Spice Newsletter, West Mids, Autumn 2013 by Richard Coulter

WEEKENDS HOLIDAYS

LEISURE

ADVENTURE

SOCIAL

www.spiceuk.com

Autumn 2013 Spice is the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading adventure, social and leisure group. Enjoy a jam-packed social life with over 100 events every month to choose from. All events are arranged for you, all you have to do is book and turn up. Spice membership is equivalent to a glass of wine or a Q"lE+H'l:N <ZFll $ week.

Be part of it and join today to make friends, meet people, have fun

welcome!

Rl@@Z $'" fl@<Z)l *Z Z8: 28*8)' 'lfE@lWl:U $'" $'Z*-l: huge batch of excitement, fun, entertaining events for you *Z Hl* Z8* *-l:l $'" )$Cl $ "+Fl:l'<l *Z *-l ;8$@+*M ZJ @+JlU all in an instant! D'<l $H$+'U +J MZ8N:l 'lf -l:lU *-l J:Z'* $'" >$<C El<&Z'E relate to things of interest to the whole of Spice around *-l <Z8'*:MU $'" *-l )+""@l El<&Z' J:Z) =$Hl g Z'f$:"EU relates to your local Spice Group. However, much as we *:MU *-+E 'lfE@lWl: +E =:lWM )8<- Z8* ZJ "$*l *-l "$M +* is sent to the printers, so with new events being added every day to the Spice Programme, do keep an eye on the fl>E+*l @+E&'HE *Z Cll= 8= *Z E=ll" $'" 'Z* )+EE $'M*-+'HS We also communicate with our members with weekly email updates dropping in to your in box, along with our !$<l>ZZC =$HlES D8: _$&Z'$@ [=+<l !$<l>ZZC ($Hl +E JZ8'" $* fffSIS<Z)bE=+<l8C $'" $@@ *-l @Z<$@ k:Z8=E !$<l>ZZC pages have links to them there. It’s great fun to see the 'lfEJll"E Efl@@ f+*- =-Z*ZH:$=-E $'" =ZE*E $Pl: l$<weekends events, and we love to see what you have been up to around the Spice world. With the darker nights now approaching, you are perfectly =ZE+&Z'l" *Z )$Cl E8:l MZ8 Cll= *-l )Z)l'*8) 8= $'" :l$<- $ Jlf ZJ MZ8: Zf' HZ$@E% LJ +*E -l$@*- $'" Y*'lEE Z' your training list, Spice can help you with that with all the f$@CE $'" $<&i+&lE Z' ZFl:U f-+<- -$E HZ* *Z >l )Z:l J8' than the gym, or jogging round the park. Get that bucket

Lauren Fawkes [=+<l a$'<-lE*l:

Neal Morris Spice Yorkshire

Dianne Livingstone Dominic Renshaw Spice London and Spice

Spice Thames Valley & Solent

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list out (if you haven’t got one yet – write one today!) and decide what thing you $:l HZ+'H *Z C'Z<C ZF +* +' the coming few weeks. Being a member of Spice brings EZ )$'M Z==Z:*8'+&lE Z' $ plate for you, with people to do them with and all the Z:H$'+E$&Z' *$Cl' <$:l ZJU so let’s do that Scuba Dive, Tandem Skydive or Fire Breathing workshop, and live life to *-l J8@@S AZ8N@@ Y'" +*NE *-l 8E8$@ E*Z:MU Hl* *-$* Y:E* Q=+<C@lN out of the jar, and the rest will tumble out no problem! Christmas and New Year fall in this quarter, and again, [=+<l f+@@ >l -l:l =:lEl'&'H MZ8 f+*- $ )M:+$" ZJ Z==Z:*8'+&lEU =$:&lEU fllCl'" >:l$CE $'" -Z@+"$MES However be fair warned they tend to book out soon, so :l)l)>l: *-l [=+<l )ZWZ G MZ8 E'ZZ7lU MZ8 @ZEl G MZ8 rest, you rust (lol) and get that Christmas Party booked $'" +' MZ8: "+$:M% \l -$il El@l<*l" $ Jlf JlE&il lil'*E to give you an idea of what’s available, and do check out the websites. So, I guess- given I won’t be speaking to you 8'&@ 4650 G L <Z8@" >l *-l il:M Y:E* *Z f+E- MZ8 $ al::M V-:+E*)$E $'" $ -$==M _lf Al$: 4650%%

Dave

k%'f*%H DfRfA#.*%-fA

Richard Coulter

[=+<l \lE* a+"@$'"E

Steve Dell

[=+<l 9$E* a+"@$'"E

meet the team Jamie Morris Spice Scotland

We are excited to put the spotlight on our greatest asset, the members $'" f+@@ >l Jl$*8:+'H *fZ Z: *-:ll al)>l: (:ZY@lE l$<- l"+&Z'S

Donna Beanland k:Z8=T a$'<-lE*l: k:Z8= al)>l: JZ:T 4 Ml$:E

Pip Gorringe k:Z8=T \lE* a+"@$'"E al)>l: JZ:T 4 Ml$:E

Why did you join Spice ? U Nf.*{# gE.D{ %M U Sf>*# -2%- r.-2 % Df,F.*%'f* fS rfAK Df,,.-,{*-M` %*# ,V SA.{*#M Q{a*Q ,%AA.{#` U r%M F{.*Q A{M-A.D-{# %M E{fEH{ {.-2{A Df>H# *f- %OfA# -f Qf f>- %M ,>D2 fA 2%# S%,.HV '{M %*# #.#*W- r%*- -f] U r%*-{# -f ,{{- H.K{ ,.*#{# E{fEH{ r2f r%*-{# -f 2%w{ S>*` r{A{ MfD.%H %*# f>- -f ,%K{ SA.{*#M %*# N>M- 2%w{ % QA{%- ',{] gE.D{ ec{# %Af>*# ,V Df,,.-,{*-M %*# eHH{# .* -2{ Q%EM&

Why did you join Spice? d{D%>M{ U r%M .* #{ME{A%-{ *{{# fS % MfD.%H H.S{] 72{A{ %A{ f*HV Mf ,%*V ',{M -2%- Vf> D%* M-%HK Vf>AM{HS f* S%D{FffK]]]

What has been your favourite event? ]U 2%w{ M-A>QQH{# -f E.DK f*{ {w{*-] "Af, DH%V E.Q{f* M2ff'*Q -f pH%,% 7A{KK.*Q` SAf, \%*Qfw{A \fFFH{M -f % #%V %- -2{ A%D{M U 2%w{ Hfw{# %HH fS ,V {w{*-M %*# -AV -f FffK f* %M ,>D2 w%A.{-V %M EfMM.FH{]]]Vf> 2%w{ -f -AV -2{M{ -2.*QM& What would be your advice for a new member? g'DK r.-2 .- %*# #f*W- F{ MD%A{#& h{ %HH 2%# % eAM- {w{*%*# K*fr 2fr ,>D2 Df>A%Q{ .- -%K{M Mf {,FA%D{ .-` U EAf,.M{ .- E%VM fO] U r{*- -f % S{r {w{*-M F{SfA{ U Sf>*# ,V S{{- %*# S{H- Df,SfA-%FH{] U *{%AHV Q%w{ >E %Y{A -2{ eAMDf>EH{ fS {w{*-M F>- -2{* Vf> M{{ -2{ M%,{ SA.{*#HV S%D{M %*# Q{- -f K*fr E{fEH{ %*#` %M ,>D2 %M .- Mf>*#M % DH.D2t` .- #f{M S{{H w{AV ,>D2 H.K{ %* {X-{*M.f* fS ,V S%,.HV r.-2 Mf,{ fS -2{ SA.{*#M U 2%w{ ,%#{] UWHH *{w{A SfAQ{- -2{ %#w.D{ Mf,{f*{ Q%w{ ,{ r2{* Nf.*.*Q gE.D{]]]HffK SfA SA{{#f,` SA.{*#M2.E %*# S>*& What is your funniest memory in Spice? ">**.{M- ,{,fAV]]]M2f>H#*W- F{ %#,.a*Q -2.M %M fE{*.*Q ,VM{HS >E -f rf,{* #A.w{A Df,,{*-M& L* -2{ r%V -f %* {w{*-` -2.M r{{K{*#` U SfHHfr{# -2{ M%- *%w -f -2{ H{c{A] h2{* .- -fH# ,{ -f Qf A.Q2- U #.#]]]>E % E>FH.D Sff-E%-2] v*fr.*Q U r%M q<< V%A#M SAf, r2{A{ U *{{#{# -f F{` %*# U r%M HffK.*Q SfA % S%A,2f>M{` U D%AA.{# f* fw{A r2%- %EE{%A{# -f F{ % FA.#H{ E%-2 Q{a*Q *%AAfr{A %*# *%AAfr{A] g'HH U D%AA.{# f* %*# {*#{# >E .* % e{H#] kfr f*HV 6<< V%A#M SAf, r2{A{ U *{{#{# -f F{ U #Afw{ %DAfMM -2{ e{H# %*# fw{A % E%-2 f*HV M>.-%FH{ SfA % 6X6 r.-2 .-M AfDKV Af%# 1zf# FH{MM ,V ".%3<</] g'HH U Df*'*>{# %*# r{*- %DAfMM %*f-2{A FA.#H{ E%-2 F{SfA{ Nf.*.*Q -2{ Af%# %Q%.*] pffK.*Q F%DK U #f *f- K*fr 2fr U ,%#{ .- -2Af>Q2 -2{ *%AAfr E>FH.D Sff-E%-2 F>- U #.#]]] *{w{A F{ H%-{ SfA %* {w{*-` {w{* .S .- ,{%*M H.-{A%HHV Qf.*Q %DAfMM Df>*-AV&& g%S{ -f M%V U SfHHfr{# Mf,{f*{ {HM{ 2f,{]]] What is your life philosophy in one sentence? U %Hr%VM H.w{ FV -2{ E2.HfMfE2V -2%- Vf> f*HV Q{- f*{ M2f- .* H.S{ %*# Vf> M2f>H# -%K{ .-] k{w{A 2%w{ A{QA{-M %*# H.w{ Vf>A H.S{ -f -2{ ,%X] aZE* *:l$E8:l" >l@Z'H+'H# h2%- Df>H# U *f- H.w{ r.-2f>- ,V S%,.HV %*# SA.{*#M r{A{ ,V .,,{#.%-{ D2f.D{` r.-2f>- 2{M.-%'f*] 72{ ,fA{ U -2f>Q2%Ff>- .- -2{ ,fA{ U A{%H.M{#` A%-2{A M%#HV` -2%- ,V E2f*{ *{{#M -f F{ f* -2.M H.M-&

What has been your favourite event? 72{ M>,,{A F%HH FV S%A& U ,{- Mf,{ fS ,V QA{%-{M- SA.{*#M %- -2{ M>,,{A F%HH Mf U r.HH *{w{A SfAQ{- .-] What has been your most challenging event? U #f*W- #f D2%HH{*Q.*Q {w{*-M& UW, ,fA{ fS -2{ M.a*Q %*# #A.*K.*Q {w{*-M K.*# fS Q.AH]]] What is your funniest memory in Spice? z{a*Q >E f* M-%Q{ r.-2 5.,,V b%AA& \.H%A.f>M& What would be your advice for a new member? 5LUk %*# #f*W- HffK F%DK& g%V 2{HHf -f {w{AVf*{ %*# Q{- Vf>AM{HS .* -2{ ,.##H{ fS .-] kf f*{ %- gE.D{ .M -2.*K.*Q ZU #f*Wr%*- -f ,%K{ %*V SA.{*#MW] ?w{AVf*{ r.HH r{HDf,{ Vf>` {w{AVf*{ r.HH -%HK -f Vf> %*# {w{AVf*{ r%*-M -f F{ Vf>A SA.{*#& Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? kf- V{-R r%-D2 -2.M ME%D{& Have you an embarrassing Spice moment? If>WA{ *f- % EAfE{A ME.D{A .S Vf> 2%w{*W,%#{ % Df,EH{-{ '- fS Vf>AM{HS` %*# U 2f*{M-HV rf>H#*W- K*fr r2{A{ -f F{Q.*& What is your life philosophy in one sentence. UW# A%-2{A A{QA{- -2{ -2.*QM U #.# #f` -2%* -2{ -2.*QM U #.#*W-& Four people (alive or dead) you’d invite to your dream dinner party? kL Lk?& mfA{ Sff# SfA ,{ ^G ]]]]]]] 8*# EfMM.FHV ,V #%>Q2-{A]]] U D%* *{w{A M{{, -f Q{- % F%FVM.c{A]]] Your favourite movie? +2%*-f, fS -2{ fE{A%] \%*#M #fr*] aZE* *:l$E8:l" >l@Z'H+'H# mV E2f*{] UW, H.-{A%HHV %c%D2{# -f .-] mfM- E{fEH{ rf>H# %MM>,{ ,V #%>Q2-{A` F>- *f` .-WM ,V E2f*{]

Ian Lucas k:Z8=T \lE* a+"@$'"E al)>l: JZ:T Dil: 56 Ml$:E Why did you join Spice? UW# 2%# 2{%A- M>AQ{AV -2{ V{%A F{SfA{ %*# ,V k{r I{%AWM j{MfH>'f* r%M Z7f g>AEA.M{ mVM{HSW] U -AfHH{# %Hf*Q -f % EA{w.{r %- h%Ar.DK 8A-M b{*-A{ F{D%>M{ U -2f>Q2- -2{ H.M'*Q SfA .r%M ,%#] U N>M- S{HH .* Hfw{ r.-2 -2{ r2fH{ .#{%] What has been your favourite event? U Hfw{ -2{ f*{M r2{A{ Vf> #f M>AEA.M{ Vf>AM{HS P eA{ {%'*Q` %FM{.H.*Q 1U \87? 2{.Q2-M/ 2%*QQH.#.*Q] mV eAM- {w{*- r%M M*%K{ Sf*#H.*Q] What is your funniest memory in Spice? 8H,fM- Q{a*Q ,%AA.{# FV %DD.#{*- .* p%M i{Q%M r2{* % FA.#{ ->A*{# >E %- ,V #ffA ]]] What would be your advice for a new member? Gf*W- D{*MfA Vf>AM{HS] Have you been on a Spice UK Holiday? \%w{ U {w{A P 2.Q2H.Q2-M F{.*Q gA. p%*K%` -2{ jfDK.{M` zA%*# b%*Vf* A%Y.*Q {XE{A.{*D{ 1U 2%-{ Q{a*Q r{- %*# 2%-{ D%,E.*Q` F>- .- r%M %* %FMfH>-{ FH%M-/ mfMDfrng- +{-{AMF>AQ 1r2{A{ -2{ 7f>A p{%#{A Qf- %AA{M-{# .* -2{ vA{,H.* SfA >*S>AH.*Q % gE.D{ d%**{A/` *{r V{%A .* k{r IfAK %*# ,fM- A{D{*-HV UD{H%*# 1-2{ kfA-2{A* p.Q2-M r{A{ %r{Mf,{` %*# r{ ,{- d.HH L##.{ FV %DD.#{*-/ Have you an embarrassing Spice moment? U A{EA{M{*-{# g+Ub? f* % Df,E{''f* f* ,V eAM- 2fH.#%V f* % b%A.FF{%* bA>.M{ r2{A{ -2{ mb #%A{# Df*-{M-%*-M -f r{%A % FA% %*# A{,fw{ f>A ZE%*-MW P SfA->*%-{HV -2{ Hfw{HV pf>.M{ G%w.{M A{,.*#{# ,{ -2%- Z+%*-MW r%M 8,{A.D%* SfA -Af>M{AM %*# *f- >*#{Ar{%A` F{SfA{ U ,%#{ % Df,EH{-{ ME{D-%DH{ fS ,VM{HS ]]] What is your life philosophy in one sentence? dA{%K 2{%A-M` r.*# %*# A>H{M Four people (alive or dead) you’d invite to your dream dinner party? 8HH ;; GfD-fA h2fM 1-{D2*.D%HHV ; E{AMf*]]]/` d{%A zAVHHM 12{ FA.*QM 2.M fr* #A.*K]]]/ p.==.{ h.*#MfA 1Mf M2{ Df>H# #AfE -2{ %.AM %*# QA%D{M %*# H{%w{ -2%- #A{%#S>H +2.H.E F{2.*#/` dfFFV "%AA{HH fS df*{V m 1U H{%A*- %HH ,V #%*D{ ,fw{M SAf, 2.,&/ Your favourite movie? 72{ h.=%A# LS L= P F>- dAfK{F%DK mf>*-%.* A{%HHV FAfK{ ,V 2{%A-] UWw{ *{w{A F{{* -2{ M%,{ M.*D{]

It won’t be long now before the festive season is once again in full swing, and obviously Spice will be presenting you with a veritable array of amazing parties and weekends away packed full of festive cheer! Here’s a brief listing of some of the things you could consider to lighten up the dark nights, and make

sure you see 2012 out in style. It’s no way an exhaustive list, with many many meals and other holiday themed events, so as ever, keep on eye on the websites, but here’s a glimpse of some of the balls, Parties and Breaks available to you over the holidays… All details on your local Spice Group Website.

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Spice Gallery

Recent Events

Sack Race at School Sports

Brave Wing walker

Ballooning over Yorkshire

Llama Trekking

Color Run Volunteers

Surf School

Zebra Crossing

Adrenalin Junkie

Richard’s Roundup Welcome to our Autumn newsletter and to all the fun things that we have found to keep you smiling through to Christmas and into 2014. It’s a great time for Spice parties and all sorts of social times with friends (most importantly, those Spice friends that you haven’t met yet!). But there are also still lots of opportunities to get out in the countryside, try new sports, challenges and experiences. Please remember that a Spice Newsletter is just a “snapshot in time” and that new events are being added to our website every day. We love what we do and it’s great to have you aboard!

See you on the events ..

Geri O’Neill

20/12/1963 – 21/9/2013 I am writing this newsletter in the days following the death of a very dear Spice friend, Geri O’Neill. I know that very many of you are proud to have known this lovely lady who added so much to the life of our group – both as a keen member and as one of our Volunteer Coordinators. Geri was looking forward to celebrating her 50th Birthday in December and was, by all accounts, as happy as could be. She had met fellow member Allen Williams at a Spice meal and the two of them had been inseparable ever since and were planning their life together. Tragically, this was not to be. Geri, an experienced scuba diver, died whilst diving with friends on a personal holiday to Marsa Alam on the Red Sea on September 21st. I have been following the hundreds of tributes that have been appearing on the social networks this week from people in all the different spheres of her life. It is clear that Geri was held in high regard by so many people, be they friends, fellow adventure seekers or her NHS colleagues who worked with her in her career as a Health Professional. Geri brought a lot of happiness, friendship, adventure and all round love of life to Spice and she will be sorely missed. Fortunately we can also smile at the memories of good times shared. Our thoughts are with her partner Allen and her children Ellen, Tom and Hugh as they come to terms with their loss. Richard 26/9/13

Coming Events October 2013 Monday

Tuesday 1 October

Masonic Temple Visit Run in the Park Spice "Biggest Loser" 12 Week Challenge*

Badminton For Fun - Worcester Badminton at Barr Beacon Darts Night & Buffet Spice Book Club*

Introduction to Short Tennis Run in the Park Solihull Pub Night Ten Pin Bowling

51 Shades of Maggie* Kings Heath Pub Night Run in the Park

Badminton For Fun - Worcester Jaguar Cars Visit War Horse*

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Ice Skating Fun Night Tamworth & Lichfield Pub Night

Thursday 3

Halesowen & Quinton Pub Night Race Night with Fish & Chip Supper Staffordshire Search & Rescue Talk

Friday 4

Salsa Dance Workshop

Saturday 5

Cannock Chase Ramble Dowsing Workshop Indoor Surfing - Bedford* Marvellous Mammals Tour Oil Painting in a Day Overnight Forest Exp Saxophone for Beginners Scuba Taster Morning Toboggan & Fondue Night

Sunday 6

Braunston Ramble Kinver Edge Ramble Mind Management Workshop Nottingham City Walk Tank Battle Experience Ukulele for Fun

Chippenham & Wiltshire Walking W’end Murder Mystery Sleepover in Derby Sailing W’end around Malta & Gozo Sailing W’end around the Solent

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Sutton Pub Night

Bellfoundry/ Bell Casting Experience Curry & Quiz Sutton* Nine Steps to Happiness Preview Ev (MAC) Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey)

Dinner Shuffle around the World - USA

Abseiling for the Terrified* Barnt Green Ramble Colour U Confident Deer Walk with a Ranger Flight Simulator Flirting for Fun Glastonbury Day Kayak River Adventure Offchurch Ramble Rally Driving Lesson Stained Glass Workshop

Beginners Horse Trek Burlesque Dance Cinema Night Concorde Tour Dinghy Sailing Eastnor Castle Heirs Tour* Edale & Hope Mtn Biking Pottery Workshop SWAT Training Mission Shugborough Easy Ramble Warwicks Views Ramble

Butlins 70's Party W’end Creative Clay W’end Drawing & Watercolour W’end Oban Walking W’end* Get the life you always wanted but were afraid to ask! Llangollen Luxury Walking W’end West End Bunk Barn W'end

Aqua Aerobics Badminton For Fun - Worcester

American Pool Night & Buffet Badminton For Fun - Worcester Bromsgrove Pub Night Proof House Private Tour

Wednesday 2

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Break Dancing Drumming for Beginners Funeral Home Talk & Tour Lichfield Pub Treasure Trail

Horse Whisperer Monty Roberts Live Lasan Indian Banquet Private Dining with VIP Chef Warwick & Leamington Pub Night

Ghostly Goings On & Supper Museum Collections Centre Exp Spice Hits Town St Nicolas Place Tour Trick Horse Riding

Ballroom Dance M’class Cha Cha Cha Chinese Meal Lathkill Dale & Magpie Moderate Ramble Pasta & Bread Making Workshop Smethwicks' Amazing Canal Walk Space Opera

Dorset Coast & Country Walking W'end Sailing W’end around the Solent Skills for the Hills

Run in the Park

Everyday Hairstyling & Makeup Lesson

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Curry & Quiz* Ghost Walk of Sutton C’field Kick Boxing* Preview Ev (Dudley)

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Bewdley Treasure Hunt Imagination at the Jam House Quiz Wine Tasting

Dodgeball Intro & Coaching Ghost Hunting & Supper Sporting Charity Dinner Unihoc (Mixed Indoor Hockey)

Halloween Owl Encounters Murder Mystery & Buffet Rolls Royce Heritage Trust Visit

Bham Museum Tea & Tour Chipping Campden Scenic Cotswolds Ramble Improve Your Laugh Life Intro to EFT & Energy Connections Introduction to Sculpture Makeover Photo Session Pole Dancing with Pure Joy Rally Driving Lesson

Ash End House Farm Golf - Play in a Day Indian Head Massage Medieval Jousting Moira & Donnisthorpe Easy/Moderate Ramble Power Kite & Kite Buggy* Rock Weaseling Day

Dinghy Sailing Introduction to Rowing Mam Tor Ridge Ramble Microlighting Experience Ragley Hall Rambling & Sketching Watercolour Painting Intro Zip World - Ultimate Zipline Experience

Ghostly & Grisly Birmingham Walk

Spice Birmingham, 6A Burnett Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 3EJ Tel: 0121 353 6161

Fax: 0121 353 6861 Email: richard@spicebham.com * Denotes event is full – wait list only

Web: www.spicebham.com

Coming Events November 2013 Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday 1 November

Cinema Night Rubery Jekyll & Hyde at Blue Orange Night of Terror at Woodchester

Badminton For Fun - Worcester Snooker Night & Buffet Spice Book Club*

Badminton For Fun - Worcester Learn to Snowboard Course Ski Lesson Beginners Tubing Session

Badminton For Fun - Worcester Bromsgrove Pub Night

Badminton For Fun - Worcester Preview Evening (MAC)

Canadian Canoe Adventure Halloween Sleepover Party* Stourbridge & Guy Fawkes Walk Western Style Rifle Shooting Afternoon

Cheddar Gorge & Mendips Walking W’end New Members Relaxed Walking W’end

Ballet for Fun Preview Ev (Arden Hotel) Ten Pin Bowling

An Evening With Roger Moore Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Pub Games Tamworth & L’field Pub Nt Wellness Ev

Erasmus Darwin Ev & Cellar Tour Halesowen & Quinton Pub Night Leamington Torchlit Ramble/ Supper Unihoc

Barn Dance & Supper

Abseiling for the Terrified Brandon/Brinklow Ramble Five Rivers Contemporary Indian Dinner Shuffle Ladybower Come & Try Mountain Biking National Memorial Arboretum & Lunch Rally Driving Lesson Snorkelling with Sharks

Ballachulish Bargain Break* Certificate in Outdoor First Aid (level 5) W’end Winter Warmer Bonfire W'end* Tennis W’end for Beginners in Northants

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Kababish Dinner Shuffle Pamper Ev at Shear Salon* Sutton Pub Night

Indoor Climbing at Redpoint Solihull Pub Night

Curry & Quiz Wolverhampton Girls Roller Skating Lesson Pudding Party at a Country House

Dancing with Mr.Darcy Singapore Dining Experience Spice Hits Town at the Jam House

Caving for the Terrified Cosford Restoration & Behind The Scenes Day Hanbury Hall Ramble & Lunch Stow On The Wold Ramble

Center Parcs Longleat W’end Prague City Break Sidmouth & Devon Coast Walking W'end Tennis W’end with Coaching

Cafe Ceramica Experience Kings Heath Pub Night

Saturday 2

Anne Boleyn at Tutbury Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Fencing Stylistics at the Jam House Trampolining *

BBC Behind the Scenes Blacksmithing Evening New Members Mix & Mingle Unihoc Warwick & Leamington Pub Night

Fine Dining Experience at Drayton Park

Auto Stunt School Build a Home for Otters Caving at Burrington* Draycot Water Ramble Kingsbury Ramble Latin Dinner Shuffle Makeover Photo Session Off Road Karting R.A.I.D Course Symonds Yat Adventure Walk with Wolves

Sunday 3

Firework Spectacular at Tutbury Gordon Giltrap in Concert Hawks, Owls, Tudors & Battles Hockley Heath Ramble Neen Savage Ramble Quad Bike Intro

Birmingham at War Afternoon Walk Cinema Night Forest Segway Go Ape in Cannock Hoola Hooping Malvern's North Ramble Peak District Biking Day Staunton Harold Ramble

Bird Handling Course Haughmond Hill Ramble Helicopter Lesson Nordic Walking Taster Shrewsbury Ghost Walk Spa Experience with Retail Therapy Ten Things Everyone Should Know About DIY

Dog Walk in Sutton Park Early Morning Dudley Zoo Fire Eating Workshop Kenilworth to Wroxall Moderate Ramble Prodrive V.I.P. Visit

Scottish Borders Mountain Bike W’end Shropshire Easy Walking W’end Welsh Cottage Walking Break Whitby Moors & Coastal Walking W'end

Christmas Card Workshop Indoor Bouldering Indoor Bowls

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Family History Evening Ice Skating Magic for Beginners Pamper Ev Quiz

Assay Office Tour Italian Dinner Shuffle at Fellinis

Cinema Night Rubery Karaoke & Casserole

Ballroom Masterclass Argentine Tango Dogs Home Visit Ramble, Scramble & Dangle Trentham & Hanchurch Moderate Ramble

Bristol/Bath Christmas Markets Social W’end Lyndhurst & New Forest Walking W’end Winter Pod Camping & Walking W'end

Spice Birmingham, 6A Burnett Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 3EJ Tel: 0121 353 6161

Fax: 0121 353 6861 Email: richard@spicebham.com * Denotes event is full – wait list only

Web: www.spicebham.com

Coming Events December 2013 Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 1 December

Brocton & the Haywoods Ramble Clent Easy Ramble Cupcake Christmas Decorating W’shop Derby City Walk Golf - Play in a Day Good Food Show

Badminton For Fun - Worcester Spice Book Club

Badminton For Fun - Worcester

Badminton For Fun - Worcester Bromsgrove Pub Night

Christmas Cooking Demo & Dine Nutcracker

Solihull Pub Night

A Christmas Wassail Kings Heath Pub Night

Bournville on Christmas Eve Knowle Locks Xmas Eve Easy Ramble & Lunch

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Curry & Quiz Tamworth & Lichfield Pub Night Tudor Christmas with Henry VIII

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Sutton Pub Night

Austrian Christmas at Franzls Halesowen & Quinton Pub Night Unihoc

Badminton in Coventry & Wolverhampton Badminton NIA Quiz Sutton Park Mulled Wine/Mince Pie Ev Ramble

Warwick & Leamington Pub Night

Christmas Day Link Up 2013 Christmas Day Lunch Escape Christmas with a Day on the Mountains

Charity Sleep Out

Birmingham Canals Walk Chocolate Experience Feel the Fear .. & do it anyway® Inkberrow Ramble Scuba Taster Morning Winter Wildlife Tour of Middleton Lakes

Center Parcs Christmas Weekend

A Victorian Christmas Abseiling for the Terrified Christmas Dinner Dance Makeover or Boudoir Photography Session

The Enchanted Tales

Christmas Carriage Ride Clun & The Shropshire Way Ramble

Christmas Clay Pigeon Shooting Cinema Night Rubery Spice Hits Town at the Jam House

Attract, Create & Maintain your Perfect Relationship Christmas Adventure Trek Cinema Night Exploring the Countryside Frankfurt Markets Pub Treasure Trail Glass Art Workshop Singing for Beginners Spice Choir Winter Walking/ Navigation Skills Day

Santa Cycle & Present Drop in Sutton Park

Whittington & Hopwas Moderate Ramble

Balloon Flight Made in Birmingham Walk & Afternoon Tea

Christmas Break: Manchester Beddgelert & Snowdonia Twixtmas W'end Borrowdale Twixtmas Walking Break White Cliffs Twixtmas Walking W'end Borrowdale New Year Break Horsley Park New Year Walking Break Nottinghamshire New Year Walking/Social Break Snowdonia New Year Break

Magical Mystery Circus Sleepover extra night Shatterford Ramble Tamworth Town Walk

Magical Mystery Circus Sleepover Party New Year Break in London *

Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2013/1

Spice Birmingham, 6A Burnett Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 3EJ Tel: 0121 353 6161

Fax: 0121 353 6861 Email: richard@spicebham.com * Denotes event is full – wait list only

Web: www.spicebham.com

Notice Board

If you have a notice, members may place it here free to an audience of around 4000 motivated people. Notices will be deleted after approx 3 months - earlier if space dictates. Contact richard@spicebham.com

Sales & Wants:

Honda Accord 2.0 se 5 Door in dark blue. 2002 51 plate, 81000 miles, MOT August 2012. FSH, A/C, C/C, remote CDL, Alloys, upgraded CD player, Nokia HF car kit.Nice comfortable high spec car. Not owned for long but never let me down since bought in May. £895 ono. Phone Pete on 0121 313 0453 or 07971 038843. Email pete@all-fit.co.uk//

Holiday Accomodation:

Sicily, Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment, with wonderful views, seperate lounge and well fitted kitchen. Just 10mins from beach near Taormina, Sicily. Decorated to high standard with all modern amenities. See property ref IT1470 on Owners Direct. 10% discount against advertised rates for Spice members. Just mention Spice in your enquiry email from website// Interested in Crewing a 55ft Yacht in Croatia? Costs shared between group. Professional skipper. May & August dates available. Call Malcolm Hunt on 07966 204289 or malcolm.hunt66@btinternet.com // Ellie’s Place, dog friendly chalet by beach in N E Lincolnshire. Secure enclosed garden; Dog friendly beach; 2 Bedrooms, en suite & sofa bed (can sleep 6); No limit on dogs!; Prices to suit. Visit: www.elliesplacecleethorpes.co.uk or Contact woof@elliesplacecleethorpes.co.uk // Lake District, 3 bed/ 2 bath modern house on holiday village near Keswick. Pool/ gym & restaurant on site. contact Mike 079676 38989// Auvergne Region of France - 2 gites/studios for rental in this beautiful region. Two one bedroom studios,each with kitchen, lounge and bathroom, each sleeping 4 people. Wonderful views & perfect for walking and site seeing. Cost £300 per week per studio. For details visit https://sites.google.com/site/rocheenregnier/ or contact Andrew Dare 07757467115 e-mail andrewdare1@virginmedia.com // B&B in Blackpool - ensuite rooms, conveniently situated near the Central Pier, 2 mins from the Promenade & 10 mins from the centre and all its attractions. Contact 01253 622735 and mention Spice for 10% discount, www.midlandhotel.co.uk// Olhos d'Agua, Albufeira, Portugal, Ground floor 1 bed apartment, sleeps 4. Facilities include pool, childrens pool, tennis courts & air con. 5 mins to beach, rates from £175 - £395pw. Email joyc2008@live.com// Villa Southern Dunes - 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom villa with private pool in golf community near Disney, Florida. Quote 'Spice' for 10% off when booking via www.villasoutherndunes.com or call Di Gorton on 07952 408964// Holiday Cottage to let right on the beach in Cornwall between Newquay & St Ives. Sleeps 6 comfortably, all mod cons, own garage, school holiday dates now available due to cancellations. Call Jayne 01827 706524 or 07952 863803// Antigua, Caribbean; Luxury apartment on beach., 4 poster bed. Sleeps upto 4 call Sheila 07958 930598. Other Antigua properties available// La Manga Spain, 2 bed apartment, sleeps 4-6. 50m from beach. For details, visit www.spainlamanga.com. Discount for Spice// Apartment in Sta Eulalia area of Albufeira, Portugal Sleeps 4-6. Excellent facilities inc pool & children's pool. Short walk to beach/ old town. Easy access from airports. £250/week. Email Keith: 2fatcats@lineone.net// Padstow, Cornwall, luxury holiday cottage, sleeps 4. Visit www.padstowpad.co.uk. 10% discount//

Residential Accommodation Offered:

Room to rent in Kingstanding, £70 p.week including utilities.Large kitchen and pleasant garden. House cleanish but a bit old fashioned in decor, much like it's owner. .Nearby bus routes.for Brum etc. Sharing with easy going gay owner. Non smoker preferred. Please contact Andy on 0121 350 1033 or 07758 930 931 //

Personal Announcements, Employment, Charities & Opportunities:

Divorce Recovery Workshop Is a charitable organization that many Spice members have recommended to us. It offers anyone at any stage of divorce or separation a way forward. It enables participants to gain a better understanding of what they are going through and also seeks to provide them with support from others in the same situation and assists in the process of readjustment in their lives. There are no experts just people who have experienced divorce or relationship breakdown and have themselves completed the workshop. There are 2 groups in our area: Barnt Green contact Heidi Twilley 0121 445 4396 or Sutton Coldfield contact David & Helen Bennett 0121 308 0739 email: SuttonC@drw.org.uk National Enquiry line 07000 781889 - web www.drw.org.uk

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National Spice Cancellation Policy Evening and one day events: Providing you give us more than 7 days (includes weekends and bank holidays) notice you will receive a full refund as a Credit Note, less a Cancellation Fee of 20% (minimum charge £3). Except where stated otherwise in the event description. Ticketed events: Note: Theatre, Concerts, etc. These are non-refundable unless we can resell your place, as tickets will have been purchased (but please talk to us as we can often re sell tickets for you). Overnight events and events costing over £100: Note: This excludes overseas trips which have a separate Holiday Cancellation Policy. Providing you give us more than 28 days (includes weekends and bank holidays) notice you will receive a full refund as a Credit Note, less a Cancellation Fee of 20% of the cost of the event or loss of the deposit paid (where applicable). Except where stated otherwise in event description. 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 or credit note (as preferred). Our policy is that wherever possible we will always issue a refund. Credit Notes: Should be used within 12 months of issue and can be refunded (in the way you paid) at any time.

Spice Discounts & Services Spice members can offer discounts and services to other Spice members through this page. If you would like an entry on here, just email richard@spicebham.com. Please also feed back if you are happy or unhappy with a contact made from this page. Clinical hypnotherapy and NLP concessional rates for members. contact Denise Morgans 07891947206// Save up to 50% off Entry to Warwick Castle, To book please call 0871 222 4001 and quote “days out” (terms/conditions apply)// Couselling/ life coaching sessions. BACP Qualified. In a relaxed and friendly environment. Competitive rates. Call Sheila 07799 791537// Face Painting by Saras Parlour, 10% off. Glitter tattoos, themed & pamper parties for every occasion - children, adults, Birthdays, Weddings etc. www.sarasparlour.co.uk or email contact@sarasparlour.co.uk or Tel: 07964081325// HR & Training Services: From a Chartered FCIPD HR professional. Discounts for Spice members. Contact Kreuk Consulting on 07957 347324 kreukconsulting@gmail.com // The Childminding Shop is an online shop offering a wide variety of educational toys, craft materials and ideas. Spice members can obtain 10% discount by entering the discount code SP3103 in the discount box at the checkout. It’s run by a Spice member www.thechildmindingshop.co.uk // Highbury Theatre, Sutton Coldfield will give you “members rates” without having to take out a Theatre Membership if you are a member of Spice. Call 0121 373 2761 or visit www.highburytheatre.co.uk// Roman Cars (Taxis) 10% discount to Spice members. Based Streetly/ Aldridge area. Call 0121 353 1616 (yes almost the same as Spice!)// Odd Jobs, Tiling, flat pack assembly etc at reasonable prices by the ever friendly Simon Turner call 07966 179473 or simonb.t@tiscali.co.uk// Julie Ray, aromatherapy, reflexology, indian head massage, hopi ear candling. energy field healing, NLP empowerment courses, guided healing meditations, psychic/channelled readings and much more 10% Discount! - see www.julierayliving.com or contact her on 01530 271123 or 07729 282930// Four Oaks Tutors small group and individual tuition (KS3 GCSE & A level tuition) phone Mark on 07875 742805 or visit www.fouroakstutors.co.uk // Business Coach - Not enough hours in the day? Staff problems? I'm a qualified Business Coach and experienced manager. Call Maria 07501 086235. 10% discount// Strattons Fashion Jewellery & Watches on Upper Level, Merry Hill by New Look, Debenhams & Sainsbury's. Run by Spice Member Andrew Stratton. 10% discount// Dietcare, lose weight fast. One to one advice. No gimmicks. Special offers to Spicers. Call Judith 0845 1904310 Est 30 years// Bicycle Recycle makes great bikes from parts of old/ damaged bikes. Run by Spice member Irwin Lavery, they would be delighted to sell you a bike or receive/ collect donations of unwanted bikes for recycling. Call Irwin on 0121 440 6835// Liz Crozier Complementary Therapist offers 10% discount on all treatments booked with her at Natural Balance 0121 422 6151 www.naturalbal.co.uk or contact Liz direct on 07708506109 for more information// Shear Success Avada Salon & Spa, Sutton Coldfield & Tamworth. At 296 Clarence Road Four Oaks B74 4LT, 0121 353 2738 & Fontenaye Road, Coton Green, Tamworth, B79 8JT, 01827 62998. 15% off all hair & beauty treatments to Spice Members. Visit www.shearsuccess.co.uk// Residential Jewellery Making Courses. Ideal for those looking to develop a small business. Call Anwar on 07707 517278 (Spice Supplier)// Driving Lessons in Wolverhmapton, Walsall, Cannock area. Special offer for Spicers. Call Wayne 0800 949 6034// Vibro-Suite Health & Wellness Club near Brindley Place is based on a new concept, focused around human performance using vibration training, therapy and massage which is designed to cater for everyone no matter there age, ability or medical conditions. Spice Wellness Package: Joining fee 50% off; reduced monthly fees & free 10 week Wellness Programme. Visit www.vibro-suite.co.uk// French, German & Spanish tuition from Spice member at great rates for Spicers. Call Irwin on 0121 440 6835// Business & Executive Coach. Work with a professional coach to develop YOU. Improve your business performance. Work less hours & enjoy quality YOU time. Discounts for Spicers. Mike Slattery 07917663764. http://coachingsupportprogramme.com // Aromatherapy Massage, Reiki, EFT & Indian Head Massage. Discounts for Spicers call Stella on 07834 777980 email stella@stellawilcox.co.uk or visit www.stellawilcox.co.uk// Personal Trainer/Nutrition Advisor specialising in fat loss, reshaping and healthier living. Call Sally 07915 647 873// Homeopath & Shamanic Practitioner, Carol Bowler, S.Warks. Holistic help for a wide range of physical conditions and life situations. Consultations in person or on phone. Spice discount. call 07831 447746 or visit www.peacefulenergy.co.uk // Home Improvements/ Builder, Mick Jordan, tel: 07940372225 or email mick@springhillmodels.co.uk // Martin Grogan, professional handyman. Great for all those little jobs you never get around to! Tel 354 8343 or 0794 9448786// Holistic Therapies inc Aromatherapy, Reflexology & Indian Head Massage. Also Feet & Hand Massages. Very good prices call Nick 07861 704477// Self Employed Courier, parcels/letters/pallets & “man with van” for house removals/clearances. Call Phil 07958 387818// Mountainshack outdoor shops, Worcester & Cheltenham 10% off www.mountainshack.com// Stress & Pain relief in the Workplace Linda will come to your office or corporate event and offer a choice of massages. Call 449 9109// Happiness is your Birthright, Live a life of happiness, joy & laughter instead of stress, fear & doubt! White Dove Healing 01902 482488 info@whitedovehealing.co.uk// Female Driving Instructor in Streetly, Call Anna 07971 086922// Walkies Birmingham, dog walking, cat & small animal home care, pet taxi & home security covering Sutton area. www.walkiesbirmingham.co.uk call Cheral 0788 7755634// M’ore 2 Life Coaching, Reiki Therapy, Skin & Make-up consultations and Bridal Make-up. Call Marcia 07838 079947 or visit www.more-2-life.com// Your Favourite Photo turned into a stunning artwork by established artist using latest technology. Very affordable rates to Spicers. Original gift idea. Call David 329 3663// Mobile Skittle Alley for hire. Suit any venue. Steve 07813 690801/01827 60421// Graphic Design for print & web. Fast, friendly & affordable. Call John-Lee 07971 988152 or jl@pragmaticdesign.co.uk// Career Coaching, for cv's, interview coaching & how to get a job you'll love, ahughes@careerconsultancy.eu for free 30min consultation or call Amanda 07753 819309 // Holistic/ Complimentary Therapist, Reiki, Aromatherapy, Indian Head & Swedish Body Massage, Crystal/Gem Therapy, Reflexology, Ear Candling & Reiki attunements. Discount. Lynne 07989 414002 or 01384 894132// Achieve your lifes desires! For a complimentary coaching discussion call Robin Camps 07850 258603// PR & marketing: Raise the profile of your business or event. Free consultation for Spicers. Roseanne 07711 416 663// Qualified Plumber Big reductions to members. Neil 0121 258 4114// Personal Development career, life, business – unlock your potential contact vickypowell@msn.com or Call 624 3010 also interview advice and cv writing// Teachers, bring creativity into your classroom! visit www.richard-ellis-artist.co.uk or call 766 6236/ 07760 295279// Professional IT Support, solutions & support for small businesses. Home support & training also available for members at competitive rates. Ian Cole 07767 498238 or ian@idcsystems.co.uk // Qualified Reiki Practitioner De-stress & gain harmony. 01827 706956 or Linda.buckingham@ntlworld.com // Caricaturist Richard Ellis will entertain guests & give them a unique souvenir of your wedding/company event. 15%. www.cartoondick.co.uk or 766 6236// Complimentary medicine (Shiatsu) 10% Call Margaret 07976 523493// Integrative Counsellor BACP Accredited PG DipCoun Fees £30- £35. Call Patricia 0771 0410 182// Qualified plumber most work undertaken Discounts. Call Mark 07790 888354 or 748 6406 after 6pm// Gardener, Leamington, Warwick & Kenilworth areas. One off or regular maintenance, mowing, weeding, pruning, bedding etc. Also creative gardening & improvements. RHS Qualified. Call 01926 316229 or 07763 193882// Anna, an Accountant who speaks your language, specialising in small businesses 10% off 07711 805183// Life Coaching achieve goals the easy way, 10% off, call Anna 07711 805183// Qualified Teacher offers small group tuition for Grammar School Entrance Exams (11+). Call Tril 357 7347//

Meals and Party Nights Party Nights are a big part of our programme. Throughout the year we alternate between posh affairs & simple disco’s to try and cater for every taste and pocket. As some of our party’s have around 500 capacity, they can be a little daunting if you don’t already know a few people and it’s difficult for us all to look after people individually. That’s why we don’t recommend them as good ‘first events’ to go to on your own unless you are very confident and outgoing. Dining with Spice is always an experience, and we seek to provide you with experiences that are unusual, and, where possible absolutely unique and exclusive to Spice. All our meals are very sociable, so don’t worry if you don’t know many people – most of us are in exactly the same boat - but the group soon develops into one ‘happy family’. If you are brand new to Spice, however, let the office know and we’ll try to introduce you to some new friends on the night. F

Barn Dance & Supper

.. a cracking night in a the barn with Fiddler's Elbow!

Date: Fridays: 8th November 2013 or 24th January 2014 Place: Wishaw Country Sports, just off the A446 near The Belfry Hotel Easy access from Sutton, Solihull & Tamworth via M42 (B76 9PQ) # Meet: Arrive from 7.30pm, Band 8.00pm to 11.00pm. Food 9.00pm Cost: £20 (£23 Guest) includes hot buffet or bbq supper (depending on weather) We've had so many requests to run this night again, again & again! The same successful formula of great music, an authentic rural location and great food has been arranged. Music is provided live by 4 piece band Fiddlers Elbow, who bring us the best jigs and country sounds from Irish and Scottish roots. They’ll explain all the moves – which we all get wrong – and it's a great opportunity to mix, as you are never with one partner for long. Don't worry if you can't dance, none of us can … and it’s great fun trying! There are even fine country ales on tap. All in all, it's about as much fun as you can have in a barn with your clothes on!

Private Dining with a Celebrity Chef .. an exclusive evening including private cooking demo

Date: Thursday 17th October 2013 (Check for future dates online) Place: Shortbutts Lane, Lichfield (WS14 9BU) # Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £49 (£52 Guest) Includes: demonstration, four course dinner & wine Your invitation to join the ultimate dinner party, hosted by celebrity chef Simon Smith. This intimate evening for just 8 people is at a private address in Lichfield and will start with a drink on arrival and canapés. We’ll then enjoy a one hour light-hearted cookery demonstration of dishes for easy entertaining and food presentation. This includes wine and tastings. This is followed by a 4 course dinner with wine either served in the dining room or outside on the dining terrace (if warm). Menu: To see the menu for each date, see the online version of this writeup at www.spicebham.com Simon Smith has had a varied worldwide culinary career over the past 40 years. He trained in Switzerland and then Paris before becoming chef saucier at the exclusive “Inn on the Park” on Park Lane. He has worked at the British embassies in Paris and Vienna. He has appeared on several TV shows including This Morning and Market Kitchen. Simon can also entertain you with stories and photos from his assignments on yachts of the rich and famous or of his legendary margarine sculptures! For more information on Simon visit: http://www.simonsmith-chef.com/

Lasan Indian Banquet

.. experience one of the UK's Top 10 Indian Restaurants

Date: Thursday 17th October 2013 Place: James Street, St. Pauls Sq, Birmingham (B3 1SD) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £29.50 (£32 Guest) includes two courses & service £30 for an Indian! Sounds a lot, but trust us. This is not just any other Indian restaurant. Voted one of the Top 10 Indian Restaurants in the UK by The Independent & The Times, Lasan’s success is further reinforced by the restaurants inclusion in the Michelin Guide and glowing praise from many food critics and journalists. Lasan has also recently won the prestigious Gordon Ramsey F Word title. So we thought it was time that Spice experienced Birmingham’s ultimate Indian night! They seeks to offer Indian food with a light contemporary edge. No need to pre order, as we get the lot! All items on a long menu are presented across the table, so that we’re able to share and taste each and every dish. The menu that we will enjoy is too extensive to print here but may be found at www.spicebham.com.

Toboggan & Fondue Night th

.. this legendary Spice event is back!

Date: Saturday 25 January 2014 (Sorry, 5th October now full) Place: Swadlincote Ski Centre (DE11 8LP) Meet: 5.30pm for 5.45pm start (food at 8pm) Cost: £19.50 (£22.50 Guest) Incl: 1 hour each of toboggan & tubing followed by fondue meal Some of you will remember this legendary Spice event that used to be a regularly in the programme. Well after a 10 year break, we’ve brought it back in a 2013 format! On arrival we have 2 hours of “play time” at the centre. We will be split into 2 groups and spend an hour on their toboggan run (you should get at leat 2 runs in) and 1 hour tubing down the dry ski slope. By 8pm we should have worked up an appetite to spend the rest of the night in The Alpine Lodge where we’ll enjoy a wonderful alpine fondue feast and a well stocked bar till 10.30. It’s a fun, sociable event that you really can’t miss! The Tobogganing: The Alpine Toboggan Run makes a breathtaking 650m descent, winding and twisting its way around and under the ski slope and the only thing in control of your speed is gravity and you! The Tubing: We hurtle down the ski slope on huge rubber tubes. It’s crazy, it’s out of control .. and you will laugh - lots! The Fondue: After all this fun, we'll move onto the apres ski. On the tables will be pork, beef and cheese fondues. We can try a little of each. There are also chips, salad, French bread and tasty dips. Dessert of the day is also included.

Halloween Sleepover Party Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl:

.. drink, dance & sleepover!

Saturday 2 - Sunday 3 November 2013 SORRY, FULL – WAIT LIST ONLY Arden Hotel, by NEC/ Airport (B92 0EH) # Check in any time from 2pm - meet 7.15pm £49 (£55 guest) sharing twin/ double or £65 (£75 guest) for Single Occupancy of a double room Party, buffet meal, accommodation (we will link up shares of twin rooms unless you state otherwise), breakfast plus use of hotel leisure facilities. Deposit of £10 holds your slot Spice party nights are quite an experience and this Halloween extravaganza will be no exception! These events are always popular – and I’m not surprised! For a very reasonable price we get a buffet, disco and overnight accommodation. Our venue this time is the lovely Arden Hotel. Each bedroom is en suite and has all the facilities you would expect from an international standard business hotel. Check in on Saturday is from 2.00pm with an opportunity to enjoy the Leisure facilities which include a stylish leisure pool, solarium, jacuzzi and steam room before meeting up for our Halloween Party. We can then enjoy dancing and partying for the rest of the night before retiring to bed. Spice have quite a reputation for dressing up so anything “Halloween” eg pumpkins, bats, grim reapers, skeletons etc is fine! Don’t worry, dressing up is not compulsory if this isn't your style. The next morning we can enjoy a relaxed breakfast before heading home. We will link up same sex shares in twin rooms unless you state someone you wish to share with.

Christmas Dinner Dance 2013

.. places limited - don't delay in getting your deposit down!

Saturday 14th December 2013 Burlington Hotel, New Street, Birmingham (B2 4JQ) 7.00pm for 8.00pm £46 Member, £52 Guest (Deposit £10) B&B at Burlington Hotel, add £59 sharing twin/double or £85 single room or £99 for sole occupancy of a double room  Exclusive Spice Event – limited to just 320 guests - so don’t delay in booking!  4* Hotel – Centrally located with lots of options for transport and accommodation  Entertainment package including DJ and live band  Booked for Spice on the most sought after Saturday in the Christmas party calendar Christmas may seem a long way away, but we’ve been negotiating this one since well before last Christmas. As a result we return to the fabulous Macdonald Burlington Hotel on the prime Saturday – and it is exclusive to Spice. It’s a great venue and a stylish night with live entertainment. Accommodation: We have room options pre bookable at the Burlington on our website or call for details. There are also lots of other places to stay within a short walk or taxi ride of the Hotel. Visit www.spicebham.com/hotels and enter B2 4JQ as the location to get the best rates with Late Rooms. With some of the cheaper options such as Campanile and Etap, you might find it cheaper to stay over than a taxi home - particularly if you are able to share a room.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Extra:

Chinese Meal at Chung Ying Gardens th

.. always a Spice favourite!

Date: Saturday 19 October 2013 Place: Chung Ying Gardens, Thorpe Street (B5 4AT) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £19 Member, £22 Guest Note – this meal has been timed to appeal to those coming on from our Space Opera event at Think Tank, but you are welcome to book the meal on its own if you prefer This is always a really popular night, and the feedback we get is brilliant! As usual we will take over some tables on 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, so you can try a bit of everything. Vegetarians will have a range of options prepared (please state if required), complimenting the dishes for the carnivores. The menu has not been finalised and will depend on what is available at market on the day. Note: Chung Ying Gardens is on Thorpe St, close to Birmingham Hippodrome. There is another Restaurant called The Chung Ying close by so please check you are at the one on Thorpe Street and it says “Gardens” in the name.

Dinner Shuffle around the World - Stop 2: USA th

.. discover the very best of America

Date: Friday 11 October 2013 Place: Marston Farm Hotel - directions below (B76 9JD) Meet: 7.30pm for 8.00pm Cost: £24 (£27 Guest) Includes: Themed dinner, Spice coordinator This is the second in what we hope will be many dinner shuffles in the delightfully secluded, historic hotel. We have discovered that the chef at Marston Farm has worked in many fine restaurants around the globe, so we have given him the challenge of “dining around the world” and choosing a different country each time. The hotel was formerly a private home of Sir Robert Peel and also has a beautiful courtyard. We have our own private area to dine and shuffle. The aim of tonight is to eat some of the best of traditional American food and show you that there is more to this country than the grim fast food it’s most famous for! Our American Menu: is shown online together with detailed directions to Marston Farm Our Next Country: We will be dining “Scottish” here next on Friday January 24th (the weekend of Burns Night).

Sporting Dinner: Cyrille Regis & Tony Daley .. a charity night supporting the work of Edwards Trust

Thursday 24th October 2013 Grosvenor Casino, Five Ways, Bham (B15 1AY) 7pm £30 (Members & Guests) Incl: drink on arrival, 4 course dinner, after dinner talks, free bet vouchers for Roulette table. We’ll have a Spice table with a nominated host. Free on-site parking provided. Note, your £30 is passed to the charity Edwards Trust. Spice love raising money for Edward’s Trust, so are delighted to have taken a Spice table for 12 at their first Sporting Dinner. This evening has been made possible by the generosity of ex footballing superstars Cyrille Regis MBE and Tony Daley. Tickets include a free drink on arrival, 4 course dinner, after dinner talks from Cyrille and Tony and free bet vouchers to use on the Roulette table. The evening will be compered by the one and only Dave Cash and close-up Magician Christian Fletcher has also agreed to perform at the event free of charge. Cyrille and Tony will be sharing their footballing memories with us. During their incredibly successful careers they played for West Brom, Aston Villa, Coventry and Wolves as well as England. They are giving their time completely free of charge in order to raise much needed funds for bereaved children and families throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands. It will be a great night and we look forward to seeing you there. Notes: Because the venue, you need to bring a form of ID with you and it is strictly over 18’s. Dress is “smart casual”. All profits go to Edward’s Trust, who support children and families who are facing loss and surviving bereavement. This is the charity that Spice also support with our Has Spice Got Talent nights.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

A Spice Newsletter is just a Snapshot in Time

We are booking new events into the Spice programme all the time as new opportunities occur. Please make sure that you also check our schedules on line at www,spicebham.com so you don’t miss a thing. We also update members on a weekly basis with out “Weekly Bulletin” by email and via our Facebook Page.

Pudding Party at a Country House th

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

.. an evening of fun with a pudding expert!

Thursday 14 November 2013 Blakelands, Halfpenny Green, Bobbington (DY7 5DP) Arrive 7.30pm £29.50 (£32 Guest) Incl: Light savouries followed by taster menu of 9 desserts. Teas/coffees Pudding expert on hand to introduce/ explain puddings. Pudding contest & Spice Coordinator. Spice Pudding Parties are always popular and to make this year’s a real occasion, we have joined forces with Jill Bunn of Taste Temptation and with our venue, the beautiful Blakelands Country House (backdrop to many a wedding photo!) The evening: On arrival, we’ll be welcomed into the Lounge bar for pre dinner drinks, followed by sitting for our first course (a mini course, to leave room for lots of puddings!). When it gets to the puddings, the real fun begins. Jill will speak to us about the puddings and introduce them to us. We will also be given a score sheet, so that we can mark each dessert out of five and finally discover the holy grail that is “the most popular dessert of the evening”. The Menu: ● Savoury: A Selection of mini English classics to consist of a choice from: Sausage & Mash, Cottage Pie, Fish & Chip or Steak Pie. ● Sweet (you get them all!): Vanilla Panna Cotta Topped with Port Jelly; Mocha & Macadamia Nut Pavlova Roulade; Scrumptious Orange & Cointreau Gateau; Apple and Blackberry Crunchy Topped Crumble with Custard Sauce; Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce & Ice Cream; Cherry Frangipane Bakewell Tart served with Cream; Apple & Passion Fruit Cream Pie; Tangy Lemon Citrus Tart; White Chocolate & Strawberry Cheesecake. Our Pudding Expert: Jill Bunn has over 30 years catering experience and has worked with many blue chip companies and with the BBC. Her passion is puddings and she has writen and broadcast on the subject as well as running her business of supplying her home made cakes and puddings to high class venues.

Five Rivers Contemporary Indian Dinner Shuffle th

.. enjoy an exquisite 4 course Indian banquet

Date: Saturday 9 November 2013 Place: Vicarage Place, Walsall (WS1 3NA) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £30 (£33 Guest) Incl: 4 course set meal, service charges & Spice coordinator Our search for the ultimate “top end Indian” has brought us this month to Walsall. This restaurant has an unlikely location, surrounded by old factory buildings and opposite a bikers club! However, once you get inside the walled courtyard with it’s subdued music, you find a purpose built haven where service, décor and cuisine are all immaculate. Our standards are high as we have previously enjoyed such wonderful restaurants as Lasan, Itihaas and Delhi 6. However, Five Rivers is a match for any of them. This sophisticated, contemporary restaurant is under the tight control of Head Chef Rashpal Sunner, who has prepared food for celebrities including Bill Clinton, Jaques Chirac, Tony Blair and Boris Yeltsin at the G8 Summit. He claims that every dish is perfectly spiced and elegantly created to provide you with a unique taste that is simply unrivalled. Oozing sophistication, there is also a great ambiance to the venue. Menu: For details of our 4 course banquet, please see the online version of this writeup at www.spicebham.com

Kababish Dinner Shuffle Experience

.. enjoy authentic, traditional & contemporary Asian cuisine

Date: Thursday 4th October 2012 Place: 266 Jockey Road (at junction with Stonehouse Road), Sutton Coldfield (B73 5XP). Parking at rear & opposite Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £20 (£22 Guest) incl 3 courses & coffees. Service discretionary Established since 1988 and with a huge local following, Kababish is a family run restaurant offering fine authentic, traditional and contemporary Asian cuisine. The food served here has been created with an exotic collection of herbs & spices distinctively blended in the traditional ways of the Punjab and North West Frontier of Pakistan. The restaurant has recently undergone an extensive renovation and offers a spacious dining area and new central bar. Menu: We order on the night, but to see what’s in store check the on line version of this writeup at www.spicebham.com

Important Note about Dinner Shuffles

Some of our meals are run as “dinner shuffles”. On these occasions we move people around between courses so that we all get to meet and talk to lots of people. It works really well. However, I just wanted to stress that you should only book one of these events if you are prepared to enter into the spirit and move when asked to by the coordinator. These nights will not work otherwise. We do understand that you may be in an interesting conversation or with someone you know. But it spoils the night for everyone if you let this get in the way of the shuffle. If you think this may be a problem, please do not book a meal with “shuffle” in the title.

Singapore Dining Experience .. discover this authentic Oriental brasserie

Friday 15th November 2013 Copthorne Hotel, Paradise Circus, B'ham (B3 3HJ) 7.30pm £27 (£29 Guest) Incl: 3 course meal, service, Singapore Sling cocktail (or soft drink) on arrival and coffees to finish Bugis Street Brasserie, is an authentic Oriental brasserie featuring traditional Singaporean, Malay and Chinese cuisine. Named after the famed area in Singapore which has recently been transformed boasting boutiques, market stalls and open air bars and restaurants. The brasserie opened at the Copthorne Birmingham Hotel in March, following on from the success of the Bugis Street brasseries at the Millennium Gloucester road hotel and Copthorne Tara hotel both in Kensington London. This evening we can experience a wonderful 3 course banquet of a wide range of Singapore delights.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Fine Dining Experience at Drayton Park nd

.. discover exquisite cuisine near Tamworth

Date: Friday 22 November 2013 Place: Drayton Park Golf Club near Tamworth (B78 3TN) Meet: 7.15pm Cost: £28.50 (£30 Guest) Incl: Spice exclusive event. 5 courses & coffees Extra: Tips discretionary on night Situated in parkland formerly part of the Drayton Manor estate, the seat of the Peel family - of which Sir Robert Peel, the founder of the police force, was the most famous – the course was designed and set out by James Braid, five times winner of the British Open Golf Championship. For those who have visited Drayton Manor Theme Park the entrance to the club is half way along the main entrance drive to the Theme Park. This evening though is more about the talents of resident Chef, Paul and his team than the golf course. Paul worked for De Vere hotels from 1979 to 1993, Training at The Belfry and The Grand Hotel Brighton. Paul - became Food & Beverage Manager at The Belfry and was responsible for feeding players for 3 Ryder Cups. Paul then Managed The Old School house at Weeford, before purchasing a Pub/Resaturant in Whittington in 2002 for 8 years during which time the Pub was awarded The Punch Pub Company award for their best Venue in the country, beating competition from over 800 other pubs. Paul is now Co Director of Two Peas Catering operating the catering for Drayton Park Golf Club and provides a Food & Beverage consultancy service and outside catering for special events. This is our second evening at this venue, and has been arranged by one of our Spice members Adrian Rake. A menu of a very high quality has been put together, which would not look out of place in a top city restaurant. As there are many foodies in Spice, who appreciate quality fare, this is a great opportunity to experience fine dining without paying City Centre prices. The evening is limited to 24 people and we are being asked to respect the club dress code of no jeans, trainers and t-shirts in the dining room. There is secure parking and the club has a well-stocked bar, obviously, as it’s apparently thirsty work, playing golf! Our Fine Dining Taster Menu: please see the menu with the online version of this writeup at www.spicebham.com

Latin American Taster Dinner Shuffle .. enjoy a sociable Saturday Night at the Copthorne

Date: Saturday 23rd November 2013 Place: Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill (DY5 1UR) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £23 Member, £26 Guest Latin America holds the secrets to a whole sub continent of cuisines that reflect the vibrant taste differences from nation to nation. So we thought it would be fun to taste a collection of the finest tastes whilst enjoying a sociable dinner shuffle. This evening we’ll discover and sample eclectic Southern Hemisphere delights from Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela as a delicious buffet. We will be dining in Faradays Restaurant which overlooks the picturesque canal marina (the next best thing to Rio de Janeiro!) where we have a dedicated area for Spice. Menu (no need to pre order as we get the lot!): Peru: Pork Guiso ●Argentina: Steak Milanesa ● Brazil: Fish Moqueca de Peixe ●Venezuela: Tahini & Chickpeas (V) All dishes accompanied with ● Savoury Rice ● Roasted Root Vegetables ● Steamed Potatoes with a spiced cheese sauce Dessert: Tropical Fruit Salad and Dark Chocolate Truffle

Italian Dinner Shuffle at Fellinis

.. enjoy sociable Italian dining with contemporary style!

Date: Thursday 28th November 2013 Place: Fellini, Radisson SAS Hotel, Birmingham (B1 1BT) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £28 (£29 Guest) Located on the first floor of the Radisson Hotel, Filini offers an unforgettable dining experience. This hotel restaurant in features an aromatic fusion of flavours that is the trademark of Italian cuisine. The standard of food and service have been excellent on our previous visits. Please advise the Spice Office of your menu choice. Menu: For details of our menu, please see the online version of this writeup at www.spicebham.com

Karaoke & Casserole Night th

.. a great night in the barn!

Date: Friday 29 November 2013 Place: Wishaw near Sutton Coldfield (B76 9PQ) # Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £16 (£18.50 Guest) includes simple meal & professional DJ We’ve had lots of requests to run a karaoke night and thought that this barn would be the ideal location. As ever, we can expect good home cooked food and a great opportunity to let our hair down. The music and karaoke is provided a professional DJ. Don't worry if you can't sing it’s great fun trying! Our hosts, Anne & David will be serving up the food (vegetarian options on request), and manning the bar that has fine country ales on tap. It’s bound to be great fun.

Tudor Christmas with Henry VIII in a Castle .. an entertaining four course dinner fit for a king!

Date: Wednesday 4th December 2013 Place: Tutbury Castle (DE13 9JF) # Meet: 7.30pm - 10.30pm Cost: £37 (£39 Guest) Incl: 4 courses, “Henry VIII”, entrance & parking. Co ordinator Join us for a very special evening, hosted by Henry VIII (brought to life by the amazing John White). The Great Hall will be beautifully decorated with traditional garlands and mistletoe as would have been at the castle in centuries gone by. A glittering real fir tree from the Needwood Estate and table candles make the Great Hall a beautiful and nostalgic setting for a Tudor Dining experience. The evening includes a glass of mulled wine on arrival followed by a dinner of Traditional Tudor recipes served as a four course meal. This is followed by a chance to meet the Castle’s own magnificent Henry VIII, who will give a fascinating talk about his colourful life. Menu: For details of our 4 course “banquet” please see the online version of this writeup at www.spicebham.com

Austrian Christmas at Franzls

.. includes a present from a naughty Santa in his grotto!

Date: Thursday 5th December 2013 Place: 151 Milcote Road, Bearwood (B67 5BN) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £29 (£32.50 Guest) includes 4 courses & gift from Santa ! Our visits to this charming restaurant are such a hit, that we are always inundated with requests to return. So we’re making a return visit when the restaurant is decorated ready for Christmas. We have arranged some seasonal variations to the menu, and for Father Christmas to take time out from his busy schedule in order to meet you all, table by table in his grotto. If you’ve been very good this year, and sit on his lap nicely(!), he might just find something for you in his sacks! Tonight is also on “Krampus” night, a significant period in the lead up to Christmas in Austria. It’s the time before St Nicholas comes to the good children. However, Krampus is a Devil like figure who visits the bad children before St Nicholas, to spank them! Don’t worry if you’ve been very naughty though – as we’ve only booked ‘the nice guy!’ tonight. Menu: To be finalised – please check for updates online at www.spicebham.com Directions: Coming from the City Centre on the Hagley Road, turn right onto Bearwood Road, then left (3rd left) into St Mary’s Road, then right (2nd Right) into Milcote Road. Franzls is on the junction with Clifford Road. Park on street.

Christmas Day Lunch

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

.. spend the big day with Spice friends

Wednesday 25 December 2013 Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill (DY5 1UR) 12noon for lunch at 12.30pm £65 (£69 Guest). Includes: Champagne reception with canapés & 3 course Christmas lunch. Spice will also organise a "Secret Santa". Services of a Spice Coordinator. Deposit £10 Extras: Bring a present for the "Secret Santa". Stay over from £25 (see below) Enjoy a relaxed Christmas lunch and festivities in Faradays Restaurant, overlooking the picturesque waterfront marina. We will have our own dedicated Spice table. The day will start with a Champagne and a canapé reception followed by a delicious three course Christmas lunch. Our Spice coordinator (Rachel Reeve) will help you all to have fun and get to know one another. There will also be a present from the “secret santa” (you will each provide a present anonymously for another guest). Details of this will be circulated in advance. Menu: See full details online at www.spicebham.com

Accommodation: We have agreed an attractive rate for a room should you wish to make a night of it! Single Room £35 or Twin Room £50 (ie £25 each) including breakfast. Please book with the hotel directly on 01384 482882 or e mail events.merryhill@millenniumhotels.co.uk quoting Spice.

Magical Mystery Circus Sleepover Party .. our most extravagant New Year Eve celebration ever

Tue 31 Dec 2013 - Wed 1st Jan 2014 (extra night available for 30-31st Dec) Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC (B40 1PS) # Arrive during afternoon Members: ● £109 Twin or Double Share, ● £89 Twin Share (*Sofa Bed), ● £139 Single Room. Guests: Add £20. Deposit of £20 holds your place Incl: 1 night at the 4 star deluxe Crowne Plaza, with drinks reception & fun quiz with tea/coffee, party with an amazing buffet & disco, New Years Day Brunch. Spice Coordinators at hotel throughout Extra: Come a day early for extra £55 (twin/ Dbl); £49 (*sofa bed); £79 (single). Incl: 1 night dinner bed & breakfast (dinner being Pizza or Fish & Chips/Candy Floss) Every year this party gets bigger and more exciting! “Roll up Roll up Step this way for the Magical Mystery Circus”.This year we are transforming the Crowne Plaza into “the Big Top” for an incredible Party. The Party: Professional theming will recreate the Circus and fairground with side stalls, entertainment and a few surprises. A DJ will follow the theme with a range of music to entertain us. The chefs will create a range of food stations showcasing fantastic food at Pablo Fanque’s Olde Pig and Beef Roast, Mr Kites Food Emporium, Henderson’s Marvellous Deli and Lovely Rita’s Candy Store.Those who have been to our New Yea Parties before will also be pleased to note that the party is being held upstairs at the hotel so that we create one large party room this year. We’ll have a traditional countdown to 2014 and no doubt some surprises along the way. There will be a drinks reception in the afternoon (approx 5pm) and then we meet up later for our party. For those able to arrive earlier still, there is also a fun quiz at 3.30pm with tea and coffee provided. Up to 200 members are expected and Spice is taking over the whole hotel, so expect a very special celebration. Fancy Dress: Oh What A Circus! This can be as simple as being one of the audience at a circus, to the wackiest outfit. As ever, fancy dress is not essential but is always fun and there is usually a prize for the best. The Sleepover: The 4 star deluxe Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC, is a great place to stay. Following the party, we can return to our superbly appointed bedrooms, with truly luxurious beds and fluffy pillows! We can then discuss our New Year’s resolutions whilst enjoying a leisurely“Brunch” in the Restaurant overlooking Pendigo Lake (where you ended up swimming naked the night before.. don’t you remember!).We have various room options including a reduced cost “sofabed” room where you would be twinned in a room where the second bed is a temporary one but is made up to the same high standard as the others. Sofa Bed Option: Some of the twin rooms we use have a double bed plus a sofa bed that the hotel make up for us to the same high standard as the main bed but it is smaller and less comfortable. It seems unfair for both people to pay the same price, so we have agreed a significant price reduction for the person who takes the sofa bed option. Extra Night: There’s also an extra night option if you want to arrive a day early and make it a 2 night stay. Our extra night includes a Fish and Chip supper and candy floss too. We will hopefully be running a beer and skittles evening with pub games as well, but this will depend on getting sufficient bookings for the games to work. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Dinner & Play at Genting Casino Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl:

.. a great meal plus an introduction to the casino

Friday 10 January 2014 Genting Casino, 1 Norfolk Rd, Edgbaston (B15 3PS) Arrive 7.30pm £28.50 Member, £32 Guest 3 course meal, a drink (pint of beer, glass of wine or house spirit/ mixer) and a fun 'Learn to Play' session and a FREE £10 table bet Here’s a unique Spice opportunity to soak up the excitement and glamour of this well known casino in leafy Edgbaston, formerly known as Maxims (or if you’re very, very old, as Midland Wheel Club). This casino has a great reputation for it’s restaurant cuisine, and we will be served a 3 course menu in an environment similar to dining at a gentleman’s club. For those interested in trying their luck in the casino, a training session has been arranged to fully explain the rules and etiquette of the gaming tables, slots or electronic terminals. Afterwards you can try your luck with real money if you wish, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so. The casino have also included a voucher for a free £10 bet, so you stand a chance of winning the cost of your meal (and more!) back at the end. Menu: Please see a sample menu online at www.spicebham.com. Important: Dress code is ‘smart casual’ - no jeans-style trousers & no trainers. Current legislation requires that all entrants into the club are aged 18 or over and have photo ID if you are planning to spend over £1500 on the tables!

Pizza Making & Meal at The Radisson th

.. learn how to make the perfect pizza (& eat it)

Date: Thursday 16 January 2014 Place: Fellini, Radisson SAS Hotel, Birmingham (B1 1BT) Meet: 7.00pm Cost: £21 (£25 Guest) includes a 2 course meal, glass of wine & pizza making The Radisson SAS Hotel, Birmingham is a 39-storey glass structure that offers a stylish twist. We meet in the hotel bar before moving up to Filini Birmingham’s award-winning Italian concept restaurant where the Chef will show you how to make the perfect pizza. You will then make your own bespoke pizza from all the delectable ingredients from Chef’s kitchen. After all your hard work, sit back and enjoy your well earned Pizza which is served with delicious fresh salads. Don’t worry; you don’t need to lift your finger to get your dessert, the chef will create a mouth watering delight.

Dungeons After Dark at Warwick Castle the ultimate evening of scarily good entertainment

Saturday 18th January 2014 Warwick Castle, Warwick (CV34 4QU) # 7.00pm for 7.15pm £49.50 (£52 Guest) incl: Trip through Castle Dungeon, live entertainment, unlimited lager, wine & soft drinks during banquet 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. Menu: Please see menu online at www.spicebham.com. Please note: that this is not a Spice exclusive, but a public evening that Spice have an allocation of tickets for. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Dinner Shuffle around the World - Scotland th

.. get ready for Burns Night!

Date: Friday 24 January 2014 Place: Marston Farm Hotel - directions online (B76 9JD) Meet: 7.30pm for 8.00pm Cost: £24 (£27 Guest) Includes: Themed dinner, Spice coordinator This is the 3rd in what we hope will be many dinner shuffles in the delightfully secluded, historic hotel. Our Scottish menu & more details: Will shortly be published on our website www.spicebham.com 8

Hotel Du Vin Ultimate Sunday Brunch th

.. 4 course private dining in victorian splendour

Date: Sunday 19 January 2014 Place: Hotel du Vin, Church St, Bham (B3 2NR) Meet: 12.45 for 1pm Cost: £26.50 (£28.50 Guest) incl: 4 courses, service, private room & coordinator Yes, we know it’s pricey for a Sunday lunch, but we think this is the best Sunday lunch in Birmingham and we think you’re worth it! We have booked a stunning private dining room in this gorgeous Victorian property where we can settle back and enjoy a culinary journey offering 4 fabulous courses at a relaxed and sociable pace. Menu: After a heart warming soup, the lavish French Market Table is the centrepiece of Sunday Brunch at Hotel du Vin. This table offers an exciting choice of fresh seafood, crustacea, charcuterie, pâtés, rilletes and a selection of salads, vegetables and freshly baked artisan breads. After this we have a main course of Sunday lunch favourites including traditional roasts. Delectable delights to finish include traditional apple crumble, profiteroles and an artisan cheese board.

La Banca Italian Dinner Shuffle .. discover this superb new restaurant in Cotteridge

Date: Thursday 23rd January 2014 Place: 1896 Pershore Road, Cotteridge, B'ham (B30 3AS) – directions online Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £27.50 (£30 Guest) includes service charge & coffees A return visit to this new restaurant, whose owner has taught many top chef’s (as well as Spice members on our cookery courses) how to achieve perfection! Italians are renowned for their joyous approach to celebrations. This new restaurant in Cotteridge village was formerly a bank and retains features such as the safe’s to create an unusual ambiance. They offers a range of inspirational Italian cuisine and a great atmosphere. There will be a shuffle between courses. Menu: We will be taking pre orders when booking, please see the full menu at www.spicebham.com.

Syriana Syrian/ Lebanese Dinner Shuffle th

.. experience a true taste of Arabia

Date: Thursday 30 January 2014 Place: Syriana, 1 Constitution Hill, Birmingham (B19 3LG) – directions online Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm Cost: £22 (£25 Guest) Includes: 3 course meal, service charges & visit by Belly Dancer! Extra: Take your own alcohol (no corkage charge) or buy soft drinks there Syrian-Lebanese cuisine in general is regarded as one of the healthiest due to the abundance of fruits, vegatables, cereals, legumes and nuts. It combines the sophistication of European cuisine with the excitement of Eastern spices. But dining is also a social occasion when friends and family gather to enjoy the rituals of good food and great company. Syriana has been recommended to us by several Spice members, and we certainly enjoyed our visits in 2010 & 2011! During our meal we have also booked a visit from a belly dancer. We start with a huge selection of Mezza starters (such as.a variety of hommos specialities, sesame paste, stuffed vine leaves, fried aubergines, toasted Lebanese bread, salads, cucumber with yoghurt, Mediterranean pickles, falafel, meatballs, spring rolls etc). We will then have a choice of main courses (choose on the night) from the charcoal grill including chicken, meat, fish and vegetarian specialities of the Middle East. We will finish with a choice of teas (mint is traditional) accompanied by traditional home made sweets (baklava). The restaurant does not serve alcohol but you are welcome to bring your own (no corkage charge) We have held 40 places and expect this to be a popular night! ______________________________

Important Note about Dinner Shuffles Some of our meals are run as “dinner shuffles”. On these occasions we move people around between courses so we all get to meet and talk to lots of people. It works really well. However, I just wanted to stress that you should only book one of these events if you are prepared to enter into the spirit and move when asked to by the coordinator. These nights will not work otherwise. We do understand that you may be in an interesting conversation or click with someone. But it spoils the night for everyone if you let this get in the way of the shuffle. If you think this may be a problem to you, please don’t book a meal with “shuffle” in the title.

Airborne Adventures A collection of events all connected with flying and flying machines!

Helicopter Lesson .. you've got to try this one!

Date: Sun 17 November 2013 (we’ll add extra dates if needed –check online) Place: Wellesbourne Airfield near Stratford on Avon (CV35 9EU) # Meet: 12.45pm for 1pm Briefing Cost: £99 (£105 Guest) Paid as £9 (£15 Guest) deposit to Spice, plus £90 balance paid on the day 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 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. Note: Event is weather dependent and a weather check number will be provided. Weight limit 15½ stone (98kg).

Balloon Flights

.. the altogether more civilised way to fly!

Date: Sunday 29 December 2013 (other dates can be arranged on request) Place: Choose: ● Tissington, Derbyshire or ● Shugborough Hall, Staffs # Meet: Early morning - to be confirmed with joining details Cost: £145 Member, £149 Guest An experience of a lifetime! You arrive at the launch site. Nothing is happening. A van arrives, towing a huge wicker basket. People gather in groups, look skywards mutter about clouds & met reports. Then suddenly it’s all action with people running everywhere as our pilots decide we're going for it! Checks are made, you hop in and are away, rising majestically, with an eagles view of the fields & hills spread in a tapestry below. Your memorable flight lasts 30-60 mins. Location: Choose from 2 beautiful locations: Either Staffordshire (Shugborough Hall), or Derbyshire (Tissington Hall). Please note: flights are weather dependent, so dates cannot be guaranteed. If you’re unable to fly on the date chosen, our supplier Wickers World will offer another date that is mutually convenient. Their special terms & conditions will be sent.

Microlighting Experience Flight Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

.. enjoy a 20 minute flight above Ashbourne!

Sunday 27 October 2013 Darley Moor Airfield near Ashbourne (DE6 2ET) # 10.30am (flights start 11am) Total cost is £49 (£54 Guests) PAID AS £5 (£10 Guest) deposit to Spice when booking PLUS a balance of £44 directly to the supplier on arrival. We start with a full briefing on safety procedures & equipment. The flight counts as a training flight, so if you want to continue flying by taking up a full course you already have some time which will count towards your full qualification. Unless you state otherwise we book a “flexwing” flight. They do have “3 axis” microlights as well if you prefer, which look more like a conventional aircraft but still have all the benefits of ultra light flight! Note: Event is weather dependent and a weather check number will be provided. Weight limit 17stone (110kg).

Flight Simulator Experience .. could you pilot a 737?

Date: Saturday 12th October 2013 Place: Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire (NN6 0BN) # Meet: Slots from 2pm Cost: £59 (£64 Guest) Here is an ultimate experience that’s on most of our ‘must do’ lists and we have a deal, much less than the public price. Possibly the ultimate challenge, could you fly a complete circuit of a major airport including take off, climb to height and landing with one of your colleagues sat next to you and the instructor in the back seat? More Information: Find a fuller description of this event and the Simulator we’re flying at www.spicebham.com ______________________________ 10

Animal Encounters & Equestrian Lots of fun in the animal kingdom

Beginners Horse Trek

.. a 2 hour beginners trek experience

Date: Sunday 13 October 2013 Place: Ginny Hole Stables, Shropshire (DY14 8UL) # Meet: 1pm for 1.30pm – 3.30pm trek Note venue change (but same team) Cost: £49 Member, £54 Guest (Optional pub lunch afterwards) A 2 hour trek organised by a quality, family run stables on the Shropshire/Worcestershire Countryside and is designed for beginners or novice riders. This will be a very gentle ride on kind easy horses with fully trained escorts on foot for those that wish. After the ride we will go to the pub for a drink. Absolute beginners are welcome.

Christmas Adventure Trekking Day th

.. a day's trekking for confident riders

Date: Sunday 8 December 2013 Place: Ginny Hole Stables, Shropshire (DY14 8UL) # Meet: 9.30am for 10am - 2pm trek Note venue change (but same team) Cost: £95 Member, £99 Guest (pub lunch is extra) A day's trekking organised by a quality, family run stables on the Shropshire/Worcestershire border. This is a fantastic opportunity to ride through herds of wild ponies in the Beautiful South Shropshire Hills across common land and spectacular ridges with magnificent views. We will stop at a pub which serves food (not included) around lunchtime. This day trek is restricted to confident riders who are prepared to canter and as terrain is sometimes steep.

Medieval Jousting

.. join the special few who have tried this event!

Date: Sunday 20 October 2013 Place: Warwick International, Guys Cliff (CV34 5YD) # Meet: 9.15am - 5.00pm Cost: £175 Member, £185 Guest A unique opportunity to learn the ultimate medieval art, with The Knights of Middle England. Our day is run by Karl UdeMartinez who has years of experience performing live jousting shows all over Europe. For obvious safety reasons, we’re not allowed to actually hit each other as death often results from that – and such bravery is not deemed culturally appropriate to the modern age! However, they use a quitaine (or dummy) to take the impact. On arrival we’ll be given a safety briefing and your riding will be assessed. You’ll learn basic jousting skills such as hitting the quintaine and learn basic sword and staff fighting. Being a knight also involves being dressed in medieval costume. No real riding experience is needed, but would be an advantage. For safety, if the instructor feels your riding is not strong enough for certain tasks, you’ll make it up in other activities. Reasonable fitness is required as you’ll be in the saddle for most of the day.

Trick Horse Riding th

.. fancy a bit of “incredible”!

Date: Friday 18 October 2013 Place: Warwick International, Guys Cliff (CV34 5YD) # Meet: 9.30 for 10am to approx 12.30pm Cost: £95 Member, £99 Guest Equity meets Equine today, as it’s a rare chance to be taught by Karl Udez Martinez who is a fully trained and qualified, Equity registered stunt man as well as being a master horseman – one of the Knights of Middle England display team. You may have seen him or the ‘Knights’ in hit TV series ‘Merlin’ or Russell Crowes’ ‘Robin Hood’. Read more about this event at wwwspicebham.com

For All Horse Riding Events Wear footwear with a small heel/ ankle support & gloves as reigns rub your hands. Riding hats are provided and must be worn. Max rider weight: Middleton 13st, Warwick International 20st, Stottesdon 15st. Rugby not stated.

Walk with Wolves - Bedford

.. exclusive Spice visit with opportunity to feed wolves

Dates: Saturday 23rd November 2013 Place: A428 between Bromham & Turvery # Meet: 10.15am (ends 1.30pm) Cost: £47 Member, £52 Guest This event and the introduction to wolves will allay any pre-conceived ideas we may have about these beautiful animals! We meet the wolves and their handlers at the Anglian Wolf Society which is a private sanctuary for wolves and they support and raise funds for wolf conservation. They are not open to the public but have agreed to allow Spice members to accompany the wolves on their walk and to have a wolf experience where you can help feed them. You will be introduced to the wolves before setting off on the walk. We’ll feed the wolves and have some hands on experience.

Ash End House Farm Experience

.. wake up the animals with a tour, breakfast & lots of extra treats!

Sunday 20th October 2013 Middleton Lane, Tamworth (B78 2BL) 9am start (breakfast at around 10am) £18.50 (£22 Guest) Incl: Guided tour of farm (with animal feed), shire horse experience, falconry experience, tractor ride & their 'big breakfast' in the cafe Here’s a wonderful opportunity to wake up the farm animals at Ash End House Farm! Arriving at the farm for 9am (before the farm opens at 10am) we get our very own guided tour when we can feed and cuddle their goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits pigs etc. We will hear the history of the farm and lots of interesting facts. We will visit their Falconry Centre and meet Craig who will chat about the birds followed by a display. If not flying, the birds are on static display, giving you the chance to enjoy the close up beauty and elegance of these wonderful birds. After feeding the animals we will be getting hungry as well, so we’re off to the café for a full English breakfast (included). We will then go onto meet the Shires which will include sitting on a shire horse as well as long reining, and helping harness up. Ash End House Shire Horse Centre is a purpose built busy working yard, although it is part of the children's farm it is now becoming popular with visitors in it's own right. For those of you that fancy it we can then enjoy a bumpy tractor trailer tide around their paddock. You are then free to spend the rest of the day at the farm at your leisure.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Horse Whisperer Monty Roberts Live .. witness this inspiring evening with the master!

Date: Thursday 17 October 2013 Place: Rodbaston College, Penkridge (ST19 5PH) # Meet: 7.00pm - 7.30pm Cost: £30 Member, £32 Guest World-famous horse whisperer Monty Roberts is touring again. Maggie went to see him demonstrate his techniques live last time and said it was one of the most inspiring evenings that she had ever witnessed. Monty has built a huge following for his methods of talking to horses and training by kindness. His work has gained him the name “horse whisperer" and his teachings have captivated millions of horse-lovers all over the world, including the British Royal Family and inspired the Robert Redford film of that name. He has helped more than 10,000 no-hope horses and tonight will demonstrate his techniques on a range of horses their owners have brought along with a range of difficulties to overcome. You don’t have to be a horse lover to enjoy this evening. But please book quickly, as any unsold tickets can be recalled at any time.

Deer Walk with a Ranger at Bradgate Park .. a deer walk in search of the magnificent Red Deer Stag!

Date: Saturday 12th October 2013 Place: Bradgate, Leceistershire (LE6 0HE) # Meet: 10.50 for 11am Cost: £5 (£6.50 Guest) Extra: Take £3 for car parking We have arranged for a Bradgate ranger to take us on a guided deer walk at rutting time, when we have a chance of spotting their famous red stags. It’s an easy walk of around 1½ hours. Find out more: A full writeup for this event can be found on our website www.spicebham.com 12

Halloween Owl Encounter Evening .. meet these mystical & magical animals on halloween!

Date: Friday 25th October 2013 Place: Blakedown, Nr Hagley (DY9 0JB) See directions on our website Meet: 6.30pm - 8.30pm Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest Tonight is a great opportunity to learn about the mystical world of owls. The dedicated team at the centre have had many of their birds feature in TV shows and films. We have persuaded the centre to open especially for Spice this evening, which will start with us being introduced to the various species of owls that live there. As it will get dark, the owls will be in their element and will fly against a floodlight so that we can witness their world. We will be treated to an hour’s display, with the birds being flown by the team. They include Cash the Turkmanian Eagle Owl Gizmo an African Barn Owl, Scrumpy an African Spotted Eagle Owl, Snoopy and Cider European Barn Owls and Bazil a Bengal Eagle Owl. Those who want to may hold the birds - or even lie down while an owl flies over them! Please dress for the outdoors, as there is no shelter if it rains and note there are no toilets on site.

Hawks, Owls, Tudors & Battles

.. an afternoon of feathered fun & discovery at Bosworth Field

Date: Sunday 3rd November 2013 Place: Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre (CV13 0AD) # Meet: 1.45pm for 2pm Start Cost: £25 (£28 Guest) includes all 3 Bosworth experiences Re-live this famous turning point in British history at Bosworth Battle Field. The death of a King and the birth of the all powerful Tudor dynasty. We have joined forces with Hawkwise for a very special afternoon. Meeting at the Heritage Room for tea and coffee, we then embark on three activities:. ● Tudor Hawk Walk: Our Costumed Medieval Falconer will bring history alive during this unique walk around Bosworth Battlefield Country Park . There will be opportunities to fly a Hawk to your gloved fist during the 1 hour tour. ● Bosworth Exhibition Tour: The Hawk Walk finishes at the Bosworth Exhibition where we have an hour’s guided tour to re-live the infamous battle of 1485 that was the turning point in British history. We’ll journey through Medieval England in an interactive exhibition, witness the horrors of medieval warfare in the Battle Room. Follow the fortunes of four characters and hear their stories about how they were affected during this turbulent time. ● Owl Display:As dusk approaches we will finish the day with a display by the owls. It’s a fabulous experience to see Owls flying at night. There will be plenty of handling opportunities throughout the session.

Winter Wildlife Tour of Middleton Lakes th

.. enjoy this new Nature Reserve

Date: Saturday 7 December 2013 Place: RSPB Middleton, Nr Tamworth (B78 2AE) – full directions on line Meet: 10.30am start. Ends 1.00pm Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) includes refreshments Join Chris Edwards as we look for the sure signs of Winter is on its way. Winter birds, including waders and waterfowl will be in abundance as we enjoy a pleasant stroll around the woodlands, meadows and lakes of the Tame Valley. We’ll finish with a mince pie & festive drink. Wear stout shoes or wellies.

Early Morning at Dudley Zoo th

.. get behind the scenes of a busy Zoo!

Date: Sunday 24 November 2013 Place: Dudley Zoo, Dudley (DY1 4QB) # Meet: 8.40am start Cost: £25 (£29 Guests) includes full English Breakfast Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a major zoo before it can open to visitors each day? How much food has had to be prepared for every animal and what cleaning jobs have to be completed before the visitors arrive? Well now you can, with a guided tour with a keeper, who will take you behind the scenes and show you what it takes. At the end of a busy morning we will go to the cafe for a full English Breakfast. After which you are free to explore the zoo at your own pace from the visitors side of the fence this time! 13

Bird Handling Course

.. fly hawks, falcons & owls at the centre!

Date: Sunday 17 November 2013 Place: Blakedown, Nr Hagley (DY9 0JB) See directions on our website Meet: 1.45pm for 2pm to 5pm course Cost: £59 (Guest £64) We have had a lot of requests from those who want to learn about falconry and bird handling, but are happy to do it as a half day course (eg without our customary afternoon in the woods to see the birds hunt). The afternoon involves an intensive session within the centre and as we are limited to just 6 people so you get very personal attention. We’ll get an introduction to falconry and its history and learn how to handle, care for and fly a wide range of birds. This is a very "hands on " practical session and we get to know some remarkable birds during our stay. You will have the opportunity to fly the birds in the centre and learn a tremendous amount about these fascinating creatures.

Christmas Carriage Ride .. Sleigh bells ring, are you listening

Date: Saturday 21 December 2013 Place: Darley Dale near Matlock (DE4 2ER) # Meet: Choose 11am or 12 noon slot Cost: £15 (£18 Guest) Soak up the atmosphere of a bygone era when travel was at a more leisurely pace and enjoy a half hours Christmas carriage ride through the dales. Clamber aboard and settle yourself for the journey. Listen to the Christmas Sleigh Bells as the coach starts on its trip through the Derbyshire countryside. enjoy hot coffee and mince pies on your return. There will then be time time to browse around the Carriage Museum, which houses one of the country's largest collections of original horse drawn vehicles. Just dress up warmly and take waterproofs as the trip takes place whatever the weather.

New Years Day Winter Wildlife Walk st

.. enjoy this new Nature Reserve

Date: Wednesday 1 January 2014 Place: RSPB Middleton, Nr Tamworth (B78 2AE) – full directions on line Meet: 10.30am start. Ends 1.00pm Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) includes mince pie & festive drink Join Chris Edwards as we look for the sure signs of Winter is on its way. Winter birds, including waders and waterfowl will be in abundance as we enjoy a pleasant stroll around the woodlands, meadows and lakes of the Tame Valley. We’ll finish with a mince pie & festive drink. Wear stout shoes or wellies.

Build a Home for Local Otters rd

.. help build an otter holt

Date: Saturday 23 November 2013 Place: RSPB Reserve, Middleton (B78 2AE) See directions on our website Meet: 10.00am - 3.00pm Cost: £13.50 Member, £15 Guest includes picnic lunch Join Nick again for this very popular event at Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve. We will enjoy a stroll around the site learning about otters and their wetland home before using natural materials to build them a shelter (holt). Otters are very, very shy so if we see one Nick will eat his boots - however we expect to see a host of other wetland animals and birds. Our hard work will be rewarded with Nicks celebrated homemade soup & rolls.

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Spice Makes a Difference Spice members love supporting the community – either in practical help (like on litter picking walks) or by raising huge amounts of cash for good causes. Our involvement with charities also enables us to offer some absolutely unique experiences – so with these events everyone wins! As well as these, you will find other events under other categories which promote social awareness and support selected charities, including some of our Behind the Scenes visits.

Spice Book Club

.. discuss a book each month over tea & cakes!

Dates: Mondays: ● 7 Oct ● 4th Nov ● 2nd Dec ● 6th Jan ● 3rd Feb Place: Meet inside The Spice Office – see below (B74 3EJ) Meet: 8pm Start (ends around 9.30pm) Cost: FREE, but collection for Book Aid on day. In order to have a sociable literary evening each month and raise money for Book Aid International (www.bookaid.org) we have a monthly meet up at the Spice office. The idea is that each month we discuss a set book that we have read in preparation. The conversation will be lead by our volunteer, Kate Coulter, but is very informal. Kate will provide teas/ coffees/mineral water and some home baked treats. A voluntary collection will be taken each month which we will send to Book Aid International who send books to schools and libraries in third world countries and are endorsed by celebrity writers such as Michael Palin and their patron is The Duke of Edinburgh. It costs just £2 to send one book to readers in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond so every penny we raise can make a difference. Preparation: You will need to have read each book beforehand. You can buy or try your local library. The Venue: The Spice Office is above Boots Chemist at 6a Burnett Road in Streetly, Sutton Coldfield B74 3EJ. Press the buzzer on the green door which is to the side of Boots. There is parking on the road, and around the back. The Books (there is a précis of each book on the on line version of this write up at www.spicebham.com): ● October: Me Before You – Jojo Moyes. ● November: The Greatcoat – Helen Dunmore. ● December: The Red House - Mark Haddon ● January: The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul - Deborah Rodriguez.

Santa Cycle & Present Drop in Sutton Park th

.. easy cycling with a twist!

Date: Sunday 15 December 2013 Place: Meet inside The Spice Office (B74 3EJ) Meet: 12noon Start. Meet from 11.30am for drinks & biscuits in the office Extras: No charge to book, but bring a present on the day! More cycling for softies today! Ideal for those who like to take it easy, or haven’t cycled for ages. This time we’re dressing as Santas (no need to go the whole yo-ho-ho, just a Santa Hat over your helmet or similar decorations will do if you don’t have the full outfit!). You’re also asked to pack a present for a girl or boy in your rucksack and these will be handed to some elves along the way who’ll reward us with hot chocolate & marsh mallows! We will meet at the Spice office, where there will be drinks and biscuits and the briefest of briefings! Around 11.00am we will leave with the intention of seeing the best bits of Sutton Park. We will stop frequently to group, enjoy the views and have a few words from Richard on points of interest. We will only use roads (most are car free) and short sections on good tracks, so you do not need an off road bike. The ride is lead by Richard, who is not a qualified cycle leader, just an enthusiastic amateur. So please don’t expect anything more than a leisurely ride with friends. The Presents: Please pack a gift, ready wrapped and labeled whether it is for a girl or a boy and the age range. These will be handed over to a representative of a local hostel for women, many of whom have children living with them. The children are all ages and you are welcome to donate for any age group, however, we have had a particular request for teenage presents this year as they are often the ones left out! The presents are for the children who are temporarily resident at Aven House, Walsall’s refuge for those fleeing domestic violence. It’s usually full at Christmas time! (If you want to help but can’t make this event, you can also drop presents in to the Spice Office any time up to Thursday December 19th and we’ll ensure they are delivered in time for the real Santa to deliver them on Christmas Day). Important: Please bring a bike (anything serviceable is fine), santa fancy dress and a cycle helmet. Helmets must be worn for safety and insurance reasons. Please ensure your fancy dress is safe for cycling! Weather Check: If the weather looks really bad. Please call 07788 950109 to check the ride is still on or watch your mobile phone/ email for a message around 9am if there is a problem.

Dog Walk in Sutton Park th

.. a gentle walk with our dogs!

Date: Sunday 24 November 2013 Place: Outside Bistro at Blackroot, Sutton Park (B74 2YU) Meet: 10.30am FREE but collection for The Cancer Support Centre on day Just for fun we’re having a different type of walk today – one were dogs are included. We’ll meet by the Bistro at Blackroot and take a walk for around 1½ hours at the pace of the slowest canine. There will be hills and varied terrain. Richard will give a few bits of info along the way if his 2 naughty Yorkies let him share his attention! To read more about this event, please visit www.spicebham.com

Charity Sleep Out

.. take on the challenge & help the homeless!

Date: Friday 6 - Saturday 7th December 2013 Place: St Basils Car Park, Digbeth (B9 4AX) # Meet: from 7pm (coordinator arriving 8pm) Meet: 7pm approx (final details TBC). Ends around 6am for breakfast Cost: No charge to take part but please seek sponsorship for St Basils This annual event has previously been undertaken by such celebrities as Doug Ellis, the Bishop of Aston, Suzanne Virdee, Andrew Mitchell MP and various media VIP’s – but could you take the challenge of joining around 200 people sleeping rough on a car park in December in order to help the homeless (whilst experiencing for one night what it is all about)? This is how it works: On arrival, we will be given a piece of cardboard and a plastic sheet (please bring your own sleeping bag) and we’ll stake out ‘our area’ of the car park. Between 7pm & 1am there will be hot food and drinks available at nominal cost (last year organized by Harvey Nichols!) and there will be a fire in the centre of the car park for a little warmth. At around 9pm there will be a presentation about the charity in St Basils Church next door (which is the St Basils HQ) and also there will be an atmospheric midnight mass in the church by a priest for anyone who wants to attend (usually very popular as it’s warm inside!) although please note that despite its name and HQ, St Basils is purely a homeless charity and not aligned to any church or religion. We have committed to sleep out for the night, so please don’t try to sneak out! Breakfast is available from 6am and help with clearing the cardboard into a skip is then much appreciated. Sponsorship: Everyone who books this will be sent further details and a sponsorship form nearer the time. People usually aim to get around £100 in sponsorship. They also have “cowards pledge” option, which is to pay £50 and stay at home! Sponsor Our Sleepers: If you want to support the evening without taking part, we have set up an “event” on line where you can donate, or of course just call us at The Spice Office with your credit card.

Sporting Dinner: Cyrille Regis & Tony Daley .. a charity night supporting the work of Edwards Trust

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

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Cycling & Mountain Biking Biking is great fun and our instructors, will ensure you have fun whether you're peddling along a country lane, or trying to reach the summit of a craggy peak! The rides are lead by experienced guides (unless otherwise stated) who also act as bike doctors should anybody's bike fall poorly. If you use your own bike it must be in reasonable condition and suitable for the type of event described. Also, you MUST bring & wear a helmet (usually provided with hire bikes, but check).

Edale & Hope Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride th

.. a cracking ride taking several iconic tracks

Date: Sunday 13 October 2013 Place: Fairholmes, Ladybower, Peak District (S33 0AQ) # Meet: 10am Cost: £16 (£18 Guest) Incl: Professional instruction, guiding & support Extras: If you don't have a bike, you can hire one from Derwent Cycle Hire, Call 01433 651261 Grade: 2; Distance: 24 miles. A cracking ride taking several iconic tracks in the Peaks including the Roman Road and Jaggers Clough. There are some tough climbs but you will be rewarded with some fabulous views over the Edale, Hope and Derwent valleys and of course some cracking descents. This will be a good day out with some big hills so you will need good bike fitness and be prepared to get a bit wet and muddy. There is some technical riding so you should be comfortable on your bike and be happy to ride some rocky and muddy sections. More Details: See full writeup at www.spicebham.com. If you still have questions contact Jez on 07974 967209.

Ladybower Come & Try Mountain Biking th

.. come and discover the joy of bike!

Date: Saturday 9 November 2013 Place: Fairholmes, Ladybower, Peak District (S33 0AQ) # Meet: 10.30am Cost: £16 (£18 Guest) Incl: Professional instruction, guiding & support Extras: If you don't have a bike, you can hire one from Derwent Cycle Hire, Call 01433 651261 Grade: 5; Distance: 10 miles. Why not give Mountain biking a try in the beautiful surroundings of the Peak District National Park The ride is partly on road and partly off road as we circum-navigating the Derwent reservoir, with stunning views of the surrounding hill. The trail undulates around the reservoir so you will need to be able to cycle up and down hill but they are not too demanding. As we ride you will get the opportunity to practice mountain biking technique and ask questions. The ride will be guided and supported by a fully train mountain bike guide with many years experience. More Details: See full writeup at www.spicebham.com. If you still have questions contact Jez on 07974 967209.

Peak District Mountain Biking Day th

.. a big day out of classic Peak trails

Date: Sunday 10 November 2013 Place: Hassop Station, Bakewell (DE45 1NW) # Meet: 9.30am Cost: £16 (£18 Guest) Incl: Professional instruction, guiding & support Extras: If you don't have a bike, you can hire one from Monsal Trail Cycle Hire, Call 01629 810588 Grade: 2; Distance: 28 miles. This is a fabulous ride taking in some of the most beautiful hills and dales of the central Peaks. This was a very popular ride the last time we rode it. We will be starting from Hassop Station on the disused section of the main London-Manchester Midland Railway Line between Bakewell and Buxton which is now the Monsal Trail. After a short ride along the trail to get our legs spinning we will head up and over Longstone Edge to Eyam. We then meander along tracks and lanes to Tideswell where we will stop for a bite of lunch. But don’t worry there is still plenty of riding to be done as we head to Millers Dale and the beautiful Wye Valley. If you go down there has to be an up; so we climb to King Sterndale to follow the Priest’s way and the beautiful Horseshoe Dale. We then ride to Priestfield for the final 10 km off road section back to Hassop station and a well earned cake and a cuppa in the cafe. A great day out in some of the most beautiful and scenic areas of the Peaks, with the added bonus of some great mountain biking. Please be aware this is a strenuous ride; you should be comfortable going both up and down steep hills and be comfortable with rocky technical terrain. This is definitely not a beginner’s ride. More Details: See full writeup at www.spicebham.com. If you still have questions contact Jez on 07974 967209. ______________________________ 17

Dance Workshops VENUES : ● Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston B12 9QH ● Pole Dancing: 156 - 157 Warstone Centre, Warstone Lane, (B18 6NZ) ● Lichfield Golf & Country Club, Seedy Mill Lane, Rugeley, (WS13 8HE) You don't need any experience to enjoy these fun events. If the dance involves partners, we'll pair you up on the night - and as we change partners frequently you get to tread on everyone's toes!

Burlesque Dance Afternoon!

Pole Dancing with Pure Joy

Date: Sundays: 13th October or 5th January Place: Midlands Art Centre - English Studio Meet: 1pm - 3pm Cost: £18.50 (£22 Guest) Ladies, join us for a couple of hours of fun and excitement – a true indulgence into the art of being feminine. We all have the ability to be sexy, no matter what our shape, age or size and this session will fill us full of all the tips and treats we need to let our ‘inner goddess’ glow. Be prepared to laugh, flirt, dance and dress up as your inner burlesque starlet blossoms. The session includes an insight in to working with props including hats, gloves, feathers, fans, chairs and tassels! (all props provided by the dance teacher) We will learn how to peel the glove, unroll the stocking and tease our audience as with the rest of the group we transform in to a burlesque diva troupe all in the space of a couple of hours! Becky from Blush comes highly recommended and has promised us a truly indulgent girlie experience that will have us laughing endlessly and strutting for the rest of the day. Bring comfortable, loose clothing that is easy to move in, or if you prefer dress in your favourite ‘sexy’ clothes! shoes are essential but what type is up to you; whatever gives you that extra strut!

Date: Saturdays: 26th October or 18th January Place: 156-157 Warstone Centre B18 6NZ Meet: Arrive 1.20pm for 1.30pm - 4.00pm Cost: £20 (£23 Guest) incl. refreshments & snacks Join us today in a purpose built studio, fitted with 6 poles, in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Pole dancing has become one of the most exciting and empowering forms of exercise that you can encounter. This experience is for ladies and gentlemen who can think of nothing worse than slaving away in the gym and for all shapes, sizes and ages. The great thing about the experience is that it is fun! See fuller details of this event at www.spicebham.com

.. your chance to become a sexy starlet!

.. a fun introduction anyone can try!

Ballroom M’class - Cha Cha Cha .. learn the Cha Cha Cha just like the celebrities

Date: Saturday 19th October 2013 Place: Midlands Art Centre - Performance Studio Meet: 3.30pm for 3.45pm - 5.45pm session Cost: £9.50 Member, £10.50 Guest Today we’ll be dancing with Christopher and dance partner Vicky. They are amazing dancers and teachers, very patient and making the whole experience a lot of fun. This is aimed at complete beginners, but beginners/improvers are most welcome too.

Beginners Break Dancing Class

.. and now for something completely different!

Ballroom M’class- Argentine Tango

Date: Wednesday 16th October 2013 Place: 57 Clement Street, Birmingham (B1 2SW) Meet: 7.45pm for 8.00pm - 9.00pm Cost: £9 Member, £11 Guest Breakdancing, is a style of street dance that originated among African-American and Puerto Rican youths in New York City during the early 1970s.The dance spread worldwide due to popularity in the media, especially in regions such as South Korea, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and Japan. This evening you will learn some of these interesting moves toprock, downrock, power moves, freezes, knee sprints and moonwalks. This is a fun evening with full instruction.

.. learn this intoxicating dance

Date: Saturday 30th November 2013 Place: Midlands Art Centre - English Studio Meet: 3.45pm for 4pm - 6pm session Cost: £9.50 Member, £10.50 Guest We’ll be dancing with Christopher and his dance partner Vicky. They are both amazing dancers and teachers, very patient and making the whole experience a lot of fun.As usual there’s no need to bring a partner (unless you have one handy!) as we’ll pair off at random within the group when necessary which always adds to the fun and social nature of these lessons. This is aimed at complete beginners, but beginners/improvers are most welcome too.

Dancing with Mr.Darcy

.. romance is alive in Lichfield

Ballroom M’class - Pasa Doble

Date: Friday 15th November 2013 Place: Lichfield Golf and Country Club (WS13 8HE) Meet: 7.30pm for 7.45pm start finish at 9.45pm Cost: £8 Member, £10 Guest A wonderful evening learning some dances from the Regency period. When Jane Austen wrote Pride & Prejudice she described the elegant balls she attended. She loved dancing and even risked being gossiped about when she accepted a 3rd dance with the charming Thomas Lefroy. We’ll learn dances from the Regency period and be introduced to the social etiquette of the time. Andrew Rawe has worked on a number of films for the BBC and will guide you through the grace and romance of the period. "To be fond of dancing is a certain step towards falling in love."

.. enjoy the passion of this classic dance

Date: Saturday 25th January 2014 Place: Midlands Art Centre - Performance Studio Meet: 1.45pm for 2pm - 4pm session Cost: £9.50 Member, £10.50 Guest We’ll be dancing with Christopher and his dance partner Vicky. They are both amazing dancers and teachers, very patient and making the whole experience a lot of fun.As usual there’s no need to bring a partner (unless you have one handy!) as we’ll pair off at random within the group when necessary which always adds to the fun and social nature of these lessons. This is aimed at complete beginners, but beginners/improvers are most welcome too.

Ballet for Fun

Salsa Dance Workshop

.. latin magic for beginners & improvers

.. a fun night with an ex ballerina

Date: Friday 4th October 2013 Place: Midlands Art Centre - Randle Studio Meet: 7.30pm for 7.45pm to 9.45pm session Cost: £8 (£9.50 Guest) Quite a few members have been asking for more Salsa classes, Steve is a great teacher, so why not come along and learn some cool Salsa moves for all your Christmas parties! Steve is getting great feedback for these special Spice Nights. His classes are fun and easy to follow, so come on lets give it a go!

Date: Tuesday 5th November 2013 Place: Midlands Art Centre - Randle Studio Meet: 7.45pm for 8pm - 10pm session Cost: £12 Member, £14 Guest Ballet For Fun is a new concept aimed at those who have always wanted to try this great classical art or those who want to spend a little more time getting toned. Ballet is wonderful for strenghtening the whole body, inside and out, improving posture, co ordination and concentration. Suzie Amour our instructor originally trained with the Russian Ballet Rambert. She has put together a sequence of excercises to have fun with.

Dirty Dancing Experience! ..learn the moves from this great movie!

Scottish Dancing Workshop

Date: Sunday 12th January 2014 Place: Midlands Art Centre - Randle Studio Meet: 1.15pm for 1.30pm to 4.30pm session Cost: £14.50 Member, £17 Guest Welcome to Sheena’s exciting new addition to her ‘Dances From The Movies’ series of workshops: “Dirty Dancing”. Have a go at being Patrick Swayze or Jennifer Grey for a few hours of fun, laughter and exercise. We’ll be sticking to the more beginner-friendly moves for this one, but if you find a lake to practise your aerial lifts in beforehand, please bring the video with you! Get your friends together, get your places booked and get ready to have the time of your life! Note: Feel free to come in 50s costume, or just as you are. Clothes shouldn’t restrict movement. Low heels or flats advisable. Bring plenty of water to drink!

.. discover some fun & energetic dancing!

Date: Thursday 23rd January 2014 Place: Midlands Art Centre - English Studio Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30 start finish at 9.30pm Cost: £9.50 Member, £10.50 Guest Our teacher is Nicola, who regularly calls for ceilidhs and teaches beginners the basics of Scottish dancing around the Midlands. It's fun, energetic, and the lively jigs and reels are bound to get your feet moving. You'll have the chance to dance with plenty of other people, just bring comfortable shoes and enthusiasm! Once you’ve learned some of the basics of Scottish and ceilidh dancing, you'll be fully prepared for your next party north of the border! It's not quite such hard work as highland dancing (we don't have swords) and kilts are optional (although very welcome!)

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Ian Jelf's England Ian is a legend within Spice. He’s a Blue Badge Guide who’ s really entertaining. His tours are very different from what you might expect, with lots of offbeat observations and crazy stories that he has researched for us! Allow a couple of hours - more if you get him talking about busses, phone boxes or 2CV’s .. or accept his invitation to the pub afterwards!

Nottingham City Walk

Ghostly & Grisly Birmingham Walk

.. discover the Queen of the Midlands

.. discover the wicked, cruel & spooky goings on!

Date: Thursday 31st October 2013 Place: Statue of Victoria in Victoria Square (s (B3 3DH) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest A very special Birmingham walk, ideal for the darker nights. For tonight we go in search of the unexplained, the unexpected and the plain unpleasant as we go delving into Birmingham’s more grisly, ghoulish past! Through the darkened streets we go, hearing tales of a murder (or two), some ghostly theatrical goings on, stories of digging up bodies, the angel of death, ghostly monks .. and the tale of Birmingham’s most (in)famous corpse. Bring a stout heart, warm clothing and a sense of adventure! Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Date: Sunday 6 October 2013 Place: Tourist Info Centre, Smithy Row (NG1 2BY) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest The latest Midland city to get the Ian Jelf treatment is Nottingham - somewhere where there's loads to discover. Yes, you'd expect stories of Robin Hood and lace (evidently the rumours are true!). But this is also the city that gave us Boots the Chemist, Raleigh Bikes and even the invention of the cigarette. And it also has trams, which means it's been hard to keep Ian away! There are some splendid old buildings to see too, lots of hidden corners and some great stories. Ian Jelf is a Blue Badge Guide and is very entertaining. His walks last approx 2 hours. Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Birmingham at War Walk

Smethwicks' Amazing Canal Walk

.. an atmospheric walk for remembrance Sunday!

.. I can't believe it's not Venice!

Date: Sunday 10th November 2013 Place: Meet by statue of Bull in the Bull Ring (B5 4BG) Meet: 1.30pm Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest To mark Remembrance Sunday we have a special Walk. Bearing in mind the date, we’ll be looking at how our City has been touched by war through the ages. As well as hearing about the Blitz and the home front, we’ll have a few surprises. War has left us with the curious name of a building, a special place in the history of rationing and several narrow escapes. And this is by no means confined to the two World Wars, as we learn how the Boer War came to Birmingham, a link with the Crimea and going further back where Brummies once fought on their own doorsteps. Even by Ian standards, we reckon this one will be a bit different! Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Date: Saturday 19th October 2013 Place: Smethwick Galton Bridge Station (B66 1HU) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest The historic canalside in Smethwick, always aroused a lot of interest and surprise! So here’s a full tour of this important industrial area. This includes not only the original Birmingham Canal but also the spectacular Galton Valley, in its day the biggest earthwork in the world! There are some practicalities. You need to bring sensible "off road" boots as the towpath can be muddy in places. Secondly, this is a long walk (allow up to three hours) as its one which can't be rushed. It also involves a fair bit of climbing in places. And finally there are no toilets! So why would you want to come? Well, the historic Galton Valley is simply brimming with industrial history; two grade I listed monuments (the same listing as Westminster Abbey or Saint Paul's Cathedral!), stories of the working people who made our region and - yes, even in Central Smethwick - an amazingly rural area which is hardly ever discovered. So if you're looking for something a bit different and with a surprise around every corner, this is a walk for you! Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Stourbridge & Guy Fawkes Walk

.. gunpowder, treason & glassware!

Date: Saturday 2nd November 2013 Place: Outside Stourbridge Town Station (DY8 1EX) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest 408 years ago this November, the famous Gunpowder Plot saw an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. But although we mark this every year with bonfires and fireworks, few of us are aware of the plot’s local connection with an area of the West Midlands near Stourbridge. We thought that that was a good enough excuse to repeat our much-talked-about Stourbridge walk! Stourbridge is famed the world over for its crystal glass but has a history stretching back many centuries. A walk uncovers some little-known facts about the town including trains that weren’t wanted, trains that were sent to America and trains that didn’t stop when they should have done! Add to that an historic school, a hidden river and some historic buildings and you have the recipe for a walk full of surprises. Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Ghost Walk of Sutton Coldfield .. a brand new walk from Ian Jelf

Date: Wednesday 23rd October 2013 Place: Outside MacDonalds - The Parade (B72 1XX) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield has its share of ghost stories and the unexplained, from spectral Roman soldiers to covens of Druids, from a Tudor King to a mysterious Victorian gentleman. So why not come along and find out more? Bring warm clothing, good shoes and a sense of adventure and discover the darker side of the "Royal Town", a town that was once far more important than Birmingham itself. Come and find out more! Notes: This is not one of those walks where actors in fancy dress jump out from behind gravestones! It is a tour of real reports and grisly happenings in the Royal Borough. Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Made in Birmingham Walk & Tea

Shrewsbury Ghost Walk

.. discover England's most haunted town!

.. discover the trades .. then dine like a mill owner!

Date: Sunday 17th November 2013 Place: Statue of Clive in Market Place (SY1 1LH) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest By day, Shrewsbury is one of the most beautiful town’s in England. By night, though, it takes on a more sinister side. Indeed, some people claim that it is the most haunted town in the Country! So we thought it was time for us to take a look at the ghostly and grisly side of life in Shropshire’s county town. Tales of the cutting off of limbs, graveyard noises, a haunted attic room and a spooky walk along the Severn are all part of tonight’s programme! Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Date: Sunday 29th December 2013 Place: Snow Hill Station (ends Hotel Du Vin) (B3 2BJ) Meet: 2pm Meet (afternoon tea at 4pm) Cost: £19.50 Member, £23 Guest Incl: Sumptuous afternoon tea at Hotel Du Vin What better way to enjoy the “twixtmas period” than a wonderful historic experience of Birmingham’s proud trades with Ian Jelf followed by an Afternoon Tea served immaculately at Hotel Du Vin in a manner befitting any Victorian entrepreneur! The Walk takes us well off the beaten track to discover the story of the men and women, some great engineers, others toilers in our factories, who made the city great. Railway & canal engineers, architects, Birmingham's oldest radio station and what was once "the toughest street in town" all feature in this unusual tour. Afternoon Tea: We end the walk in the lap of luxury at Hotel Du Vin for a beautifully served afternoon tea (more details online). Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Derby City Walk

.. Rams, Railways and Raiders!

Date: Sunday 1st December 2013 Place: In front of Tourist Info. Centre (DE1 3AH) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest The City of Derby, is a bustling, modern place, with an important part in Britain’s history. Yet Ian promises to get us “off the beaten track” to Discover all sorts of interesting things. It vies with Birmingham as the birthplace of the factory system, and has been something of a “frontier town” from the time of the Vikings right up to its occupation by Bonnie Prince Charlie and has connections with painters, astronomers and colonists. It promises to be entertaining and surprising - how can you resist?! Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Tamworth Town Walk .. a Mercian meander with Ian

Date: Monday 30th December 2013 Place: By Robert Peel statue, Market Place (B79 7LR) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest Another of our popular walks around somewhere probably too many of us think of as the home of the Snowdome and a bizarre road system! Ian knows better and will reveal how Tamworth has more than a few surprises up its sleeve. Vikings, an Anglo-Saxon Queen, Sir Walter Scott and even Sir Robert Peel have put in appearances in the town's past. This is a walk which links sites associated with them all around a town whose mediaeval castle still gives it one of the best skylines in the Midlands. Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Birmingham Canals Walk

.. explore our historic waterfront!

Date: Saturday 7th December 2013 Place: Birmingham Rep, Centenary Square (B1 2EP) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest Join us for a relaxing, canalside stroll around some parts of Birmingham that you may have not seen from the water before! Like in Venice* or Brugge, many of the grand buildings and other sights are best seen from the canals and it certainly gives you a very different perspective on the city and its many trades. On the canalside areas we’ll discover all about the hard lives of canal people and find Birmingham’s finest ruin. We’ll also come across a little piece of China and .. no doubt a traditional waterside pub! *Venice (pron.vε nis) is a North Italian City that claims to have almost as many canals as Birmingham! Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Birmingham City Walk

.. you think you know Birmingham .. think again!

Date: Saturday 25th January 2014 Place: By Victoria in Victoria Square (B3 3DH) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest Think you know Birmingham? Then think again! This is the ultimate introduction to one of the world's most surprising cities, a voyage through time from mediaeval field lines to a 21st Century redevelopment to match anything else in the world. En route we hear of Georgian gentry, Victorian social reformers, and postwar planners. Not to be missed! This is still regarded as the "definitive Ian walk” So if you've not had the chance yet, book on this one and prepare to be very surprised about our own City.) Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Bournville on Christmas Eve .. walking and carolling!

Date: Tuesday 24th December 2013 Place: Beneath Christmas Tree, Linden Rd (B30 1JT) Meet: 5.00pm Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest This walk is a little different from the others we offer. For one thing it lasts for only an hour and is a general look at Christmas using the pretty garden village of Bournville as a reference. Then we end on Bournville Village green in time for their annual Christmas Carol Service. Huge crowds attend and sing along, accompanied by the famous Bournville Carillon (Bell Tower). It’s a really atmospheric way to truly “begin Christmas”, especially if you bring along a lantern and a Santa Hat or antlers! The service usually finishes around 6.45pm with a collection. Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Kenilworth Town Walk

.. a castle, a clock .. and a virgin!

Date: Sunday 26th January 2014 Place: In front of Kenilworth Library (CV8 1QG) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest This entertaining walk takes us into the heart of historic, rural Warwickshire to explore the town which grew up alongside one of the country’s greatest Castles. During the course of our wanderings around the town, Ian will be revealing snippets from a famous author, an intrepid explorer, a secret from the cold war .. and potatoes! (The mind boggles!) Meet: Detailed directions are given at www.spicebham.com

Motor Sport

Lots of crazy driving experiences to try!

Rally Driving Lesson

.. spend half a day at the London Rally School

Date: Saturdays: 12 October*, 26th October or 9th October 2013 Place: Bicester Oxfordshire (OX27 9AJ) # *afternoon only Meet: Choose ● AM 9.30am or ● PM 1.30pm (each is a half day course) Cost: £145 (£150 Guest) Have a go at one of the most exciting sports in the world! No previous experience needed! Top skilled and experienced competition drivers will be passing on their knowledge and expertise to YOU! All the behind-the-wheel tuition takes place in rally specification Ford Escort Rs2000’s unrestricted in speed, revs or gears. The event starts with coffee and a talk on the techniques of handling rally cars. It is then time to put this to test on the circuit set in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. Take away some improved and advanced driving skills. Extra option: Accident Damage Indemnity which reduces the potential cost of accident damage from £500 to zero is available to purchase for £15 per driver. If you require the accident damage indemnity it can be paid on arrival. Please Note: This event is shared with public bookings. Therefore, we cannot guarantee you will be with other Spicers.

Quad Bike Intro & Woodland Trek .. a trek on woodland trails in Sutton Coldfield

Date: Sunday 3rd November 2013 Place: Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield (B75 5SA) Meet: 9.30am for 10am – 11am session Cost: £35 (£39 Guest) Situated in the heart of the beautiful countryside at Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield, the huge NPF adventure site has opened its woodland trails for quad bike trekking. Under expert instruction, we will develop our riding skills and take part in a trek throughout undiscovered trails in over 120 acres of beautiful woodland on 150cc KYMCO quad bikes. This 1 hour experience starts with a full safety briefing and training session with an instructor, teaching us how to ride and control the Quad safely. As soon as we have successfully completed this compulsory safety training our Quad trek will begin. The experience includes all kit and equipment including coveralls and helmets and a full 30 minutes riding the quad bike.

Teamworks Karting & Burger

..discover this new advanced Indoor Karting centre

Date: Sunday 19 January 2014 Place: Fazeley Street, Birmingham (B5 5SE) – Directions at www.spicebham.com Meet: 12.45 for 1pm in reception for suits & briefing Cost: £29 Member, £32 Guest includes burger This multi £m indoor circuit near to the Bullring features the UK’s fastest indoor karts on an challenging 750m race track. Forget what you've seen at 'oily rag' circuits as this was built for the corporate entertainment market and they have aimed to improve every aspect of the experience! This has meant using latest generation electric powered karts, which are cleaner and quieter yet faster than most petrol burners you’ll find. Read more about this experience at www.spicebham.com

Forest Segway on Cannock Chase th

.. trek by Segway on a forest trail

Date: Sunday 10 November 2013 Place: Birches Valley Forest Ctr nr Rugeley (WS15 2UQ) # Meet: Arrive by 12.45 for 1pm session (TBC) Cost: £30 Member, £35 Guest Get off the beaten track and experience an hour of fun on these amazing machines. We’re off exploring the forest on the latest in green technology – self-balancing electric Segways. It’s a totally unique way to tackle the trails in the forest. Our experience with us lasts an hour, and that includes a brief bit of safety and instruction before we head out with an instructor. You’ll need to weigh between 7 and 19½ stone but other than that, virtually anyone can do it. This experience is run by Go Ape who also run the popular “treetop experience” from the same location. The site has its own metered car-parking (around £2) which is payable on the day. There are toilet facilities but suggest that you bring a packed lunch to eat before or after your visit as food on site is very limited.

Off Road Karting

.. like rally driving through a forest stage!

Date: Saturday 23rd November 2013 Place: Birmingham Wheels Park, Saltley (B8 1AD) # Meet: 11.15am for 11.30am Cost: £45 (£49 Guest) Spice package includes hot & soft drinks A unique rally driving experience in off-road karts. We’re driving single seater 620cc Rage off- road karts on a gravel rally stage. The track is designed to get the most from the driver and the karts and we will compete to get the six quickest laps. Each driver has three races to achieve this. Medals are given to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place.Racing is similar to regular karting except starts are staggered due to the size of the karts Once racing is underway you can chase down and over-take other drivers. Lap times are measured by computer controlled timing equipment that allows you to track your position throughout the event. Up to 5 x 620cc Rage karts will racing on the track at any one time (dependant on group size).

Auto Stunt School

.. the antidote to run of the mill driving experiences!

Date: Saturday 23rd November 2013 Ok perhaps not Place: Northampton Raceway (near M1 J15) (NN7 2BA) # this but the other Meet: 10.00am to approx. 4.30pm 3 pics are genuine Cost: £139 Member, £159 Guest Fancy driving a car on two wheels? How about starring in your own high speed shoot out? Auto Stunt School offers the most action-packed experience day ever! From Basic Handbrake turns to awesome power-Wheelies, Stunt School promises you a day out you will never forget – the perfect gift for the person who has everything! Great instructors, roving commentators and plenty of pizzazz make this a unique experience – great for participants and spectators alike! Itinerary ● 9.45 Arrival, Light Refreshments / Race Overall fitting ● 10.00 Drivers Briefing by Stunt Steward ● 11.00 Morning Activities, Group split into groups of 6 for various fantastic car stunt events (see below) ● 1.30pm Lunch Break (Lunch included - Cheese Burgers, Salad) Cake & Cream ● 2.15pm Afternoon Activities, an afternoon packed with more fantastic stunt events (see below) ● 4.00pm Prizes & Certificates. Stunt School Bar open! At Stunt School you will experience some of the most entertaining cars imaginable, and learn fantastic stunt driving skills. 1) Two Car High Speed Shoot Out: Stop the car in front with a mixture of driving skill and shooting ability – fully adapted cars and state of the art laser weapons bring the movies to life. 2) Double Decker Chaos: 2 cars, one on the roof of the other! Driver in the top car controls the pedals and steering! 3) Basic Hand Brake Turns: The basic stunt manoeuvre, not as hard as it looks! A couple of goes and you will love it! 4) Car Chase J-Turn Challenge: Learn how to throw your car out of a high speed reverse and make a very slick getaway. 5) The Auto Stunt Movie Theatre: An awesome introduction to the world of premier league Stunt Driving. 6) Herbie Wheelie experience: It takes nerve to pull power-wheelies our specially built cars. Fantastic fun! 7) The Pushme Pullyou: An experience you’ll never forget, with two engines, two steering wheels and loads of attitude! Important: This event is run for around 40 people, and Spice have just held a few of these (the others being sond through the gift experience sellers). Therefore, please do not expect there to be a coordinator or many other Spice members there.

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There’s Always More On-line!

Much as we try, we can’t cram all our holidays & weekends into our Newsletter. There is a full programme of Sailing and Walkwise Weekends shared with other Spice groups plus other breaks going further into the future at www,spicebham.com 23

Snowdome Nights PLACE : Tamworth Snowdome (Directions Below) MEET : In good time in 'Aspen's Cafe Bar If you’ve been pining for the slopes ever since your last winter holiday, or if you've never been on the piste before and want to find out what all the fun is about now's your chance to find out! Experience the thrill of at Tamworth Snow Dome, the REAL SNOW indoor ski slope. The slope is enclosed in a temperature-controlled building and it's the real thing! It’s quite cold so dress accordingly. Gloves are a must, plus a thick pair of long socks, warm full length leggings are fine - or ski gear if you have it - but not jeans. All costs below are inclusive of ski/ board & boot hire.

Tubing Session

Learn to Snowboard Course

Date: Monday 11th November 2013 Place: Snowdome, Tamworth (B79 7ND) Meet: Aspen's Bar 6.45pm* Cost: £12 (£15 Guest) inc booking fees Similar to Toboganning, but with even less control (!), this is the latest après ski adrenaline activity to come out of the Alpine resorts. You slide, you spin, you scream…as your circular ‘sleigh’ careers down the Snowdome. Enjoy this 30 minutes of pure fun on real snow and race your fellow Spicers down the 150 metre slope. Once kitted up, there is a 15 minute safety brief and you must not miss this or you won't be allowed on the slope. Warm clothes, gloves, sturdy trainers or boots are recommended. Warm clothes, gloves, sturdy trainers or boots are recommended. *Please no later than 6.45pm or you will miss the safety briefing and will not be allowed to take part.

Date: Monday 11th November 2013 Meet: Aspen's Bar 7.30pm prompt Cost: £55 (£59 Guest) inc boot & board hire Snowboarding is just sooo cool…and when done expertly can be really exciting, with jumps & somersaults. This is a 2 hour introduction.

Recreational Skiing

Date: Monday 11th November 2013 Meet: Aspen's Bar by 7.30pm Cost: £21 (£23 Guest) inc boot & ski hire If you're able to do controlled snowplough turns and use a ski tow, you can book this option. We'll meet in Aspen Cafe Bar before we get kitted up with skis, boots, and poles ready to hit the slopes. Session is 1 hour.

Ski Lesson - Beginners

Date: Monday 11th November 2013 Meet: Aspen's Bar 7.20pm prompt Cost: £55 (£59 Guest) inc boot & ski hire This is the first step on your way to the slopes. The team at the Snowdome will help to build your abilities and boost your confidence. This is a 2 hour lesson is for absolute beginners

Suggested route from M42: Leave M42 at J10 taking A5 towards Tamworth centre. Follow brown signs which will eventually take you off the A5 onto a series of roundabouts. Note, at the third roundabout you go right round the roundabout and back along the carriageway to the entrance which is part of the Leisure Island complex (B79 7ND).

Outdoor Pursuits What Spice are most famous for!

Abseiling for the Terrified .. a great way to get started

Dates: Saturdays: 6 November or 14th December 2013 or 11th January 2014 Place: Black Rocks, Matlock, Derbyshire # Meet: 10.00am Cost: £29 Member, £32 Guest Many members would love to do an abseil, but are too petrified to book the ones we normally offer. After seeing Mark Fenton's ability to gently coax even the most frightened, or physically disadvantaged people into achieving brilliant outdoor feats, I started these special sessions which have proved extremely popular! You just need to bring a little faith, and the will to succeed! The feeling you’ll get from your success is well worth it all. Mark will get you to overcome any fears by building up your confidence gradually. First we get used to the equipment and how to use it on a few very short descents, before tackling some bigger abseils if you feel able. You’ll not be forced to do anything you are uncomfortable with, or feel stupid if you back out of any stage. So go on…you’ve nothing to lose but your fears!

Indoor Climbing at Redpoint th

.. try this excellent new centre!

Date: Tuesdays: 12 November 2013 or 28th January 2014 Place: Redpoint Climbing, 77 Cecil St, Birmingham (B19 3SU) – see directions online Meet: 7.00pm for 7.15pm to 9.15pm session Cost: £18.50 Member, £22 Guest Climbing is one of the fastest growing sports. It's great fun and anybody can do it. It's a really exciting way to improve physical fitness combining strength, balance, flexibility and concentration. It’s the ideal place to learn about this sport, with an opportunity to develop your skills under expert tuition. Your instructors are S.P.S.A. qualified or equivalent and the emphasis is, as always, on safety. This new venue also works to a ratio of 6:1 instructor, which is the ideal set up for maximum climbing. You will need to wear cool, loose (but not baggy) clothing and training shoes. There are also refreshments and full changing facilities available. The huge main wall is the first thing you'll see ..but don't worry, there are a variety of other faces for beginners to develop their skills on. Sessions begin with a warm up on the bouldering wall, then we can tackle something bigger. For more details, photos and location maps visit www.redpointclimbingcentre.co.uk

Canadian Canoe Adventure nd

.. enjoy a day out in 'canoe country'

Date: Saturdays: 2 November 2013 or 11th January 2014 Place: Symonds Yat, Forest of Dean (HR9 5QT) # Meet: 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.

Rock Weaseling Day

.. scramble, squeeze, wriggle & giggle!

Date: Sunday 20 October 2013 Place: The Roaches, Nr Leek, Staffordshire (ST13 8TY) # Meet: 10.30am to approx 3pm Cost: £17 Member, £22 Guest The hardest bit with weaselling is that if you get stuck you start laughing , and then the more you laugh the tighter you get! Luckily, Mick Cornfield is there to pull you out! Weaseling is a bit like caving only it's above ground with all the same squeezing through tight spaces and crawling on your belly only it's in the light most of the time … 25

Go Ape in Cannock Chase

.. discover the thrill of aerial trekking high above the forest floor

Date: Sunday 10th November 2013 Place: Birches Valley Forest Centre near Rugeley (WS15 2UQ) # Meet: 12noon (to be confirmed with details) Cost: £30 Member, £35 Guest Go-Ape provides a truly exhilarating, adrenalin pumped experience in the tree tops. It’s an awardwinning high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, Tarzan Swings and zip slides up to 40 feet up in the trees. We are fitted with a climbing harness, given instructions, and then trek from tree to tree high above the forest floor. Safety is paramount and all participants wear safety harnesses with which to attach themselves to the safety system. Everyone receives a safety briefing from a trained instructor at the start. Participants will then be responsible for attaching themselves to the safety system as they move around the course. Please note that Go Ape sites are substantial and physically testing high ropes forest adventure courses. The course normally takes a very enjoyable (and perhaps a little scary) 3 hours to complete.

Symonds Yat Adventure Mission .. a fab multi activity day wrapped up in a journey!

Date: Saturday 23rd November 2013 Place: Forest of Dean # Meet: 10am to approx 4pm Cost: £49 Member, £55 Guest Have you ever been on a walk through the forest that starts with you being kitted out with harness and helmet? If not, you've never been on one which starts with a 100 foot abseil down the Buttress at the Yat! Fuelled on adrenaline we then slide down to the river and walk along the disused railway line to a wire suspension bridge where we cross the Wye. We then ramble to Pancake Caves, which we enter by being lowered on a rope through a hole in the roof - wow! Our ramble then takes us onto King Arthur's Cave, an ancient dwelling place, and on to the Seven Sisters, a rock outcrop. Brilliant!

Winter Walking/ Navigation Skills Day th

.. this fun day with Mark will show you the way!

Date: Sunday 8 December 2013 Place: Matlock area of Peak District # Meet: 10.00am Cost: £34 Member, £39 Guest Mark Fenton is brilliant at easing beginners in gently to the skills and pleasures of the outdoors. It’s the type of confidence you need when everything turns white in winter and your skills and equipment are put to the test. Based in The Peak District, Mark has designed an entertaining one day course to equip the absolute beginner with the basic skills for winter walking, especially map reading and navigation. Morning Session (Indoors): an introduction to • Equipment • Planning • Emergency procedures • Maps • Scale • Grid References • Common Symbols • Matching the map to the ground • Contours & Orientation Afternoon Session (Outdoors): Our practical navigation exercise involves us in • Estimating Distance and Time • Measuring Distances • Micro Navigation • Navigation using linear and contour features • Following routes using the map only • The compass • Setting the map by use of the compass • Taking a bearing and walking on it • Magnetic variation • Aiming off and attack points • Pacing (we’ll each calculate our own pacing and have ample opportunity to practice). It’s a full day course which should prove really valuable out on the hills. Oh. and with a bit of luck we’ll have some snow!

Dinghy Sailing For Beginners th

.. a morning of fun on the water

Date: Sunday 13 October 2013 Place: Top Barn Activity Centre, Nr Droitwich (WR6 6NH) # Meet: 9.30am for 10.00am to 1.00pm session Cost: £22 Member, £25 Guest Try your hand at Dinghy sailing on a purpose built lake, perfect for beginners and more advanced alike. Our qualified instructor will guide us through and improve our ability whatever our level. There’s nothing like this exhilarating experience. Once aboard our boat, a Laser Pico, we’ll learn how to harness the power of the wind and sail beautifully 26

Scuba Taster Morning Experience th

.. a fun introduction to scuba diving!

Date: Saturdays: 5 October or 7th December 2013 or 2nd February 2014 Place: Aquasport Dive Centre, 50 Lincoln Rd, Olton, Solihull (B27 6PA) Meet: 9.50am for 10am - 12noon session Cost: £14 Member, £16 Guest If you’ve always wanted an easy taster of what scuba is all about, this is for you. You will learn all the basic skills required to enjoy this exciting sport and be able to judge if scuba is for you. There will be a full briefing & film before pool session, which takes place in an excellent new diving pool on within the centre. Just bring a tee shirt to wear in the baths as well as your swimming costume. In line with PADI regulations, you need to complete a simple medical declaration in order to take part in the pool session. This can be downloaded from the link on the on line version of this writeup or posted to you. Directions: The Centre is at 50 Lincoln Rd, Olton. For full directions, check the on line write up at www.spicebham.com.

Indoor Bouldering Taster Session Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

.. indoor climbing without ropes!

Tuesday 26 November 2013 Boulder Central - Richmond Street South, West Bromwich (B70 0DG) 7.00pm for 7.15pm to 9.15pm session but we can stay to 10pm £14 (£20 Guest at public price) Incl: rock shoes, chalk & instructor Also, the Spice arrangement allows us to stay on to 10pm if we wish This is a brilliant Spice opportunity to try a new sport at a brand new centre (opened in May 2012). Bouldering is the same as climbing, but is all carried out at a much lower level and if you fall you will land on thick crashmats. This means it’s less scary (if you don’t like heights) and you have much more sense of freedom without having to use harnesses and ropes. Bouldering is not only fun but is a great activity to build your strength and fitness. This special Spice taster session allows our group of first timers to learn the techniques with a qualified instructor. The session will last 90 minutes and includes: 1) A 30 minute group lesson giving important tips about the fundamentals of climbing; 2) 45 minutes of going through all the aspects needed to get you signed off as a competent climber. The majority of this session will be practical learning with most of the time being spent climbing. 3) 15 minutes of a free climbing session with instructors taking questions as you put your new skills into practice. Also, we have agreed with the Centre that Spice members can stay on as long as they like after the session (centre closes 10pm) to continue bouldering and enjoying the facilities so long as we have passed the initial assessment. Rock shoes and chalk are included and this extends to the whole evening, not just the taster session. Location: For detailed directions including public transport options see the online version of this writeup.

Kayak River Adventure Day th

.. enjoy a day out in 'canoe country'

Date: Saturday 12 October 2013 Place: Symonds Yat, Forest of Dean (HR9 5QT) # Meet: 10.00am to approx 4.00pm Cost: £52 Member, £59 Guest This area really is canoe country! The team from Forest Adventure have come up with a varied route for single seat kayaks - 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. It’s a leisurely day and a great first timers event, but will also be fun for those of you who have some experience.

Caving for the Terrified .. a great way to get started

Date: Saturday 16 November 2013 Place: Matlock Bath, Matlock, Derbyshire # Meet: 10am to approx 1.30pm Cost: £35 (£39 Guest) Another of Mark's brilliant events for those who really want to conquer an outdoor pursuit, but need some extra 'loving care' to help them in their ambition. This day is an ideal introduction in an interesting cave system, but one where you have the peace of mind that you could quickly be brought to the surface if the experience proves too much! 27

Zip World - Ultimate Zipline Experience th

.. fly for 1 mile at nearly 100mph & 500 feet up!

Date: Sunday 27 October 2013 Place: Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda (LL57 4YG) # Meet: 1.30pm for 2pm (ends by 5pm) Cost: £49 (£55 Guest) Includes: 2 x Zipwires, flying suit, goggles, quarry tour by truck This is an unbelievable new event! You may have seen it on The One Show, BBC News or Blue Peter (if not click the links at www.zipworld.co.uk to watch them via YouTube!) So why should you travel to Wales for this one? Well, Zip World has the longest zip line in Europe and is claimed to be “the nearest thing to flying like Superman”. The Zip World site contains two specially constructed and spectacular zip lines, the first will take you down to the bottom of the quarry where you will pick up your specialised vehicle for a magnificent quarry tour, before zip lining back (one mile!) to the start. You will be going at speeds of around 100mph and you will be travelling 500ft above the mountain lake so be ready for a ride of a lifetime! How does our afternoon work: We will meet up for briefing and for kitting up with flying suits, helmets and goggles. We then get to experience “Little Zipper”, a mere 500 meters of fun that will whet our appetites for what is to come. At the base of “Little Zipper” we join our trucks (15 per truck) that take us on a guided tour of the quarry, ending at the very top. This is an exciting trip, using vertiginous quarry tracks from the days when hundreds of men worked quarried slate at Penrhyn. The views are dramatic. We eventually reach the summit and the mighty “Big Zipper”. This we descend one after another at approx 2 minute intervals. Be prepared to be terrified, invigorated and awed .. all at the same time! Book Early: We have held 30 places but will need to confirm well in advance and hand back any unsold places. So don’t delay if you want to secure a place on this one. Notes: Max weight 120kg (min 30kg); Max height 2 meters (min 120cm). If you have any health concerns or disabilities, please clear with Spice in advance. The joining details will include a weather check number to call before setting out.

Exploring the Countryside (Outdoor Skills Day) .. building on your map and compass skills

Date: Sunday 8 December 2013 Place: Malvern Link, Nr Malvern, Worcs (WR13 6DW) # Meet: 10am for 10.30am Start Cost: £13.50 Member, £16 Guest This event is building on the previous map and compass course 'Navigation in Four Simple Steps' which gave a basic understanding of the use of map and compass. This time we will be out exploring the countryside around the fabulous Malvern Hills, at times going off piste so that we can really put into practice our map reading skills and continue to build those skills around reading contour lines, looking for variations in the terrain, points of reference, in order that we can get back safely to our start point. The day will be led by Alan Roberts who spend time coaching each of the four teams of three members, in order that you can get some real hands on experience and build your confidence levels. It will be a full day out in the countryside so you should have a reasonable level of fitness, albeit we will be taking it easy as we plan our route across country.

Nordic Walking Taster (Cannon Hill Park) th

.. try this exciting new way to walk!

Date: 1) Sunday 17 November 2013 in Sutton Park, Boldmere Gate (B73 6LH) OR 2) Sunday 12th January 2014 in Cannon Hill Park (B12 9QH) Meet: 10.30am (ends 12noon) Cost: £15 Member, £17 Guest Whether you want to lose weight, increase your social circle, stay healthy and active- or simply want to try something fun and new, Nordic Walking has it all. Nordic Walking is one of the most sociable and effective exercise techniques around. It's a whole body work out, suitable for individuals of all fitness levels. If you would like to learn good technique and enjoy the health benefits of Nordic Walking, instruction is essential, so we’ve teamed up with specialist instructor Pauline Walker, who will show us how it is done and provide the special Exel poles (Trainer Pro). The poles come in different sizes to suit your height, so you must tell us your height when you book. What you need: Wear a good pair of training shoes rather than walking boots. The most important thing is a fairly flexible sole so you can roll through the foot from heel to toe whilst walking. Wear clothes suitable for walking according to the weather. It's recommended that you wear layers to keep you warm .. or take layers off should you need to. More: For details of the meet points and emergency contact details, see these events on line at www.spicebham.com 28

Dinghy Sailing

.. learn how on Edgbaston Reservoir

Date: Sunday 27th October 2013 Place: Edgbaston Reservoir, Icknield Port Road (B16 0AA) – directions online Meet: 10am to 12.30pm session Cost: £15 (£18 Guest) Dinghy sailing is a great sport, and an ideal introduction to sailing for any kind of craft. You will have intensive instruction, and by the end of the session, even a complete novice will have grasped the basics of sailing. The team provide buoyancy aids, but the greatest danger of all with sailing is that you may get addicted! You just need to take a complete change of clothes, a towel and waterproof gear - a simple cagoule is a great help on windy days. Take old footwear to sail in (eg. an old pair of trainers). If weather is very cold, the supplier may issue wetsuits, so take swimwear for underneath.

Abseiling for Beginners at Symonds Yat .. try some easy abseils in a beautiful setting!

Date: Saturday 1 February 2014 Place: Symonds Yat area of Forest of Dean # Meet: 11.45am for 12noon - 3pm session Cost: £39 Member, £45 Guest The team from Forest Adventure have designed a rock session in this area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Abseils vary from a sheltered 40 ft to an exposed 110 ft depending on how you wish to progress. No one is made to do anything, progress at your own pace in an encouraging environment or enjoy the view and support your fellow Spicers. The instructors are confident that anyone can conquer these cliffs with a little encouragement. “Our most senior lady this year from the local WI was 87 – so I’m sure no one from Spice should find it difficult!”

Ramble, Scramble & Dangle th

.. a great day out with Mark

Date: Saturday 30 November 2013 Place: White Peak area of Derbyshire # Meet: 10.00am Cost: £29 Member, £35 Guest We get the most brilliant feedback from these days out with Mark Fenton! So why not go along and find out what they’re getting up to in the Peak Park? Meeting in the White Peak, we embark on a 7 mile hike but along the way we encounter and overcome (hopefully!) various obstacles! It could be a climb ,a river crossing ,an abseil or it could be all three. You might be asked to disarm a bomb, climb a tree or ascend a steep embankment using jumars (fixed rope ascenders) you could even be asked to find your own way back to the cars using “Marks’ special maps”.

Introduction to Rowing .. learn how on Edgbaston Reservoir

Date: Sunday 27th October 2013 Place: Edgbaston Reservoir, Icknield Port Road (B16 0AA) – directions online Meet: 1.00pm - 3.00pm Cost: £15 Member, £18 Guest Whether you fancy trying something new or whether you are an aspiring Redgrave, Pinsent or could team up someone to be the next Glover & Stanning; come and give rowing a go! Rowing at Edgbaston Reservoir has a long history and they are proud to be chosen as one of a handful of UK outdoor centres to receive funding and support from British Rowing to open up accessability to rowing to a wider population. They have 8 training sculls that are stable and ideal to learn the basics in. This 2 hour session will get you out on the water and give you some rudimentary skills to get you started. ______________________________

A Spice Newsletter is just a Snapshot in Time

Previews & Pub Nights Unlike the other events in this newsletter, most of these events (except Spice Hits Town) are offered on an informal 'just turn up' basis.

Preview Evenings!

.. presentations aimed at those looking to join, just joined, or introducing a friend to the group Dudley Dates: Wed 23 Oct 2013 Place: Copthorne Hotel, The Waterfront, Merry Hill Dudley DY5 1UR Time: 8.00pm Cost: Free

Edgbaston

Solihull/ NEC

Thu 10 Oct 2013 Mon 25 Nov 2013 Thu 9 Jan 2014 Midlands Arts Centre Edgbaston Road Cannon Hill, B12 9QH Time: 8.00pm Cost: Free

Date: Tue 5 Nov 2013 Or Tue 21 Jan 2014 Place: The Arden Hotel Coventry Road Bickenhill B92 0EH Time: 8.00pm Cost: Free

Dates: Or Or Place:

Sutton Coldfield Date: Mon 3 Feb 2014 Place: Ramada Hotel Penns Lane Walmley Sutton Coldfield B76 1LH Time: 8.00pm Cost : Free

You don’t have to come to a Preview Night in order to join Spice, but if you can, it’s a great way to make your start with us and the easiest way of meeting a few people and finding out how it all works. Richard, Maggie and other team members and volunteers will be there to welcome everybody. We’ll show the Spice Video, talk through the basics of membership, give you more info' on the programme, and explain how it all works. It's very casual and everyone is welcome; those thinking of joining who want to find out more, and existing members who might like to come along with any curious friends. It's very informal, and many members have joined after attending one of these as it's a great opportunity to meet other new members who also want to add some SPICE to life! Those who can’t wait to get started will also have the opportunity to book any events they'd like try. We’ve chosen venues with good free parking areas immediately outside. Once in the venue just ask at reception which room we’re in. All venues have a bar, and you can bring a drink into the room. Hope you can make it - no need to book, just turn up on the night and we'll see you there.

Spice Hits Town at The Jam House! .. a great free Spice get together with live music!

Dates: Fridays: ● 18 Oct 2013 ● 15 Nov 2013 ● 27 Dec 2013 ● 17 Jan 2014 Place: The Jam House, St Pauls Square, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham (B3 1QU) Meet: From 7.30pm (arrive by 8.30pm LATEST or you’ll be charged). Meet upstairs Cost: Free (but you have to book this event). Members Only – No Guests Incl: Spice exclusive area & discounted bar to 9pm ● 18/10 - Detroit Soul (All of your Tamla Motown, Atlantic Soul and funk favourites) ● 15/11 - The Subterraneans (Massive Rock Anthems from the likes of U2, the Stones, Queen & Kaiser Chiefs) ● 27/12 - B'Spoke (Popular & funky young ten piece of talented musicians with a range of soul & R'n'B classics) ● 17/1 - TBA Our monthly night out now offers more! We have our own area from 7.30pm to 9pm and if numbers permit, the venue will provide a simple buffet (crisps/ sandwiches) free of charge at 8pm (so don’t arrive late!). The bar that serves our area will also have a Spice discount in place for our exclusive time, so go straight to our area on arrival! Booking: There is no charge if you arrive before 8.30pm, but your place has to be booked in advance so that your name is on the list for security to allow you into our private area. Please dress night club wise (ie no trainers, jeans etc). If you haven’t been to a Spice Hits Town before, you’ll find it a great opportunity to renew acquaintances with other Spice Members who you’ve met on events, and generally mingle in an informal but busy environment. New Members Note: Whilst everyone is welcome to attend if they wish, it is easier when you know a few people in the group. We only say this because it is a busy, loud, unstructured meet up with minimal coordination, so it can be difficult for members to spot or look after people who are new. Once you have been to a few events, and know some faces, however, you’ll find SHT a great way to renew friendships and get into the social life of our group.

Our Regional Pub Nights – an Important Explanation Don’t worry, Spice has not become (nor ever will be!) a group who meet up in pubs! In fact, many people join Spice as an antidote to spending their time in pubs! Spice is all about the events and the fun we have on them. That said, a network of pub nights have developed, aimed at enabling members to get to know other members in their area over a drink (or three!) each month. These nights are run “by the members - for the members” and have no other purpose other than providing a corner of a pub for Spice friends to drink and chat together. The reason I mention this, is that I keep getting reports of new members and people interested in joining, turning up at these nights expecting something more - such as a “meeting”, “an opportunity to join”, “the chance to book events” or “the chance to see what Spice is like” etc. Also, those who go along not knowing any faces and walk straight out again before any introductions can be made. I don’t mean to put you off, as these nights are a great resource for people who have been in the group for some time and who know a few faces to look out for. However, they are not really designed for people who are brand new to the group. They work best as a form of reunion for people who have already met on events. They are certainly no substitute for our organised events or the Preview Nights that we put on for those who want to find out more about the Group or to join us. These are busy pubs (not closed to the public) and can be difficult if you don’t already know some faces to look out for. Sorry to be a little negative, but we would hate for you to judge Spice based on an informal night at a pub!

Tamworth & Lichf’d Pub Night

Sutton Pub Night

Date: Wed 2 Oct, 6 Nov or 4 Dec Place: The Gate, Tamworth Rd, Amington (B77 3BY) Meet: 8.00pm onwards Members only Always a popular night! Look out for Mike (Tigger), who will introduce you to other people if you don’t know any faces. Tigger will be wearing a Spice polo shirt to help you spot him. Food is available. The Gate is a cosy canalside pub/restaurant and a great new venue for us. Beer garden with regular guest ales! Contact Mike on 07949 747 272 with questions. ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night. Directions: See online writeup for full details.

Date: Weds: 9 Oct, 13 Nov or 11 Dec Place: The Bottle of Sack, Bham Rd (B72 1QG) Meet: 8.00pm onwards Members only David and Rob are your volunteer contacts for this night for members who live in Sutton. David will be near the bar and (to help you spot him) will be drinking out of a pewter tankard (also note his arty sideburns!). Any questions, call Dave on 0121 329 3663. ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night. Directions: See online writeup for full details.

Bromsgrove Pub Night

Solihull Pub Night

Date: Mon: 21 Oct, 18 Nov, 16 Dec or 20 Jan Place: Crown at Wychbold, nr M5 J5 (WR9 7PF) Meet: 8.00pm onwards Members only Meet & socialise with members from Worcestershire. John Matchett will be there to meet and greet everyone. Any questions, call John 07833 327483 or john.matchett@reynaers.com. There’s a big car park and food is available. Enter through side door by car park. John will be wearing a Spice T Shirt. ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night. Directions: See online writeup for full details.

Date: Tues: 8 Oct, 12 Nov, 10 Dec or 14 Jan Place: The Woodmans Rest, Union Road (B90 3DB) Meet: 8.00pm onwards Members only This pub meet for members in the Solihull area has a new home. It is run by local Spicer Mark Thursfield. He will be looking out for you in the bar from 8pm, or you can get there earlier if you want to eat first. It's an informal opportunity to meet up with other people in your area. Any questions, please contact Mark on 07943 944514 or email mark.thursfield@btinternet.com ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night

Halesowen/Quinton Pub Night

Kings Heath Pub Night

Date: Thur: 3 Oct, 7 Nov, 5 Dec or 2 Jan Place: Amber Tavern, Hagley Rd West, (B32 2AL) Meet: 8pm onwards Members only Come and have a drink and a laugh, in a friendly atmosphere with a few Spice friends from your area. There’s food available if you wish. Hosts are Fiona & John. Fiona can be contacted on 07929 357 880 with any queries. Full directions at www.spicebham.com ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night

Date: Tues: 15 Oct, 19 Nov, 17 Dec or 21 Jan Place: Red Lion, Vicarage Rd, Kings Heath (B14 7LY) Meet: 8.00pm onwards Members only Dave & Nicki are our friendly hosts at this spacious pub with it's own parking/ on the no11 bus route! There’s also a good menu if you want to eat. If you have any questions or are nervous about attending, why not call them on 07789 002109 or 07748 976496 ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night

Warwick/ Leamington Pub

Date: Thur: 17 Oct, 21 Nov, 19 Dec or 16 Jan New Venue Place: The Lounge, Leamington Spa (CV32 4AG) New Meet: 7.30pm onwards Members only Hosts Mike Bedwell and Richard Harris are the new hosts for this friendly, informal get together where you can meet people in your area, socialise and find people going on the same events as you. Mike and/or Richard will be looking out for you in the bar from 7.30pm. Look out for their Spice T Shirts and/or Spice Banner. Questions: Contact ● Mike 07846 578747 or aldrin1969@btopenworld.com ● Richard 07751 135360 or limegarden1@hotmail.co.uk. The new venue (from October 2013 onwards) is The Lounge, which is pretty central on Leamington High Street (address is 130 The Parade). ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night

Quiz Nights Come along and pit your wits against the other teams at our fun Quiz nights. It's a good way of getting to know people, as we randomly arrange teams on the night. There’s a bar (unless otherwise stated), so it will be easy to bribe the Quiz Master! Prizes are awarded to winners & runners up and the losers may get a surprise too! Our quizzes are original 'one- offs', and written specially for us. It’s all just for fun, so please please don’t book if you’re too serious about winning!

Quiz Night (Birmingham)

.. our fun, general knowledge quiz with Richard

Date: Wednesdays: ● 30 Oct ● 27th Nov ● 18th Dec ● 29th Jan 2013 Place: The Old Royal, 53 Church Street (B3 3DP) Meet: 7.30pm for prompt 7.45pm start Cost: £3 (Guests £5) A fun general knowledge quiz written for us by Pete with so many categories that we hope everyone will know something! This is usually presented by Richard, but we also have “guest presenters” from time to time.

Curry & Quiz (Harborne/ Solihull/ Sutton & Wolves) rd

.. a great social evening with Steve Dell

Dates: ● Wed 23 Oct or ● Thur 16th Jan - Bangla Lounge, 152a High St, Harborne (B17 9PN) ● Wed 4th Dec - Shades of Raj 52,Station Road, Solihull (B91 3RX) ● Thur 14th Nov - Purbani Tandoori, 41 Birch St, Wolverhampton (WV1 4JW) ● Thur 10th Oct - Bollywood, 28 Birmingham Rd Sutton Coldfield (B72 1QG) Meet: 7.00pm Cost: £5 (£7 Guest) plus cost of food on the night (see each deal below) Great nights with Steve Dell, combining two favourites; a curry and a quiz! There will be all the usual rounds such as general knowledge, music etc. These are great events to meet fellow spicers and not taken too.seriously – this is Spice! ●Bollywood: We have a special deal for £11: A popadom (with onion salad, dips etc), a starter, a main and rice or naan.

This restaurant isn’t licensed so you need to bring your own alcoholic drinks.

●Purbani Tandoori: We have a great deal; A popadom (with the onion salad, dips etc), a starter, a main and rice or naan – all for just £9.95. There is some free street parking by the restaurant but it is limited. ● Shades of Raj: A contemporary Indian Restaurant. Our deal is £10.95: Popadom (with onion salad, dips etc), a starter, a main and rice or naan. There’s limited street car parking nearby or several multi story car parks including Touchwood. ●Bangla Lounge: We have a great deal for £8.95: Popadom (with onion salad, dips etc), a starter, a main and rice or naan. There is a limited amount of street car parking near the restaurant or a public car park behind the High Street.

Chinese & Quiz (Sutton Coldfield)

.. another meal with a difference from Steve Dell

Date: Wednesday 22nd January 2014 Place: Lee Garden, 59-61 Birmingham Rd, Sutton Coldfield (B72 1QF) Meet: 7.00pm Cost: £5 (£7 Guest) plus cost of food (£17.50) on the night Today, Steve will run one of his quizzes whilst we enjoy a varied Chinese Meal. There will be all the usual rounds such as general knowledge, music etc. A set meal has been booked (vegetarian on request): ●Yuk Sung ● King Dou Spare Ribs ● Chicken Wings ● Roast Duck & Plum Sauce ● Sizzling Chicken, Black Bean Sauce & Green pepper ● Sweet & Sour Pork ● Spicy Crispy Beef Fillet ● King Prawn, Chinese Mushrooms & Bamboo Shoots ●Young Chow Fried Rice ● Ice Cream

Quiz of 2013 & Supper .. enjoy this “quiz with a difference”

Date: Thursday 9th January 2014 Place: The Arden Hotel, Coventry Road (by NEC) (B92 0EH) Meet: 7.30pm in function room Cost: £14 (£16 Guest) includes a buffet supper How much can you remember of what happened in 2013? Steve Dell will write and run a quiz based on “the year that was”. There will be the usual rounds such as music, entertainment, TV but with a 2013 flavour. Other rounds will be news headlines from 2013. These are great events to meet fellow spicers as you work in small teams. They are fun and have an edge of competitiveness but not taken too seriously – this is Spice! There is also a food on the night included in the price.

Spice Rambles Dress to suit all weathers and avoid jeans as they hinder you once wet. You'll need boots, spare clothing, waterproofs and a drink. Our guides are experienced leaders and qualified first aiders so you'll be in good hands. We'll send directions including a mobile number to call if the weather is extreme or if you cannot attend - so we don't hang around waiting. Rambles set off promptly at the time given.

Cannock Chase Moderate Ramble

Date: Saturday 5th October 2013 Place: Cannock Chase, Staffordshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A walk on Cannock Chase starting at the northern end close to Brocton. This is a walk of approx 11 miles with Hamish on undulating ground largely on good tracks, taking in many aspects of the Chase. There are some up and downhill sections and it could be muddy in places. Dogs welcome if kept on lead.

Braunston to Flecknoe Ramble

Date: Sunday 6th October 2013 Place: Braunston, Warwickshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This is 7 – 8 mile delightful walk with Hamish is on good tracks with a section of canal walking. It crosses the nascent River Leam which runs by the medieval village of Wolfhamcote. Wolfhamcote was abandoned around 600 years ago but earthworks remain and there is an isolated church (used twice a year) at the site. The walk is mainly on flat ground and dogs are welcome if kept on a lead

Kinver Edge Moderate Ramble

Date: Sunday 6th October 2013 Place: Kinver, Nr Stourbridge # Meet: 12noon Start Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) + meal on day if requ’d At the request of many regulars here is another easy to moderate ramble with Steve Dell. The pace will be the same but we will be going a little further, around 7 miles. This is an extended and revised ramble in the lovely area of Kinver Edge with its spectacular views and pretty woods. There are a couple of gradients but as usual we will take our time. We start by walking to the cave houses at Holy Austin Rock. Then to the top of Kinver edge. Once at the top we walk along the edge following the Staffordshire Way and through woodland in Kingsford County Park to the hamlet of Drakelow. The return passes by the remains of an old fort, returns to a different part of Kingsford County Park and quiet lanes back to the pub for Sunday Lunch if you wish.

Barnt Green & Lickey Hills Ramble

Date: Saturday 12th October 2013 Place: Barnt Green/ Lickey Hills # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest We return to this lovely area & pub. The ramble is around 4½ miles with Steve Dell. We start at a lovely pub in Barnt Green and venture firstly towards Bittell reservoirs. Then we follow the North Worcestershire Path to the Lickey Hills Country Park, which have some great views of the area, the final leg is through the lovely wooded park. There are a couple of gradients but nothing too strenuous and as usual we will take our time.

Offchurch E&W Moderate Ramble

Date: Saturday 12th October 2013 Place: Offchurch, Nr Leamington Spa # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This delightful walk of approximately 9 miles with Hamish, takes some of the best bits from two walks offered earlier in the year. Starting at Offchurch the trail takes us in a wide circle over Newbold Comyn, past Cubbington then to Hunningham via Weston under Weatherly before picking up the river Leam and returning to Offchurch. Moderate walking with few ups & downs.

Warwickshire Views Moderate Ramble

Date: Sunday 13th October 2013 Place: Kenilworth, Warwickshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This 10 mile moderate walk with Hamish is on level ground almost all the way. We start close to Kenilworth Castle and head south across the open countryside between these two famous Warwickshire towns. Entering the outskirts of Warwick we soon meet the Grand Union Canal which we follow for a short distance before heading north again by a different route and a short detour around the lakes and woodland of Guys Cliffe. Finally we pick up the Centenary Way that brings us back to Kenilworth Castle.

Shugborough Easy Ramble

Date: Sunday 13th October 2013 Place: Shugborough, South Staffordshire # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Today we return to this lovely area surrounding the Shugborough Estate, which is on the northern tip of Cannock Chase. The ramble with Steve Dell is 5 miles and mostly flat with one gradient, but as usual we’ll take our time. It will include the woodlands of Stafford Plantation and part of the Shugborough Estate where we will get views of the hall. We cross the River Trent, a short section of the Trent & Mersey canal and part of the Staffs & Worcs canal, with great views of the surrounding countryside.

Lathkill Dale & Magpie Ramble

Date: Saturday 19th October 2013 Place: Bulls Head, Monyash,Derbyshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This 10 mile walk with Mick starts from the village of Monyash, a former centre for lead mining. We enter Lathkill Dale, a wide open dale which soon narrows. After Lathkill House Cave we may see the start of the river said by Izaak Walton to be the purest he had seen! further down the valley we visit Mandale Mine with some of the workings and the old viaduct still to be seen as can Bateman's house, built over the water pump. We climb out of the dale to Over Haddon famous for the fasting damsel, Martha Taylor, and the head of MI6, Sir Maurice Oldfield. From here we cross fields to pass Bole hill and the lesser known Magshaw Mine to arrive at Magpie Mine recorded in 1739 but said to be older. It was the most important mine in the area eventually closing in 1958 with a lot of stories and a curse! It’s then a gentle return.

Leamington Torchlit Ramb & Supper

Moira & Donnisthorpe Ramble

Date: Thursday 7th November 2013 Place: Leamington, Warwickshire # Meet: 7pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Although Leamington is a town, this 3½ mile ramble with Steve Dell has a rural feel to it. We start in the town and initially follow the river Leam out into Newbold Comyn Park, where we get a great view of the town lit up. The ramble is fairly flat and on generally great paths. Back in Leamington we will find somewhere to have our supper. Don’t forget your torch!

Date: Sunday 20th October 2013 Place: Moira, nr Swadlincote & Burton on Trent Meet: 11:45am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Join Steve Dell in the National Forest. The pace will be the same as usual but we’ll cover 6½ miles. A lot of conservation has been done in this area and there’s plenty of historical interest, such as Ashby Woulds Heritage Trail which runs along the former line of the Ashby & Nuneaton joint railway, the Ashby Canal and Moira Furnace. There will be woodland and reservoirs to admire along the way. This time we include the pretty Saltersford Valley pools.

Brandon Brinklow Round Mod Ramb

Chipping Campden Scenic Ramble

Date: Saturday 9th November 2013 Place: Brandon, Nr Coventry # Meet: 10.30am Start. Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Brandon and Brinklow sit on the eastern outskirts of Coventry and there are numerous trails and footpaths in this area. We’ll explore around 10 miles with Hamish of the surroundings making use of the Coventry Way, public footpaths and a short section of canal.

Date: Saturday 26th October 2013 Place: Chipping Campden, Cotswolds # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest An 8 mile ramble with Alan, aimed at walkers who may want to step up from the shorter ½ day walks. Any hills are relatively short and not to steep. From Chipping Campden we follow the Heart of England, Monarchs and Diamond Ways passing through Ebrington, Paxford, returning across country through Broad Campden on of the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds.

Malvern's North & Worcester Way

Date: Sunday 10th November 2013 Place: Malvern Hills, Worcestershire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This 8 mile walk with Alan is aimed at regular walkers with a good level of fitness as there are two steep ascents. We start at the northerly most point of the Hills, then head west across country, linking up with the Worcester Way and following this route through forestry and farm land gaining great views of the Malvern Hill, until we reach Colwall Stone. From here we will climb up to the Worcester Beacon, and spend the afternoon meandering around the hills, before returning to our cars via North Hill.

Mam Tor Ridge Ramble

Date: Sunday 27th October 2013 Place: Castleton, Derbyshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This 10 mile walk with Mick Cornfield starts from the village of Castleton at the head of the Hope velley and the home of Blue John and Peveril Castle. We first take the steady climb to the top of Lose hill with commanding views in every direction, and legends of giants, then follow the undulating ridge descending Back Tor to Hollin’s Cross where the coffin route passes from Edale to Hope. From here it’s a steady climb to Mam Tor an Iron age hill fort from 1200BC. We then circle the end of the valley to descend steeply down Cave Dale to the side of the castle.

Staunton Harold Hall Easy Ramble

Date: Sunday 10th November 2013 Place: Staunton Harold, near Ashby de la Zouch # Meet: 11.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest We revisit this lovely walk for a spectacular autumnal visit; there is lots of woodland on this ramble what a great time of the year to take in the beautiful colours of the woodland. Steve Dell will lead us on this 5½ mile ramble in this lovely area where we are spoilt for choice with some great features such as the historic Staunton Harold Hall and church, the pretty Dimminsdale woods and nature Reserve and the delightful Calke Abbey House and Park (compete with tea shop!). If that wasn’t enough we start from The Ferrers Centre of Arts & Crafts where you will find a bakery, tea shop and Garden Centre. The walk is fairly flat and there are woods, lakeside paths, majestic parklands and some great views.

Hockley Heath/Lapworth Easy Ramb

Date: Sunday 3rd November 2013 Place: Hockley Heath, Nr Solihull # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest We return to the lovely area for an easy ramble with Cecilia.We start from the village of Hockley Heath and initially head south along the Stratford on Avon canal. Then we cross to Lapworth and its pretty church. The return passes near to Packwood House and uses field paths through farmland and quiet country lanes. The ramble is about 4½ miles. The pub does food all day.

Neen Savage/ Malpass Wood Ramble

Hanbury Hall Ramble & Lunch

Date: Sunday 3rd November 2013 Place: Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This 11 mile walk with Alan aimed at walkers with a good level of fitness. The countryside can be best described as rolling, rather than any steep or long ascents. Starting from the pretty village of Cleobury Mortimer we head out north following the banks of the pretty River Rea, passing through the lovely village of Neen Savage. On route we pass by the site of a medieval at Detton, making our way across country to Malpass Wood. Passing through the wood there’s opportunity to many of the wild deer that roam in the wood before heading back to Cleobury and a pub.

Date: Saturday 16th November 2013 Place: Hanbury Park, near Bromsgrove # Meet: 11am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Today we visit the lovely Hanbury park, where Hanbury hall stands. Steve Dell will take us on this 5 mile ramble which also takes in farmland and part of the Worcester & Birmingham canal. We start by going towards Pipers Hill and woods and then to a lovely church with great views. Then we head south through Hanbury Park where we can stop to admire the Hall. The return uses farmland and finally along the canal and back to the pub, where we can have our lunch if desired and replace lost fluids!

Trentham & Hanchurch Mod Ramble

Stow on the Wold Ramble

Date: Saturday 16th November 2013 Place: Stow on the Wold, Cotswolds # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This 10 mile walk with Alan takes us through some of the prettiest villages in the Coltswolds. We start from the historic village of Stow heading across country toward Bourton-on-the-Water where we stop for lunch. After lunch we continue on to Lower Slaughter where we join the Gloucester Way, following this path across country returning to Stow, where we can stop for a well earned rest and a drink at one of the many Inns in Stow. This ramble is aimed at regular walkers with a good level of fitness. There are a couple of ascent's, albeit not to steep.

Date: Saturday 30th November 2013 Place: Trentham, Staffordshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest The first ½ mile of this moderate 10 mile walk with Hamish follows an undulating path, rather steep at times, over Tittensor Hill and across a small wooded valley (total 110m ascent). After this the gradients are gentle. The route goes under the M6 (short section of road walking with a good path) and follows a track by Hanchurch Pools that leads to Swynnerton Old Park, a huge expanse of coniferous woodland. We explore some of the many tracks that criss-cross the area and its immediate surroundings before returning via the M6 underpass to the Trentham side of the motorway staying at low level past Tittensor Hill as we return.

Haughmond Hill Ramble

Brocton & the Haywoods Mod Ramble

Date: Sunday 17th November 2013 Place: Shrewsbury # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Aimed at regular Walkers with a reasonable level of fitness this 10 mile walk with Alan suited to people who want to step up from the ½ day walks and tackle a small hill. There is one small ascent. The walk will start at the Sports Village in Shrewsbury where we head out across country to the small village of Upton Magna before making the short ascent to the top of Haughmond Hill. From the top of the hill we have lovely views of the Shropshire Country Side. After a rest we will then descend the hill and head out past the impressive Augustinian Abbey at Haughmond, continuing across flat open countryside, before heading back to Shrewsbury.

Date: Sunday 1st December 2013 Place: Brocton, Staffordshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This 10 mile route with Hamish takes us across the undulating country side between Brocton and the villages of Great Haywood and Little Haywood that lie just to the east of Stafford. The route then takes us along the side of 2 rivers (the Trent and the Sow) and 2 canals (Trent & Mersey, and the Staffs & Worcs). A varied walk with marked changes in scenery along the way.

Clent Easy Ramble

Date: Sunday 1st December 2013 Place: Clent Hills, Near Hagley # Meet: 11.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest We return to this lovely area for an easy ramble with Richard. The ramble is 5 miles and the grade is easy to moderate as it has more gradients than usual, but we will take our time. The ramble is mostly within the Clent Hills Country Park and takes in both the Clent and Walton hills with their superb views; it also uses part of the North Worcestershire Path and the pretty village of Clent. At the end we can enjoy Sunday Lunch at the pub if you wish.

Draycot Water Moderate Ramble

Date: Saturday 23rd November 2013 Place: Draycot Water # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This is a walk of around 9 miles, with Hamish, includes a circumnavigation of Draycot reservoir (3.5 miles) and explores some of the off shoots from this pretty stretch of water. A good deal of flat walking some of it on smooth paths

Kingsbury Water Park Easy Ramble

Inkberrow and the Lenches Ramble

Date: Saturday 23rd November 2013 Place: Kingsbury Water Park nr Middleton # Meet: 11am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Enjoy a lovely 4½ mile ramble with Steve Dell followed by an optional lunch. The ramble is around Kingsbury water park and Middleton Hall. The ramble is flat and suitable for beginners or those who want an easy ramble. We start by walking through Kingsbury Water park and continue along the towpath of the Birmingham & Fazeley canal, which is also part of the Heart of England Way. Field paths and a small wood lead us to Middleton Hall where we can stop and admire the restored old building. The return uses a bridleway, fields and a quiet country lane before we return to the lovely canal side pub for a drink and lunch if desired.

Date: Saturday 7th December 2013 Place: Inkberrow, Nr. Worcestershire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest From Inkberrow we head south on this 11 mile walk with Alan towards the pretty villages of Rous Lench and Church Lench, with the many thatched cottages and typical English village charm. After lunch it's back across country though the Church Parish of Abbots Morton to return to Inkberrow for a well earned drink. This walk is aimed at regular walkers with reasonable fitness.

Sutton Park Mulled Wine Ramble

Date: Wednesday 18th December 2013 Place: Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield # Meet: 7pm Start Cost: £12 Member, £14 Guest What a perfect way to spend a winters evening. Enjoy a short torchlight ramble followed by warm Mulled Wine & Mince Pies. We’ll enjoy a leisurely 3½ mile evening ramble with Steve Dell followed by mulled wine and mince pies at the pub, where we will have our own area. The ramble around the park will take in both open and wooded areas using good paths. Sutton Park has several lakes and some lovely landscapes. It can be quite atmospheric, even romantic in the dark. Don’t forget your torches!

Kenilworth to Wroxall Mod Ramble

Date: Sunday 24th November 2013 Place: Kenilworth # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This is a 12 mile walk with Hamish is along well trodden tracks (for the most part) Starting at the Kennilworth Castle car park and passing through the grounds of Wroxall Abbey at its furthest point. It’s a really great day out in the Warwickshire countryside.

Clun & Shropshire Way Ramble

Shatterford & Upper Arley Ramble

Date: Saturday 21st December 2013 Place: Clun, Shropshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Today the this 11 mile walk with Alan will start in the pretty market town of Clun where we will head off North West along the Shropshire Way eventually joining the Offas Dyke footpath. We head south along the Dyke for a short while before turning back across across country to return to the village of Clun. This walk offers some stunning views of the Welsh Marches and border country, with a variety of quite country lanes and cross country walking. The walk is for members with a very good level of fitness as there are a number of steep ascents.

Date: Monday 30th December 2013 Place: Upper Arley, Nr Bridgnorth # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This is a 11 mile walk with Alan aimed at people with a good level of fitness as there are two long ascents; not necessarily steep, but a long walk from river level to the top of the hills. Leaving Upper Arley we head out across country following the Worcester Way, passing through the village of Shatterford before eventually reaching the arboretum at Bodenham. Although we cannot officially stop at the arboretum (without paying an entrance fee) there is a public right of way though and will give us an opportunity to see some of the wildlife and fauna. We can stop for lunch on a hill overlooking the arboretum. After lunch we continue on our way passing through Arley wood and across country eventually returning to Upper Arley and passing the Arboretum adjacent to the river Severn.

Whittington & Hopwas Mod Ramble

Date: Sunday 22nd December 2013 Place: Whittington; Between Tamworth & Lichfield # Meet: 12noon Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A moderate ramble with Steve Dell. At the request of many regulars this is a bit longer, around 7 mile but still at Steve’s relaxed pace and of course the option of a Sunday Lunch afterwards! The ramble is relatively flat but has some surprisingly good views across the local countryside. There is also some woodland as we go through part of Hopwas Hays woods and we skirt the Packington Pork farm where we can see the free range pigs enjoying life! We also skirt round Whittington Barracks and the old firing range. We finish at The Dog pub and have the option of a Sunday Lunch afterwards which is lovely at this pub.

Lapworth & Packwood Easy Ramble

Date: Saturday 4th January 2014 Place: The Boot, Lapworth, Warwickshire # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A great ramble with Steve Dell starting from a lovely country pub. The ramble takes in 2 canals, The Grand Union & The Stratford, Packwood House, an impressive National Trust property and local farmland. We start on the Stratford canal with a flight of locks. A quiet country lane leads us to Packwood House. We leave there via a lovely avenue of trees. The return uses the Grand Union canal rejoining the Stratford canal at Kingswood Junction and its marina, which is well worth a visit. The pub does great food and will be open when we get back should you want to eat.

Knowle Locks Easy Ramble & Lunch

Date: Tuesday 24th December 2013 Place: Knowle, near Solihull # Meet: 11:15am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest If you want to escape the madness of the shops on Christmas Eve here is a perfect event for you - a lovely ramble and the option of lunch afterwards. We return to this popular canal side pub for an easy 4½ mile ramble with Steve Dell. The ramble initially uses a bridleway, field paths and short, quiet road sections, passing through the tiny hamlet of Heronfield, and then we skirt round Temple Balsall. The latter part is along the Grand Union Canal taking in the famous Knowle Locks, which are unique as they are double width and well kept. Back at the pub you can eat if you wish as they do food all day. Note: The earlier start time so we can get back for lunch

Cannock Chase Easy Ramble

Date: Sunday 5th January 2014 Place: Cannock Chase, Staffordshire # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest We return to the southern part of Cannock Chase with Steve Dell for a 4½ mile ramble. We start near the “Castle Ring”, the site of an ancient Hill Fort. This is the highest point of the Chase and has great views. We walk into the Chase using good paths with some woodland and some open areas as well as some small pools. There are some gentle gradients but nothing too strenuous and, as usual, we will take our time. Back at the pub we can eat if we wish.

Titterstone, Clee Hill & Kremlin Ramb

Escape Christmas in the Mountains!

Date: Sunday 5th January 2014 Place: Clee Hill Village near Ludlow # Meet: 10.30am Start 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 allround views across to Wales and North toward Birmingham. After the walk we can finish off with a drink at the local inn, which mysteriously is called “The Kremlin”.

Date: Wednesday 25th December 2013 Place: Snowdonia but meet Shrewsbury area # Meet: 7.45am for 8am (in Shropshire, see notes) Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest The aim of the day is to escape the traditional festivities and spend a full day out walking in the mountains of Wales and is aimed at regular walkers with a very good level of fitness. . Very much weather dependant but the plan is to meet in Shrewsbury (early start) then car share to either Snowdon or Cadair Idris. Should the weather in Wales be unfavourable and/or hazardous the fall back position is to drive down to Church Stretton and spend a day walking on the Long Mynd range of hills.

Give an old newsletter a trip to the Doctors! One of the most valuable ways you can help spread the word about Spice is to leave an old newsletter in a waiting room. We get calls from intrigued people who have started reading about us in all sorts of places!

Alvecote Marina Easy Ramble

Barton under Needwood Easy Ramble th

Date: Saturday 25th January 2014 Place: Alvecote, near Tamworth # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest An easy 4½ mile ramble with Steve Dell which is fairly flat and suitable for beginners or those who want a leisurely walk. We start by walking through the 'village' of Amington and then follow the river Anker towards Amington Hall. Then we pass Alvecote Pools Nature Reserve, a popular fishing spot and then onto Alvecote and the ruins of the Priory. The final leg is along the Coventry Canal as we make our way back to the pub, where we have the option of lunch, which is a great Carvery and is only £3.99 during the day!

Date: Sunday 12 January 2014 Place: Barton-under-Needwood, nr Burton # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Another great ramble with Steve Dell in the National Forest starting from Barton-under-Needwood. The ramble isn’t just in woodland; we go through farmland and bridleways as well. There are some gentle gradients but nothing too strenuous and we’ll take our time. We start by skirting around Smith Hills Woods and then through the Dunstall Estate and onto the hamlet of Dunstall and Highlands Park. The return uses a bridleway, past a lovely church and finally to Barton where we can have a Sunday Lunch.

Bredon Hill Ramble

Apedale Ramble

Date: Sunday 12th January 2014 Place: Ashton under Hill near Evesham, Worcs # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest This a 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 Ashtonunder-Hill, progressing via Fiddler’s Knap and the Wychavon Way to Elmley Castle. We will then continue west across country to Great Comberton, before making our way up to Banbury Tower. We then follow the Bredon Hill Ridge gaining all round views of the country side, before descending back into Ashton

Date: Saturday 25th January 2014 Place: Church Stretton, Shropshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Todays walk with Alan Roberts is aimed at regular walkers with a good level of fitness. The terrain is generally, moderate but with one very steep ascents a distance of 10 miles. From the Hotel we will head off out of Church Stretton toward the Ragleth which is a steep ascent, but offers some very dramatic views of the town and surrounding countryside. Once at the top we will stop for a short rest and to take in the views before heading off across country, passing the historic farm museum at Acton Scott out into the Apedale Valley. On route we will find a quite spot to stop for lunch, after which we continue across open fields passing through the Chelmick Valley and the pretty village of Hope Bowdler.

Wilmcote Easy Ramble

Cannock Chase Ramble

Date: Sunday 19th January 2014 Place: Wilmcote,near Stratford upon Avon # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A pleasant easy ramble from the lovely village of Wilmcote, near to Mary Arden’s House with Steve Dell. The ramble is around 4½ miles and mostly flat. We go through farmland using field paths and bridleways, woodland and the Stratford Canal. We start and end at The Mary Arden Inn, a lovely Inn dating back to the 1700s.

Date: Sunday 26th January 2014 Place: Cannock Chase, Staffordshire # Meet: 10.30am prompt Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A 10 -12 mile ramble with Alan around the many different footpaths that spread out over the lovely chase and forestry. We hope to see some of the many deer that roam the forest. We will also endeavour to make our way past the different war memorials.

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Shooting & Target Sports Whether you want to be John Wayne or William Tell, we’ll show you how!

Christmas Clay Pigeon Shooting

.. enjoy a festive morning at a country shooting lodge

Date: Friday 27th December 2013 Place: Tardebigge, nr. Redditch (B97 6RB) # Meet: 9.30am to 1.00pm Cost: £45 (£49 Guest) includes teas/ coffees and all instruction & equipment A fabulous morning in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside learning this wonderful country sport. The friendly team of instructors claim they can get most of our Spice beginners up to a score rate of 70% on their first attempt! And as they use high tech' low recoil cartridges, anyone can do it. The shooting ground is “state of the art” with electronic clay pigeon traps and competition “over and under” shotguns. You will encounter targets simulating flights of pheasant, duck and pigeon and even a bolting rabbit. Instructors are on hand at all times, so you'll soon find your aim improving! There’s a beautiful hunting lodge, for us to use once the shotguns are safely back in the cabinets. Here we also start the day with coffee while our instructors brief us before we set out as a 'shooting party'.

SWAT Training Mission

.. an incredible special forces style experience

Date: Sunday 13 October 2013 Place: Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield (B75 5SA) – see directions see online Meet: 9.30am for 10.00am session Cost: £45 Member, £49 Guest Ever wondered how you would cope as part of a SWAT team storming a building! Well this is your chance to find out! And rest assured - you don’t need any special training or fitness to be a special forces hero with Spice, as we’re just doing this for fun! This unique CQB (Close Quarters Battle) experience has been developed using new and specialised 'Kill House' style SWAT training facilities which has been purpose built on this site. Upon arrival we’ll be issued with our SWAT uniforms and tactical gear (these weapons are powerful but only fire paint) and be transported by military convoy to the briefing centre near to the “embassy” where we can strategically plan our assault and receive basic weapons training. Prior to breaching the “embassy” we'll test our skills on the 'Pit' an accurate replica of the training facility using several of the “Call of Duty” Games, and then wait for the signal. Go Go Go! And we're in! The games are played using a 1200sqm “Kill House” which has 40 rooms, where our scenarios will include: “Hostage Rescue”, “Sweep & Clear” and “Stop the Bomb”. Don’t miss this very special Spice experience, that you’ll be talking about for a long time to come.

Western Style Rifle Shooting Afternoon Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

.. fire "the real thing" with the experts

Saturday 2 November 2013 Birmingham Shooting Centre, Hockley (B18 7RL) – see directions see online Choose time when booking (4 slots each at: 1.45pm, 2.45pm or 3.45pm) £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. Incl. approx 50 rounds of ammo. Bring photo ID 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. Rules dictate that tuition has to be 1:1 when you are using this class of rifle. Depending on what is going on on the day, we should be able to meet other club members and learn about their firearms. Important Notes: This event must be approached with respect and in line with firearm legislation. Anyone who is not judged to be of sound mind or is suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to take part. If you think that anything in your past might prevent you taking part (eg ex offenders) then please check your eligibility under section 21 of the Firearms Act. By law, we will need to pass your name and address to the Club at least 48 hours before the event. Despite all this regulation, be assured that our hosts are friendly and you’ll have a great time! ______________________________

Social Pursuits You don’t have to jump out of planes to enjoy Spice! This is the category where you find all manner of strange, sociable ways to have fun as a group. Enjoy!

Ten Pin Bowling (Broadway Plaza) th

.. another new bowling venue to enjoy!

Dates: Tuesdays: ● 8 October ● 5th November ● 7th January ● 4th February Place: Broadway Plaza, Ladywood Middleway Meet: 8.00pm meet for 8.30pm start Cost: £10 (£12 Guest) Here’s an impressive new bowling alley next door to the AMC Cinema. This alley is run by Bowltech and has all the computerised gizmo’s you would expect. There’s food & drink available on site plus a video games area. We form fairly random teams of 6 and have two games during the evening. Don’t worry if you can’t bowl – we’ll just have fun trying! Directions: Broadway Plaza is just off Five Ways. For those driving, there is a good quality car park underneath.

Adventure Golf at Star City! .. it's crazy golf .. but not as you know it!

Date: Monday 20th January 2014 Place: Tiki Café, Adventure Island Mini Golf, Star City, Nechells, Birmingham (B7 5SB) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £10 (£12 Guest) for 2 games (one on each course) with a bar break in between This is a fantastic new facility for us to enjoy. Adventure Island Mini Golf is England’s first Indoor Adventure Golf Complex featuring 2 brand-new themed 18-hole courses! They are located on their our own lush tropical ‘adventure island’ at Star City Leisure complex. They also have their own bar for us to enjoy. The courses have been built across 3 levels and wind past palm trees and volcanoes, through caves, behind waterfalls and through Tiki Villages providing a fantastic experience. Obviously you don’t need any skills as it is all just for fun! See also www.adventureminigolf.co.uk We’ll assemble in Tiki Café and put people into teams of 4 and send them out to one of the two 18 hole courses.

Glastonbury Day with "The Professor" .. discover the secrets & wonders of this mystical place

Date: Saturday 12th October 2013 Place: Coach pick ups 6.30am/ 7.00am & 7.30am # Cost: £45 (£49 Guest) Deposit £10. Incl: Coach travel, guide & all entry fees Pick ups: ● Sutton Parade 0730 ● City (Colmore Row) 0800 ● Rubery (Great Park) 0830 Great Park by Chiquitos . This is a magical day, discovering the age old mysteries and wonders of the sleepy little market town of Glastonbury, with its ancient streets and ruins of its once great Abbey. This town lays claim, to some of the most astonishing and extraordinary traditions in the world and we have an equally extraordinary man to bring them to life for us. Prof Dr Roland Rotherham was born in Glastonbury and has devoted much of his life to studying its mysteries. This quintessential Englishman is also great fun to be around and we are sure that you will really enjoy his lively presentation of the stories that will unfold in this action packed day! Why Glastonbury: Well it certainly feels very special and “other worldly” and is a mecca for “new agers” studying it’s sacred places. But there is a reason for all of that. It is widely believed that that it is here that St Joseph of Arimathea came here bearing the Cup Of The Last Supper and founded in the centre of the community a holy place that became the first place of Christian worship above ground in the world. It is also stated that here lies the body of the fabled Arthur and Guenivere his queen. On the outskirts of the town lie the Chalice Well where some say that Joseph buried The Holy Grail and where the water runs always runs red. The well is at the foot of Glastonbury Tor an enormous hill with an ancient maze cut into its side that was once an ancient processional route. The Tor is one of the most fascinating sites in Britain and figures largely in the country's folklore. Many believe it to be one of the "Hollow Hills" or gateways to the Celtic other-world, a realm said to exist on a dimension and time parallel to our own and ruled over by a mysterious king. Roly will take us away from the usual tourist routes to show secret symbols and special places that make this day really special. Prof Dr Roland Rotherham (aka Roly or The Doctor), a world respected scholar and lecturer in the legends of King Arthur and The Holy Grail. He also writes on allied subjects such as The Glastonbury Legends, The Ark Of The Covenant and The Spear Of Destiny. His career also includes 3 decades with the Royal Household and as a food historian. 39

Cafe Ceramica Experience .. a creative yet 'potty' social event!

Date: Tuesday 19 November 2013 (Make a unique & personal Christmas gift!) Place: Mitchells Craft Centre, Weeford Road, Sutton Coldfield (B75 6NA) Meet: 7.00pm to 9.00pm Cost: £14.50 (£16.50 Guest) inc all equipment/firing, and exclusive booking of the venue out of hours. A Spice experience at a cafe with a difference! You choose a piece of unglazed pottery from a selection of quality Italian designs (our deal limits you to items up to £8 but if a big item takes your fancy, just pay the extra) and then sit around the tables to create a masterpiece. The instructor explains the simple techniques with brushes, glaze, sponges etc. She also has books to give you some ideas on designs. It is all very fun and sociable, with teas/ coffees on sale (or you can bring a bottle of wine if you prefer). We socialise while painting. By 9pm we should be finished and be ready to go to the pub, but if you’re still at work you can always arrange to call back to finish off. Your work will be fired for collection later.

New Members Mix and Mingle .. a great way to get started with Spice!

Date: Thursday 21 November 2013 or Tuesday 14th January 2014 Place: The Arden Hotel, Coventry Road (by NEC) (B92 0EH) Meet: 7.30pm (allow approx 2 hours) Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest The Spice Team have got together with Roy Martin (an expert in the field of personal awareness & development to develop a sociable evening of fun and games – designed to help you get to know as many likeminded people as possible in a short time. You may never have to attend another Spice event without knowing someone again! With lots of games and sharing you will be taken on a journey of meeting new people. You will also have the opportunity to share contact details so you can either arrange to meet others on future Spice events, socially or just keep in touch. All in all, it’s a great way to ‘get into’ the club. The heart of Spice is the spirit of fun & friendship, which members get from experiencing events together. Breaking the ice is no problem with Spice – particularly when you know how!

Ice Skating Fun Night

.. an evening of learning, laughing & larking around!

Date: Wednesday 27th November 2013 (Sorry, October date now full) Place: The Leisurebox, Pershore St, Bham (B5 4RW) Meet: 6.45pm Cost: £9 Member, £12 Guest Includes: Group coaching session, Spice coordinator, admission to 10pm Ice Skating always makes for a sociable, fun Spice evening and Mark Phillips has found a great package for us that also includes coaching. So if you've always wanted an easy taster of what ice skating is all about, this is for you. We'll learn the basics of ice skating with a professional ice skating coach who will brief us and teach the basics of skating before being “set free” to ice skate together for the rest of the evening. Refreshments are available downstairs when we need a break. The Spice Itinerary: ● Arrive 6.45pm - 7.00pm for equipment kit up ● 7.00-7.30pm Ice Skating Coaching Session ● 7.30-10.00pm Ice skating free session Venue: The Leisure Box is next to the Arcadian Centre on Pershore Street. We suggest the Arcadian Car Park rather than the multi storey next door. The venue has previously been Planet Ice and Silver Blades if you are old enough to remember!

Bewdley Evening Treasure Hunt th

.. a new fun treasure hunt in Bewdley

Date: Wednesday 30 October 2013 Place: The George Hotel, Load Street, Bewdley (DY12 2AW) Meet: 7.00pm for 7.30pm Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) Extras: Fish & Chips! A great opportunity for new members (and old) to mix, mingle, socialise and have a few hours exploring the historic town of Bewdley. Bewdley is a lovely town sitting on the banks of the river Severn, and famous for the Severn Valley Railway and its history in relation to shipping that used the River Severn. The treasure hunt has been designed to be simple and fun, encouraging you to go and look and seek out some fascinating insights into the history of Bewdley. The hunt is taking place during the evening, so we suggest buying some fish & chips en route. The hunt should take 2 - 3 hours. 40

Snooker Night & Buffet .. Spice do "Pot Black"!

Date: Monday 4th November 2013 Place: Rileys, 21-22 Essex St, Birmingham (B5 4TR) Meet: 7.45pm to 9.45pm Cost: £12 Member, £14 Guest This evening we have hired 5 snooker tables to run a ‘pot black’ tournament famous from the 1980’s for scoring as many points as possible. You’ll have the rules explained to you and then be entered into the tournament with a trophy for the winner. There will be a buffet for you to enjoy and we will have a exclusive area for us. A sociable and great fun evening.

American Pool Night & Buffet st

.. try our special knockout competition & buffet

Date: Monday 21 October 2013 Place: Rileys, 21-22 Essex St, Birmingham (B5 4TR) Meet: 7.45pm to 9.45pm Cost: £12 Member, £14 Guest Here’s a fun social event that everyone can enjoy whether you’ve played before or are new to the game. We’ve put together a special opportunity to try pool and enter a knockout competition. This evening includes a fun tournament with 16 other members who will compete for our very own Spice trophy. There will be an opportunity to learn and practice on the tables for up to 30 minutes beforehand with a practice partner before being drawn against your opponent on a one game knockout format. Can you make it to the end and be our winner?

Darts Night & Buffet

.. a fun evening for players of all abilities

Date: Monday 7 October 2013 Place: Rileys, 21-22 Essex St, Birmingham (B5 4TR) Meet: 7.45pm Start (ends 9.45pm) Cost: £8.50 (£12 Guest) Includes: Buffet, trophy & coordinator We've arranged a great night out in a private room playing darts on 3 hockey's. Mark will be hosting the evening and will arrange you into teams to have a fun filled sociable evening. We will play many more different varieties of dart games including “around the clock”. An evening buffet will also be provided and a trophy on hand for the evenings winner

Lichfield Pub Treasure Trail .. a fun, sociable discovery of Lichfield Pubs

Date: Wednesday 16 October 2013 Place: Lichfield (WS13 6PW) # Meet: 7.00pm Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) plus optional supper after With the darker evenings here is a Treasure Hunt with a difference – all the clues are in the comfort of a number of pubs. As well as having fun you will also discover some of Lichfield’s pubs with a Treasure Hunt with Steve Dell. We will meet in the first / last pub and work in teams of four. Together with a set of clues and questions to solve in each of the pubs you will move around Lichfield. Some will be simple observations but some will be a little more cryptic!There will be the opportunity to eat if you wish in one of the earlier pubs. These are very social events and a great way to meet other Spicers as they are “team” activities. The hunt ends up back at the last pub where we’ll have a drink whilst the scores are added up.

Good Food Show

.. including tickets to see James Martin

Date: Sunday 1 December 2013 Place: NEC, Birmingham, tickets to be sent (B40 1NT) # Meet: 10.00am Cost: £25 (£28 Guest) including Spice coordinator & James Martin ticket Our annual visit to tantalise everybody's taste buds. Included in the ticket is an opportunity to see James Martin at 1.00pm. The Spice coordinator will arrange meet ups so that you can share the experiences with your fellow Spicers. 41

Ghostly Goings On & Supper .. a thrilling ghostly tour

Date: Friday 18th October 2013 Place: Coombe Abbey, Brinklow (CV3 2AB) Meet: 6.45pm for 7.00pm Cost: £29 (£32 Guest) Includes: Guided tour, two course supper and a glass of wine Set in 500 acres of parkland Coombe Abbey was originally built as a Cistercian Abbey in the 12th Century and steeped with history. This evening we will discover Coombe Abbey's past and enjoy a thrilling tour of the hotel including a ghost walk, ghost stories and a two course hot and cold buffet supper with a glass of wine in the elegant Stuart or Walnut Room.

Ghost Hunting & Supper

.. a fabulous evening of history, fun & fear!

Date: Thursday 24 October 2013 Place: Tutbury Castle, north of Burton on Trent # Meet: 7.30pm (ends 10.45pm) Cost: £23.50 (£26 Guest) includes supper & tour by Lesley Smith A thrilling foray into one of the countries most historic (and most haunted!) castles. Tutbury Castle: was established in 1066 by William the Conqueror and visited by Richard the Lionheart, Margaret D’Anjou (who lived there), The Black Prince, Charles 1st (during the Civil War, when the Castle held siege for 6 weeks), Henry 4th (who was declared King there), Edward 1st , Mary Queen of Scots (as prisoner 3 times), Prince Rupert and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Legend has it that some of these people are still there, so come and find out! Our Evening: We will be met and be shown through to the castle for our evening buffet of Steak and Ale pie followed by a dessert. A vegetarian option is available. There will also be a tour of the castle by Lesley Smith, who some of you will remember as the TV historian on the “Most Haunted” series. After dark, the Castle transforms to a more forbidding place and the real adventure begins. I promise not to tell you any more, as we want it to be a scary surprise, but trust me, you’ll meet some ghosts! We should be finished in time to catch last orders at the Dog & Partridge …for those in need of revival!

Murder Mystery Evening and Buffet .. a sociable evening of murder & intrigue!

Date: Friday 25 October 2013 Place: Walsall Leather Museum (WS2 8EQ) Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm prompt start Cost: £25 (£27.50 Guest) Incl: Teas/ coffees, buffet & entertainment (can bring own alcoholic drinks) We’re back in the atmospheric surroundings of Walsall’s Leather Museum for a fun evening of murder mystery with a team of actors. We’ll pit our wits against the players as a drama of mysterious deaths unfolds around us. The aim is to see who can unmask the killer at the end of the evening! The evening will begin at 7.30pm prompt and will finish at around 10.15pm. A buffet will be served during the evening. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are included. There is no bar, but we are welcome to bring our own wine etc if we wish. These are popular and sociable evenings, so please book early! Directions: The Museum is on Littleton Street West Ring Road (A4148) and is sign posted from all major routes into Walsall and from M6 junctions 7, 9 & 10, which are minutes away. A large car park by the museum is free from 6.30pm.

Wine Tasting - Learn to Taste Like a Pro! th

.. never again be afraid of the wine list!

Date: Wednesday 30 October 2013 Place: Connolly’s, Dovehouse Parade, 379/381 Warwick Rd, Solihull (B91 1BQ) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £19 Member, £22 Guest Whether you’re a budding Oz Clarke or simply want to gain a better understanding as to how wine is made; what distinguishes “fine wine” from everyday plonk; how to navigate your way around a wine list or how to spot a genuine bargain amongst a myriad of “special offers”, this tasting will provide you with some answers, debunk a few myths and provide a great evening’s entertainment. If nothing else, we’ll get to taste some fabulous wines under expert guidance. Our Hosts tonight: Chris Connolly of Connolly's Wine Merchants, an independent merchants, who select and ship wines from all over the world to Birmingham. They have been family owned and run since 1976. The latest edition to the Connolly's empire is the wine shop on Dovehouse parade in Solihull, with a dedicated tasting room on the second floor. 42

Firework Spectacular at Tutbury .. and the Vikings are back!

Date: Sunday 3 November 2013 Place: Tutbury Castle near Burton on Trent (DE13 9JF) # Meet: 4pm – Viking Show at 5.30pm followed by fireworks Cost: £7.50 Member, £8.50 Guest Voted as one of the best firework displays in the UK, Tutbury Castle, have again invited Spice to join the fun. By popular demand, the Vikings will be back, with a great moonlit battle, followed by a Viking 'funeral'. Important: This is not a Spice exclusive and will be very crowded. It can be difficult to stay together as a group.

Pub Games Night

.. lots of fun & games in the pub!

Date: Wednesday 6 November 2013 Place: The Old Royal, corner of Church St & Cornwall Street Birmingham (B3 2DP) Meet: 7.15pm in upstairs function room Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest You rarely find traditional games in pubs these days, which is a pity as we love them! Tonights games have an element of skill but, as the evening progresses and the bar visited! - they will no doubt provide more and more fun. We’ll play a number of games and the night is run as a competition, but not too seriously as it’s just a fun night. We’ll play together in teams of 4 as you go round the games over the course of the evening. The type of games we’ll play include: Shuffleboard; Table Skittles; Quoits, Bagatelle & Darts. There’s also Giant Jenga & Connect 4 to keep the fun going between rounds.

Spa Experience with Retail Therapy! .. combine the Christmas Shopping with a spa & lunch

Date: Sunday 17th November 2013 Place: Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill (DY5 1UR) Meet: Choose either: ● 9am - 2pm or ●1pm - 5pm slot Cost: £27 (£32 Guest) Incl: Spa, mini treatment & 1 course cavery lunch With Christmas looming we’ve teamed up with The Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill to enjoy half a day of pampering and relaxation in their Spa plus a carvery lunch with Spice friends. However for the remaining half a day there’s the opportunity to pop over to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre for a spot of Christmas shopping. Depending on which slot you book, you can “shop till you drop” or “drop till you shop” Lunch: We all meet together for lunch in Faradays restaurant at 1pm, whether we choose a morning or afternoon spa. The Spa session includes: 15 min mini treatment* plus use of facilities including15m pool, steam room, sauna & spa pool *For your choice of mini treatment, with descriptions, visit www.spicebham.com for online version of this writeup. The Retail Therapy: Merry Hill Shopping Centre is very close to the hotel. It’s one of the largest in Europe! Important: Once you have booked this event, please call the Spa directly on 01384 473101 to book your mini treatment appointment. They may also need to ask specific questions relating to your health and wellbeing.

Anne Boleyn at Tutbury Castle .. a fabulous evening of costumed entertainment!

Date: Wednesday 20th November 2013 Place: Tutbury Castle (DE13 9JF) # Meet: 7.30pm - 10.30pm Cost: £23.50 (£26 Guest) Includes buffet supper Another wonderful evening with Lesley Smith at her castle. Tutbury is one of the countries most historic (and most haunted!) castles, yet an easy drive out from Birmingham. Thee evening will start will be a light buffet of Home Carved Ham, Quiches, Coleslaw and Mixed Salads. Anne Boleyn: Anne will be skillfully portrayed in character and costume by curator and eminent historian Lesley Smith. Lesley wants to put many facts straight in her accurate portrayal. For centuries, Anne has been portrayed as a manipulative cunning women responsible for causing the bloody aspects of the Reformation. In truth she was a highly educated profoundly religious person who cared deeply about her moral standing. Anne will appear in her execution gown during the last 45 minutes of her life in the Tower. By candlelight we will travel in time with her and stand guard as she leaves to join the “King of Kings”. 43

A Victorian Christmas

.. experience the atmosphere of a bygone era

Date: Saturday 14 December 2013 Place: Coalport, Ironbridge Gorge (TF7 5DU) # Meet: 10.00am Cost: £21 (£23 Guest) includes admission, exclusive welcome talk, coffee and mince pie The residents at Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge will be busy preparing for Christmas at this wonderful special event. Come along to experience the atmosphere of a bygone era and you will be treated to an array of traditional celebrations including carol singing, wandering pantomime characters and festive entertainment as well as having a chance to do some Christmas shopping. Before you explore the Town you’ll be welcomed over a cup of coffee and a mince pie and a short talk about Blists Hill by a guide. We will then have free time to enjoy the atmosphere.

Lichfield Cathedral by Candlelight

.. a private tour followed by mulled punch & home made treats!

Date: Wednesday 8th January 2014 Place: The Old Stables (see below) (WS13 7LD) Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm tour (ends around 9.30pm) Cost: £15 (£16.50 Guest) - Proceeds support the work & upkeep of the Cathedral Have you ever wondered what a great Cathedral would have looked like to those for whom it was originally built - ie. before electric light was invented? Ancient times have been recreated for this special evening when the Cathedral will be lit entirely by candlepower. The atmosphere will be very special, and we have arranged a Senior Guide /Bursar to tell the story of the Cathedral in a private tour. The Guide will be equipped with an arc light to point out any features which candles cannot reach. To finish off we will enjoy non alcoholic hot punch and homemade shortbread or mince pies. Dress warmly, as heating is fairly ineffective in so grand a structure. The refreshments will be served in the Old Stables (formerly called The Visitor Centre), which is also very interesting as it was Bishop Hacket’s 17th Century stable block within the unique 13th century medieval fortifications of the Close. Directions: The Old Stables is at the far right hand side of Cathedral Close near where it meets Dam Street.There is lots of parking nearby, but Cathedral Close itself is “no parking” except for blue badge holders. The nearest car park is Bird Street from where it is a short stroll through the pedestrianised areas towards the Cathedral.

Knowle Beer, Skittles & Supper th

.. a great event for fun & socialising

Date: Tuesday 14 January 2014 Place: The Red Lion, High St, Knowle, Solihull (B93 0LY) Meet: 7.30pm in upstairs room Cost: £7 Member, £9 Guest (plus cost of meal on the night) A beer and skittles evening is always fun and with all the usual ingredients as well as a great bunch of Spice members it's bound to be a memorable night! Steve Dell will bring along his full size alley and organise us into teams and run the evening. There's also a bar where you will be able to purchase the 'beer' part of the event. Food: We can order from the pub menu to give us a wider choice. Pay on the night

Frankfurt Christmas Market Pub Treasure Trail .. enjoy one of Birmingham's most atmospheric events

Date: Sunday 8th December 2013 Place: The Old Royal, 53 ,Church Street, Birmingham (B3 2DP) Meet: 1.00pm for 1.15pm start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Steve Dell has designed another pub Treasure Trail in the pubs around the Market (the clues will be different to previous years). As with previous Pub Treasure Trails the clues are in a number of pubs! You will work in teams of four and given a set of clues to solve along the way. Some will be simple observations but some will be a little more cryptic. These are very social events and a great way to meet other Spicers as they are team activities. The hunt ends up back at the last pub where you can have a drink whilst the scores are being added up. As you are in the centre of Birmingham you should be able to get there on public transport just in case you want a drink or two! Don’t forget to bring a pen. After the obligatory chocolates are awarded you can stay for another drink or explore the markets more! 44

Christmas Day Link Up

.. an informal meet up for Spice members

Date: Wednesday 25th December 2013 Place: Spice (West Midlands) Members Meet: To be arranged by those booked For all those members who would be spending Christmas Day on their own and prefer to share it with friends, we'll be running this popular register again this year. It’s more of a “link up” than an “event” as such. If you book on, we will put you in touch with all the others who have registered their interest so you can get together for a drink or arrange a communal Christmas Dinner with other members in your area. If you want to take advantage of this service, just book on line or call the office and we'll put you on a list with your contact details which we'll send out to everyone listed the week before Christmas (please be sure to tell us – if you haven’t already - if any of your contact details should not be shared). As usual, we are looking for a sociable volunteer to act as the contact point for everyone taking part in this link up (usually around 8 –12 people). If you would like to put yourself forward for this role, please let the office know.

Murder in the Blackout at Coombe Abbey .. a very special murder mystery night in the Cloisters

Saturday 18th January 2014 The Cloisters, Coombe Abbey, Brinklow (CV3 2AB) 7.00pm £39 (£45 Guest) Incl: 3 Course Dinner, Coffees, Murder Mystery Entertainment, Glass of Wine, Post Show Disco Enjoy a night of mystery, murder and mayhem at this stunning, historic, 4 star country house hotel. Set in 500 acres of parkland, overlooking formal gardens and a tranquil lake, Coombe Abbey was originally built as a Cistercian Abbey in the 12th Century and is fabulously atmospheric. Our evening will take part in the Cloisters of the Abbey. Set in the Second World War, this is an exciting evening full of double crossings, espionage and treason. Coombe Abbey has been requisitioned for War Work and you have a part to play! You arrive at The Abbey, having answered the call of duty. Please come in your 1940's work clothes or smart casual gear as you are here to help the War Effort. The Blitz of Coventry is about to begin. A Workforce is required urgently to drain the lake as it is too prominent a “signpost” for the Luftwaffe on their way to bomb the munitions factories of the City. We are here for a meal whilst being detailed with our duties. We assemble in the drinking chamber of the Abbeygate, awaiting orders. However the air raid siren shrieks out. We move to the air raid shelter to be divided into our work groups. Shock! Horror! The body of Sir Maurice de Clapper is discovered. A murder has occurred. He is the owner of Coombe Abbey .. An upright Englishman - or is he? Why has he been killed? Who did it? And what were their motives? We will enjoy a three course dinner with coffee and a glass of wine. There will be a post show disco too.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Shootout & Party Food at the Kiddies Playcentre! .. laser weapons .. 'soft play' & sausage rolls! (what more could a big kid wish for?)

Date: Friday 31st January 2014 Place: Adventureland, Walsall Wood/ Aldridge (WS9 9AA) Meet: 7pm for 7.15pm prompt start (finishes around 9pm) Cost: £17.50 (£20 Guest) Includes: Buffet of sandwiches, sausage rolls, soft drinks etc Adventure Land is all the things kids love – but tonight, all under 18’s have been turfed out and are safely tucked up in bed so that Spice members can be big kidz instead! The lights will be dimmed, we will be armed with laser weapons and set free on the 3 stories of soft play equipment with its obstacles, bridges, nets, balls etc. We’ll jump, crawl, slide, climb and bounce our way through whilst shooting each other as we go! The computer keeps score, but it’s not to be taken seriously. It’s just a fun and different event that anyone can do designed to give us the sort of fun we haven’t had since we were 5 years old! There’s a café for drinks/ crisps and jugs of squash provided. A kiddies party buffet will include all we need to “eat, drink and be messy...” The centre is licensed to serve alcohol to 9pm, but alcohol can only be consumed once you have finished on the equipment and we tend to go to the pub afterwards for this type of fun,. Expect a fun and sociable night! Directions: Adventure Land is on Coppice Lane, which is off Northgate by the (now closed down) Focus DIY store. ______________________________

Spice Go Behind the Scenes Spicer’s always want to know that bit more about things, so here’s a series of opportunities to go ‘behind the scenes’ and ask questions at some interesting places. If you have any ideas or inside leads into interesting places (where you work for instance?) do please let us know - and we'll see if we can come to visit.

BBC Birmingham Behind the Scenes .. enjoy a tour of BBC Birmingham's home in The Mailbox

Date: Thursday 21st November Place: BBC, The Mailbox, Birmingham (B1 1RF) Meet: Meet in BBC reception 6.45 for 7pm tour Cost: £7.50 members £8.50 guest (includes £1.50 booking fee) BBC Birmingham has thrown open its doors, offering you the chance to go inside the state-of-the-art studios situated in The Mailbox. Take a peek behind the scenes of programmes which are made here and try your hand at some interactive fun! During the tour there is always the chance of bumping into a favourite presenter or radio DJ, hearing some trade secrets or being party to some juicy gossip while passing the actors' green room... They'll take you inside as many studios as business allows but please remember that BBC Birmingham is a working building and no two tours are the same.

St Nicolas Place Evening Tour

.. a special Spice tour of a winner of BBC's "Restoration"

Friday 18th October 2013 Outside St Nicholas Church, Kings Norton (B38 8RU) 7.15 for 7.30pm Tour £10 (£12 Guests) Includes: Spice exclusive tour of Old Grammer School, Saracens Head & the 12th Century St Nicholas Church. Includes refreshments after of tea/ coffees and a pastry. Today we have a guided tour of one of the West Midland’s foremost heritage sites. They are opening out of hours for an exclusive Spice tour that will include all 3 historic buildings: The Old Grammar School, Saracen’s Head and the 12th century church. Allow a couple of hours, as there is lot’s to see. Background: King's Norton Green is a medieval village oasis surrounded by the urban mass of Birmingham. On the green stands one of the oldest grammar schools in the Midlands, a 12th-century church and a 15th-century timber-framed house. It is the Old Grammar School and the medieval house, known as the Saracen's Head, which are of considerable historical and architectural importance. The Old Grammar School is a wonderful-looking, timber-framed structure that had sadly fallen into decay and on English Heritage's "at risk" register. The nearby Saracen's Head was quite possibly the largest house of the royal manor during the 15th century. Currently being used as Parish offices and structurally intact, the house boasts highly decorative medieval workmanship, and the sophisticated building techniques confirm that the property held high status. These buildings have been saved for the nation thanks to winning a BBC Restoration programme vote. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Assay Office Tour

.. a fascinating insight into this famous trade

Date: Thursday 28 November 2013 Place: Newhall Street, Birmingham (B3 1SB) Meet: 2pm Cost: £11.50 (£12.50 Guest) includes tour,tea and coffee & booking fee Over 235 Years of Birmingham’s History The Birmingham Assay Office was formed in 1773 as a result of a successful lobbying campaign led by Birmingham industrialist, entrepreneur and silversmith Matthew Boulton. Since then it has grown to become the largest Assay Office in the world and still continues to carry out its statutory duty of hallmarking articles manufactured in platinum, gold, silver and palladium. Housed in an impressive Grade II listed, late Victorian building, located on the edge of Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter. These unique visits are designed to be both enjoyable and informative and provide the only opportunity for the public to see inside the Assay Office. The Silver Collection tour includes refreshments in the domed grand entrance hall on arrival : A concise history of Hallmarking and the Birmingham Assay Office, Precious , Metal Assaying and Hallmarking, a film of the traditional and modern processes employed by the Birmingham Assay Office, a tour Of the Silver Collection Accompanied by The Curator and also a tour of the Birmingham Assay Office Library to view the collection of rare books and manuscripts in their historic setting.

Proof House Tour

.. see how Bham has led the world for 3 centuries!

Date: Monday 21 October 2013 Place: Banbury Street, Central Birmingham (B5 5RH) # Meet: 10.00am to approx 1.30pm Cost: £19.50 (£22 Guest) This is a brilliant opportunity to see inside one of Birmingham’s most famous & unusual institutions. Birmingham has been a big center for gun making since the 17th century. The reputable gunsmiths of Birmingham had set themselves a high standard for material and workmanship and were eager to submit their products to an independent, compulsory proof test. Birmingham Proof House was established in 1813, by Act of Parliament, and remains essentially unchanged today. Although the Proof House is a working establishment, it is also a treasure trove of historical documents and artifacts of real interest and a museum has been established which is dedicated to the gun and ammunition trade which were founding trades of our city. We are restricted to ten places only and have booked a historian to show us around and explain proofing.

Bellfoundry/ Bell Casting Experience th

.. get inside a fascinating heritage industry!

Date: Thursday 10 October 2013 Place: John Taylor Bellfoundry, Loughborough (LE11 1AR) # Meet: 1.30pm Prompt Start (Tour lasts approx 2 hours) Cost: £13.50 Member, £16 Guest John Taylor & Co. continues a line of bellfounding which has been unbroken since the middle of the 14th Century, when Johannes de Stafford was active only 10 miles from the site of the present foundry. Since 1784 the business has been in the hands of the Taylor family. In 1839 the business settled in Loughborough and is now proud to operate the largest bellfoundry in the world. Centuries of experience, together with up to the minute advances in technology, has put Taylors at the forefront in the design and manufacture of bells, their fittings and frameworks for all methods of sounding bells. Taylors were also the first bellfounder to adopt "true-harmonic" tuning in the late 19th century. Thursday is casting day at The Foundry and we hope that we will see metal poured and a bell being cast during our visit, although this is dependent on production timetables being met. What we will definitely enjoy is a tour of the foundry which includes an extensive bell museum. We will also learn how bells are tuned and the intricacies of building and maintaining a carillon (if you don’t know what one of these is, you will find out today – and you may be able to hear the nearby Loughborough Carillion giving its weekly 1pm recital as we arrive for our tour!) This is a very special place. Many churches & cathedrals across the world have used bells cast at Taylor's. In 1881 they cast the largest bell in Britain, "Great Paul", for St Paul's Cathedral in London, weighing 17,002 kilograms (37,483 lb) or more than 17 metric tons! We are sure that you will find this a fascinating afternoon. Note: Strong shoes must be worn. By HSE regs, anyone wearing open toed sandals will not be allowed in working areas.

Funeral Home Talk & Tour .. get inside a state of the art funeral home!

Date: Wednesday 16th October 2013 Place: 346-354 Foleshill Rd, Coventry (CV6 5AJ) – directions online Meet: 7.30pm Cost: Free. Refreshments provided on arrival Over the years we have had several talks from undertakers as part of our behind the scenes programme. This time we have something a little different as we are actually visiting a large, modern funeral home. Because of it’s location, the team have particular skills in serving Coventry’s Asian communities as well as all other sections of society. As one of the largest funeral service providers in the area, Darryl Smith the General Manager of the Heart of England Co-operative Society Funeral Division has invited us to an open and informal discussion all about funerals, including customs and practices across a range of cultures. The talk will take place at their 'state of the art' £1.2m funeral home in Coventry and is followed by a tour around the premises. It is an opportunity to dispel the myths and ask questions about anything to do with death and funerals, whilst gaining a valuable insight into how a funeral home works. The aim of tonight is to open our eyes to an important yet little talked about industry and how it adapts with understanding and sensitivity to the multicultural needs of our modern society. We also hope that it will banish some of the myths, taboos and misconceptions associated with funerals and help us cope and understand if we are in the situation of needing to arrange a funeral for a loved one. Important: Arranging this type of event is very dependent on goodwill and on the high integrity of the members attending as representatives of Spice. Therefore, we ask that if you book you do turn up on the day (or let us know in good time if you can’t ) and that you are very respectful to the dignity of this profession and the traditions of the customers they serve. 47

Jaguar Cars Visit

.. see the marque being built!

Date: Monday 28 October 2013 Place: Jaguar, Gate 1, Chester Road, Castle Bromwich (B35 7RA) Meet: 9.45am for 10am start Cost: £1.50 Member, £2.50 Guest (Spice admin fee) Those of you lucky enough to have visited Morgan with us will see quite a contrast at this visit to a different British motoring legend, Jaguar. Whilst they share a similar sporting and (quintessentially English) heritage, manufacturing this time is state of the art technology - with robots/lasers ensuring quality. We start at with teas/coffees and a video, then it’s off for a 2 hour tour. For anyone interested in beautiful cars, this is a rare treat. It is also interesting to reflect that this site is where Spitfires were manufactured 50 years prior – so it is certainly ‘holy ground’

Museum Collections Centre Experience th

.. tour on the theme “Mothers' Little Helpers”

Date: Friday 18 October 2013 Place: 25, Dollman St, Nechells, Birmingham (B7 4RQ) Meet: 10.45am for 11.00am - 1.00pm Cost: £9.50 (£11.50 Guests) Includes guide and teas & coffees If you’ve seen the movie “Night at the Museum”, you have some idea of what this event is about. Hundreds of stuffed animals peer at you from packing cases ... African spears poke out menacingly from the baskets ... yesterdays cars park silently ... You really could believe that the exhibits come alive once your back is turned! Yes, we’re exploring behind the scenes at one of the country's biggest museum stores, with the curators. Around every corner there is a different kind of treasure from Birmingham and the West Midlands, from a Sinclair C5 to a bread slicing machine, an Austin Atlantic, motorbikes, sewing machine, lathes, sculpture, or even an eighteenth century shoe! It’s a rare journey of memory and imagination that few people have the priviledge to take. The Centre houses a huge number and variety of objects for Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery. Some are priceless, others just fascinating! The unique and vast range of stored collections at really does have something for everyone - from cars and motorbikes, to sculptures and sewing machines! Our tour will highlight Victorian and 20th century domestic appliances, which have helped transform the lives of millions of women-initially the rich but gradually the rest of us as well. Vacuum cleaners; built- to- last gas cookers; artistic gas fires; extraordinary washing machines; god-sent, council provided gas boilers that made Monday's sheets bluer than ever! After all that labour saving....a little pampering, with a record on the gramophone or something on the tele...with a takeaway from that wonderful Art Deco chip shop! The tour will also include an introduction to the site, and the opportunity to see lots of objects along the way! Please note that this site is kept at a constant temperature and can be quite cold - please wear warm clothes and sensible shoes for walking around the site.

Prodrive VIP Visit

.. discover one of the world’s largest motorsport facilities

Date: Sunday 24th November 2013 Place: Banbury, Oxfordshire (OX16 3ER) # Meet: 10.45am for 11am tour Cost: £27 (£29 Guest) One sector where the UK really rules the world is motorsport design, manufacture and consultance. Prodrive is one of the world's leading motorsport businesses. For more than 25 years, they have been running race and rallying programmes for some of the biggest names in the sport, including Aston Martin, Subaru, Ford, Porsche, Honda and BMW. At the same time they provide race and rally cars for private teams. Today you will be shown behind the scenes where you can see how they engineer and assemble the new Mini World Rally Cars and the Aston Martin racing cars. During the detailed tour we cover every part of Prodrive’s operation and give a unique insight to the workings of the business. The tour includes: ● Coffee and welcome in the Prodrive heritage centre where you can view race and rally cars from Prodrive’s 25 years in world motorsport; ● The workshops where they build the MINI John Cooper Works WRC and the Aston Martin AMR-One cars; ● Rally car transmission and engine build and engine dynos; ● Advanced manufacturing facilities where they fabricate and machine all the parts which go into their competition cars; ● An opportunity to visit their shop, to buy the merchandise that is produced on behalf of Aston Martin Racing as well as Prodrive performance wheels and parts and special items of memorabilia not available anywhere else. All these are available at specially discounted prices to guests. 48

Rolls Royce Heritage Trust Visit .. a unique Spice opportunity

Date: Friday 25 October 2013 Place: Wilmore Road, Derby (DE24 9BD) # Meet: 1.45pm for 2.00pm tour Cost: Free (members only). You need a form of photo ID. Charity collection will be taken Today we have an exclusive invitation to visit Rolls Royce Learning and Career Development Centre, which is not open to the public. Here we’ll discover a treasure trove of aero engine history. The exhibition takes us from the early years and World War One with engines such as the Eagle, moving on through the inter war years and on to World War Two including the famous Merlin engine. The exhibition then takes us through the days of early jet engines and Frank Whittle before moving on to modern day gas turbine engines including the RB211, Olympus engine as used to power Concorde and the Trent engine. There is also a display of Vertical/Short take off and Landing Engines including the Pegasus as used in the Harrier jump jet. As well as aero engines there are also exhibits of cars, diesel engines, and marine power.

Erasmus Darwin Evening & Cellar Tour ..a special opportunity to visit his house & its cellars

Date: Thursday 7th November 2013 Place: Corner of Beacon Street & Cathedral Close, Lichfield (WS13 7AD) Meet: 7.15pm to 9pm Cost: £13.50 (£15.50 Guest) incl. venue hire, guides & refreshments We’ve arranged another Spice exclusive tonight, hiring a popular venue and it’s staff to open in an evening – just for us! Erasmus Darwin House is a hidden gem of Lichfield. Tucked away in the Cathedral Close, it was once the home of Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles Darwin, and an important and influential figure in his own right. Inventor, poet, scientist, doctor and philosopher, he a founder of the Lunar Society, and had his own theories of evolution which influenced his grandson. The house will be open exclusively to our group, and will begin with an introduction to the house and the man, followed by a chance to explore the house, famous cellars and herb garden. Teas & coffees are provided.

National Memorial Arboretum & Lunch th

.. a place of beauty, tranquillity & remembrance

Date: Saturday 9 November 2013 Place: Alrewas, nr Burton on Trent (DE13 7AR) – detailed directions online Meet: 10.30am Cost: £18.50 (£20.50 Guest) Includes: Entrance, tour, 1 course lunch & coordinator The National Memorial Arboretum is a living tribute to the wartime generations of the 20th century and as a gift in their memory for future generations to reflect upon and enjoy. It is a huge and major undertaking, with 56 gardens and monuments created by the various forces and regiments involved in our recent history. It includes the UK's newest tree collection, the beautiful Golden Grove, Millennium Chapel, a growing collection of sculptures and a wealth of wildlife. Our Visit: We meet at 10.30am and then we can attend a homage service in the Chapel at 11.00am. At 11.30am we will join an hours guided tour. Following on from our tour we will then enjoy a Roast lunch. Desserts are available at an additional cost. Please advise if you prefer a Vegetarian option. The remainder of your visit will be free to wander.

Vulcan Bomber Restoration Experience th

.. enjoy this awesome aircraft

Date: Saturday 11 January 2014 Place: Wellesbourne, nr Stratford Upon Avon (CV35 9EU) # Meet: 10.00am Cost: No cost to book but donate at least £8 to the restoration society on day Avro Vulcan XM655 (pictured right with it’s crew & fire crew) was one of the last v-bombers produced for the RAF, and part of the UK's nuclear deterrent force throughout the 60s & 70s. XM655 is one of the few Vulcans remaining in ground running condition and The 655 Maintenance and Preservation Society aim to keep it running for as long possible. Today we join up with the restoration group which is run entirely by volunteers. There will be a short talk about the work of the team on arrival before we split into groups of 4 to spend some time in the cockpit. A video will also be shown about the aircraft and there will be an opportunity to ask questions to some of the dedicated volunteers. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available. 49

Dogs Home Visit

.. discover how stray dogs are rescued, reunited & re-homed!

Date: Saturday 30th November 2013 Place: Birmingham Dogs Home, New Bartholomew St, Digbeth, Birmingham (B5 5QS) Meet: 11.30am (session ends around 1pm) Cost: No charge, but must booked as numbers very limited. Donations welcome on day Birmingham Dogs Home was founded in 1892 on land made available by the late Sir Alfred Gooch Bart, in New Canal Street, Birmingham. In 1987 they moved to New Bartholomew Street, with a grand opening by the Duchess of York. Since then a purpose-built building has provided shelter and protection for the stray dogs of the West Midlands. Able to house over 150 stray dogs in comfortable kennel blocks with adjacent facilities, the Home has its own vets’ clinic, puppy unit and isolation unit. They are a registered charity and for over 100 years have stated a mission to rescue, reunite and rehome stray, neglected and unwanted dogs from all over the West Midlands area. This vital work is only possible through the very generous support of the local community. The visit will start with an overview of the work of the dogs home and their aims. This will be followed by a guided walk around the kennels veterinary rooms and other facilities. Note: Please donate at least £5. They are also grateful for tins of dog food, old towels, sheets, blankets and duvets

Cosford Restoration & Behind the Scenes Day .. the ultimate Cosford day, with a glimpse of the Dornier

Date: Saturday 16th November 2013 Place: RAF Cosford Museum, Nr Telford (TF11 8UP) # Meet: 10.15am Cost: £20 Member, £22 Guests A fascinating day at Cosford Royal Air Force Museum with a chance to glimpse the Dornier Do17, the last of the 'flying pencils'. We will start our day with a visit to the Conservation Centre which is one of the world's centres of excellence in aircraft conservation. The skilled technicians undertake extensive work to prepare aircraft and other objects for display. You will be able to view progress being made on the Museum's bombers, the Handley Page Hampden and Vickers Wellington, plus other aircraft in various states of restoration. There will be a rare opportunity to speak with the skilled Technicians and Apprentices about their work. We are also hoping to view the world’s last surviving Dornier Do17, recently salvaged from the bottom of the English Channel which is currently inside the purpose built hydration tunnels. Following on from the Conservation Centre tour we will enjoy a two course hot lunch in the restaurant before joining our guide at 2.00pm for a two hour tour of Cosford. This tour takes in Warplanes, Transport and the Test Flight collections. The guise will take us through the wartime hangars picking out highlights such as the world's oldest Spitfire.

Sikh Gurdwara Visit

.. enjoy the warm welcome & hospitality of our Sikh community

Date: Saturday 4th January 2014 Place: 18-20 Soho Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham (B21 9BH) – details on-line Meet: 11am prompt outside main entrance Cost: FREE (But please donate to the Gurdwara on the day) We are grateful to have been invited again to visit this major Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) and discover more about the facility itself and the Sikh faith and community. It is one of 13 Gurdwaras in Birmingham serving a Sikh community of around 40,000. Built in the late 70's, there’s a floor area of 25,000m² over 4 storeys. There are 5 main Darbar Halls and 3 Langar Halls & some surprising features to discover! Lunch: Our visit also includes lunch in the Langar, a huge dining room that serves vegetarian food to anyone, 24/7 (It’s designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. The tradition expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all). Dress: I am advised that this Gurdwara is fairly relaxed, so please just dress in an appropriate way for a place of worship. However, when entering the Darbar Hall, we’ll remove shoes and cover our heads. The ladies can use a scarf the gentlemen a cap or a hat. If you don’t bring anything, the Guruwara will provide pieces of material for head cover. You must not enter the hall if you are “intoxicated” or have just been smoking. Donation: The elders are giving freely of their time and food and have not asked for anything in return. However, I suggest we make a donation on the day (the coordinator will organise this) to offset their out of pocket expenses. Important: Arranging this type of event is very dependant on goodwill. Therefore, we ask that if you book you do turn up on the day (or let us know in good time if you can’t make it) and that you are respectful to our hosts and their traditions. 50

St Mary's Convent Visit

.. Pugins masterpeice & the sisters who live there

Date: Saturday 11 January 2014 Place: 98 Hunters Road, Handsworth (B19 1EB) Meet: 1.45pm for 2pm Tour (ends 4pm) Cost: Free Private group tour with teas after (but please make a donation) Pugin’s stunning Saint Mary’s Convent in Handsworth is still used by the Sisters of Mercy for whom it was built over 170 years ago. The building is an important example of the Gothic Revival and was built around the same time as Birmingham’s St Chad’s Cathedral. This is a very interesting visit from a number of perspectives. Firstly because you get to discover a very historic building that is not normally open to the public. Secondly because we get to meet some of the Sisters, who’s present day work includes some very 21st Century challenges such as “victim care” for young people duped into “sex slavery” in illegal brothels. However, you will also discover a real haven of peace and tranquillity in the inner city. Our visit will last approx 2 hours and end with tea and biscuits. There is no charge to attend (though you must pre book with us as numbers are limited) but please make a donation to the Sisters work. March 2012 was the bicentenary of Pugin’s birth. We will discover how his collaborations with Victorian industrialists and the Catholic church has left a legacy that continues to reach out to those in greatest need in our city. Important: Arranging this type of event is very dependant on goodwill. Therefore, we ask that if you book you do turn up on the day (or let us know in good time if you can’t make it) and that you are respectful to our hosts and their traditions.

Hagley Hall Tour & Tea with Viscount Cobham th

.. a fabulous opportunity to meet Viscount Cobham

Date: Sunday 5 January 2014 Place: Hagley Hall, Hagley, Worcestershire (DY9 9LG) # Meet: 12.45pm for 1.00pm Cost: £24 (£26 Guest) includes afternoon tea & cakes Spice have enjoyed a popular series of “heirs tours” of great country estates. These have recently included James Berkey showing us around Berkley Castle and Sir Richard Fitzherbert showing us Tissington Hall. 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 by Sanderson Miller, for George, first Lord Lyttleton, Hagley Hall was the last of the great Palladian houses to be commissioned. It remains the family home of the Lyttleton family. The house, begun in 1754 and completed in 1760, was built to grace the existing park, with its follies, lakes and magnificent trees, set amidst rolling hills. 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.

Lichfield Cathedral Library Tour th

… get behind the scenes with an expert guide!

Date: Saturday 18 January 2014 Place: Main door of Lichfield Cathedral (WS13 7LD) Meet: 10.15 for 10.30am tour Cost: £12 (£15 Guest) Spice love to get into areas that are normally restricted, so we’re delighted to have obtained permission for just 13 of us to visit a very special place within Lichfield Cathedral. Two experts are taking us to explore the hidden treasures of the historic main library, built in 1249 which offers a rare glimpse of the incredible treasures housed here above the Chapter House. These include books on a wide variety of subjects from theology to travel. Here are just a few of the priceless editions contained there: ● Justinian Codex Juris Canonici (13th century) ● Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (c1410) ● Henry VIII’s ‘Great Bible’ (first edition— 1539) ● Cranmer’s Great Bible (1540) ● The ‘Breeches’ or ‘Geneva Bible’ (1560) ● The King James Bible (1611) - the ‘She’ and ‘Judas’ Bibles ● Mercator’s Atlas Novus (1638) ● Blaeu’s Theatre du Monde (1645) ● The ‘Vinegar Bible’ (1717) ● Saxton’s Maps of England and Wales. Equally historic is the room itself and it’s extremely rare tiled floor. Bags cannot be taken into the library. You’ll need to be able to climb a spiral staircase. ______________________________ 51

Sport & Fitness Try a new sport or rediscover an old one! It’s a great way to get fit, make friends and socialize. With Spice, it’s all just for fun. All ages & abilities take part and no skill is expected.

Hoola Hooping

.. have a workout with a Hoola Celebrity

Date: Sunday: 10 November 2013 Place: Midland Arts Centre, Edgbaston - Performance Studio (B12 9QH) Meet: 10.45am for 11am – 12noon session Cost: £7 (£9 Guest) includes equipment & tuition Ever fancied trying Hoola Hooping properly – and learning how to have fun and tone up at the same time? Well Spice men & women - here’s your chance! We've arranged a beginner’s class where you can improve your self confidence, body tone and most of all do a team activity that will make you friends and learn everything you need to know about this fantastic new fitness craze. Julia will be looking after you for this exciting session where she in the past has performed at Glastonbury Festival and many public events across the world showcasing her wonderful talent. She’s an expert in her field and will show you all sorts of tricks and techniques, then progress into music and a fitness experience.

Fencing for Beginners

.. try your hand at this Olympic sport! th

Date: Tuesday 19 November 2013 or Wednesday 15th January 2014 Place: The Budokan, Sutton Street, Birmingham (B1 1PE) see directions online Meet: 7pm prompt start (ends 9pm) Cost: £15 Member, £17.50 Guest Fencing is particularly trendy at the moment, following many recent appearances in the movies. It is a skilful and surprisingly energetic activity, stretching muscles you never knew you had! Using the coordination of hand, eye and psyche, makes for a great ‘workout’. This workshop gives you the chance to try out basic skills and manoeuvres with a fighting session at the end! Once kitted up you'll be shown safety procedures and warm up, then you'll be shown the correct stance and way of holding your sword before you face your first opponent!

Golf - Learn to Play in a Day th

.. learn at a choice of two locations

Date: Sundays: ● 20 Oct (at Lea Marston) or ● 1st Dec (at The Warwickshire) Place: ● Lea Marston Hotel, nr J9 of M42 (B76 0BY) ● Warwickshire Golf & Country Club (CV35 7QT) Meet: ● Lea Marston: 10am – 3.30pm ● The Warwickshire: 9am to 3pm Cost: ● Lea Marston: £30 (£32 Guest) ● Warwickshire: £35 (£39 Guest) Includes: tuition, teas/ coffees & light lunch We have been given the opportunity to broaden our introduction to golf sessions at 2 great locations. Both provide us with an opportunity for complete beginners or relative newcomers to have a day of golf coaching with an experienced PGA Professionals on all major aspects of the game. The packages include light lunch and refreshments (full details online).

Unihoc (mixed indoor hockey) .. come and join our friendly unihoc players

Dates: ● Thu 10 Oct ● Thu 24 Oct● Thu 10 Oct ● Thu 24 Oct ● Thu 7 Nov ● Thu 21 Nov ● Thu 5 Dec ● Thu 9 Jan ● Mon 27 Jan Place: NIA (Community Hall) St Vincent St. (B1 2AA) Meet: 8pm – 10pm Cost: £6 (Guests £7) “EARLY BOOKER” Rate £5 (members only)* Unihoc is a traditional, much loved Spice activity. It is a type of indoor hockey played with plastic sticks. It’s a lot of fun – particularly as we don’t take it too seriously. Don’t worry if you have never played before as you will soon pick up the basic from the friendly regulars. It is a great choice for those who want a fun way to get fit and stay fit, as you use up a lot of energy chasing that ball around the court! *It helps for us to know numbers well in advance (we can’t play with less than 2 teams!). Therefore we offer an “early booker” rate of £1 discount if you book over 14 days before. 52

Badminton at the NIA

.. a sociable evening & a great workout! Dates: Every Wednesday through Oct, Nov, Dec & Jan (except for holiday times) Meet: 7 to 9pm ( 2 hour session) Book 4 Sport dates at th Place: NIA (Community Hall) St Vincent St. (B1 2AA) NIA & get a 5 free Cost: £6 (Guests £7) including all equipment A fun evening of badminton, with nothing taken too seriously and the chance to play with a whole new bunch of players. You just need a basic grasp of the game to play. Players rotate to give everyone a Variety of games.

Badminton for Fun

.. regular sessions at Coventry, Wolverhampton & Worcester Date: ● Coventry: Every Weds ● Worcester: Every Mon ● Wolverhampton: Every Weds Place: ● Coventry: Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, Coventry CV3 1HW ● Worcester: Perdiswell Leisure Centre Bilford Rd, Worcester WR3 8DX ● Wolverhampton: Aldersley Leisure Village, Aldersley Rd, WV6 9NW Meet: 1 hour session at each venue: 8.00pm to 9.00pm Cost: £4 (£5 Guest) including all equipment We have a number of regional badminton venues. At each one, you’ll find a fun evening, with nothing taken too seriously and the chance to play with a whole new bunch of players. You just need a basic grasp of the game to play.

Trampolining Evening with Coaching th

.. a good nights entertainment open to all

Date: Wednesday 20 November 2013 Place: Barr Beacon Leisure Centre, Barr Beacon (WS9 0RF) Meet: 6.45pm for 7pm - 8pm session Cost: £8.50 Member, £10.50 Guest A fun Trampolining session with a coach that anyone can enjoy. Two trampolines will be available and an experienced coach on hand to help. You will be able to develop your skills and moves or just bounce around to get fit!

Introduction to Short Tennis .. an introduction to a fun game

Date: Tuesday 8 October 2013 Place: Billesley Tennis Centre, Wheelers Lane (B13 0ST) Meet: 6.45pm for 7.00pm - 9.00pm Cost: £8 (£12 Guest) Incl: 2 hour hire of courts and one hour coaching session, rackets & balls Here is an opportunity to be introduced to Short Tennis. The game is played on a half size court with shorter nets and with sponge balls. The game is great for beginners who have never played tennis before and focuses on the fun aspect. We have arranged a hours coaching for you to get started and then you will be able to play for a further hour.

Girls Roller Skating Lesson Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

.. a great opportunity to discover skating

Thursday 14 November 2013 Doug Ellis Sports Ctr, Perry Barr (B42 2SY) 6.45pm for 7pm to 9pm session £12 (£15 Guest) Includes: Skates, pads, helmets and full instruction

Another great opportunity to find out about Roller Skating with Central City Rollergirls who are a feisty bunch of enthusiastic skaters who are keen to pass on their love of the Sport. We've put on a taster session where you will learn to indoor skate around a velodrome. You will be shown all the tricks of the trade on indoor roller skates from basic to the more advanced overtaking moves. Our instructors compete in a full contact sport, but we will not be doing this today! You will however be taught to skate around the track and have lots of fun. Important: This session is for girls only sorry. You must give your shoe size when booking so that skates can 53

Aqua Aerobics .. make a splash

Date: Monday 14 October 2013 Place: Barr Beacon Leisure Centre (WS9 0RF) Meet: 7.45pm for 8pm - 9pm session Cost: £5.50 (£7.50 Guest) includes a £1.50 booking fee This evening we’re joining an existing aqua aerobics class at Barr Beacon Sports Centre. Aqua Aerobics is a great event for toning, keeping fit and dancing away to music in water. You’ll be working and strengthening your muscles in the water whilst strengthening and relaxing aches and pains. This is an hour’s taster class. Jump in the deep end and give it a go.

Kick Boxing for Beginners rd

.. release those everyday frustrations

Date: Wednesday 23 October 2013 check online for future dates Place: UTX Academy, 57 Clement Street, Birmingham (B1 2SW) Meet: 7.45pm for 8.00pm - 9.00pm Cost: £9 Member, £11 Guest Kickboxing is a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from Karate, Muay Thai and Western boxing and is practiced for self-defense, general fitness, or as a contact sport. Tonight we have laid on a one hour session at the brand new arena at UTX Academy in Birmingham with an experienced instructor. We’ll learn the basics of kickboxing which is a great workout .At the same you can release those everyday frustrations out on a boxing bag (instead of your friends family and work colleagues for a change!).

Badminton at Barr Beacon th

.. have fun playing people of all levels!

Date: Monday 7 October 2013 Place: Barr Beacon Leisure Centre, Barr Beacon (WS9 0RF) Meet: 7.00pm - 8.00pm Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest We've secured excellent modern facilities for you to play Spicers of all abilities. You don’t need great skill, as the object is just to have fun. The venue is convenient for most North Birmingham locations, and there's free parking!

Dodgeball Intro & Coaching Session .. it's fresh, it's fun .. and you will laugh lots - guaranteed!

Date: Thursday 24th October 2013 Place: Willenhall Chart Centre, 19 Gomer Street, Willenhall (WV13 2NS) Meet: 7.15 for 7.30pm - 9pm Cost: £5 Member, £6 Guest Dodgeball is fun, addictive and sociable. A great way to get fit with friends! The objective is to strike a player with a ball before they can get out of the way! The venue is a brand new sports centre and we have a full team of coaches to explain the game and look after us for the night. Don’t miss it! All equipment is included. ________________________

Theatre, Comedy & Concerts We have good relations with all the venues in our region, and try to secure good seats for a wide range of shows. Often we are holding tickets for a very limited period, and with the most popular shows, tickets are finalised months in advance of the performance. We post out tickets around a week before the event, including a meet up point (generally the bar!). Important: as we have to purchase your ticket well in advance, these types of event are non refundable unless we can resell your seat to someone else. Sorry. Social Note: By it’s very nature, (you sit quietly in the dark!) these types of event are not particularly sociable. There will be a volunteer coordinator who’ll do their best to “meet & greet” and to get people together in the interval. However, please don’t book these events for a social evening as you may be disappointed.

Concert Nights at the Jam House .. see famous acts at this intimate venue

Place: Jam House, St. Pauls Square, Birmingham (B3 1QU) Meet: Bands due on around 9pm but you can arrive any time These music nights are a rare opportunity to see musical icons in the intimate setting of The Jam House. These are public events, but our friends at The Jam House have arranged special rates for Spice members (but please note that non members have to pay the public price including booking fees so we dont compete with their public pricing). ● Imagination with Leee John - Wednesday 30th October - Cost to Spice Members £5 (guests at public price of £10) Imagination had chart hits in twenty eight countries, selling over 26 million records to date, earning four platinum discs, nine gold discs and over a dozen silver discs around the world. Founded by Leee John in the early 80’s Imagination soon became one of the most successful funk bands of the decade. Enjoy all the hits from the platinum selling albums Body Talk, Music and Lights, Flashback, In and Out Of Love and many more. ● The Stylistics - Wednesday 20th November - Cost to Spice Members £5 (guests at public price of £18) PhillySound Hitmakers, the Stylistics, return to the Jam House with their back catalogue of Soul masterpieces, including "You Are Everything," "Betcha By Golly Wow," "Stop Look Listen", "Break Up To Make Up," "Children of the Night," "You'll Never Get to Heaven," "You Make Me Feel Brand New," "Na Na is the Saddest Word," "Can't Give You Anything," and "Can't Help Falling In Love" Arrival: You can arrive any time, but we do not plan to have a Spice Coordinator at all of these events, so there will not be the usual “Spice social vibe” I’m afraid. However, we will get Spice members together if we can (but bear in mind that there will be several hundred members of the public there as well, so this may not be easy). As you are pre booked, you can ignore any queue and go straight to the entrance where your name will be on a list (there are no tickets). Dress: Smart dress - no trainers or ripped denim. Shirts for gentlemen please. The Spice Deal: This is a special “Spice Offer” to Spice members for just 50 tickets .. when they’re gone – they’re gone! Congratulations to Rose (right) on meeting your very own “Simon Cowell” aka Andy (centre) and on your forthcoming wedding next month. From all of us at the Spice Office xx

Cancellation Terms – Ticketed Events Please remember when booking any ticketed events in this section, that refunds on cancellations can only be offered if we resell

Cinema Nights - Birmingham .. informal get togethers for film lovers

Date: Sundays: 13 Oct, 10th Nov & 8th Dec 2013 or 12th Jan 2014 Place: Cineworld, Broad Street (corner of Broad St & Bishopsgate St) (B15 1DA) Meet: Meet 5.50pm in foyer (Meet volunteer coordinator Jay Hazel) Extra: No cost to book, but you buy your film ticket on the night. This is an informal opportunity for film lovers to get together each month at Birmingham’s prime multiplex cinema. Most of the films have screenings starting between 6 & 7pm, so we will meet our coordinator, Jay in the Foyer and decide which film to see. We expect that most people will join the coordinator at a film that she recommends, however, you can see a different film if you wish. Once we’ve bought our tickets we have access to the cafe bar upstairs which we’ll use as our base before and after the films. After our film, we can enjoy discussing what we’ve seen as a group of “Spice Critics”.

Cinema Nights - Rubery

.. an informal get together for film lovers

Date: Fridays: 1 & 29 November, 27th December 2013 or 31st January 2014 Place: Empire Cinema, Great Park (B45 9FP) – see directions online Meet: Meet 7.30pm in foyer (Volunteer coordinator Rachel Reeve - 07530 721431) Extra: Pay for film ticket on the night This is an informal opportunity for film lovers in the Rubery area to get together each month at this excellent multiplex cinema. Most of the films have screenings starting around 8pm (or half an hour either way, so we will meet our coordinator, Rachel in the Foyer and decide which film to see. We expect that most people will join the coordinator at a film that she recommends, however, you can see a different film if you wish. If there is time, before and after the film we can use the nearby pub as our base and discuss our films together.

Space Opera at the Planetarium .. an out of this world experience!

Date: Saturday 19 October 2013 Place: Planetarium, Think Tank, Millinnium Point (B4 7XG) Meet: 5.45pm for 6.00pm performance (ends 6.45pm) Cost: £12 (£15 Guest) Spice exclusive booking of whole Planetarium An exclusive Spice evening in space! Enjoy a spellbinding 360° voyage across the Solar System and beyond. Journey to the stars as the planetarium is transformed into an alien spaceship and you are immersed in the music of Holst's The Planets and guided on a scenic voyage littered with cultural references from famous writers, artists and philosophers.

An Evening with Roger Moore th

.. a marvellous raconteur

Date: Wednesday 6 November 2013 Place: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (B5 4DS) # Meet: 7.00pm for 7.30pm Cost: £28 Member, £30 Guest The legendary film star chats with biographer Gareth Owen about his life and career. Featuring inside stories and exclusive anecdotes from an extraordinary career that has included the iconic TV series The Saint and The Persuaders plus Hollywood blockbusters and of course the James Bond films. We’ll put our questions to the Hollywood legend at the end.

Gordon Giltrap in Concert .. see a guitar legend and support St Giles

Date: Sunday 3rd November 2013 Place: Duke Street Centre, Sutton Coldfield (B72 1RJ) Meet: 7pm Cost: £12.50 Incl: Glass of wine or sort drink & nibbles. All money goes to St Giles Although now officially a pensioner, Gordon Giltrap is still one of the best guitarists around. He has worked with all the greats and has a discography to match any “Rock God”. He is also one of the nicest people you could wish to meet, which is how he has come to be performing a special concert, in support of St Giles Hospice. This really is a “for one night only”, so don’t miss it! Tickets are limited to just 200 and we have a small allocation for Spice.

Jekyll & Hyde at the Blue Orange .. a dark night in fog bound London!

Date: Friday 1st November 2013 Place: Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Gt Hampton St (B18 6AD) – directions online Meet: 7.15pm to collect tickets for 7.45pm Cost: £10 Member, £12 Guest London’s streets are awash with fear, a dark and sinister figure prowls through the fog. The city has become a nightmare. No one dares to walk the streets alone. There are shadows where the strange and sinister Edward Hyde seems to have the ability to appear and disappear, at will. Jon Utterson, a respectable lawyer starts investigating Hyde when Dr Henry Jekyll, leaves a will in his care, leaving all his property to Hyde in the event of his death or disappearance. Henry refuses to talk about Hyde so Utterson tries to visit and become aquainted with him, but is thwarted at every turn by this man of mystery.

Nutcracker

"far & away the grandest Nutcracker in Britain" Sunday Times

Date: Tuesday 3rd December 2013 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street (B5 4TB) # Meet: 7.00pm for 7.30pm Cost: £35 (£38 Guest) Birmingham Royal Ballet is bringing Tchaikovsky’s perennial favourite to the Hippodrome for a pre-Christmas special. It's an absolutely classic BRB production that you don’t want to miss.

A Christmas Wassail

.. a show with plenty of Christmas spirit

Date: Tuesday 17 December 2013 Place: Crescent Theatre, Birmingham (B1 2JA) – venue details on line Meet: 7pm in bar to collect tickets for 7.30pm Cost: £18.50 (£20.50 Guest) Incl: Mulled wine and a mince pie Begin your Christmas celebrations in the best possible way with this ever popular Wassail, a show with enough Christmas spirit to last all year. A festive feast of choral music and song, comedy and spoken word - all brought together to warm your spirits with the magic of Christmas. Join us for mince pies and mulled wine.

The Enchanted Tales th

.. three folk tales for Christmas

Date: Friday 20 December 2013 Place: Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Gt Hampton St (B18 6AD) – venue details on line Meet: 6.30pm to collect tickets for 7.00pm Cost: £10 Member, £12 Guest This year The Blue Orange Theatre presents not one, but three folk tales for Christmas! The three stories, each around 30 minutes in length, will be presented as a complete performance. Rumpelstiltskin, The Snow Queen and Ali Baba.

The Complete History of America (Abridged) th

.. 600 years of history in 6000 seconds…

Date: Tuesday 7 January 2014 Place: Highbury Theatre, Sheffield Road, Sutton Coldfield (B73 5HD) – full details online Meet: 7pm to collect tickets for 7.30pm Cost: £12 (£14 Guest) Cost includes booking fees & Spice Coordinator We’ve got tickets for another production by The Highbury Players: From Washington to Watergate, yea verily from the Bering Straits to Baghdad, from New World to New World Order – The Complete History of America (abridged) is a ninety minute rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American History, reminding us that it’s not the length of your history that matters – it’s what you’ve done with it! Expect an unusual, entertaining and side splittingly funny evening tonight! 57

Matthew Bournes Swan Lake th

.. the sexy, contemporary interpretation!

Date: Wednesday 12 February 2014 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome (B5 4TB)# Meet: 7.00pm for 7.30pm 'curtain up' Cost: £39.50 Member, £42 Guest Please find details of this and other 2014 productions on our website wwwispicebham.com

Loot

.. enjoy this black comedy from Joe Orton

Date: Tuesday 18 February 2014 Place: Highbury Theatre, Sutton Coldfield (B73 5HD) Meet: 7pm to collect tickets for 7.30pm Cost: £12 (£14 Guest) Cost includes booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other 2014 productions on our website wwwispicebham.com

Tonight's the Night

.. experience this West End hit musical

Date: Thursday 27 February 2014 Place: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham # (B5 4DS) Meet: 7.00pm for 7.30pm Cost: £32 (£35 Guest) includes booking fees Please find details of this and other 2014 productions on our website wwwispicebham.com

Singin in the Rain

.. this show will put a smile on anyone’s face Date: Monday 24th March 2014 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street # (B5 4TB) Meet: 7.00pm for 7.30pm Cost: £39.50 Member, £42 Guest Please find details of this and other 2014 productions on our website wwwispicebham.com

Steel Magnolias

.. the funniest play ever to make you cry Date: Tuesday 25th March 2014 Place: Highbury Theatre, Sutton Coldfield (B73 5HD) Meet: 7pm to collect tickets for 7.30pm Cost: £12 (£14 Guest) Incl: Cost includes booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other 2014 productions on our website wwwispicebham.com

West Side Story

.. the stunning new West End production Date: Tuesday 15th April 2014 Place: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham # (B5 4DS) Meet: 7.00pm for 7.30pm Cost: £39.50 Member, £42 Guest Includes: Booking fees Please find details of this and other 2014 productions on our website wwwispicebham.com ______________________________

Cancellation Terms – Ticketed Events Please remember when booking any ticketed events in this section, that refunds on cancellations can only be offered if we resell

Workshops & Talks Whether it is serious self development or serious fun that you’re after, here are a diverse range of opportunities to learn new skills.

Colour U Confident Workshop .. discover what you should be wearing!

Saturday 12th October 2013 (check for future dates on line) Rowden Drive, Solihull (B91 1UQ) # 9.30am for 9.45am - 1.00pm £60 (£65 Guest) PAID AS £10 (£15 Guests) deposit paid to Spice when you book, plus the balance of £50 paid on the day (Credit cards at a £2 supp. sorry) Do you want to know which colours make you look younger, healthier and slimmer? Then this workshop is for you. Lesley Cox, Colour Me Beautiful consultant, will answer these questions and more. During this colour and make up session you'll discover why certain shades complement your unique colouring more than others and how to combine the colours that suit you in different ways. Each person attending will be individually analysed and made up with Colour Me Beautiful cosmetics. By the end of the workshop you'll have a wallet containing 30 fabric swatches to use as a guide when you shop, your own personalised make up prescription, listing your best cosmetic shades....and loads of confidence. Shopping mistakes will become a thing of the past! Sounds like too good an opportunity to miss.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Drumming Experience for Beginners th

.. Spice help you realise another childhood ambition

Dates: Wed 16 October 2013 or Tues 14th January 2014 Place: Drum School, Lawley Middleway, Birmingham (B4 7XX) Meet: 7.00pm to 9.00pm session Cost: £19 Member, £21 Guest Do you ever find yourself bashing your table top with a couple of pencils as your favourite tune blasts out of your radio? Maybe you’ve thought about playing the drums but never really pursued the idea… Well this is your chance to have a go in a small friendly group led by one of the Midland’s most experienced instructors. There has never been a better time to learn than now, with a wide range of cheap acoustic kits and realistic electric kits that can be played with headphones that don’t send the neighbours crazy! For this session however, you needn’t buy anything as all the equipment is provided. Your instructor will guide you through the workings of the kit, how to sit at a drum kit and hold the sticks for ease of playing and then the fun begins as you learn to play your first rock beat! This session is a fun, hands on introduction. No experience is needed but a reasonable amount of fitness is required, also flat soled shoes are advisable. Directions: The school is located near to the House of Drums at Professional Music Technology, only a 15-minute walk from both the Bullring shopping centre and Moor Street Station. There’s ample parking.

Breadmaking Workshop at Hindleys .. learn from Britain's award winning TV bakers

Wednesday 19th February 2014 10 Tamworth Street, Lichfield (WS13 6JJ) – Directions online 6.45pm for 7pm start (Ends around 10pm) £55 (£59 Guest) Includes: 3 hours hands on practical with demonstration from Duncan Hindley, All ingredients & equipment including aprons and hats Your delicious bread creations to take away. Full instruction & recipe cards Exclusive out of hours group arrangements for Spice Hindley’s Bakery is quite an institution and has been in the centre of historic Lichfield since 1893! Some of you may have seen them on TV last December taking the title of ‘Best Bakery in the West Midlands’ (Britain's Best Bakery - ITV). So we think we’ve found the very best people to teach us how to bake perfect bread! We have arranged to be taught by Duncan Hindley himself, who is the fourth generation of Hindley Bakers and he has agreed to run a special, exclusive evening course just for Spice! We will learn basic bread making skills within an informal and friendly environment. The course lasts 3 hours and is suitable for beginners. They supply all ingredients & equipment, apron, hat and refreshments afterwards (tea or coffee). The best bit!: Of course you take home 2 bags of your own bread, extra yeast flour and instruction sheet! Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Magic for Beginners

.. learn the secrets from an enthusiast!

Date: Wednesday 27th November 2013 (be a magician for Christmas) Place: 80 Brook Street, Stourbridge (DY8 3XB) Meet: 7.30pm to 9.30pm Cost: £22 Member, £25 Guest Tonight we enjoy a special Spice evening with an amazing opportunity to learn the art of magic in a unique class. We will be taught by Stuart Millward a professional magician in his magic store 'The House of Magic UK'. You will learn tricks, sleights, finesse and patter to amaze and baffle your friends and family. Learning magic builds confidence as well!

Watercolour Painting Intro Day th

.. a fun day unleashing your creative potential!

Date: Sunday 27 October 2013 Place: Centre of England Arts, Nr Solihull (B92 0LT) # Meet: 10am to approx 4pm Cost: £39 (£45 Guest) includes: Basic Materials, tea, coffee & biscuits Artist, Julie Hyde has put together a day’s course, demonstrating the various techniques of watercolour painting. Julie will demonstrate the different ways that watercolours can be applied and how to plan and build up, stage by stage your own watercolour pictures. You will try out different techniques experimenting with wet on wet, basic washes and dry brush work, giving you confidence to use these for your own pictures. Julie will explain the mysteries of paper stretching and will advise you on the vast rage of selection of equipment that is available in the art shops. Working from photographs or still life groups Julie will talk about how to plan paintings and demonstrate how to build up you painting. You will work through one, two or maybe even three paintings and Julie will help you through each stage. Although it will take a beginner through the process of watercolour painting there will be plenty of ideas for the more experienced artist. Basic material will be provided, but if you have your own or want to use different medium please bring it along. See www.COEA.co.uk for more information about Centre of England Arts and Julie Hyde

Ukulele for Fun

.. have fun learning this popular instrument!

Date: Sunday 6 October 2013 (check for future dates on line) Place: Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), English Studio, Edgbaston (B12 9QH) Meet: 3.30pm to 5.30pm Cost: £18 (£20 Guest) includes ukuleles & instruction Ukelele playing is easy when you know how and very trendy at the moment due to the cult popularity of The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain! It is also an instrument that is cheap, simple and a lot more portable than a guitar. So why not have some fun discovering what it’s all about with a fun group of Spice friends? Today we’ll have a go at playing the ukulele in an entirely unintimidating atmosphere. The session will start by explaining how to hold and strum the ukulele and then working on some simple chords. We can then play some tunes together. You don't need to be musical in any way or to be able to read music as you will be shown how it is done. A fun event that will make everyone smile.

Wellness Evening with Herbalife .. sample a range of inner & outer health products

Date: Wednesday 6th November 2013 Place: The Wellness Centre, Ramada Leisure (Penns Quay), The Ramada Hotel, Penns Lane, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield (B76 1LH) Meet: Drop in between 6pm & 9pm Cost: £5 (£8 Guest) includes mini facial treatment & samples of nutrition products As some of you will already be aware, our member Hilary Trueman is one of a team of consultants for the Herbalife company based at the Wellness Centre at the Ramada Hotel. Several of our members (including your Spice Coordinator) have used her services in order to loose weight and increase fitness. Tonight she invites us to have a wellness check, taste the shakes and meal bars that are part of the Herbalife weightloss regime, learn about healthier nutrition programme and enjoy a facial treatment with the amazing collection of skin products. Men and Women are equally catered for tonight. 60

Nine Steps to Happiness

.. another evening with "the happiest lady in the Midlands"

Date: Thursday 10th October 2013 or Thursday 30th January 2014 Place: Brook Marston Farm Hotel, Kingsbury (B76 9JD) – directions on website Meet: 7.30pm (ends 9.30pm) Cost: £8 Member, £12 Guest After an interview on BBC radio, Jules Mitchell was quoted as ‘The happiest woman in the Midlands!’ She’s now taken on the enviable task of spreading this happiness across the Midlands and is ready to empower us with her unique Happiness Formula. On the face of it, happiness might appear a bit of an odd subject for a Spice workshop, however, if you had to define the most important thing in life, I would guess that happiness would be at the top. So learning how to be happy is a pretty key life skill! Jules is now well known for her specialism in Laughter Therapy and how this can be combined with “Intentional Mindful Habits” to provide individuals with a regular “Blissapline”: a discipline of happiness. Jules introduces herself as a Director of Happiness; she is an experienced Happiness Coach, Laughter Therapist and trainer of Optimism & Positivity. She will be sharing with us her ‘9 Steps to Happiness’™ which is a unique program that is packed full of specific research and education on the new and evolving ‘Science of Happiness’ and Positive Psychology. This hour and a half funshop provides exceptional optimism training that will guide participants through the many obstacles to happiness by providing them with a range of simple and easy processes that can be incorporated into daily life. A key aspect of Jules’ training is the understanding of how positive and negative emotions affect us and how we can use this knowledge to not only reduce the risk of stress, but also to raise our energetic vibrations. There will, of course, be bucket loads of fun, laughter and inspiration that will ensure that the evening is one that you will be talking about for months to come! As Jules is a fully trained Laughter Yoga Leader and an Advanced Energy Practitioner, she will be sharing how these two modalities can be linked to raise our spirits on a daily basis.

Fire Eating Workshop th

.. this one you've got to try!

Date: Sunday 24 November 2013 Place: Woodlands Camp, Streetly, Sutton C'fld (WS9 0SH) # Meet: 10.30am for 11am start - Note later time Cost: £39 (£45 Guest). Extras: Just 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 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! You will need to wear loose old clothing with few buttons and buckles as possible, and not flimsy or flowing of course. There is a lot of rolling around too (!) so old clothes you do not mind getting dirty or smelly. Also, bring along warm outdoor clothing/waterproofs just in case its bad weather when we are outside. Each member must bring along the following: ● a full size bottle of white spirit or turps substitute ● a large old Towel ● a bottle of full fat milk (or flavoured milk) ● headbands if you have long hair ● packed lunch/ drinks ● a camera to record our achievements! Please be aware that there are dangers/ hazards associated with this event. There’s a special disclaimer to sign on the day.

Singing for Beginners - Find your Voice! .. be amazed what you can acheive with an expert!

Date: Sunday 8th December 2013 Place: Coppice School, Trinity Rd, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield (B75 6TJ) Meet: 9am – 11am Cost: £14 Member, £16 Guest We believe that anyone can sing, well virtually anyone! So if you can’t wait for Gareth Malone to visit your workplace and you want to discover your voice – Spice have the answer! Lesley Gainford LGSM is our vocal coach today for a special beginners session. She has an excellent reputation, having worked with and performed with some of the leading choirs in our region. She has also founded 3 choirs herself who perform in the Sutton Coldfield area. Very often people think they can’t sing, or have been told that by others. In fact, singing is an innate ability in all people that can be developed the same as other skills. It enables everyone to express themselves freely, to create and perform both individually and with others. It encourages self-awareness and confidence. Content: ● Mental and physical warm-ups ● Technical exercises ● Working at expanding repertoire across different styles and genres ● Performing as a group at the end of each session ● Having fun together! Objectives of this session: ● To control sounds made by the voice, singing songs, developing control of diction and musical elements, including dynamics, duration, timbre, breathing, rhythm and pitch ● To experience songs from different times and cultures, by well-known composers ● To rehearse, share, perform and communicate musical ideas with others. We hope that you will leave with a feeling of well-being and achievement and feel inspired to expand your experience.

Spice Choir – Develop your Singing! .. learn how to sing in a choir

Date: Sunday 8 December 2013 Place: Coppice School, Trinity Rd, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield (B75 6TJ) Meet: 11.15am to 1.15pm Cost: £14 (£16 Guest) If you have enjoyed one of out Singing for Beginners sessions and want to develop your singing further, this could be the perfect solution. Lesley invites you to join a “Spice Choir” where she can work with you all to take your skills to the next level and start to make wonderful music together. You can come along just once or come every month, as there will be a natural progression through a range of popular and classical pieces as the months go by. You never know, we might even get a performance at a Spice event one day!

Makeover or Boudoir Photography Session .. don't you deserve a fantastic image?

Saturdays: 26 Oct, 23rd Nov or 14th Dec 2013 or 25th Jan 2014 Theo Georgio, Gracechurch Centre, Sutton (B72 1PH) 2 hour timeslot to be arranged with you £19 (£25 Guest) Includes: Make up, hair styling 1 print (further prints can be purchased) Extras: Studio will ask for a £20 security deposit when they call to confirm your timeslot. This is returnable & just to ensure you don’t miss the appointments Whether you want a fabulously flattering picture for your wall, your Facebook account, or for family and friends, this is a great way to boost your confidence by discovering just how beautiful you really are with the help of experts. We are very pleased with this special Spice arrangement for 2013 with our friends at Theo Georgio. The photographer is a very talented and creative lady who will work with you to get exactly what you want from the day. For a very modest price, you get all of the following: ● Bucks fizz on arrival ● Session with make up artist ● Session with hair stylist (not washed or cut) ● Selection of studio portraits with 3/4 changes of clothing & backgrounds ● One free print and the opportunity to buy others that you like. How it works: Once you have booked your date with Spice, we will pass your contact details to the studio who will call you to arrange the most convenient time. Sessions are 2 hours in total (1 hour makeover & 1 hour photography) and Spice timeslots start 1 per hour. The studio will also discuss what type of look you want to achieve. At the end of your shoot the studio will arrange a mutually convenient time for you to come back and view your pictures. At the viewing appointment your £20 viewing deposit is returned (or you might wish to put it towards buying extra pictures). On the day: Just turn up with your favourite outfits and accessories, be this lingerie, nightwear, bags, boots, jewellery etc. Other Spice members will be made up as you are being photographed (and vice versa) but you may not come into contact with the others – this is a treat for you rather than a group activity. Note: In booking this event you agree to us passing your contact details directly to the studio. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Pottery Workshop

.. learn a range of pottery techniques

Date: Sunday: 13 October 2013 Place: Liz Monk Studio Pottery, Nr Bromsgrove (B61 0QG) – directions online Meet: 11.00am (ends 4pm) Cost: £45 (£49 Guest) includes materials, firing, tea & cake Liz Monk Studio Pottery & Gallery is situated on a picturesque traditional farm courtyard, set in the north Worcestershire countryside. Manor Farm is a working farm, where the Monk family have lived and made their livelihood for the past 35 years. The traditional farm buildings have been sympathetically converted into a pottery studio and gallery, to accommodate the next generation of the Monk family’s passion for contemporary British Crafts. Liz has worked in the craft pottery sector since she graduated in 1996 with a ceramic design degree. During this time she has trained with some of the leading names in ceramics today, both from the UK and Japan. This has included completing a four and a half year pottery apprenticeship. In 2002 she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship for her achievements in the craft sector. The entire pottery production process is carried out on the farm by Liz, from making the clay body to firing the finished pieces in her large gas kiln. Join in one of the pottery workshops, where Liz will teach us a range of pottery techniques, including throwing on the potter's wheel and hand-building skills, such as slabbing and coiling. Sessions are tailored to the individual needs and requirements of the group, whether you are an absolute beginner or if you wish to build on existing skills. The cost includes pottery materials and the firing of items made on the course, ready for collection at a later date – as well as a refreshing tea break and yummy home-made cake!

Mind Management Workshop

.. overcome the obstacles to a happy & succesful future!

Date: Sunday 6th October 2013 (check for future dates on line) Place: The Arden Hotel, Coventry Rd by NEC (B92 0EH) Meet: 10.30am start (Finish around 4.30pm) Cost: £45 (£49 Guest) includes coffees/teas & light buffet lunch ● Do you want to be more confident? ● Have you had enough of doubting yourself? ● Does the 'inner critic' in you hold you back from being the fantastic person you are? ●Are you ready to make a change? Then this workshop is for you! This Mind Management workshop will help you identify the negative beliefs that prevent you from living the life you want. It will show you the skills to empower you to make positive changes to you life. Also we will be challenging: ● negative thinking and negative patterns: ● Learning new ways of coping ● Building self awareness ● Improving self esteem ● Exploring coping mechanisms during tough times ● Looking at Self Support & Outside Support ● Learning motivational techniques ● Helping you to focus on the future you want and ... have fun! Sheila McMahon is our trainer today. A Qualified Counsellor with 4½ years of training. She has a private pratice 'Sky Counselling Service'. During her counseling training she realized that the only thing stopping her from achieving her goals was her own negative thoughts. She has broken through this cycle and is ready to pass on her techniques to others who want to make changes to their life. She runs Mind Management courses in Birmingham and has given talks on this subject in London. She is also a stand-up Comedienne and performs in her own one woman shows all over the country. She is very passionate about people achieving there goals and breaking through there own limitations. She believes no matter what age you are, who you are, you have the potential to feel fantastic about yourself and to live an amazing life....besides no-one gets out alive anyway! So if you’re ready to make empowering, inspiring changes to your life then book your seat on this course and get ready to see how fantasic your life can be!

Ten Things Everyone Should Know about DIY .. an enlightening look at DIY that could save you a fortune!

Date: Sunday 17th November 2013 Place: The Arden Hotel, Coventry Road (by NEC) (B92 0EH) – see directions online Meet: 10.30am to approx 1.30pm Cost: £10 Member, £12 Guest Martin Grogan is a TV DIY personality, FreeIndex’s most highly rated handyman and the founder of the UK Guild of Handymen. This morning he will cover the DIY basics in a hands-on and informal session he will expose the mystical trade talk used by professionals in their attempts to justify big bills. He'll explain in layman's terms what goes where and why in the home and aim to make all DIY things idiot-proof even for the most enterprising. There will be demos, time to figure out how items work and an opportunity to have a go. There will also be a time for Q&A 63

Flirting for Fun

.. a practical day's workshop from Kate Hull-Rodgers!

Date: Saturdays: 12th October 2013 (Note Venue Change) or 15th February 2014 Place: The Arden Hotel, Coventry Rd by NEC (B92 0EH) – See directions online Meet: 10.30am Cost: £49 (£55 Guest) inc teas/coffees & sandwiches at lunch Our most popular and famous workshop on this fun (and very usefull!) skill of flirting. Kate, who runs a number of workshops for us with an emphasis on humour (so you know this one is going to be great fun!), has put together this day exclusively for Spice and has had great reviews from members all over the UK. So what is Flirting? ... well... Flirting isn’t just about pulling or getting lucky, it’s a lot more than that. Flirting is a way of interacting with people that makes it fun and easy to connect and makes them want to be with YOU. Yes, you can flirt to find a mate (or keep the one you’ve got) but you can also flirt to get a seat in a restaurant, jump a queue, bargain down a price, get that sale, or just to make someone feel good. “We flirt because flirtation can be a liberating way to play a game with suspense & ambiguities that brings joys of its own” Psychology Today Over 65% of us find communicating with new people in social or business situations difficult. Flirting can make it easier. 75% of couples report that relationships go stale if they don’t continually inject them with some energy and fun. Flirting can keep it fresh. Today we will explore ways to hone our flirting skills. Never be misconstrued again, be confidant enough that the fear of rejection diminishes. Through communication exercises, group discussion, anecdotes, role play and games such as Rude Food, Flirt and Faffe, and Wink Murder we will develop new attitudes and ways of connecting with others. The skills and behaviours you discover will apply to any area of your life. You will learn to: ● easily raise your self esteem ● instantly get into a heightened state of fun ● have a meaningful conversation - one word at a time ● be clear what non verbal signals you’re sending out ● give and accept compliments & rejection gracefully and easily ● tune into other people and read their sexual or non-sexual signals ● observe and respect peoples preferences for language and personal space

Dowsing Workshop

.. learn a lot about yourself, your mind & your spirit

Date: Sunday 5 October 2013 Place: The Arden Hotel, Coventry Road (by NEC) (B92 0EH) Meet: 10.30am to 4.30pm Cost: £39 Member, £42 Guest including refreshments & light sandwich lunch Dowsing is easy! It will also be great fun! Bob’s motto is “If it’s not fun I don’t want to do it”, so be prepared for the unexpected during this workshop! You will learn, through the use of the Pendulum and Dowsing Rods, how to;Dowse for Health through your Energy Field ● Assess your Dietary Requirements ● Test for Allergies ● Create your own ‘Stress Buster’ regime ● Balance Chakra Energies ● Choose suitable Flower Remedies, Minerals, Vitamins, Tissue Salts, Homoeopathy etc. ● Test for Ley Lines and other Earth’s Magnetic Fields ● Use your Pendulum to help grow healthy flowers, vegetables etc ● Clear Rooms and Buildings of negative energies ● Choose the man/woman of your dreams! ● .. & much more besides! This will be a very practical day of laughter, learning, and guidance from Bob Wooler, a Homoeopath, Reiki Master, and Colour Therapist. We believe him to be the best in his field, so don’t miss this rare chance to learn from him. You need to take with you something suitable to use a pendulum. Any object, which has a bit of weight to it that, can be attached to a piece of string or something similar. It's a bit like a plumb line, but really anything will do.

Pasta & Bread Making Workshop .. not as easy as it looks .. but it's lots of floury fun!

Date: Saturday 19th October 2013 Place: Becketts Farm, Wythall (B47 6AJ) # Meet: 4.45pm for 5.00pm Finish around 8.00pm Cost: £48 (£52 Guest) Inc: recipe cards plus your bread creations to take home We’ve had lots of recommendations for Becketts Farm so thought it was time we tried them out. They have a wonderful complex dedicated to the love of food, including a large farm shop hall, restaurant and an excellent cookery school. After a full demonstration from their professional chef, we will pair up together to get rolling, kneading and proving our own dough. We will need to work together to make fresh pasta ribbons, competing to see who can get the longest! Our second challenge is to take on the role of master baker! We’ll knead bread rolls and plaits and bake off some beautiful foccacia rounds to take home and enjoy. Why not arrive early to look round Becketts Farm, see www.beckettsfarm.co.uk 64

Introduction to Sculpture .. learn a new skill

Date: Saturday 26 October 2013 Place: Kairos Sculpture, Stourbridge # (DY8 4HF) Meet: 10am - 1pm Cost: £5 Member, £7 Guest Includes: all materials, tools,equipment. tuition and instruction. Extras: PLUS £35 balance on the day. Have fun and learn a new skill through stone carving with Philip Potter, on this introductory half day taster session. The workshop will be hosted at the Kairos Sculpture studio situated behind the New Ruskin Glass Centre. Philip will host a hands on class beginning with the basic tool skills needed for letter-cutting, leading to pattern-making and 3D sculpture. No previous experience is required. You will be taught techniques in carving from start to finish. Sessions can be tailored to each participant's entry level of skill and needs from the very beginning. During the session, Philip will introduce the materials and tools with a brief history of the local stone reserves in the area. Individuals are presented with a block of Portland limestone (half the size of a breeze block or 6 - 7 Kg's) on a bench. We start with letter-cutting, progressing on to relief carving. You will be asked to produce your own designs and creative input is encouraged. For half day taster sessions, letter cutting will enable you to get the feel for the tools and the material. You will also have the opportunity to proceed to relief carving. By the end of the session, you will have created your own sculpture to take home and enjoy. Please wear strong boots with hard toe caps (walking boots are acceptable) - aprons, masks, goggles will be provided. You are welcome to bring along any images or sketches and so forth for ideas and inspiration.

Family History Evening with the Mormons th

.. including a live link up to Salt Lake City!

Date: Wednesday 27 November 2013 Place: Penns Lane, Walmley, Sutton Coldfield (B76 1JU) Coulter Family in the 1930’s (and no .. I’m not on it!) Meet: 7.30pm to approx 9pm Cost: Free The Mormons (or to be correct, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) are the undisputed experts when it comes to tracing our ancestors. At our recent “Behind the Scenes” at the church, a lot of people expressed interest in knowing more about this area of their work and the billions (yes, literally) of records that they hold. So we have persuaded Kerri to put on a very special evening for us. The highlight of our evening will be a live linkup on the big screen to an expert in British genealogy at the church’s Family History Centre (the largest in the world) in Salt Lake City. This will include a fascinating question and answer session and insight into the work that goes on there. Kerri will also show us the resources at the centre in Penns Lane and will have lots of laptops available for us to use to find out information about our own families. There are vast resources as the church runs the website www.familysearch.org . Cost: This is a free event, but donations are welcomed on a voluntary basis. However, you must be pre booked to attend. Important: Arranging this type of event is very dependent on goodwill. Therefore, we ask that if you book you do turn up on the day (or let us know in good time if you can’t make it) and that you are respectful to our hosts and their traditions. More: Watch a short video from the link at the end of this write up on line. You’ll be amazed by the scale of their vaults!

Australia by Ian on Australia Day th

.. his offbeat assesment of the land down under!

Date: Sunday 26 January 2014 Place: Royal Hotel, High St, Sutton Coldfield (B72 1UD) – Directions online Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £8 Member, £10 Guest Ian made 2 special trips ‘down under’ especially to research this talk (well one was his honeymoon as well!). He last presented this talk in 2009 and I’ve had lots of requests for a repeat performance. Australia Day seemed the perfect excuse! So sit back and enjoy this entertaining and amusing evening. As this is Ian, don't expect a 'travelogue', more an offbeat look at Australia and the Australian way of life…with, of course a few trams, 2CV's and phone boxes along the way! If you are from 'Oz' yourself, just bring a sense of humour for protection against offence! Get set to travel from Aborigines to Zircon's for an hour or so's fun - and hold on tight!. There’s Always More On-line! Much as we try, we can’t cram all our events into our Newsletter. Also, new events are being launched on the website every day. Check out the full programme at www,spicebham.com

Glass Art Workshop

.. an introduction to making stunning glass designs!

Date: Sunday 8th December 2013 Place: Visionary Glass, Pitsford St, Hockley, Birmingham (B18 6LJ) Meet: 10.00am to 5.00pm Cost: £90 (£95 guest) PAID AS deposit of £15 (£20 Guest) plus balance of £75 on the day An exciting introductory course into the world of bespoke glass. An opportunity to learn the concept of glass fusing. Individually hand-cut fragments of glass are carefully built up in layers on a clear base, before fusing them all together in the kiln at over 800ºC. Finely textured detail is often embedded into the underside of the piece to add depth and description, and elsewhere crushed and powdered glass is delicately scattered to give tonal hints and shading. The panel is then held in the kiln just long enough to fuse the fragments together, without them losing their individual contours. The panel is then bonded to a mirrored base and framed or mounted in a number of different options, all of which come complete with easy to hang fittings. Reflections through the glass and mirror bring the finished piece to life, sparkling like a jewel in the ever changing light, the contours and undulations inviting to the touch. Every panel is an original, individually signed and dated by the artist, and a truly unique focal point for any interior. Designs are available in a variety of styles and in a colour combination to compliment your deco. All tools and materials will be provided, together with light refreshments for the morning and afternoon. Please provide your own lunch or choose from the many options nearby. No experience is necessary for the day and the panels you produce will be available 2 days later for collection.

Don't Diet - Change the way you Eat th

.. discover the best food for fitness & health

Date: Sunday 16 February 2014 Place: The Arden Hotel, Coventry Road by NEC (B92 0EH) Meet: 10.30am to approx 3.30pm workshop Cost: £49 (£55 Guest) for max 12 people. Incl: Light sandwich lunch & 2 x coffees and a one to one follow up call with Bev Would you like to lose weight and keep it off? ● Do you find yourself on a diet every few months, and then regain what you’ve lost? ● Or do you feel tired, and lack energy most days? ● Would you like to feel great by improving your eating? If you said yes to either of the above then this workshop is for you. The focus will be on healthy eating, not dieting. The aim is for you to make sustainable changes to what, where, when & how you eat. By making the changes you will feel fitter, be healthier, have more energy and lose some weight! Bev Brammer, a qualified nutritionist doesn’t believe in diets – she believes in developing a healthy relationship with food to enable you to have increased energy levels and to feel fantastic! Bev has had great success in helping her clients achieve their goals, and will inspire you to make healthy changes to your every day diet. Most people don’t understand why they eat what they eat, and why they make the choices they do. Others are confused by the amount of conflicting information out there – the diet industry bombards us every day with new ideas. On the day Bev will help you to understand: ● Why diets don’t work long term ● What foods cause weight gain/cravings ● What is healthy eating ● How to achieve the changes – turning bad habits in to good ones ● Setting your goals ● How to PLAN for success – one of the main keys to achieving your goals More Info: This is an edited writeup, for the full writeup and for directions to the hotel, see the online version.

Makeup Skills Lesson with Esther Marie th

.. be more confident when you apply your makeup

Date: Sunday 26 January 2014 Place: Spice Office, 6A Burnett Rd, Streetly (B74 3EJ) – see details online Meet: 2pm to 6pm Cost: £26 Member, £29 Guest includes teas/ coffees & biscuits Do you dread the thought of applying your own makeup? Feel uncomfortable going in to the cosmetics department to ask for help? Unsure where to start and what colours to use? Have lots of questions but not sure who to ask...? In a relaxed and small group learn the basic makeup skills that will get you feeling confident on how to apply your own make up and look your best. Esther Marie has over 24 years in the makeup industry and knows the simple make up application the techniques to get you started. In the 4 hour workshop you will apply your own make up as well as having Esther to follow and help at any point you feel you need it. Included in the workshop you will learn: How to choose the correct foundation shade; The importance of “less is more!”; Changing your look from natural daytime to evening; working with features and face shape to enhance your best features; how to correct mistakes without removing it all. A wide range of makeup and skincare products will be provided from a wide range of top cosmetic companies. However please bring your makeup bag if you would like advice on the products you are currently using. 66

Ragley Hall Rambling & Sketching ..enjoy the day with Ragley’s new Artist in Residence

Date: Sunday 27th October 2013 Place: Ragley Hall, Warwickshire (B49 5NJ) # Meet: 10.30am Cost: £19 (£25 Guest) Incl: Entrance to Ragley & artist guide A gentle ramble with Dawn Harris the Artist in Residence around the ‘Capability’ Brown gardens, woodland walk and grounds of the Ragley Hall Estate. During the walk Dawn will point out the sculptures from the Montgomery Trust Collection and choose places of interest to stop and sketch the artworks, the architecture of the 17th Century Hall and the impressive landscape. The day begins at 10.30am at the Ragley Gallery and Studios where you can view the exhibition and studio artists at work, and finish back at the Gallery where you can enjoy a cup of tea and a cake or visit the Ragley Terrace Café. You are then welcome to stay and enjoy the rest of the estate for the afternoon. On Sundays only the House is open for guided tours for an additional £2 per person to be paid on the day. A supply of sketch books and pencils are available for a small donation if you don’t want to bring your own.

Chocolate Experience

.. become a chocolatier for the morning

Date: Saturday 7 December 2013 Place: Strathallan Menzies Hotel Hagley Rd (B16 9RY) Meet: 10.45 for 11am - 12.30pm Cost: £35 (£39 Guest) includes your very own chocolates to take home! How does a morning or afternoon immersed in the delicious world of chocolate sound? Throughout this exclusive morning with a premier chocolate maker we will learn everything to know about chocolate with a little tasting along the way! This will be a hands on workshop creating Belgian truffles to take home. We will learn professional skills and techniques of chocolate work in an informal, fun way, including finishing and decorating your chocolates, wrapping and bagging them too. There will be an indulgent chocolate fountain to enjoy throughout. The techniques can then be carried over to kitchen work at home afterwards. All materials and protective aprons are supplied. Wear casual clothes – you will get chocolaty!

Intro to EFT & Energy Connections th

.. like acupuncture but without the needles!

Date: Saturday 26 October 2013 Place: Lea Marston Hotel, just off A4097 nr M42 (B76 0BY) Meet: 10.00am start Cost: £39 (£45 Guest) includes CD Rom, coffees/teas & light buffet lunch “You may have seen Paul McKenna or other celebrities using it on TV or heard it recently on Radio 2” So, join us for this informative and fun day on EFT and see what it can help you with in your life! Emotional Freedom Techniques is an emotional version of acupuncture but without the needles! Instead, you stimulate well established energy meridian points on your body by tapping on them with your fingertips. You will be amazing by the group reactions when we do the cravings exercise! You may have major issues or simply lots of little niggles, both of which create unwanted stress, frustration or unhappiness. By using EFT you can deal with any issues and dissolve your niggles, bringing yourself back into a happier balance! EFT is a powerful therapeutic tool which is used to help clear things from fear of public speaking or flying to improving your golf score or relieving pain or anxiety - the results of which can be fast and are generally long lasting. The technique is easy to learn and is suitable and safe for all, you can use it to: ● Clear the emotional issues or nagging voices that are affecting your life ● Reduce stress and anxiety to bring more calm and peace into your life ● Help to achieve weight goals, stop smoking or reduce cravings (chocolate, food etc) ● Improve your sporting, creative or personal performance ● Create a more positive way of thinking and direction in life ● Clear the blocks and step into your success, quickly! ● Feel more positive and at ease dealing with challenging situations ● Relieve or manage pain. In many cases it is possible to resolve the issues which created the pain ● Improve your relationships by clearing issues surrounding them Read More: A fuller writeup for this amazing event can be found at www.spicebham,com

Booking a Workshop for Business?

Just let us know and we’ll send you a VAT receipt so you can claim it back 67

Oil Painting in a Day - Painting Autumn .. you'll be astounded what you can acheive the Bob Ross way!

Saturday 5th October 2013 (check for future dates on line) Friends Meeting House, Sandhills Road, Barnt Green (B45 8NR) # 9.45 to 4pm £55 (£60 guests) PAID AS £7 (£12 Guests) deposit to Spice PLUS £48 directly to supplier on day (by cash or cheque). Includes all materials Josephine Lloyd is a qualified Bob Ross Oil Painting Instructor running one day painting workshops that give absolute beginners the opportunity to learn new skills and have fun creating a fantastic picture in their very first class. If you’ve always wanted to paint in Oils but did not know where to begin this is a great way to start. This time the subject is “Painting the Autumn Landscape”. Workshops have a maximum of 8 students so everyone is guaranteed individual attention and all materials and equipment are provided - all you need to bring is a lunch and the desire to paint! You’ll go home with a finished picture that is ready to hang on the wall! We will all be painting the same landscape.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Saxophone for Beginners

.. from total sax virgin to playing the blues

Date: Saturday 5 October 2013 (check for future dates on line) Place: Coten End School, Warwick (CV34 4NP) # Meet: 10.30am - 1.00pm Cost: £16.50 Member, £18.50 Guest An opportunity to begin play the saxophone for people who have never played before. Trevor will demonstrate saxophone playing in various styles and talk about the history of the instrument. It's then hands on learning all the techniques required to play the saxophone: embouchure, posture, breathing and fingering. You will learn some tunes and learn how to improvise to a 12 bar blues backing track. Trevor will guide you through the event making sure you maximise your potential to get on the road to becoming the next Courtney Pine or Barbara Thompson.

Improve Your Laugh Life

…learn the secrets of a happier life with Kate Hull Rogers Date: Saturday 26th October 2013 Place: Lea Marston Hotel, just off A4097 nr M42 (B76 0BY) Meet: 10.30am Cost: £49 (£55 Guest) incl. teas/ coffees & light buffet lunch We all know “ Laughter is the best medicine” but how can we learn to laugh more? Kate Hull Rodgers, Humour Consultant to health organisations, businesses & governments on 5 continents will teach us how. With wild wacky exercises such as “Humour-obics” we will soon see how simple it is to practice the skills of having a Humour perspective. Kate will share with us her unique 12 step programme that will help us be happier. Today’s session has the potential of being a Life changing experience – or just one heck of a good laugh! We will learn to: ● Laugh more easily ● Use Humour to deal with anger & conflict – nor more road rage or desk rage ● Reduce your blood pressure ● Release your body’s “happiness hormones” – natural endorphins ● Strengthen your immune system ● Sustain your good moods, shorten your down times ● Maximise the benefits of relaxation ● Find the lighter side of every day stresses & strains ● Program your VCR (oh, come on – don’t expect miracles!) Kate’s background is in health and she is an award winning comedienne. The session promises to be very, very funny but Kate emphasizes it is not about telling jokes or being funny & foolish… it is about finding your sense of fun.

Birmingham Museum Tea & Tour th

.. an afternoon with the Pre Raphaelites

Date: Saturday 26 October 2013 Place: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (B3 3DH) Meet: 1.00pm Cost: £12 Member, £14 Guest includes themed tour and tea & cake afterwards Ford Maddox Brown's lovely evocation of an English autumn afternoon will be just one of the much loved Pre Raphaelite paintings to be included in this tour. Rossetti, Millais and Holman Hunt will also be included. Our October, Autumnal, tour will conclude with afternoon tea and cake in the Edwardian tearooms, where we can continue to chat about our very favourite Pre Raphaelite painting. 68

Indian Head Massage Workshop .. make yourself a very popular person!

Date: Sunday 20 October 2013 Place: Arden Hotel, Coventry Road, by NEC (B92 0EH) – directions on our website Meet: 10.30am to 4.00pm Cost: £39 (£45 Guest) includes teas/coffees & sandwich lunch This is a real treat. The aim of the workshop is to introduce you to the basic skills of this ancient therapy in a practical manner (practicing on each other), and give you the chance to familiarise yourself with some of these skills. You should finish the day feeling a whole lot better! You don't need any prior experience, but any of you who have attended a massage workshop before will know you're in for a real indulgence. It is a simple, highly beneficial therapy which is popular throughout the Indian sub-continent. Massage of the scalp, face, neck and shoulders soothes, comforts and rebalances the energy flow to produce a feeling of peace, well being and tranquillity. It not only relieves stress, but also stimulates the scalp, helps eliminate muscular tension and is incredibly relaxing. As this massage can be done fully clothed, with or without oils and in a sitting position it is an excellent form of massage for those who do not like oils, or are unable to lie down, and what's more it can be done anywhere anytime! The idea is that you have lots of fun, and an enjoyable day learning, receiving and giving this relaxing style of massage. You'll also be ready to try out your new found skills on your friends, family and work colleagues, which should make you extremely popular! Just bring a small pillow or cushion, an old towel and hairbrush to repair your hair after! We suggest non-restrictive clothing, preferably a short sleeved/vest top. Medical Notes: Please check the listing on the event writeup on our website at www.spicebham.com if you think you might have a medical condition or situation that could prevent you taking part. Ruth Hickinbotham is our expert for today. A fully qualified Advanced Reflexologist and Remedial Massage Therapist.

Everyday Hairstyling & Makeup Lesson .. achieve that just stepped out of the salon look at home

Date: Tuesday 29th October 2013 Place: Shear Success Clarence Rd, Sutton Coldfield (B74 4LT) Meet: 7pm for 7.15pm Cost: £5 Member, £8 Guest You know the feeling you bounce out of the hair salon feeling wonderful, two days later you wash and dry your hair yourself and it looks nothing like it did two days ago when you left the salon. Join the Shear Success team for a relaxed evening where we will discuss the perfect hairstyle to suit your faceshape and show you hints and tips to enable you to get the most from your particular haircut. If you have long hair they can show you easy ways to achieve an 'up do' for both day and night. Bring along the tools you currently use or can't use! To perfect your look the make up artists will then show you how to apply make up for a perfect daytime finish.

Pamper Evening at Shear Salon & Spa th

.. a night of pampering

Date: Wednesday 13 November 2013 Place: Shear Success Clarence Rd, Sutton Coldfield (B74 4LT) Meet: 7pm for 7.15pm Cost: £5 (£8 Guest) Incl: canapés, glass of bubbly, and two mini pampering treatments Join the Shear Success team for a night of pampering, enjoy canapés and a glass of bubbly, then choose two of the following mini pampering treatments, mini facial, mini massage, mini manicure, mini pedicure, threading, spray tan, head shoulder and neck massage, hand and arm massage, hair style or colour consultation, hair styling including a hair styling lesson, make up lesson. Take home a goody bag of mini products including money off vouchers.

What’s is a “Guest”?

Some events have a separate price that applies if you want to bring a “guest” along to an event. The “guest” option is there for members to use to introduce new people to the group and for friends/ family for whom membership is not practical (eg visiting from another area). The Guest arrangements are offered at our discretion and cannot be used to avoid membership (eg by lapsed members). A “guest” must come along to the event with you (unless specifically agreed otherwise) and you are responsible for their good conduct. A “Guest” may accompany you at up to 3 events – after which we consider it fair to expect them to join themselves.

Blacksmithing Evening .. learn a new skill with friends

Thursday 21st Nov 2013 or Wednesday 15th Jan 2014 Ashbrook House, Lichfield (WS14 9QJ) – directions with on line writeup Choose 6.30pm or 8.30pm Slot £12 (£14 guests) PAID AS £2 (£4) deposit to Spice to book PLUS balance of £10 to supplier on the day. Incl: equipment & materials. Your masterpiece to take home This is a simple, fun evening with a Blacksmith around his country forge where he manufactures a range of beautiful objects such as iron gates, decorative ironwork and even the candlesticks for Lichfield Cathedral! Each small group of Spice members will be issued with safety equipment including leather aprons before a full safety briefing. We will then be taught how to work hot metal with hammer and tongues on the anvil. There will be demonstrations before we get to make an item ourselves. Each session lasts a couple of hours, after which there’s the Shoulder of Mutton just across the road! Time Slots: We can only take 6 around the forge at a time (you can’t have too many irons in the fire as they say!), so have planned 2 groups of 6 people. Please choose 6.30pm or 8.30pm when you book. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

R.A.I.D - Rapid Action Initiated Defence rd

.. the ultimate 2 day self development course

Date: Saturday 23 to Sunday 24th November 2013 Place: The Budokan, Sutton Street, Birmingham (B1 1PE) Meet: 9.30am - 5.30pm Each Day Cost: £420 (£440 Guest) Incl: Intensive 2 day non residential course. Refreshments Extra: £50 charge for those that wish to complete the assignments and receive the level 3 Certification Yes, you have read the price correctly. This is no ordinary self defence course, but a whole experience in self development that will make you much more confident in any area of potential conflict in your life. The instructors believe that it will benefit many areas of your life. R.A.I.D is a uniquely different approach to modern self defence and conflict management. The system has been designed by Tremaine Kent a retired member of the UK Elite Special Forces and pioneer in the world of modern self defence. The course is unique in that it not only develops your survivability on the street but also provides an academic portfolio. The intensive course is delivered via e-learning modules and over a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) where you will be submerged in personal security and defence training. The course has been designed for anyone irrespective of Age, Gender or Physical Prowess and is delivered in a safe friendly environment. You will find yourself learning new concepts that will keep you safe on the streets of today. Imagine having new self-knowledge which builds your confidence from within, enabling you to better understand yourself and others as well as the belief in your own ability to deal with conflict and self-defence situations. This new level of “self-confidence” is in fact transferrable to many aspects of your everyday life; ● Enhanced communication and interaction at work and at home ● Stress management ● Heightened observation and awareness skills ● Improved self-belief and self-image The RAID programme is a course of self-discovery and a life changing event, unlike any other. Visit: www.h2hselfdefence.co.uk to learn more about the programme and watch some videos. Note: This course is not exclusive to Spice, but will also have public bookings.

Christmas Card Making Workshop .. make some wonderful hand made cards!

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Tuesday 26th November 2013 Meet inside The Spice Office (B74 3EJ) 7.30pm Start (ends around 9.30pm) £8.50 (£10 Guests), paid as £2.50 (£4 guests) to book and the balance of £6 to the instructor on the day. Includes: Drinks, biscuits & 3 cards to take away Have you ever wanted to make your own christmas cards for those special people in your life? We’ve arranged a two hour card making workshop where you'll create three beautiful hand made cards and one 3d item from scratch. All products and materials will be provided as well as one to one support and guidance where needed! We don’t have space for many people in our “boardroom”, so if this date fills quickly we will arrange another date. The Venue: The Spice Office is above the shops at 6a Burnett Road in Streetly, Sutton Coldfield B74 3EJ. Press the buzzer on the green door which is on the side of car park entrance road. There is parking on the road, and around the back.

Cupcake Christmas Decorating Workshop st

.. join the cupcake revolution!

Date: Sunday 1 December 2013 Place: Middleton Hall, between Sutton Coldfield & Tamworth (B78 2AE) Meet: 1.45 for 2.00pm start (finish at 4.30pm) Cost: £39 (£42 Guest) Includes: Teas/ coffees This Christmas themed workshop is suitable for complete beginners or those with some cake decorating experience. You’ll decorate 12 Christmas cupcakes with Christmas themed designs such as 3d Christmas pudding, snowmen and pefectly wrapped pressies. You’ll also learn to pipe a holly wreath. To help the festive atmosphere there’s non alcoholic mulled wine and Christmas music. Sarah will make the cakes for you before hand and you don't need to take anything with you as she supplies it all. She will also have her 'shop' at the venue so you can buy equipment to continue decorating at home. At the end you have 12 amazing cupcakes to take away and show off to your friends! Directions: Middleton Hall is signposted off A4091 which runs between Tamworth (at Fazeley) & Sutton (at Wishaw).

Christmas Cooking Demo & Dine rd

.. all the flavour without the fuss!

Date: Tuesday 3 December 2013 Place: Seasoned Cookery School, Nr Lichfield (DE12 8LN) # Meet: 7.00pm to 9.30pm Cost: £48 (£53 Guest) Incl: welcome drink, canapes, demonstration & 3 course dinner. Seasoned Cookery school specialises in inspirational cooking courses taught by friendly, passionate chefs. This evening we will enjoy a Demonstration and Dine for the festive season. This will be Christmas inspiration for those looking to entertain small groups of family and friends - all the flavour without the fuss! The evening will start with a Welcome drink and canapés. Our chef for the evening, Clare, specialises in tasty cooking that can be prepared in advance allowing you to enjoy quality time with friends, family & a glass of wine! Here is our menu. Clare will demonstrate the chicken ballotine and also explain how she prepares the desserts: ● Chicken ballotine, with a cranberry and herb stuffing, wrapped in cured ham and slow cooked in a rich red wine & cranberry reduction, served with festive vegetables and crispy roast potatoes. ● A trio of deserts; festive poached plums, iced christmas pudding and home-made meringue kisses ● Coffee & chocolate truffles Recipes will be provided for everyone. After the demonstration we will then enjoy our first two courses in the dining room followed by Coffee & Chocolates in the kitchen.

Feel the Fear .. and do it anyway®

.. change your life with a team accredited by the author!

Date: Saturday 7th December 2013 Place: Lea Marston Hotel, just off A4097 between Kingsbury & M42 J9 (B76 0BY) Meet: 10.00am start Cost: £49 Member, £55 Guest includes coffees/teas & basic snack at lunch The name of today’s workshop is the registered trademark of Susan Jeffers, author of the international bestseller of that name - and is being used with her express permission. The workshop is licensed by Susan and based on her teachings. It is for anyone who is allowing fear, doubt, worry or social anxiety to reduce their effectiveness and enjoyment of life. How many times have you wanted to do something but stopped yourself because you were afraid or didn't feel you were good enough? This all comes down to one powerful emotion - fear - and all too often we decide that this is a good enough reason not to take action. During this workshop you will learn, step by step, how to Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway so you can move from a place of powerlessness to a place of excitement, energy and power. Our trainers, Dianne & Andy have incorporated all of the most powerful and effective techniques they've learned and applied so successfully to our own lives. By taking everything you will learn today and applying it to your life consistently, a 'New Empowered You' will become your new way of living ... you will begin to fear-less... and your life will change dramatically for the better... this was certainly how it happened for them! The workshop is a deeply inspirational experience, during which you can listen and share as much as you wish, through written exercises, open discussion, guided visualisations and practical demonstrations. You will begin to see life from a new empowering perspective and understand just how false your fears really are. You will also begin to fall in love with who you are and realise how important this is. We know for sure that you will feel amongst friends and no matter what your fears are, Di & Andy always see the people on their workshops bond as they share their experiences. They will also share their own experiences of overcoming fear, which both had to do. Come and start your journey from fear to inspired living! You need to own a copy of the book for this workshop. 71

Attract, Create & Maintain a Perfect Relationship .. a breakthrough opportunity with two relationship experts!

Date: Sunday 8th December 2013 Place: Lea Marston Hotel, just off A4097 nr M42 (B76 0BY) Meet: 10.00am start Cost: £49 Member, £55 Guest includes coffees/teas & light buffet lunch Do you believe you’ll ever experience the kind relationship you’ve secretly dreamed of? Many people are hoping to meet ‘the one’, whilst finding reasons to reject potentially ideal partners over and over again. It can be so frustrating to find yourself in the same kind of relationship scenario time and time again. Replaying similar patterns. The same old things going wrong each time. Sound familiar? You see, less than 10% of relationships live up to the ideal – the dream that one or both partners have of what they wanted the relationship to be. The rest of us… well, we either grin and bear it, settling for what we have, putting a brave face on it, but deep down neither party is happy – at best they are playing it safe… Or, we split up, feel bad for a while, then start dating, get hooked on the buzz of someone appearing to accept us… and then we go around the not-so ‘merry-go-round all over again. So…  Are you single and wondering what you are doing wrong/why you can’t find your ideal partner?  Are you feeling lonely and unloved?  Are you nervous around the opposite sex or fearful and mistrusting of relationships or partners?  Do you keep attracting the wrong kind of partner and relationship?  Do you mistrust your own feelings and judgments about the opposite sex?  Do you crave love, but fear rejection?  Are you able to be yourself in a relationship? Whether you’re male or female, if any of this resonates with you then this workshop will be a positive revelation to you!  Find out what the opposite sex wants from a relationship  Discover FIRST HAND all the baggage you're taking into your relationship with you!... and REMOVE IT!  Learn how to discover the real you and how to be yourself in a relationship (at all times)  Discover how to have an argument.. and the ONE thing a man needs to know to diffuse an argument in its tracks!  Learn how to listen in ways you never imagined possible.  Male vs female communication success tips and pitfalls to avoid.  The differences in how men and women think and behave.  How to create romance and keep it alive.  Learn how an intimate relationship and passionate connection are like 2 Duracell batteries… the spark that is polarity!  Step into each other’s yin and yang for true bonding.  The Secret to great quality communication with the opposite sex... like never before! Also….  Optimum dating strategies.  ‘The Dirty Dozen’ – 12 hopeless dating strategies to avoid!  The 10 Forms of Attraction. HINT: Most singles only focus on 2 or 3, creating havoc in their selection of a partner!  Recognise and avoid dependency and co-dependency - it cripples relationships!  Learn how to trust your intuition... every time, every situation!  Identify your relationships ‘must-haves’, ‘must-not-haves’ and ‘nice-to-haves’. Hint: this is essential for singles!  Discover the ONE THING you need to be to attract the partner of your dreams!  Guys - discover the SECRET to sweeping your woman off her feet ...every single time! Ladies, discover how to encourage and allow the right man, your white knight, to sweep you off your feet.

Andy Nicholson - Has 40 days training as a relationship coach. He lived and worked at a top relationship retreat for nearly two years working with 100s of singles and couples looking for love. Andy is also a trained: Master Practitioner of NLP, Leadership Coach, Executive Coach, certified PRISM Brain Mapping practitioner. He has 15 years experience as an entrepreneur and management consultant. Andy helps men and women to understand and utilise their masculine and feminine energy in all aspects of their life. He is also a coach and mentor in achieving work-life balance. Diane MacDowall - Motivation Method Therapist and Coach, Diploma in Life Coaching (Distinction), Diploma in Tutoring for the Life Coaching Institute, Advanced Leadership Coach, Licensed Practitioner in Advanced Hypnotherapy and Master Practitioner of NLP. Together they’ve been featured in Kindred Spirit magazine, High Spirit magazine, Soul & Spirit magazine, the Daily Express and The Vision Board book. We’ve been interviewed many times on BBC Radio and were invited speakers at the prestigious Mind Body Spirit event in London in 2010. They have studied relationships from many different perspectives and made many of the classic mistakes in the past and chosen to learn from them. They very much put into practise what they teach and are constantly developing their understanding of love and what it is to be human! Andy and Di met online. They had a long distance relationship for 6 months, and moved in together after having spent a total of only 3 weeks physically together over those few months. And it was then, that their true journey really began .. ______________________________ 72

Weekends & Holidays The following pages contain selected weekends & trips offered to our members. Spice UK overseas trips are listed separately in the colour section of this Newsletter.

Courchevel 1850 Spice West Mids Ski Trip .. world class skiing, world class resort

Saturday 25 January - Saturday 1st February 2014 Chalet Hotel Les Anemones, Courchevel 1850 (B26 3QJ) # Birmingham Airport Earlybird Rate (3 places left at this): £735 (Deposit £125) Flights from Birmingham, return coach transfers, 7 nights accom, Cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner (6 nights), flight supplements, wine with meals, room supplements. Spice coordinator (Maggie) Extra: Single room option (on request - please call) otherwise we can link shares. Ski equip. (if req’d), Ski carriage (if req’d), one dinner (on Chef's night off), lift pass. It is also a requirement that you have travel insurance. This can be provided by Spice UK (www.spiceuk.com or 0161 873 8788) We are very proud to have secured another of Europe’s ultimate ski destination for our West Midlands trip 2014. Courchevel 1850 is the playground of the rich and famous. It is the best location in Europes largest linked ski area and offers great skiing for absolutely all abilities. The resort is also, of course, well known for the great après ski and together with the Spice ingredients of fun, friendship and superb skiing this should be a trip that ticks all the boxes. Our hotel is in an excellent central location just 30 metres away from La Croisette lift and offers a huge choice of fast ski-lifts plus skiing back to the doorstep. The stylish, world-famous amenities of Courchevel 1850 are all within a short walk also. Ski Area: With the 3 Valleys area lift pass, you can enjoy 600 km of ski slopes served by 183 ski lifts, which can transport 260,000 skiers per hour. Confident skiers/ boarders can easily navigate to neighbouring resorts. The possibilities are endless and Maggie will help you get the very best out of every moment in the Valleys. For beginners, the ski schools are excellent and you will soon progress onto wide, confidence building runs. Chalet Hotel Anémones: has a cosy and intimate style, with the attractive restaurant setting the scene for enjoying your delicious Chalet Hotel cuisine. The atmospheric bar offers Free WI-FI access and TV/DVD, as well as some of the best value prices in Courchevel! The 30 bedrooms are arranged on three floors, including the ground level and two floors below but all with views over the lower part of the resort. The rooms are simply but comfortably furnished and all en suite. Food and Drink: Meals include buffet breakfast with hot options, afternoon tea and freshly baked cakes, 5-course dinners with choice of menu, followed by coffee & chocolates, Aperitif and choice of complimentary quality wines with dinner. Rooming: We are holding 40 places which would be most of the hotel and we have a range of twin and double rooms. Triple rooms and single rooms can be requested (single room supplement calculated on request). As usual, we will link people up to share the twin rooms (or if you already know someone who you wish to share with, just let us know). Spice Programme: The Coordinator will be on hand to make sure that everyone gets the best out of the trip. Regular meet ups (ski & social) ensure that there is always the opportunity to be with a group of friendly, like minded Spice members. The Tour Operator is Inghams (Atol 0025), for whom we act as an agent and their terms and conditions of booking apply. Your money is further protected via our Trust Account, in accordance with EC travel regulations. Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl:

Istanbul Experience

.. discover this amazing city with Richard!

Date: Thursday 7 - Sunday 10th March 2014 LAST FEW PLACES Place: Birmingham Airport/ Istanbul, Turkey # Meet: Birmingham Airport for Turkish Airlines Scheduled Flights Cost: £464 (£484 Guest) Single supp £85 (Deposit £149) Includes: Return Turkish Airlines flights from Birmingham to Istanbul (Ataturk) Airport, transfers to/from hotel, services of Spice Coordinator, 3 nights bed and breakfast in a centrally located Hotel. Meet and greet with guide. Extras: Travel Insurance is compulsory (Spice UK can help with this if you don’t have a policy), meals (except breakfast). Single room option add £85 (otherwise we link twin shares). Any optional tours/ activities. Visa (currently) £10 on arrival. Précis: This is a very special Spice opportunity for 20 lucky Spice members to discover Europe’s most enigmatic city. This trip is coordinated by Richard, who knows the city well and has connections family there. He will seek to introduce you to the best sites, the best food and the best socializing that this incredible city can offer. We have also opted to use scheduled Turkish Airlines flights which have great service, seating and complimentary meals and refreshments. They also fly into the main Ataturk Airport for a shorter transfer. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request 73

WW1 Battlefields Discovery Tour .. discover the famous sites of the Great War

Friday 7 - Monday 10th February 2014 Hotel Mercure, Arras, France # Coach from Sutton, City or NEC £319 (£349 Guest) sharing twin or double. A few single rooms are also available at a supp. of £70 (otherwise we link people for twin shares). (Deposit £50, Balance due 12/11/13) Incl: Executive coach travel throughout; Ferry crossings, 3 nights accommodation welcome drink on arrival Buffet style breakfast each morning of your stay. Excursions as detailed. Specialist guide. Spice coordinator. Extra: Meals other than breakfast. Any entry fees. Travel insurance is compulsory (can be obtained available from Spice UK - visit www.spiceuk.com) 2014 is a year of anniversaries of crucial military events that shaped our futures. As well as the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of WW1, it will also mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in WW2. Not forgetting the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall which ended The Cold War. This is an opportunity for a small group (approx 20) to visit the the battlefields of WW1, a war classed as the 'Great War' where over 9 million soldiers died as a result of the fighting. Almost all of us will have relatives who fought and maybe perished on these battlefields, so it could well have an extra poignancy to add to the fascinating stories of a war that has only recently slipped out of “living memory”. Our Specialist Guide, Simon Footer MBE: Simon is now regional director of RAF Benevolent Fund following 33 years of RAF service, predominantly as a special forces Hercules pilot and latterly as a flying instructor. He commanded LXX Squadron based at RAF Lyneham during the build up of the Afghanistan operation and continues to fly on an occasional basis as a reservist instructor at RAF Cosford. He started running battlefiled tours when he was on the Staff at the Defence Academy, Shrivenham and “caught the bug”. Over the last ten years he’s conducted over 25 tours of the Somme and Normandy for the military and other enthusiastic groups plus friends and even his own family! Tour Precis (fuller details awaited): We travel down by coach and ferry to France. Arras is only approx 1 hour from Calais so we plan to arrive approx 5.30pm for our welcome drink together before we head out to the local restaurants for an evening meal. The next day we will tour the Somme Valley and plan to find a spot for lunch near to the Lochnagar bomb crater. Next day we expect to spend the morning in Arras to study the local battle and the tunnel system and the afternoon at Vimy Ridge, which is particularly beautiful . For our last day we plan to visit Mons on our way to Calais. Our Hotel: The Mercure Arras Centre hotel is a modern 4 star business hotel located opposite the TGV train station, just a few steps from the old town with its squares and belfry, which is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The hotel boasts an ideal location close to the Louvre Lens museumand the Notre Dame de Lorette and Vimy remembrance sites.Rooms have flat-screen TV with international channels, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities and free WIFI. Bathroom with bathtub and shower, complimentary items and hairdryer. Eating & Drinking: A hot & cold 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. We may need to split into smaller groups to eat out and meet after in the bars. The tour operator we are using is Success Tours. We act as their agents and their terms and conditions apply. These can be viewed on line. Spice further protect your payments through our own Trust Accounts. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2013/14 th

.. see in the New Year close to Princes Street!

Date: Monday 30 Dec 2013 - Wednesday 1st Jan 2014 Place: Travelodge, Edinburgh (EH4 1PW) # Cost: £259 (£279 Guest) sharing (Deposit £50). Incl: 2 nights B&B, Concert in the Gardens ticket, Torchlight Procession ticket & Spice Coordinator throughout Extra: Extra nights can be booked with hotel. Tuesday Hogmanay Champagne Dinner Edinburgh is the home of Hogmanay and the very best place to welcome 2014 in style, with over 200,000 revellers enjoying spectacular events throughout the New Year. Now entering its 21st year, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2013 promises to be the biggest and best party ever and Spice Scotland invite you to join us! The celebration includes live music stages, giant screens, light and laser shows and the spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Midnight Fireworks when over 4.5 tonnes of fireworks light up the Edinburgh sky in one of the world’s largest New Year displays. After a welcome meeting we will then head to Edinburgh’s Royal Mile for the stunning Torchlight procession. Imagine the scene – 15000 people all carrying flame torches to Carlton Hill. This really is a sight to behold. Read more about this amazing New Year Break at www.spicebham.com 74

Jersey Walking & Social Weekend .. discover this wonderful island with Steve Dell

Friday 23 - Monday 26th May 2014 St Helier, Jersey (JE2 4TD) # At Hotel (see notes) £229 (£249 Guest) Twin/Dbl Share. (Deposit £50) 3 nights hotel B&B, Saturday evening meal, coordinated activities as detailed Extra: Cost does NOT include travel to/from Jersey. Please see info on booking your own flights/ ferry crossings. Transfers to and from the airport / ferry, travel to the walks using public transport. Meals (other than b’fast). Single room add £35. Single occ of double add £65 One or two extra nights may be booked at £55 per night (plus any room supplements) The long awaited weekend to the Channel Island of Jersey is here. This time we are combining with Spice East Midlands and it is being run by Steve Dell. Jersey is a short flight from the UK (around an hour) so it’s ideal for a long weekend. You can book extra nights to make it a longer break. Overview: Jersey has so much to offer – lovely beaches, delightful villages, dramatic coastal paths, stunning views, and more touristy stuff you could fit into a week, let alone a long weekend. This weekend will appeal to both walkers who want a walking programme and members who want a touristy break – and of course those who want both are able to mix and match. The walks will be easy to moderate, as some will have more gradients than usual with Steve, which gives the island its wonderful scenery, but we will take our time and admire the stunning scenery. On the days we walk there will be the opportunity to spend time looking around the local area. We stay in Jersey’s capital, the port town of St Helier which gives us the ideal base to explore the island using the public transport system. Hotel: We stay at lovely Best Western Royal Hotel in St Helier, which is a short walk into the town and harbour. Visit: http://www.royalhoteljersey.com/ Travel: To keep costs down the plan is to book our flights or ferry independently rather than packaging them as this is more cost effective and avoids the complications and additional costs if we package them. If you are confident to do this yourself then book your travel (most will fly) when you have booked the weekend with Spice. If you aren’t confident Steve can ‘walk’ you through the process and guide you at each stage. This also gives flexibility if you want to travel at a different time to the main group. You could also opt for a ferry if flying isn’t your bag (see below for ferry details). Flights: The best way to start the weekend is to fly with the group from Birmingham Airport. The plan is to meet at the airport on the Friday unless you want to get a different flight; in which case we will make arrangements to meet up with the group once in Jersey. The Birmingham flight arrives at 09:30 and the return flight leaves at 17:45, so gives more time either side of the weekend. Steve will flying from Birmingham so will be able to meet the group at Birmingham Airport. Birmingham flight details: Book the 08:15 flight from Birmingham (flight number BE501) on the 23rd May and return on the 17:45 flight from Jersey (flight number BE512) on the 26th May (obviously you will need to alter the date if you take the option of booking extra nights). Book online at www.flybe.com Very Important: Don’t delay booking your flight once you have booked the weekend with Spice as the longer you leave it the higher the prices will be. Booking tip: We suggest you choose the “New Economy” option as this includes 20kg hold baggage as well as a cabin bag. It also includes pre assigned seats when you book and no debit card charges. Airport / Hotel Transfers: If you travel with the main group Steve will arrange transfers to and from the hotel and we can share the costs. If you travel independently Steve can advise and help to arrange your transfer. Ferry Option: If you don’t want to fly an alternative way is to get the ferry. The easiest route is from Poole as that is a direct route. The sailing times for next May aren’t available yet. If you want to get the ferry please let Steve know and he can coordinate any ferry bookings. Here is a link to the Condor Ferries website: www.condorferries.co.uk The Walking Programme: The initial plan (after checking into the hotel) is to walk to and around Elizabeth Castle in St Helier (see below) on the Friday afternoon. Walks on the Saturday and Sunday and a touristy day on the Monday. There will be more walking if you stay the extra night(s). The walking programme is designed to be flexible to accommodate the groups’ requirements. By using the excellent public transport system on Jersey most days will have the option of a shorter or a longer walk enabling you to mix and match the walking with some touristy stuff. Walks will typically be 5 - 10 miles. See details of four walks that Steve has planned at www.spicebham.com The Social “Après Walking”: The social stuff on the evenings is designed to be flexible – we can decide as a group what happens on each night. The weekend is on a B&B basis so we can walk into St Helier town on the evening. Additional Nights: There is so much to do in Jersey you may want to book extra nights. These are at the same hotel and are shown as additional events on the website on Monday 26th May (1 or 2 extra nights). We can decide as a group what to do on the extra days, be it more walking, sightseeing or maybe a cycle ride. Special Booking Terms: Because of the nature of this weekend the payment due and cancellation period is longer than usual – balances are due 8 weeks in advance. 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Outdoor Digital Photography Weekend .. see what you can acheive with professional help!

Friday 4 - Sunday 6th October 2013 Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) £174 (£194 Guest) Deposit £35. Includes: 2 nights B&B, Friday buffet supper, 2 buffet/picnic lunches, 4 course evening dinner party and all instruction) 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. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

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Creative Clay Weekend Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

..unleash your creative potential

Friday 11 - Sunday 13 October 2013 Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) £140 (£160 Guest) Deposit £25. Includes: 2 nights B&B, Friday buffet supper, 2 buffet/picnic lunches, 4 course evening meal and all instruction) This is for anyone who fancies creating something using clay, from beginners to the more experienced, and enjoying yourself on a stress free fun weekend. You’ll get hands-on the many techniques as Sonya takes you through several handbuilding processes. From pinching and coiling to slabbing and molding. Equipment and materials are provided (with a small charge made for clay if you take items home) so all you need is a willingness to get your hands into some clay! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

Drawing & Watercolour Weekend th

..unleash your creative potential

Date: Friday 11 - Sunday 13 October 2013 Place: Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # Meet: from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) Cost: £140 (£160 Guest) Deposit £25. Includes: 2 nights B&B, Friday buffet supper, 2 buffet/picnic lunches, 4 course evening meal and all instruction) You don’t have to be a budding Monet or Piccasso to enjoy this weekend, which takes the complete beginner or dabbler through the basics of drawing and painting. Julie Hyde, an accomplished artist, and experienced tutor, has put together a relaxed, fun programme to draw out all your latent artistic talents. Julie will dispel the mystique of drawing and painting into simple steps which anyone can follow includinging various techniques using pencil, watercolour and other media. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

Skills for the Hills (Navigation Awards) .. Bronze & Silver Awards Programme

Friday 18 - Sunday 20th October 2013 Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) Cost: £134 (£154 Guest) Deposit £25 Incl: Friday evening light supper, 2 nights B&B, lunches & 4 course evening meal and NNAS instructors If you're interested in hill walking, but want to learn more about the practical skills and techniques needed to venture safely out onto the mountains, or if you already have some skills but want to increase your level of competence, then this weekend is for you. The emphasis 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. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

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New Members Relaxed Walking Weekend .. a relaxed weekend away with new friends

Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd November 2013 Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) £118 (£138 Guest) Deposit £20 Incl: 2 nights B&B, Friday buffet supper, 4 course evening dinner party and ML guided walks This relaxed and welcoming walking weekend is for any one 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 renowned for. 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 run by Sonya and Barry; our friends at Breakaway Holidays, and is well known to many Spice members for its cosy atmosphere, homemade farmhouse food and friendly ambience. Along side their many years of welcoming guests, as ex Spice Birmingham co-ordinators, Sonya and Barry are aware of how apprehensive anyone can be about spending a whole weekend with people they have never met. They have been looking after Spice members for nearly twenty years and are very experienced at making you welcome and putting you at ease. You'll soon be unwinding and getting to know everyone else on the weekend. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Certificate in Outdoor First Aid (level 5) W’end .. learn vital skills that could save a life!

Friday 8 - Sunday 10th November 2013 Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) £194 Member, £214 Guest (Deposit £40) Friday evening light supper, two nights B&B, lunches & 4 course evening meal This ITC Outdoor First Aid course is ideal for anyone who regularly takes to the hills with friends or family to go walking, climbing, mountain biking, skiing or any of the many popular outdoor pursuits. It is essential for anyone involved in taking groups into the outdoors. In the outdoor environment different considerations apply to first aid. It nearly always means that the casualty has to be looked after for a longer timescale than is typical in a more urban setting. This course looks at how to manage the situation when the ambulance does not turn up in 10 minutes time and is appropriate if your work or leisure place is remote. This qualification will validate Outdoor Instructor awards and satisfy the majority of public indemnity insurance requirements for the outdoors. It involves a minimum of 16 hours of learning and is currently the only externally regulated Outdoor First Aid qualification in the UK. This level 5 qualification is regulated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority to ensure a consistently high quality product ( www.itcfirstaid.org). The course will be delivered by a qualified, active outdoors professional with an interest in Effective first aid training. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request. Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl:

Welsh Cottage Walking Break

.. a weekend of classic Welsh walking & hospitality

Date: Friday 22 - Sunday 24th November 2013 Place: Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # Meet: from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) Cost: £134 Member, £154 Guest (Deposit £25) Incl: Friday supper, full farmhouse breakfasts, picnic lunches and a special 5 course evening meal In response to demands from our more serious walkers; who like the idea of a relaxing Country Cottage weekend but want more challenging walks, we’ve asked our friends at Breakaway Holidays to come up with this weekend break. With the challenge of exploring the lesser-known and exhilarating walking available in southern Snowdonia, followed by a leisurely evening sipping wine and roasting chestnuts, while a sumptuous five course feast is prepared for your special dinner party, we think this is a weekend you won’t want to miss. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

Llangollen Luxury Walking Weekend .. a fabulous weekend based at a wonderful Hotel with Spa

Friday 11th - Sunday 13th October 2013 Wild Pheasant Hotel, Llangollen, Wales (LL20 8AD) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £159 (£179 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £35). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: Our 7th annual pilgrimage to the Wonderful Wild Pheasant Hotel is a month earlier than usual and we can’t wait to get back. Their food, hospitality and relaxing spa facilities make it far too alluring for us not to return. We have now built up an impressive repertoire of walks around the area which are certain to satisfy all abilities of walkers. The lush Vale of Llangollen has some remarkable scenery from the colourful deciduous woodlands that line the meandering river banks to miles of peaceful canals and all with a backdrop of towering limestone escarpments which lead out to the open ridges, hills and moorlands beyond. With so many variants of the walks it means we never do exactly the same version as the previous year. One day this year will be spent exploring the Llantysilio mountain range, and the other day the Eglwyseg, we are spoilt for choice in these picturesque valleys. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

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Dorset Coast & Country Walking W'end .. dramatic coastal walking - and more!

Friday 18 - Sunday 20th October 2013 Prince Regent Hotel, Weymouth (DT4 7NR) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £159 (£179 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £30). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: The Prince Regent Hotel in Weymouth provides an excellent base from which to explore some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastal walking in the UK, including the delights of Dorset’s South West Coastal Path near Weymouth. Everybody loves walking on the coast so this year we shall spend both days on the coast. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Cheddar Gorge and Mendips Walking Weekend ..fabulous walking from a glorious hotel!

Friday 1 - Sunday 3rd November 2013 The Webbington Hotel and Country Club (BS26 2XA) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £159 (£179 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £40). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: Situated prominently on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills, the Webbington Hotel and Spa offers a comprehensive fitness, wellness and beauty facility. It offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy the best of both comfort and cuisine in beautiful surroundings. The location is perfect to explore the splendour of the surrounding region. To the north there are the charms of Burrington Combe and the highest point on the Mendips Black Down; here the limestone link pathway provides eye-catching relief and truly striking walking. To the east lies one of the natural wonders of the world Cheddar Gorge, a must see spectacular deep gash which appears to rise up from nowhere. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

For All 3 Walkwise Breaks above: These are edited write-ups, before booking, please read the full details find the full write up at www.spicebham.com or call 0121 353 6161 and we’ll send you a copy. All 3 events are organized and supplied by WalkWise UK Ltd, whose terms and conditions apply, obtainable on request and for whom your local SPICE group acts as an agent. Those booking enter into a contract directly with WalkWise UK. 78

Sidmouth & Devon Coast Walking W'end .. discover excellent coastal walking with Walkwise

Friday 15 - Sunday 17th November 2013 West Cliff Hotel, Sidmouth (EX10 8RU) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £169 (£189 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £35). Single supp £60 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: The South East Coast of Devon around Sidmouth is a quite simply a stunning stretch of coastline and a personal favourite of the many of the guides. We’re at the excellent West Cliff Hotel, which is one of the nicest hotels we use, lying in its own grounds overlooking the sea and is just a stroll from the sea front of Sidmouth. It’s just a short stroll into town where there is everything from traditional inns to modern bistros many of which have live music at weekends. Oh and the walking, well that is superb! Red sandstone or brilliant white limestone cliffs tower above Mediterranean blue waters in the peaceful bays and estuaries and there are numerous picture perfect villages to visit too. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Whitby Moors & Coastal Walking W'end .. enjoy the North Yorkshire Moors & Coastal walking

Friday 22th - Sunday 24th November 2013 The Star Fish Apartments, Whitby (YO21 3BX) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £149 (£169 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 1 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £35). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: This is our fourth year at the superbly located excellent apartments in the Starfish complex. They will offer us the flexibility and freedom we need for this special weekend. We will spend the first night getting to know each over dinner and the second night dining out and lording it up in town. As always we will of course be indulging ourselves with a super coastal walk, which will contrast beautifully with a day in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors. Enjoy! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Lyndhurst & New Forest Walking Weekend .. a fantastic break discovering the New Forest

Friday 29 November - Sunday 1st December 2013 Lyndhurst Park Hotel, Lyndhurst (SO43 7NL) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £169 (£189 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £50). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: The New Forest in autumn is simply spectacular, we have missed the amazing spendor of colours the last couple of years so this year we have booked it a lttle later in a bid to catch it at its best! Lazy streams and rivers criss-cross the unique and ancient pasturelands that are also a home to the rare wildlife including the much-loved wild ponies and the Dartford Warbler. The heaths and the woodlands offer a delightful mix of sheltered walking and open vistas which make walking in this area such a pleasure. We have chosen the excellent Lyndhurst Park Hotel as our base, which is ideally located on the edge of the village therefore being superb as a walking centre and within walking distance of the pubs too! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

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Beddgelert/ Snowdonia Twixtmas Walking W'end .. discover Snowdonia at Christmas with Walkwise!

Friday 27 - Sunday 29th December 2013 Royal Goat Hotel, Beddgelert (LL55 4YE) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £179 (£199 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £40). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: This is one of our favourites. The Royal Goat is a cracking hotel, in the charming village of Beddgelert in the heart of Snowdonia in North Wales-perfect! The chef has a super menu of tasty and filling meals and there are real ales in the bar and charming country pubs within yards of the hotel. Add to this the superb walking that literally surrounds this centre, with the high lofty ridges of Nantle Ridge, Moel Hebog, Cnicht, Snowdon and Moel Siabod. But you don’t have to climb these mighty peaks, its just as wonderful to gaze up at them from a peaceful lakes, or to wander over the heather clad moors, stroll by the tumbling rivers or wander through the secluded woodland. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Borrowdale Twixtmas Walking Break .. a lovely way to bridge Christmas & New Year

Friday 27 - Sunday 29th December 2013 Glaramara, Borrowdale, Lake District (CA12 5XQ) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £185 (£205 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £50). Single supp £5 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: Christmas is past, and we're not quite at New Year .. which leaves a wonderfully peaceful gap in our schedules! Our Lake District Twixtmas break this year falls across the weekend which is too good an opportunity to miss, so why not squeeze in a fantastic winter weekend escape amongst some of the finest mountains in Britain! And Glaramara just keeps getting better and better, in addition to some absolutely superb food, some great walking they have now added 10 stunning new ensuite bedrooms so now you have no excuse. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

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White Cliffs of Dover Twixtmas Walking W'end .. iconic coastal walking in Kent!

Friday 27 - Sunday 29th December 2013 Dover Marina Hotel & Spa (4*) (CT17 9BP) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £179 (£199 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 guided walks (Deposit £40). Single supp £50 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: Christmas is past, and we're not quite at New Year .. which leaves a wonderfully peaceful gap in our schedules! This break falls across the weekend and offers a great chance to escape and walk off that extra portion of Christmas Pudding on our weekend away by the sea. The Walks are fantastic, everyone knows just how fabulous the White Cliffs of Dover are and we will be enjoying them to the full. Add to this the salubrious setting and facilities of the Best Western Plus, four star, Dover Marina Hotel and Spa and you are all set for a superb getaway! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Borrowdale New Year Walking Break .. walking and partying in the beautiful Lakes

Sunday 29 December 2013 - Wednesday 1st January 2014 Glaramara, Borrowdale, Lake District (CA12 5XQ) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £339 (£359 Guest) sharing. Incl: 3 b’fasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 dinner inc gala meal & New Year Party, 3 days walking (Deposit £50). Single supp £5 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts Overview: A superb venue, that has been upgraded steadily over the last few years, with refurbished rooms, extended dining room and now they have added 10 ensuite twin rooms. Combine this excellent centre to its superb location, surrounded by stunning valleys, amazing mountains and wonderful countryside plus probably the finest food of any of our centres and this will be a new year to remember! Oh and there’s a black tie New Years Eve Gala Dinner & Party too! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

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Horsley Park - North Downs New Year Break .. spend New Year at the incredible Horsley Towers!

Sunday 29th December 2013 - Wednesday 1st January 2014 De Vere Horsley Park Hotel (KT24 6DU) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £329 (£349 Guest) sharing. Incl: 3 b’fasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 dinner, NY Party, 3 days walking (Deposit £50). Single supp £44 otherwise we link twin shares There is also a history tour of Horsley Towers. NY Eve Feast & Party includes a drink & disco Extras: Transport to walk starts. Optional extra night £60 (DB&B) Overview: This is a superb venue, set in 70 acres of stunning parkland of Horsley Towers. The accommodation comes with all the modern fixtures and conveniences you would expect and there is a pool and mini-gym too. On the doorstep is some of the finest countryside that the North Downs has to offer and the team have planned some beautiful walks, which take in some lovely villages, friendly inns, rolling chalk hills, tranquil woodlands, peaceful valley, ornate parklands and include wide open panoramic views. Then on New Years Eve we will be in for a real treat, We’ll finish the walks early so we have ample time to relax and sparkle ourselves for the Black Tie evening ahead. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

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Snowdonia New Year Walking Break .. a very special walking break for New Year!

Sunday 29 December 2013 - Wednesday 1st January 2014 Royal Goat Hotel, Beddgelert (LL55 4YE) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £329 (£349 Guest) sharing. Incl: 3 b’fasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 dinner inc NY Feast/ Party, 3 days walking (Deposit £60). Single supp £60 otherwise we link twin shares Extra: Transport to walk starts. Overview: Beddgelert is famous for its New Year celebrations - they like a party in these parts! We’ll begin with a Black tie dinner, then we’ll dance the evening away, but as New Years Eve progresses the whole village gathers around its heart before a spectacular Firework display lights up the mountains to bring in the New Year. Add to this the superb walking that literally surrounds this centre and you are in for a real treat. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

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Center Parcs Longleat Weekend Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl:

.. our legendary party weekend!

Friday 15 - Monday 18 November 2013 Longleat Forest, Wiltshire (BA12 7PU) # On site from 11am. Check in from 3pm £144 (£164 Guest) Sharing. Add £80 for single occ of double room 3 Nights Accommodation, Friday night Welcome Drinks & Disco, Saturday night Disco, Spice coordination and programme throughout ● Upgraded Accommodation (Woodland Lodges) in Central Area ● Free ‘Mixer’ Dance Sessions on Saturday ● Saturday Night Fancy Dress Party: Theme “Song Titles” Centre Parcs weekends are now a Spice institution, brilliant activity breaks with as much sport or relaxation as you can cope with. Longleat Forest is situated on the edge of Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire easily accessible from all directions Longleat Forest has a spectacular landscape with hundred-year-old giant redwoods that tower above forest glades of every shade of green. There is an elevated boardwalk that links the hilltop and the valley below while scenic cycle paths give views down to the lake. There is plenty to do at Center Parcs – in the valley there is the impressive Jardin des Sports (badminton, squash, golf simulator), with the Aqua Sana and Spa (sauna, herbal bath, ice room) nestled near by. Up through the trees, you’ll come upon the classically French Village Square with its Grand Café (continental bar and brasserie) and La Sapinière (high standard of French and British cuisine), and an alpine-style Pancake House (traditional Dutch pancakes, cooked freshly to order on a special pancake griddle). The sub tropical paradise (free entry) is the centre of attraction with crashing waves, exhilarating flumes, whirlpools and thrilling rapids. You can spend all day in the 'dome' which is tropically heated, or you can move outdoors - tennis, squash, sailing, bikes, canoeing, aerobics, roller skating, bowls, archery, falconry - the list is endless...(extra cost for these). There a few extra Spice Events too organised by your local Spice Group like our Welcome Drinks Reception, Badminton, Ten Pin bowling, floorball etc, to provide some group get togethers during the weekend. Many Spice bookings are single bookings so don’t worry if you are on your own as we will arrange members into Villas and room share you with a member of the same sex. If you know whom you want to share with let us know as soon as possible (ideally when booking) and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. All bedding is provided, as is household equipment. Food is not included, so you can self cater or eat out. For the evening entertainment there are multi national restaurants - Dutch, Italian, and French, and different bars. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

Center Parcs Christmas Party Weekend .. a brilliant national Spice get together!

Friday 6th - Monday 9th December 2013 Penrith, 3 Miles from J40, M6 (CA10 2DW) # On site from 2pm. Check in from 3pm £139 (£159 Guest) Sharing. Add £75 for single occ of double room 3 Nights Accommodation, Friday night Welcome Drinks & Disco, Saturday night Disco, Spice coordination and programme throughout Saturday Night Fancy Dress Theme – “Christmas Around the World” Our Annual Spice Christmas weekend break and party weekend with all your mates (some of whom you haven’t met yet!). Country lodges situated in deep forest surrounded by towering scots pines, beautiful surroundings, lakes, streams, forest paths leading to an unrivalled choice of sports and leisure facilities, health and beauty treatments, restaurants, cinema, cafes, bars…you name it - all just a short stroll or cycle from your lodge. The Programme: This is our 32nd visit to Center Parcs Whinfell Forest and is firmly established as a great value weekend breakaway. There is a Friday night private Spice Welcome drinks get together for each Spice Group followed by an exclusive Disco, and a late Disco until the early hours on Saturday night. Our easy Sat Night Disco fancy dress theme this year is ‘Christmas Around the World’ which helps us recognize who’s in our party! There will also be other opportunities to meet up with your local group as the weekend progress e.g. Fun Quiz, Sports Events, Flash Mob Meetup, Group Swim the rapids, Ten Pin Bowling, Farewell Drinks, etc - details in your weekend joining pack from your local Spice Group. The ultra modern, state of the art World of Water offers an incredible swimming experience with heated pools, flume rides, wave machines, jacuzzis, wild water rapid rides, water cannons and much more - including the mud treatment room! There are many, many sports facilities. Your local Spice group will offer Group Sports scheme to enable you to get together to play Badminton, Ten Pin Bowling, etc.. For more information, pics, etc - check out the Center Parcs Website at www.centerparcs.com and use the Spice message boards under the event to link up with others / make plans/ etc. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl:

Winter Camping Pod Walking W’end .. discover cosy camping in heated, wool lined pods!

Friday 29 November - Sunday 1st December 2013 Marshbrook, Nr Church Stretton (SY6 6QE) # from 6.00pm £95 Member, £99 Guest (Deposit £15) 2 Full English Breakfasts, 2 Packed Lunches, Dinner Saturday Evening 2 nights in a camping pod, 2 guided walks (Extras: Friday Night Dinner) Camping in winter? Trust us – it’s brilliant! And you don’t need a tent as we’re using permanent wooden “camping pods” that have good headroom, a heater, lighting and even an electrical socket. All you need to bring is your own camping mat and bedding. It’s a great opportunity to try something a bit different and escape to the south Shropshire Hills for some lovely walking. To see more visit http://www.camping-shropshire.co.uk/. On site we have the Station Restaurant where we will have breakfast and evening dinner. The site also has modern shower and washing facilities. In the evening we will sort our own entertainment, be it playing some music, quiz and/or pub games all washed down with a beer or two. The package includes: ● A guided walk of approximately (it is Alan!) ten miles on each day ● Two Full English Breakfasts ● Two Packed Lunches ● Dinner on the Saturday Evening (Choice of four starters and four mains to include one vegetarian option) ● Two nights in a camping pod (single sex accommodation with four in each pod) Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request. Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl:

Christmas Break: Manchester

.. a fabulous festive break with a great group of Spicers!

Tueday 24th - Friday 27th December 2013 The Double Tree By Hilton, Manchester (M1 3DG) # Arrive from 12 noon £259 (£279 Guest) sharing twin/double. Add £80 for single (Deposit £50) Note – rate is for “early bookers” - price rises by £30 after 1st November Incl: 3 breakfasts, 3 course dinner on Christmas Eve, Traditional Christmas Lunch and buffet dinner on Christmas Day and a fabulous farewell gala dinner on Boxing Day This Christmas we are thrilled to be able to offer this break at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton in Manchester. This fabulous city centre 4 star hotel is situated close to Piccadilly Train Station allowing easy transport into Manchester via train or Metrolink. It is close to Canal Street and Northern Quarter areas, renowned for their lively nightlife. And for those in search of retail therapy, the hotel is a stone’s throw away from the city centre shops and boutiques. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Nottinghamshire New Year Walking/SocialBreak .. a fun weekend with Steve Dell to celebrate the New Year

Sunday 29th December 2013 - Wednesday 1st January 2014 Mercure 4* Hotel, Lace Market (NG1 3BP) # Afternoon for a walk or the evening £299 (£329 Guest) sharing. Add £50 for single, otherwise we’ll arrange shares. ● Sunday: Afternoon guided walk & Dinner ● Monday: B’fast, packed lunch, guided walk & Dinner ● New Year’s Eve: B’fast, packed lunch, guided walk & Gala Dinner/ Party ● New Year’s Day: B’fast & treasure hunt (Deposit £45) Extra: Transport (Public transport or own cars) to some of the walks For this New Year’s break we are heading to Nottinghamshire. There will be a walk each day but as we are staying in the centre of Nottingham there will also be a great programme of social / touristy / shopping activities. So whether you are a walker, want a social break over New Year or a mixture of both this break is for you. On the Sunday you can either arrive by lunchtime for an afternoon walk or in the evening. We stay at the Nottingham Mercure, a central hotel in walking distance to most of what Nottingham has to offer. It’s a lovely 4* which has recently been refurbished. There is discounted parking very close to the hotel and there is a small gym should you feel the need! There is also plenty to do for nonwalkers or if you want to mix & match walking with social / tourist stuff. Nottingham is a great tourist destination and has something for everyone; there is a castle, canals to explore, theatres, lots of pubs and shops if you want to look at the sales. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl:

Events Index A Christmas Wassail................................ 57 A Victorian Christmas ............................. 44 Abseiling for Beginners - Symonds Yat.. 29 Abseiling for the Terrified ....................... 25 Adventure Golf at Star City!.................... 39 Adventure Trekking Day ......................... 11 Alvecote Marina Easy Ramble ................ 37 American Pool Night and Buffet ............. 41 An Evening With Roger Moore............... 56 Anne Boleyn at Tutbury Castle .............. 43 Apedale Ramble....................................... 37 Aqua Aerobics ......................................... 54 Ash End House Farm Experience............ 12 Assay Office Tour.................................... 46 Attract, Create - Perfect Relationship...... 72 Australia by Ian on Australia Day ........... 65 Austrian Christmas at Franzls.................... 6 Auto Stunt School.................................... 23 Badminton..........................................53- 54 Ballet For Fun .......................................... 19 Balloon Flight .......................................... 10 Ballroom Dance Masterclasses................ 18 Barnt Green & Lickey Hills Ramble ...... 33 Barton Under Needwood Easy Ramble... 37 BBC Behind the Scenes........................... 46 Beddgelert Twixtmas Walking W'end..... 80 Beginners Break Dancing Class .............. 18 Beginners Horse Trek .............................. 11 Bellfoundry/ Bell Casting Experience..... 47 Bewdley Evening Treasure Hunt............. 40 Bird Handling Course/Falconry Day....... 14 Birmingham at War Afternoon Walk ...... 20 Birmingham Canals Walk........................ 21 Birmingham City Walk............................ 21 Birmingham Museum Tea and Tour ....... 68 Blacksmithing Evening............................ 70 Borrowdale Walking Breaks ...........80& 81 Borrowdale Twixtmas Walking Break .... 80 Bournville on Christmas Eve................... 21 Brandon Brinklow Ramble ...................... 34 Braunston to Flecknoe Ramble................ 33 Breadmaking Workshop at Hindleys....... 59 Bredon Hill Ramble ................................. 37 Brocton and the Haywoods Ramble ........ 35 Build a Home For Local Otters ............... 14 Burlesque/Fan Dance Afternoon ............. 18 Cafe Ceramica Experience ...................... 40 Canadian Canoe Adventure ..................... 25 Cannock Chase Rambles ...........33,36 & 37 Cathedral Library Tour ............................ 51 Caving for the Terrified ........................... 27 Center Parcs Weekends ........................... 82 Certificate in Outdoor First Aid W'end ... 77 Charity Sleep Out..................................... 16 Cheddar Gorge/Mendips W'end .............. 78 Chinese Meal at Chung Ying Gardens ...... 3 Chipping Campden Ramble..................... 34 Chocolate Experience .............................. 67 Christmas Break in Manchester............... 83 Christmas Card Making Workshop ......... 70 Christmas Carriage Ride.......................... 14 Christmas Cooking Demo and Dine........ 71 Christmas Day Link Up ........................... 45 Christmas Day Lunch ................................ 7 Christmas Dinner Dance............................ 2 Cinema Nights ......................................... 56 Clay Pigeon Shoot ................................... 38 Clent Easy Ramble................................... 35 Clun and The Shropshire Way Ramble ... 36 Colour U Confident Workshop................ 59 Concert Nights at the Jam House ............ 55 Cosford Behind The Scenes Day............. 50 Courchevel 1850 West Mids Ski Trip ..... 73 Creative Clay Weekend ........................... 76 Cupcake Decorating Workshop............... 71 Curry and Quiz - Solihull ........................ 32

Dancing with Mr.Darcy ........................... 18 Darts Night and Buffet ............................ 41 Deer Walk with a Ranger at Bradgate..... 12 Derby City Walk...................................... 21 Dinghy Sailing ................................26 & 29 Dinner and Play at Genting Casino ........... 8 Dinner Shuffle Around the World......3 & 8 Dirty Dancing Experience!...................... 19 Dodgeball Intro and Coaching Session ... 54 Don't Diet - Change the way you Eat ...... 66 Dorset Coast/Country Walking W'end .... 78 Dowsing Workshop ................................. 64 Drawing and Painting Weekend .............. 76 Draycot Water Moderate Ramble............ 35 Drumming Experience for Beginners...... 59 Dungeons After Dark, Warwick Castle..... 8 Early Morning At Dudley Zoo ................ 13 Edale and Hope Int Mountain Biking...... 17 Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2013/14 ............. 74 Erasmus Darwin Evening/Cellar Tour .... 49 Escape Christmas on the Mountains........ 36 Everyday Hairstyling/Makeup Lesson .... 69 Exploring the Countryside....................... 28 Family History Ev with the Mormons..... 65 Feel the Fear .. and do it anyway! ........... 71 Fencing for Beginners.............................. 52 Fine Dining Experience at Drayton Park .. 5 Fire Eating Workshop.............................. 61 Firework Spectacular at Tutbury ............. 43 Five Rivers Contemporary Indian ............. 4 Flight Simulator Experience.................... 10 Flirting for Fun ........................................ 64 Forest Segway on Cannock Chase .......... 22 Frankfurt Markets Pub Treasure Trail..... 44 Funeral Home Talk and Tour .................. 47 Ghost Hunting and Supper ...................... 42 Ghost Walk of Sutton Coldfield .............. 20 Ghostly & Grisly Birmingham Walk ...... 20 Ghostly Goings on and Supper................ 42 Girls Roller Skating Lesson..................... 53 Glass Workshop....................................... 66 Glastonbury Day with "The Professor"... 39 Go Ape in Cannock ................................. 26 Golf - Learn to Play in a Day .................. 52 Good Food Show ..................................... 41 Gordon Giltrap in Concert....................... 56 Hagley Hall Tour & Tea .......................... 51 Halloween Owl Encounter Evening ........ 13 Halloween Party Night and Sleepover ...... 2 Hanbury Hall Ramble and Lunch............ 34 Haughmond Hill Ramble......................... 35 Hawks, Owls, Tudors and Battles ........... 13 Helicopter Lesson .................................... 10 Hockley Heath Easy Ramble................... 34 Hoola Hooping......................................... 52 Horse Whisperer Monty Roberts Live .... 12 Horsley Park NY Walking Break ............ 81 Hotel Du Vin Ultimate Sunday Brunch .... 9 Ice Skating Fun Night.............................. 40 Improve Your Laugh Life........................ 68 Indian Head Massage Workshop............. 69 Indoor Bouldering Taster Session ........... 27 Indoor Climbing at Redpoint Centre ....... 25 Inkberrow and the Lenches Ramble ........ 35 Intro to EFT and Energy Connections..... 67 Introduction to Rowing............................ 29 Introduction to Sculpture ......................... 65 Introduction to Short Tennis.................... 53 Istanbul Experience ................................. 73 Italian Dinner Shuffle at Fellinis ............... 6 Jaguar Cars Visit...................................... 48 Jekyll and Hyde at the Blue Orange ........ 57 Jersey Walking and Social Weekend ...... 75 Kababish Dinner Shuffle Experience ........ 4 Karaoke and Casserole .............................. 6 Kayak River Adventure ........................... 27

Kenilworth to Wroxall Ramble ............... 35 Kenilworth Town Walk ........................... 21 Kick Boxing For Beginners..................... 54 Kingsbury Water Park Easy Ramble....... 35 Kinver Edge Moderate Ramble ............... 33 Knowle Beer,Skittles and Supper............ 44 Knowle Locks Easy Ramble & Lunch .... 36 La Banca Italian Dinner Shuffle................ 9 Ladybower Come & try Mtn Biking ....... 17 Lapworth & Packwood Easy Ramble ..... 36 Lasan Indian Banquet ................................ 1 Lathkill Dale Moderate Ramble .............. 33 Latin American Taster Dinner Shuffle...... 5 Leamington Torchlit Ramble/Supper...... 34 Learn to Snowboard Course .................... 24 Lichfield Cathedral by Candlelight ......... 44 Lichfield Pub Treasure Trail ................... 41 Llangollen Luxury Walking Weekend .... 78 Lyndhurst, New Forest Walking W'end.. 79 Made in Birmingham Walk & Tea.......... 21 Magic for Beginners ................................ 60 Magical Mystery Circus Sleepover Party.. 7 Makeover or Boudoir Photo Session....... 62 Makeup Skills Lesson.............................. 66 Malvern's & Worcester Way Ramble...... 34 Mam Tor Ridge Ramble .......................... 34 Matthew Bournes Swan Lake.................. 58 Medieval Jousting.................................... 11 Microlighting Experience Flight ............. 10 Mind Management workshop.................. 63 Moira & Donnisthorpe Ramble ............... 34 Murder in the Blackout............................ 45 Murder Mystery Evening & Buffet ......... 42 Museum Collections Centre Exp............. 48 National Memorial Arboretum ................ 49 Neen Savage and Malpass Ramble ......... 34 New Members Mix and Mingle .............. 40 New Members Relaxed Walking W'end . 77 Nine Steps to Happiness .......................... 61 Nordic Walking Tasters........................... 28 Nottingham City Walk............................. 20 Nottinghamshire New Year Break .......... 83 Nutcracker................................................ 57 Off Road Karting ..................................... 23 Offchurch East and West Ramble ........... 33 Oil Painting in a Day ............................... 68 Pamper Evening at Shear Salon & Spa .. 69 Pasta and Bread Making Workshop ........ 64 Peak District Mountain Biking Day ........ 17 Pizza Making and Meal at Radisson ......... 8 Pole Dancing with Pure Joy .................... 18 Pottery Workshop .................................... 63 Preview Evenings .................................... 30 Private Dining with a Celebrity Chef ........ 1 Prodrive V.I.P. Visit ................................ 48 Proof House Tour .................................... 47 Pub Games Night..................................... 43 Pudding Party at a Country House ............ 4 Quad Bike Woodland Trek...................... 22 Quiz Page................................................. 32 R.A.I.D - Rapid Action Init'd Defence.... 70 Ragley Hall Rambling and Sketching ..... 67 Rally Driving Lesson............................... 22 Ramble, Scramble and Dangle ................ 29 Recreational Skiing.................................. 24 Rolls Royce Heritage Trust Museum ...... 49 Salsa Dance Workshop........................... 19 Santa Cycle and Present Drop ................. 15 Saxophone for Beginners ........................ 68 Scottish Dancing Workshop .................... 19 Scuba Taster Morning Experience .......... 27 Shatterford and Upper Arley Ramble...... 36 Shootout at the Kiddies Playcentre! ........ 45 Shrewsbury Ghost Walk.......................... 21 Shugborough Easy Ramble ..................... 33 Sidmouth and Devon Coast W'end.......... 79

Sikh Gurudwara Visit .............................. 50 Singapore Dining Experience .................... 5 Singin In The Rain................................... 58 Singing for Beginners .............................. 62 Ski Lesson - Beginners ............................ 24 Skills for the Hills (Nav Awards) ............ 76 Smethwicks' Amazing Canal Walk ......... 20 Snooker Night and Buffet........................ 41 Snowdonia New Year Walking Break .... 81 Spa Experience with Retail Therapy!...... 43 Space Opera ............................................. 56 Spice Book Club ...................................... 15 Spice Goes Behind the Scenes................. 46 Spice Hits Town....................................... 30 Sporting Dinner Cyrille & Tony................ 3 St Mary's Convent Visit........................... 51 St Nicolas Place Evening Tour................ 46 Staunton Harold Easy Ramble................. 34 Steel Magnolias........................................ 58

Stourbridge and Guy Fawkes Walk......... 20 Stow On The Wold Ramble..................... 35 Sutton Park Mulled Wine Ramble........... 35 SWAT Training Mission ......................... 38 Symonds Yat Adventure Mission............ 26 Syriana Syrian/ Lebanese Shuffle ............. 9 Tamworth Town Walk............................. 21 Teamworks Karting and Burger .............. 22 Ten Pin Bowling ...................................... 39 Ten things you should know about DIY . 63 The Complete History of America .......... 57 The Enchanted Tales................................ 57 Titterstone, Clee & Kremlin Ramble....... 36 Tobogan and Fondue Night ....................... 2 Tonight's the Night .................................. 58 Trampolining Evening with Coaching .... 53 Trentham and Hanchurch Ramble........... 35 Trick Horse Riding .................................. 11 Tudor Christmas with Henry VIII ............. 6

Adrenaline Cocktail Weekend Thanks for the picture to Amie Lyons

Ukukulele for Fun.................................... 60 Unihoc...................................................... 52 Vulcan Bomber Restoration Exp............. 49 Walk with Wolves - Bedford................... 12 Warwickshire Views Mod Ramble ......... 33 Watercolour Painting Intro Day .............. 60 Weaseling and Bouldering ...................... 25 Welsh Cottage Walking Break ................ 77 West Side Story ....................................... 58 Western Style Rifle Shooting .................. 38 Whitby Moors & Coast Walking W'end . 79 White Cliffs Twixtmas Walking W'end .. 80 Whittington & Hopwas Ramble .............. 36 Wilmcote Easy Ramble ........................... 37 Wine Tasting - Taste Like a Pro! ............ 42 Winter Camping Pod Walking W'end ..... 83 Winter Walking/ Nav Skills Day............. 26 WW1 Battlefields Discovery Tour.......... 74 Zip World - Ultimate Zipline Exp ........... 28

The ‘Nuts & Bolts’of Spice… Office Hours: The Spice Office is open between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday on 0121 353 6161. There is also a 24hour answer service. In the event of a real emergency, try the mobile 07899 950109. There is also an emergency option on the out of hours phone menu which diverts you to a member of staff at home

How To Join Spice: ● If you’ve had an enquiry pack, simply complete and return the membership form along with your credit card details, cheque or completed DD mandate. ● Alternatively, just call the Spice office and we’ll complete all the paperwork for you over the phone. ● You may also join online at www.spicebham.com

Booking Onto Events: ● A secure booking service is also available online at www.spicebham.com or .. ● Call us to book by phone on 0121 353 6161 or .. ● Send your completed booking form along with your cheque or credit card details (if you’ve used your form, a scribbled note of what you want to book will suffice). Alternatively, fax your form with credit card details on 353 6861. Please note: Bookings are only secure when payment has been received. You may lose your slot if another member books whilst your “cheque is in the post”. Never simply ‘turn up’ at an event as it's unfair to all concerned - particularly to those who have taken the time to book. It may also mean a wasted journey if we can't accommodate you.

Late Bookings: We often have slots available at the last minute due to cancellations etc. Please call for details and be ready to pay by credit card to secure your place. Most events do fill up so the best advice is to book early to avoid disappointment.

Confirmation of Bookings: We confirm all bookings by email if you have given us an email address. You can also check your bookings at www.spicebham.com. We will contact you if there is a problem with your booking or if the event is full or has been cancelled. Where the location of an event is marked with a #, we will be sending out directions, maps, kit list and transport share lists around 5 days prior.

If you can’t make it to an event: If at all possible, please contact the Spice office. This is important for several reasons. Firstly, other members may be left waiting for you to arrive and this is unfair. Secondly, ‘team’ type events such as sports evenings may need adjusting for even team numbers etc. Finally, if you let us know you cannot attend we may be able to issue a refund depending on the type of event and whether we can re sell your place. See the Spice Cancellation Policy.

Guest Policy: Guests are welcome to accompany members on Spice Events at a special guest price. The member is then responsible for their conduct. Members are given priority in booking if numbers are tight. We also ask that each guest may only attend 3 events, after which time we would expect them to join – in the long run this can work out cheaper as they avoid paying premiums!

Transport Share: We are always happy to do our best to link up members for travel share. Once you have booked an event, you can obtain car share information by pressing the “transport” tab on the relevant event on line. Please remember to indicate when booking should you require a lift or be willing to offer or share transport. There is also an option on our database for your contact details to be kept confidential. If you receive your details by post, we will send out a transport share list with your event details, or if the event does not have further details sent (no # symbol), just call about 48hrs before the event and we’ll give you the telephone numbers of possible links. Please note: Lift sharing is done by the goodwill of the members and cannot be guaranteed.

Most Importantly: Above all, Spice is all about enjoying yourself – so remember to have fun!

Key Spice Holiday Partners For many years Spice has enjoyed an excellent :l@$&Z'E-+= f+*- Z8: *:$il@ =$:*'l: 9OZ"8E Holidays – the UK’s leading adventure travel company.

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Should Spice Cancel an event..... g2f>H# gE.D{ D%*D{H %*V {w{*- Vf> r.HH F{ A{S>*#{# #.A{D-HV F%DK FV -2{ E%V,{*- ,{-2f# >M{#] L>A EfH.DV .M -2%- r2{A{w{A EfMM.FH{ r{ r.HH %Hr%VM .MM>{ % A{S>*#]

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Spice International Holiday Programme

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Welcome to the Spice international holiday programme, available to all Spice members as an exclusive benefi t of membership!

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Happy holidays from your Spice UK team Dave, Ian & Lindsay

Spice Holidays Date

Nights

07/10/13

09/10/13

10/10/13

15/10/13

03/11/13

04/11/13

10/11/13

21/12/13

28/12/13

30/12/13

11/01/14

2013/14

Spice Trip

Turkey Gulet Cruise Holidays don’t come much more chilled than this!

Lake Garda Autumn Special Always a popular trip with Spice including 3 hours free bar on 4 evenings!

La Santa Sports Holiday A brilliant sports holiday & this will be our 28th -V<XE-[%4E QE5!,

Crete – Yoga & Walking! Combining walks with beachside yoga and delicious local cuisine – a Solos holiday!

Md-`EQ@X M5Pd-5\ Bd!E2V!`X K OV<I!E 'e[!V )dX<EQ# 1!54E\ .Q -V5-" )V4E!9N5\5dX d<- : J5Q _V++E! 1d-`E0

Md-`EQ@X M5Pd-5\ Bd!E2V!`X K OV<I!E 'e[!V )dX<EQ# Travel by coach ovrenight Hull/Zeebrugge inc 2 day Hopper Ticket

Z-E\5<J )dX-V4E!Q Visit the land of Fire & Ice and may be even experience the Northern Lights!

Ski Christmas –Tignes ^`d 0"E >5XXd4E eX+5-E Wd\\Q 0"dX N"!dX0>5X,

Ski New Year – Chamonix Our 3rd QE5! 0V 0"dX !EXV!0 5<J 5\25QX 2d0" ]5<05X%- ]EEJ.5-`,

LE2 aE5! Md<d O!E5` R GE<d-E '5\>VX0,# e<bVQ LE2 aE5! d< Z05\Q 2d0" ^+d-E,

Ski St. Christoph – Austria ( JEI<d0E X`dE!@X !EXV!0 2d0"V[0 5\\ 0"E JdX0!5-%V<X V] 0VV >5<Q .5!X,

Deposit

Price from

n/a

£799

Waitlist only n/a

£629

n/a

£1019

n/a

£369

n/a

£419

Waitlist only £130

£775

£130

£999

£150

£629

£130

£749

Date

Deposit

Price from

^`d ^5[/E )@$[\S R Z05\Q

£130

£599

^`d G5\ )@ZXE!E

£130

£689

^`d )E\[SE

£130

£739

^`d (\+E )@_[E/ R B!5<-E

£130

£649

Nights

Spice Trip

18/01/14

26/01/14

02/02/14

01/03/14

05/03/14

09/03/14

15/03/14

22/03/14

09/03/14

(!-%- )VP ^\EJJd<P

15/03/14

Walking in Lanzarote

16/03/14

(!-%- )VP ^\EJJd<P

10/04/14

Rome Mini Break

£150

£399

02/05/14

A!5<5J5 )E\dP"0X R Md<d O!E5`

£150

£465

14/05/14

£150

£699

18/05/14

Cultural Andalusia

£150

£799

06/06/14

Hidden Gems of Barcelona

£150

£469

14/06/14

Western Canada Highlights

£150

£1895

17/06/14

OEX0 V] 0"E O5\%-X N![dXE

£150

£979

19/06/14

Italian Cuisine

£150

£669

05/07/14

Sicily – Myths & Legends

£150

£1089

02/08/14

Best of the West

£270

£2685

09/09/14

A!5<J N5<QV< c5Ud<P eS+E!dE<-E

£250

£2899

14/09/14

The Italian Lakes

£150

£979

29/09/14

Turkey Autumn Chillout

£150

£565

Great skiing & plenty of place’s to party! This price for 1st 10 bookers then £50 increase!

( M5!` F5!<E! "V\dJ5Q R X`d 0"E "[PE eX+5-E Wd\\Q, ( X>5\\ P!V[+ 0!d+ ]V! b[X0 ;: d< 5 .E5[%][\ M5!` F5!<E! -"5\E0, _dP" 5\%0[JE X`dd<P, 1"dX +!d-E ]V! ;st 10 bookers then £50 increase!

^`d N5<5J5 R O5<Y

cEPdV<5\ 7dP"0X 545d\5.\E 50 <V ES0!5 -"5!PE,

Waitlist only

Ski Meribel

£130

£764

Austrian Ski Jive Spectacular

£130

£590

Ski Morzine – France

£130

£694

£130

£699

A Mark Warner holiday – ski one of the world’s most famous areas!

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Ski Mayrhofen – Austria

One of Austria’s favourite resorts and a short transfer! This price for 1st 10 bookers then £50 increase! (< 5>5/d<P 2d\JE!<EXX 5J4E<0[!E 2d0" 8 J5QX _[X`Q >[X"d<P 5.V4E 0"E (!-%- Nd!-\E,

C!d-E d<-\[JEX 5< e5!\Q OVV`d<P )dX-V[<0 [<%\ ;st Nov!

(< 5>5/d<P 2d\JE!<EXX 5J4E<0[!E 2d0" 8 J5QX _[X`Q >[X"d<P 5.V4E 0"E (!-%- Nd!-\E,

e<bVQ 5 X"V!0 .!E5` 525Q 0V 0"dX 2V<JE!][\ -d0Q,

( \V4E\Q 2EE`E<J .!E5` R E<bVQ 15+5X K 0"E (\"5>.!5,

MVX-V2 )dX-V4E!Q

MVX-V2 )dX-V4E!Q R X[.0ES0 X"V[\J <V2 !E5J 1"E W!E>\d<H cEJ ^&[5!EH OV\X"Vd 1"E50!E R 5 .!E5` 2d0" 5 JdYE!E<-E, e<bVQ 0"E -[\0[!5\ JE\dP"0X V] ^+5d<, Get under the skin of this great city with our local guide & party with the locals!

O5<YH 35X+E!H F"dX0\E!H G5<-V[4E! K Gd-0V!d5 R E<bVQ X0[<<d<P N5<5J5 2d0" ^+d-E, GdXd0 15\\d<<H ^0D CE0E!X.[!P 'd<-\[Jd<P : ES-[!XdV<X#H _E\Xd<`dH ^0V-`"V\> K NV+E<"5PE<, Prepare pasta & chillout on the great lake! Join us and explore this magical island! eS+E!dE<-E 0"E FEX0 V] (>E!d-5 ]!V> ^5< B!5<-dX-V 0V T5X GEP5X 5<J \V0X d< .E02EE<, 1"E *\%>50E ^+d-E eS+E!dE<-E,

e<bVQ NV>VH M5PPdV!E K A5!J5 V< 0"dX 2V<JE!][\ .!E5`, Our 8th -V<XE-[%4E QE5! 5<J d0@X 5X +V+[\5! 5X E4E!,

Waitlist only £150

£799

Waitlist only

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Highlighted Holidays TURKEY COAST CRUISE

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SKI NEW YEAR

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[hL ?9d,B9 a9^LX9d

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aD[VD\ ?L[VD]9^A

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WALKING IN LANZAROTE

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