfect introduction. With the days getting longer we have some brilliant walking weekends lined-up in Canterbury, Derbyshire, Suffolk, the Elan Valley, Snowdonia & in the Cotswolds. g n Raftin o y n a C 3 rand ber 201 Spice G Septem
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Book now events!
Many of our events are repeated, but some events are a one-off or are seasonal and others get booked very quickly. We wouldn’t want you to miss-out on that amazing must do event, so here here are a few suggestions. Don’t miss out on the fun Book Now! New Year Dinner Shuffle in Bristol - Saturday 4�� January Vulcan Bomber Restoration Experience - Saturday 11�� January Burns Night Ceilidh & Disco - Saturday 25�� January Visit Horseworld Rescue Centre in Bristol - Sunday 26�� January Cardiff Wine Tasting Evening - Thursday 30�� January Gloucester Micro brewery Visit - Friday 31�� January Helicopter Lesson in Warwick - Sunday 9�� February Black Tie & Posh Frocks Party +1 Night stay in London ‐ 22ⁿ� February Drive & Ride the Awesome Aerial Atom ‐ Saturday 22ⁿ� February Fire Eating Workshop - Sunday 9�� March Spice Ski Trip to Verbier Switzerland - Saturday 15�� March Sailing Weekend around the Solent - Friday 28�� March
Spice Bristol & Cardiff www.spicebristolcardiff.com | 0742 959 8414 or 01276 479253 130 Aztec | Almondsbury | Bristol | BS32 4UB