Spice West Midlands Summer Newsletter of Events by Richard Coulter

SUMMER 2016

So I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about you but where have the last 6 months gone?

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Ski with Spice The Spice ski season has been launched and we are visiting the 3 Valleys, Alpe d’Huez, Soldeu, Courchevel, St. Christoph, Meribel, La Plagne, Cervinia, Arraba and Chamonix - all destinations across France, Austria, Andorra and Italy. What a packed Ski season! It looks like you are going to have a lot of fun.... So we took over 400 members away last season and we have our photos and memories to look back on. What are your stories? What’s your favourite memory? We have loved all the photos that have been shared and liked on Facebook.There is a very active Spice Facebook group for Skiers (Search on “Spice Ski UK Group”) which is a fun way to break the ice and keep in touch with your ski pals. And if you are thinking of joining us this season – watch out for those early booking discounts, to get the best prices.

Spice London & Bristol/Cardiff – Ski Alpe D’Huez - Known as the ‘island in the sun’ thanks to over 300 sunny days a year, Alpe d’Huez is one of the 7 resorts that make up the Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine and offers access to the ÀIWK ODUJHVW VNL DUHD LQ )UDQFH VR no wonder it got voted European Resort of the Year at the World Snow Awards in 2015

Spice Manchester & Yorkshire – Ski Champoluc- A delightfully unspoilt village on the extensive and snow-sure Monterosa ski area.

Spice Thames Valley & Solent – Ski La Plagne - Part of the impressive 425km Paradiski area, La Plagne is a collection of small villages, each with its own distinct feel and character.

Ski Tignes - A wonderful ski area and a Mark Warner chalet! Ski New Year - Festive skiing with Spice and a 9 day trip this year

Spice London & Bristol/Cardiff – Ski St Christoph, Austria the “small but perfectly formed” picturepostcard village of St Christoph opens out onto the Alberg ski area.

Ski Arraba - Ski the Italian Dolomites.

Spice West & East Midlands – Ski Cervinia - This is the largest area in the Alps, with a varied “domaine skiable” beyond compare, which stretches through three valleys in two countries, Italy and Switzerland

Ski Courchevel - Ski the 3 valleys with Spice in a Mark Warner chalet!

Ski Courchevel - Ski the 3 valleys in a Mark Warner Chalet!

Ski Chamonix One for the off piste fanatics!

Ski Champoluc Ski Italy’s very own 3 valleys!

Ski Meribel - Ski the 3 valleys with Spice in a Mark Warner chalet! Ski Beginners Learn to ski with Spice and open a new world of holidays!

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Spice Scotland 0131 531 2653 info@spicescotland.com www.spicescotland.com

Promo Code - 15%SPICE Terms & Conditions: Â£20 Min Spend. Maps and Vouchers are excluded. Delivery only in Mainland UK

Spice East Midlands 01827 767150 RIÃ&#x20AC;FH#VSLFHHDVWPLGV FRP www.spiceeastmids.com Spice Bristol / Cardiff 0117 971 5593 kate@spicebristolcardiff.com www.spicebristolcardiff.com Spice Thames Valley & Solent 0118 9724810 info@thamesvalleyspice.co.uk www.thamesvalleyspice.co.uk

Spice Manchester 0161 864 3849 info@spicemcr.com www.spicemcr.com

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Spice London 01276 479253 dianne@spicelondon.co.uk www.spicelondon.co.uk

Spice Yorkshire 0161 864 2554 info@spiceyorks.com www.spiceyorks.com Spice West Midlands 0121 353 6161 info@spicebham.com www.spicebham.com

Spice UK Emergency 24hr Telephone. 07778 298497 This emergency telephone is strictly for use for serious accidents and emergencies only. It is NOT for general enquiries, bookings, directions, etc.

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Richard’s Roundup Welcome to our Summer Programme and a snapshot of the fun we’ve got planned so far for the next 3 months or so. Of course new events are launched every day, so we can only show you what it looks like on the day this Newsletter goes to be printed. So do use it in conjunction with your weekly email bulletins, our website and our Facebook page, so you don’t miss anything. The last three months have had some incredible and diverse highlights. Touring the amazing Amazon Distribution Centre; Weekending in Istanbul; Experiencing Sir Tom Jones in Lichfield; Staying in our own Castle in Italy; The huge Spice reunion that is Center Parcs; The Great Midlands Fun Run and so many, many more experiences besides. If any of you were wondering what has happened to our Spice Office Colleague, Claire, we had news in May that she had given birth to a son, Oscar. Claire and Karl are enjoying their new family and we hope that Claire will be back in the Spice team in 2017. Maggie and I have had a lot of fun putting together the events in this Newsletter. We have launched our Spice Midlands Ski Trip to Cervinia (see P56) which is an incredible Italian resort offering 350km of fantastic skiing shared with Zermatt. The area is dominated by the mighty Matterhorn and surrounded by outstanding scenery. Don’t miss this one! My series of Urban Rambles using the Greenways Map have become a popular part of walking programme and as a result, we’ve launched a Downhill Walking Break along the Birmingham to Worcester Canal (see P56) which is booking up very quickly. We’ve extended our series of Heirs Tours of Stately Properties by the owners to include Chillington Hall in Codsall, Wolverhampton (see P41), where we are also being treated to a tour by tractor of their wonderful grounds landscaped by Capability Brown. If you like dining with a difference, we have a meal with a retired Detective who will treat us to stories of kidnap, gang warfare and serious fraud (see P3); Two musical evenings at The Blue Piano (see P6 & 39) and even a black tie dinner with John Travolta (see P3). Being the Summer, you’ll also find lots of outdoor adventures, airborne events and water sports to enjoy while the sun shines! It’s going to be a great summer and we look forward to sharing lots of Spice fun and friendship with you all. So, until next time, I’ll ..

See you on the events .. See you on the events ..

Coming Events July 2016 * denotes event is full

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday 1 July

Saturday 2

Sunday 3

Bath Walking Tour

Photography for Beginners New Hall Easy Walk & Afternoon Tea in The Great Chamber Symonds Yat Adventure Mission

Althorp Literary Festival* Balloon Flight Cannock Chase Ramble Peak District Walk Quad Bike Intro & Woodland Trek

Liverpool Social W’end* Mallaig Summer W’end * Rustic Bunkhouse & BBQ W’end - Chilterns* Lake District Watershed Ultimate Challenge Part 1*

Spice Book Club

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton Blacksmithing Stage 2 Forhill Evening Ramble Mamma Mia*

70's & 80's Sound & Vision Quiz Boathouse at Bracebridge Halesowen & Quinton Pub Night Omar Live Romeo & Juliet

National Dragon Boat Camping

Abseiling for the Terrified* Bradgate Park Ramble Horse Archery National Dragon Boat Camping National Dragon Boat Party Spice Wing Walking Stow on the Wold Ramble Tour of Freemason's Hall Trick Horse Riding

Helicopter Lesson* Medieval Jousting* National Dragon Boat Racing Peak District Walk: Stanton Moor from Winster Tank Battle Experience Winchcombe 10 Mile Ramble

Ten Pin Bowling (Acocks Green)

Gliding Evening at Stratford Meet the Meerkats (Evening) Rounders for Free Sutton Park Run, Jog or Walk in the Park

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton Sutton Coldfield Evening Discovery Walk Sutton Pub Night

Bastille Night Meal at the Pancake House Canals Discovery Evening & Buffet at Titford Pumphouse

Barn Dance & Supper

African Drumming Around the World 80 Days Brewery Tour & Tasting Canadian Canoeing Oxford Knowle Discovery Walk Nottingham City of Caves Puppetry of the Penis Shropshire Hills High Level Ramble Williams F1 Exclusive HQ Tour - Oxfordshire

Bollywood Dance Cardiff Day by Coach Chatsworth Private Tour Cinema Night Hangliding - Tandem Microlighting Experience Owl Hour Paragliding Peak District Walk RSC Behind The Scenes Tanworth in Arden Ramble Treasures of the Museum

Preview Evening (MAC)

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton Curry & Quiz Sutton Coldfield

Alpaca Evening Experience in Charnwood Forest Shuttington Evening Ramble

Pizza & Putt Evening at The Belfry Spice Hits Town at the Jam House

Social Cycle Ride: Measham & Moira Furnace Summer Ball & Optional Sleepover Vulcan Bomber Restoration Experience

Burford 10 Mile Ramble Cable Wakeboarding Inflatable Water Fun Nordic 5 Mile Walk Peak District Walk: Monsal Waterskiing Beg & Imps Women's Self Defence & Street Security Workshop Zipworld Velocity Zipline

Bristol Harbour Music Festival W’end* Sailing W’end around the Solent

Masham Beer & BBQ W’end* Walking W’end Newton Abbot & the South Devon Coast Walking W’end Summer in the Lakes, Eskdale*

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park Tamworth & Lichfield Pub Night

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton

Indoor Climbing at Redpoint

French Connection Bistro Dinner Shuffle

Berwyn High Level Walk High Ropes Aerial Extreme Llama Trek & Rare Breeds Farm Visit with Lunch The Magic of Motown Veg Out - Meat Free Dinner Shuffle! Zorbing Fun

Bosworth Steam Train Ramble Golf - Learn in a Day Llangollen Hard Ramble Motorbike Off Road Exp* Peak District Walk Spetchley Gardens Walk with the Head Gardener Spice Wing Walking The Big Abseil - 200 Feet Western Style Rifle Shooting Experience

Sailing W’end around the Solent Llandrindod, Elan Valley & Red Kite Country

Spice West Midlands, Ryknild House, Burnett Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 3EL Tel: 0121 353 6161 Email: richard@spicebham.com

Website: www.spicebham.com

Coming Events August 2016 * denotes event is full

Monday 1 August

Tuesday 2

Wednesday 3

Thursday 4

Friday 5

Saturday 6

Sunday 7

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park & Optional Curry!

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton

Curry & Quiz Solihull Halesowen & Quinton Pub Night Thorntons Factory Tour*

Pie Factory Night with Live Music Spanish Evening at El Borracho De Oro

Birmingham Hippodrome Heritage Dinner Broadway 10 Mile Ramble Cold War & Nimrod Tour Monkey Forest & Picnic Multi Water Sports Pony Trekking Day with Picnic in the Forest of Dean Unique Wolf Experience

Grace Dieu History Walk Inflatable Action Fun Nordic Walk at Ironbridge Peak District Walk Polo, Picnics & Summer Fun Pony Trekking Day with Picnic in the Forest of Dean

Ascot Races, Concert & Windsor W’end Hathersage Hostel W’end Sea Kayaking with the Seals Summer Bunkhouse W’end Beddgelerts Ultimate Challenge The Best of the Norfolk Broads

Ten Pin Bowling (Acocks Green)

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton Balsall Common Evening Ramble Sutton Pub Night

Turtle Bay Caribbean Dinner Shuffle Twilight Spa Experince at The Belfry

Salsa Dance Workshop

Battle of the Proms at Ragley Hall Cardingmill Valley & Long Mynd Hard Ramble Chocolate Blind Tasting Climb Longstone Pinnacle Kayaking for Fun

Crafternoon Tea – Plant Pot Hopwood & Barnt Green Easy to Moderate Ramble Peak District Walk Shugborough Hall & Sherbrook Valley Moderate Ramble

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton

Little Italy Dinner Shuffle in Solihull Middleton Evening Ramble Staffs Hoard Conservation Tour

Spice Hits Town at the Jam House

Abseiling for the Terrified BBC Behind the Scenes Blue Piano Garden Party with Terry & Gerry Meet the Meerkats Oktoberfest in Leicester Stately Secrets of Tissington with Sir Richard Stiperstones Hard Ramble

Alvechurch Easy Ramble Cinema Night Guided Tour of The Lord Leycester Hospital Learn to Nordic Walk Moreton in Marsh Ramble Peak District Walk Rock Climbing Terrified The Big Abseil - 200 Feet

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton Chinese & Quiz

Gliding Evening at Stratford

Lasan Indian Banquet

ABBA Tribute at Conkers Hatton Locks Ramble Hippodrome Back Stg Tour Kayak River Adventure Spice Wing Walking Stonehenge Sunset Tour

Crafternoon Tea - Upcycle Vintage Sewing Bee Horse Drawn Narrow Boat Peak District Walk Social Cycle Ride: Walton on Trent & Fradley

Sailing Cowes Week Experience

Serenity W’end Discover Your Inner Self*

Summer Bunkhouse W’end with Beaches & BBQ*

Walking Week Tintern Abbey, Offa's Dyke & Wye Valley Way London Bank Holiday Social W’end Sailing Cross Channel & Channel Islands Adrenaline Cocktail W’end Beautiful Gower W’end Anglesey Bank Holiday Chill Out W’end* Edinburgh Festival W’end Inner Hebrides Sailing W’end* Lynton & the North Devon Coast Snowdonia Welsh 3000's Summer in Heart of Snowdonia Mountains

Bridgnorth & Rindleford Ramble Pools of Sutton Park Easy or Moderate Figure of 8 Ramble

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park Tamworth Discovery Walk Tamworth & Lichfield Pub Night

Badminton For FREE - Billesley Tennis Centre Badminton For FREE - Coventry

Spice West Midlands, Ryknild House, Burnett Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 3EL Tel: 0121 353 6161 Email: richard@spicebham.com

Website: www.spicebham.com

Coming Events September 2016 * denotes event is full

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday 1 September

Friday 2

Saturday 3

Sunday 4

Halesowen & Quinton Pub Night Plough & Harrow Dinner Shuffle

Night of the Bride of Plan 9 From Outer Space

Canoeing Taster Knitting for the Terrified! Stratford & Clifford Chambers Moderate Ramble White Water Rafting

Beginners Horse Trek Microlighting Experience Newton Burgoland Ramble Paragliding Tandem Paragliding Day Course Peak District Walk Steam Train to Stratford Stratford Discovery Walk Urban Ramble: City to Sutton Park via Newhall Zumba for Fun

Canadian Canoeing & Camping W’end

American Pool Night & Buffet Spice Book Club

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Curry & Quiz Harborne

D Day Veteran Evening Sunny Afternoon

Scottish Sailing Week 2016

AC/DC & Jimmy Hendrix Tribute Night at Conkers Alexandra Backstage Tour Firework Championships Glass Experience Hovercraft "Flying" Exp Indoor Surfing Live Music & Meal at Red Carpet Cinema Michelin Rated Indian Dinner Shuffle

Camel Riding Experience Foxton Locks Moderate Ramble/ Lunch Helicopter Lesson Jewellery Quarter Walk & Cantonese Buffet Learn to Drift! Peak District Walk Shropshire Raft Tour Titan Zipwire & Bounce Below Experience

Chill Out Bike Amble W’end Sailing W’end around Malta

Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Evening Ramble Preview Evening (Arden Hotel) Ten Pin Bowling (Acocks Green)

Fencing for Beginners

Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton Drumming for Beginners Earlswood Twilight Ramble Edmunds Fine Dining Sutton Pub Night

Bowie Experience On The Rocks Dining

Axe Throwing Canadian Canoe Adventure Colour U Confident* Dana Prison Sleepover Prodrive V.I.P. Visit Ramble, Scramble & Dangle Tandem Skydive The Lady in the Van Urban Ramble: Cannon Hill & Bournville Triangle

Barton Marina Ramble Cinema Night Fly a Plane from Coventry to Stratford Horse Riding Fun Day! Peak District Walk Perf Grand Opera in a Day SWAT Training Mission Social Cycle Ride: Stratford upon Avon The Big Abseil - 200 Feet

Acrylic Painting W’end Grassington 1940s Bunk Barn W’end* Sailing W’end Poole, Jurassic Coast & Weymouth Sea Kayaking with the Seals

Ghost

Mandela Trilogy

Funeral Home Talk & Tour Rugby Magic for Beginners Badminton for Free sessions at: Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton

An Evening of Kidnap, Gang Crime & Serious Fraud! Indian Fusion Banquet Shuffle

Crime & Punishment Evening with Supper Dial M for Murder Spice Hits Town at the Jam House

Abseiling for the Terrified Ferrari v Lamborghini Flight Simulator* Gorgeous Earrings W’shop John Travolta - World Exclusive Black Tie Dinner Kayaking - New Forest Off Road Karting Pole Dancing with Pure Joy Stone Carving - Beginners

Bewdley & Arley Ramble Forest Segway On Cannock Chase Go Ape Treetop Experience on Cannock Chase Hoola Hooping Ironbridge to Bridgnorth Raft Day & BBQ Medieval Jousting Tank Battle Experience

Barton Arms Tour & Thai Meal

Tamworth & Lichfield Pub Night

Gloucester & the Cotswolds Walking W’end

Badminton for Greek Meal & Free sessions at: Quiz - Sutton Coldfield Billesley, Coventry & Wolverhampton Sailing W’end around the Solent Scottish Walking W’end Eskdale Ultimate Challenge Walking W’end

Spice West Midlands, Ryknild House, Burnett Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B74 3EL Tel: 0121 353 6161 Email: richard@spicebham.com

Website: www.spicebham.com

Meals & 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.

Barn Dance & Supper .. a cracking night in a the barn with Fiddler's Elbow! Date: Fridays: 15th July or 21st October 2016 Place: Wishaw Country Sports, just off the A446 near The Belfry Hotel (B76 9PQ) # Meet: Arrive from 7.30pm, Band 8.00pm to 11.00pm. Food 9.00pm Cost: £20 (£23 Guest) includes hot buffet supper This is one of those well loved events that we run 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 .. it’s great fun trying! There are even fine country ales on tap!

Bastille Night Meal at the Pancake House .. célébrer le jour, célébrer le joie de vivre! Date: Thursday 14th July 2016 Place: Heart of the Country Village, Swinfen (WS14 9QR) Meet: 7.30pm (food served 8pm) Cost: £16.50 (£19.50 Guests) Includes: 3 Course meal, service charges & Spice Coordinator It’s the French national day today and a thin excuse to indulge in a feast lovely French country food together at this lovely venue! The Crepery is situated in a converted barn on this popular country village at Swinfen (between Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield) and has a huge following for serving great quality simple food in a really pleasant environment. Menu: We have arranged a special set 3 course menu for Spice. Please find details on our website.

Summer Ball & Optional Sleepover .. celebrate summertime at this sumptuous venue Saturday 23 July 2016 (to Sunday 24th July 2016 if sleeping over) Chesford Grange, Kenilworth, Nr Warwick (CV8 2LD) # Meet for party 7.15pm (Room check in from 2pm) £49 (£59 Guests) for Party Only; £99 (£109 Guests) for Party & B&B Sharing Twin or Double; £159 (£169 Guests) for Party & B&B with Single Room Incl: Party with live entertainment & DJ, 3 course dinner. Those staying over will also enjoy overnight accomodation, breakfast plus use of hotel leisure facilities Spice West Midlands have a fine reputation for our Summer Balls and we like to use grand country venues that evoke the joys of the season and create a sense of occasion. We are delighted this summer to have secured Chesford Grange, a fantastic four-star Warwickshire hotel that is part of the highly rated Q Group of properties. Historic charm is coupled with contemporary glamour, all set in beautiful grounds on the edge of the River Avon. After our sociable drinks reception, we will enjoy a lovely meal and some surprise entertainment. There will also be dancing until late with our favourite Spice DJ. Dinner: The chefs have put together a wonderful menu with options. Please see the menu online. Stay Over: Why not stay over and make a weekend of it. All 205 bedrooms at Chesford Grange are spacious with stunning contemporary décor and free wifi. There is also a leisure club/ spa with pool. It’s a great base if you want to spend Sunday sampling the sights that Warwickshire has to offer. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

A Spice Newsletter is just a Snapshot in Time We’re busy booking new events all the time so please 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.

French Connection Bistro Dinner Shuffle .. authentic French home cooking in Stourbridge Date: Friday 29th July 2016 Place: Coventry Street, Stourbridge (DY8 1EP) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £25 (£27 Guest) Incl: 3 courses, teas/coffees/chocs, service & host We love to find you small independently owned restaurants that home cook from fresh ingredients. This place has a huge following and great reviews. The chef cooks each dish with attention to detail in accordance with the highest traditions of French Cuisine. Meals are served as soon as they are ready, straight from pan to plate. We plan to have 2 tables of 10 and to shuffle between courses Menu awaited – please check back nearer the time.

Veg Out - Meat Free Dinner Shuffle! .. the perfect antidote to Christmas! th

Date: Saturday 30 July 2016 Place: Veg Out, Poplar Rd, Kings Heath (B14 7AG) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £23.50 (£25 Guest) Incl: 3 courses & Host. Bring your own alcohol Whether or not you would normally choose a vegetarian meal, you are in for a treat at this trendy restaurant which has a brilliant reputation for its food. We are making a very rapid return after excellent feedback from our previous visits. Everything is cooked fresh by a very skilled chef. And they have arranged for us to have the whole restaurant exclusively

Lasan Indian Banquet .. experience one of the UK's Top 10 Indian Restaurants Date: Friday 26th August 2016 Place: James Street, St. Pauls Sq, Birmingham (B3 1SD) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £34 (£36 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 come and experienced Birmingham’s ultimate Indian night! No need to pre order, as we get the lot! The menu can be seen at www.spicebham.com.

Saxon Mill Dinner Shuffle .. glorious "gastropub" dining by the river! th

Date: Thursday 6 October 2016 Place: Guys Cliffe, Warwick (CV34 5YN) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £32 (£35 Guest) Incl: 3 course meal, service charges & Spice Coordinator There can’t be a more spectacular location than this riverside gastropub. It enjoys unrivalled views over the river and Guys Cliffe. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and informal, yet they have put a lot of thought and effort into the complete redesign creating a totally new interior, featuring open kitchens, stone fired ovens and log burning fires, offset by beautifully landscaped decking for alfresco dining. They have a great reputation for imaginative cuisine from the freshest ingredients. The Menu (please give choice when booking) is on our website along with detailed directions

RAF Cosford Tornado Ball .. a fabulous evening supporting RAF Benevolent Fund Saturday 8th October 2016 RAF Cosford (TF11 8UP) # 7.00pm £80 (£85 Guest) Deposit £20 Incl: Welcome drink, 5 Course Meal, RAF Squadronaires Band, guest speakers, celebrity comperes, auction, guard of honour with piper, dancing until midnight Join us in the unique setting of one of Cosford Museums splendid aircraft display hangars surrounded by four Tornado Jets to celebrate 40 years of this iconic aircraft. All money taken goes to the RAFBF. Read more on our website.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Toboggan & Fondue Night .. this legendary Spice event is back! th

Date: Saturday 15 October 2016 Place: Swadlincote Ski Centre (DE11 8LP) Meet: 5.30pm for 5.45pm start (food at 8pm) Cost: £22.50 (£25 Guest) Incl: 1 hour each of toboggan & tubing followed by fondue meal You don’t have to go away on a ski trip to get that “apres ski” experience! Tonight we have 2 hours of “play time” followed by food & merriment at this centre. We’ll be split into 2 groups and spend an hour on the toboggan run (you should get at least 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 breath taking 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.

John Travolta –Exclusive Black Tie Dinner .. a very special evening with the star! th

Date: Saturday 24 September 2016 Place: ICC, Birmingham (B1 2EA) # Meet: 6.30pm Cost: £105 (£110 Guest) Deposit of £25 holds your place John Travolta was catapulted into worldwide stardom back in 1977 with the legendary Saturday Night Fever and blockbuster Grease. Since those iconic films John has established himself as one of the most popular and successful movie stars of all time. It is a real coup for Birmingham that the legend himself is joining us this evening. Spice have tables held at this special Black Tie Dinner event which will provide an opportunity for fans to see the legend in person. Our special “Bronze Hospitality” package includes: ● 'Grease' themed event ● A breath taking stage entrance ● Big Band Orchestra State 51 with Rat Pack singer playing throughout dinner ● Stunning auction with signed bespoke Travolta memorabilia, with something for every budget ● Huge production with unseen Travolta video and photos shown throughout the interview on two giant screens. ● Celebrity interviewer Jenni Falconer ● Chances to win Travolta related prizes in the event Prize Draw including a meet & greet with John Travolta ● Full colour event brochure If you are a fan of Travolta, or just fancy being part of a very special celebrity night, then please don’t miss this opportunity. Spice are holding 4 tables for a maximum of 40 people to join us.

An Evening of Kidnap, Gangs & Serious Fraud .. enjoy a meal in a barn with the an ex Detective Chief Inspector! Date: Thursday 22nd September 2016 Place: Wishaw Country Sports, just off the A446 near The Belfry (B76 9PQ) # Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm Cost: £10 (£12 Guest) Includes: Hot buffet Extra: Voluntary donation suggested minimum of £5 to Alzheimer's Society We’re all fascinated by crime, so when we were offered the chance to book Simon Wallis, a recently retired Detective Chief Inspector of WM Police to entertain (and scare!) us with his real life stories, we jumped at the opportunity. The Man: Having recently retired from West Midlands Police after 30 years of enthusiastic service Simon will give an insight into how 30 years of policing changed for him from "beat bobby" to leading over 100 specialist detectives in tackling Serious and Organised Crime with access to military style responders! He will seek to engage you in a number of chapters from his career combining both factual insights into the challenges of policing and humorous interludes from his role as a Senior Investigating Officer of Serious Fraud, Homicide, Gang Crime and Violence culminating in a canter through his nine years of experience leading the rarely spoken of area of Kidnap and Extortion. Nothing too grisly, nothing too sad, Simon will aim to travel at a pace through aspects of the response that sits behind the headlines. The Charity: In place of a fee, Simon wishes his talks to raise money for charity. He’s asked if we can all give a donation to his chosen cause which is Alzheimer's Society. No doubt he will mention why he has chosen this excellent charity. The Venue & The Food: We are at a converted barn on a working farm, well known by those who attend our regular Barn Dances for great home cooked food and country ales. Our hosts, Anne & David will be serving up a hot buffet (with vegetarian options on request). There is lots of easy parking right outside.

Pizza & Putt Evening at The Belfry .. now anyone can play a round at The Belfry! nd

Date: Friday 22 July 2016 Place: The Belfry Hotel, Sutton Coldfield (B76 9PR) Meet: 6.30pm Cost: £27 (£30 Guest) includes mini golf and pizza supper Fancy your chances of beating your fellow Spice members on this brand new Ryder Legends Miniature Golf course! Tonight we have exclusive use of the miniature golf course so come and experience 12 holes of competitive fun through miniature versions of some of the most iconic holes in Ryder Cup history! Afterwards we will be able to enjoy a selection of handmade pizzas served in Roca's pizzeria within The Belfry.

Pie Factory Night with Live Music .. a night of live music & Black Country gluttony! th

Date: Friday 5 August 2016 Place: Tipton near Dudley (See below) (DY4 9AB) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £18 (£19.50 Guest) Incl: 2 course meal & reserved seating by stage This place is quite an institution! We call in there when we do Black Country Bus trips, and no-one wants to leave! We have booked up to 40 seats at large tables beside the live music. The atmosphere is always great. People are usually encouraged to get up and dance around the tables and generally 'let their hair down'. The ales are pretty good there as well! The live music: To be finalized, but we have requested Neil Davidson who got good feedback from our March visit. The Menu (please give choice when booking) is on our website - enjoy!

Spanish Evening at El Borracho De Oro .. discover this excellent restaurant Date: Friday 5th August 2016 Place: Harborne Court, Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham (B15 3BU) Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm Cost: £29 (£32 Guest) Incl: Meal, entertainment & services of a Spice co ordinator Alfonso and Emma met 10 years ago working in one of Birmingham's best restaurants, they found a mutual love for delicious but unfussy food and excellent service. The big "10 year dream" was always to open in Edgbaston, and after opening 3 different tapas Bars around Shropshire and the West Midlands they have managed to open El Borracho De Oro on Harborne Road, in Edgbaston’s heart. Tapas is always popular with Spice, as it is such a sociable way of dining together. So join us for an evening of Tapas and Dessert and enjoy the music of the Bandidos in this exciting new venue. Menu awaited – please check our website around 2 weeks before event for details.

Michelin Rated Indian Dinner Shuffle .. sample Indian fine dining in our private room th

Date: Saturday 10 September 2016 Place: The Bilash, 2 Cheapside, Wolverhampton (WV1 1TU) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £33 (£35 Guest) Incl: 4 course celebration menu, private room & host Extra: tips on the night at your discretion When a local Indian Restaurant gets rated in the Michelin Guide, it’s time for Spice to visit and test the claims. From what we have read, The Bilash is rather special and we are expecting a treat when we visit tonight! Customers come far and wide for this Indian eatery, which offers really simple yet delicious food. The Guide notes: “This smart contemporary restaurant is well-established and has several generations of the same family involved. Appealing, original menus offer South Indian and Bangladeshi dishes, crafted only from local and homemade produce”. We have a private room (subject to numbers) and special menu. So don’t miss this opportunity to step up your experience of Indian food to Michelin standard! More: find our menu online and pre order starter & main course when booking.

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 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.

Little Italy Dinner Shuffle in Solihull .. enjoy this excellent family run restaurant Date: Thursday 18th August 2016 Place: 156/8 Stratford Road, Solihull (B90 3BD) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £28.50 (£32 Guest) Incl: 4 course meal, service charges & Spice host Little Italy is a family owned business, proud to be independent, proud also in their support of local suppliers in the pursuit of locally sourced and produced ingredients for their kitchen. They have built an excellent reputation and acheived an average score of 4.5 out of 5 across 177 reviews on Trip Advisor. We’ve booked a 4 course menu and will shuffle between courses. Let us know your choice of starter, main and dessert in advance. See menu at www.spicebham.com

Plough & Harrow Dinner Shuffle .. enjoy simple gastro-pub dining st

Date: Thursday 1 September 2016 Place: Chester Road, Aldridge (WS9 0LR) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £17.50 (£20.50 Guest) Incl: 3 courses menu & host Extra: Tips on night The Plough & Harrow is an old coaching inn with roaring log fires (hopefully not necessary in September!), exposed beams, stone floors and leaded windows, it has all the charm of a bygone age but with a stylish, modern and contemporary feel. It has recently been refurbished by a small local pub chain and has a good reputation for its cuisine. We have our own section of the restaurant so will shuffle between courses to make it a sociable occasion. See menu online.

Edmunds Fine Dining Experience .. discover the best of French fine dining together Date: Wednesday 14th September 2016 Place: Six Brindley Place, Birmingham (B1 2JB) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £55 (£59 Guest) Incl: 3 course meal (plus 2 intermediary courses) &12.5% service Birmingham is fast becoming a destination for lovers of fine food and we like to include fine dining within our wide range of group meals. This time, we are delighted to have linked up with one of our finest restaurants to offer a really special gastronomic experience. With views over Brindley Place, expect tables dressed in pristine crisp white cotton, polished glassware and shining cutlery. Their French Chef creates menus using the finest locally sourced produce, following the British seasons. Our menu will be published in August so please check for updates and a sample menu at our website.

Turtle Bay Caribbean Dinner Shuffle .. enjoy the Island life for a summer evening Date: Thursday 11th August 2016 Place: John Bright Street, Birmingham (B1 1BL) Meet: 6pm for 6.15pm Note earlier time Cost: £25 (£27.50 Guest) inclusive of 3 course meal, service & coordinator We’ve had lots of requests for Turtle Bay from the members as it has a great reputation for good Caribbean Food and a fun, relaxed atmosphere. They don’t usually take bookings from groups, but we have persuaded them to reserve part of their verandah area for just 18 Spice members for an early evening meal (note the 6pm for 6.15pm start time) that will particularly suit those who work in the city. We have a fixed price menu based on some of their favourite dishes which we will need to pre order. Please choose one starter, one main & one pudding from the menu on our website when booking.

Pizza By Goli Classic Italian Dinner Shuffle .. enjoy fine italian home cooking th

Date: Thursday 13 October 2016 Place: 49 Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield (B72 1QF) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £24.50 (£26.50 Guest) Incl. 3 course meal, private room & 10% service Pizza by Goli are family owned and have restaurants in Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield. They have a great reputation for traditional Italian food, particularly their homemade Pizza and Pasta dishes. We thought it was about time that Spice paid them a visit, so we have booked their private room (numbers permitting) and plan to shuffle between courses. 5

Indian Fusion Banquet Shuffle .. we think you'll love this fabulous new restaurant! Date: Thursday 22nd September 2016 Place: Simla, Watling St, Dordon. Close to M42 J10 near Tamworth (B78 1SY) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £24.50 (£26.50 Guest) Includes: includes of 3 course banquet, teas/coffees Extras: tips on night Its been 2 years since we visited this lovely restaurant! They are always very keen to impress Spice, so we confidently believe that we’re in for a treat! The décor is modern and the menu is refreshingly different from a usual Indian restaurant, with lots of unusual variations on the traditional themes. Presentation and service are also first class. We will be seated around two large tables and have chosen a banquet style so that you can sample a range of different specialities which will be placed along the middle of the table. It also makes the whole process easier and more sociable. On arrival, there will be poppadoms and assorted savouries. This will be followed by a range of 4 -5 different starters to try. The main courses will include a selection of meat and fish specialties to share. The deserts are really dreamy as well! We will finish with coffees/ teas. If you are a vegetarian or have any other special diet, please remind us when you book and you will be looked after.

On the Rocks Dining Experience .. enjoy this exciting new Bromsgrove restaurant Date: Thursday 15th September 2016 Place: 44 Worcester Rd, Bromsgrove, Worcs (B61 7AE) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £26.50 (£28.50 Guest) Includes 3 course meal. Service discretionary Enjoy this unique concept of cooking on volcanic rock a really enjoyable and delicious experience. This method of dining uses super heated volcanic rock that sears in all the natural juices and flavours with no need for oils or fats. It is a deliciously healthy interactive dining experience that allows your meal to be cooked 'on the rocks' at your table, exactly how you like it. The restaurant uses only the finest local produce and have gone out of our way to find the best steaks (21 day matured), the finest fish and freshest vegetables. Everything is freshly prepared on site by their chefs. Menu: We will be taking pre orders when booking, please see the full menu at www.spicebham.com

Jersey Nights Tribute Dinner .. a tribute to Franki Valli & the Four Seasons th

Date: Saturday 15 October 2016 Place: Coombe Abbey, Brinklow (CV3 2AB) # Meet: 7.30pm start, finish 12.30am Cost: £37.50 (£39.50 Guest) Incl: Welcome drink on arrival, 3 course meal, live & disco entertainment Spice are hosting a table for around 20 members to enjoy this atmospheric evening within the marquee at this historic Abbey (now a country house hotel). It's a very complete package of feasting and entertainment including a welcome Drink on arrival, three-course meal, entertainment by "The Other Guys" and an evening disco. “The Other Guys” are quickly becoming one of the UK’s best tribute acts for the famous ‘Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons’. With Famous hits such as Sherry, Walk Like A Man, My Eyes Adored You and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. The group of 4 West End performers bring you tight harmonies, style and charismatic performances.Whether you’re a fan of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons or the Jersey Boys or just fancy a fun night out.

Blue Piano Dining with Live Music ..an evening of great food & entertainment th

Date: Wednesday 19 October 2016 Place: The Blue Piano, 24 - 26 Harborne Road, Birmingham (B15 3AA) Meet: 7.00pm Cost: £32 (£34 Guest) Incl: Live music, 3 course dinner & service The Blue Piano is a large Edwardian house situated in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston. Family-run and independent with bar, restaurant and a beautiful terrace garden. The house exudes warmth and elegance. A unique South-East Asian venue, it has also become a destination for musicians and music lovers with its eclectic programme of live music. The restaurant serves traditional Singaporean, Malaysian and Cambodian cuisine, created using the finest South-East Asian ingredients and cooking styles. Their aim is to provide a unique food experience that will appeal to people who want to try real South East Asian cuisine. The menus mix classic dishes that have been passed down through generations with popular street food. Tonight we will enjoy Jazz Wednesday with live music by the Tom Hill Trio. Please see set sharing menu online

Comedy Night & Dinner at Hogarths .. with The Noise Next Door, Mark Palmer & Tony Vino Date: Friday 21st October 2016 Place: Four Ashes Road, Dorridge, Solihull (B93 8QE) Meet: 7pm Cost: £29.50 (£32 Guest) Incl: Welcome drink & nibbles, 2 course meal & entertainment Nestling in 26 acres of beautiful, unspoilt woodland, Hogarths Hotel is a great venue for a Saturday night out. Once again Hogarths is hosting a Comedy Night with headline acts The Noise Next Door, Mark Palmer & Tony Vino. There will be a welcome drink on arrival, a glass of wine, beer or soft drink, in our own dedicated area before moving to our tables for the evening’s entertainment which will commence after a two course meal. Please note this is not a Spice exclusive event. For full details of the comics and the menu, please visit this event on our website.

Prison Lunch at Sudbury .. cooked by prisoners .. but no porridge in sight! th

Date: Thursday 27 October 2016 Place: HM Prison Sudbury near Ashbourne (DE6 5HW) Meet: 11.50am for 12noon Cost: £7 (£8.50 Guest) Includes: 3 course meal, plus teas/coffees. Spice coordinator. This is a rather unusual event, but don’t worry, it’s not as bad as the photo suggests (honest!)! Sudbury’s Private Diner is actually a training restaurant for prisoners. The Secret Diner is situated just outside the main gates and acts as the staff mess for prison officers but it’s also open to the public and, without ever advertising, it has built up a big customer base. But it has a more important role, in preparing prisoners for a return to the outside world, giving them skills that will help them secure work in a competitive job market. The focus is very much on reducing re-offending by giving them the skills they need to get a job in the hospitality industry. Not just a qualification but also the experience that goes with that by working here. That can be in front of house or cooking. This event has to be on a weekday, daytime, but we hope that by choosing a date in the school holidays, a fair number of Spice members will be able to join us.

Haunted Halloween Banquet at Coombe Abbey .. a spooktacular evening at a haunted venue Halloween Night: Monday 31st October 2016 Coombe Abbey, Brinklow (CV3 2AB) # 7.00pm for 7.30pm start, finish 12.30am £44.50 (£46.50 Guest) Incl: 4 course feast, 3 goblets of red wine, 3 beakers of mead, a full stage show, and post-banquet disco. Spice tables. For an evening of thrill and fright, enjoy a ghoulishly good night at Coombe Abbey. Set in 500 acres of parkland and overlooking a lake, Coombe Abbey was originally built as a Cistercian Abbey in the 12th Century and is steeped in history. It is really atmospheric as you walk in the footsteps of generations of monks and can imagine their chanting and whispers. But for some people the experience goes further than this and there are many reports of sights and sounds that suggest that some of the previous residents are still with us. This is what tonight's experience is all about. It’s All Hallows Eve at the Abbey, a witch has been brought to trial and a lot of ghostly goings on have occurred. At Coombe Abbey’s Haunted Halloween Banquet, anything could happen. Enjoy an evening of haunted fun, as you feast on a fangtastic fourcourse meal, three goblets of red wine and three beakers of mead. Please note this is not a Spice exclusive event. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Festive Diary Dates .. two essentials you won’t want to miss! ● Saturday 10th December – Christmas Dinner Dance at Hyatt Hotel ● Saturday 31st December – New Year Party/ Sleepover at Crowne Plaza (NEC) ______________________________

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

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

Date: Sundays: 10 July or 11 September 2016 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 up for 15 memorable minutes. Weight limit 15½ stone (98kg).

Fly a Plane from Coventry to Stratford .. our ultimate fixed wing flying lesson! th

Date: Sunday 18 September 2016 Place: Coventry Airport (CV8 3AZ) Meet: Slots from 10am Cost: £129 (£139 Guest) Incl: 30mins flying under instruction & 30 minutes observing Here's a brilliant way to tick off an event that is on almost every “bucket list” – yes, the opportunity to pilot an aircraft! To make this more special, we’re using a 4 seat aircraft and 2 Spice members will share an hours flying – one taking us to Stratford (Wellesbourne Airfield) and the other flying us home. We will, of course be under expert instruction throughout. We take off from Coventry with one Spice student in the pilot’s seat beside the instructor and the other observing from the back seat. Half an hour later we land in Stratford where we swap over to return. Much better than a standard lesson.

Balloon Flights .. the altogether more civilised way to fly! Date: Sunday 2nd October 2016 (other dates can be arranged on request) Place: Choose: ● Warwick/Stratford or ● Shugborough Hall, Staffs # Meet: Early morning - to be confirmed with joining details Cost: £145 Member, £149 Guest An experience of a lifetime with a hot air balloon flight. See full details on our website at www.spicebham.com

Tandem Skydive from 12,000ft .. treat yourself to the ultimate adventure! th

Date: Sunday 17 September 2016 Place: Hinton Skydive Cent, Oxon/ Northants (NN13 5NS) # Meet: Arrive 12.30pm Cost: £230 (£249 Guest) includes BPA membership The ultimate adventure on every “bucket list”! With a tandem jump, you’re strapped to an instructor so get the full freefall thrill straight off! Make sure you read the full event writeup at our website as there are rules and restrictions on this one.

Gliding Evenings at Stratford .. see Stratford by glider! Date: Tue 12th July or Thur 25th August 2016 Place: Stratford on Avon Gliding Club, Snitterfield (CV37 0EX) # Meet: Arrive from 6pm Cost: £40 (£42 Guest): paid as £5 (£7) deposit plus £35 on day by cash/cheque Gliding is one of the adventures which Spice members rave about most. Flying gracefully and quietly, you are at one with your environment, following the air currents and thermals which nature provides - read full details on our website

Microlighting Experience Flight .. enjoy a 20 minute flight above Ashbourne! Sundays: 17th July or 4th September 2016 Darley Moor Airfield near Ashbourne (DE6 2ET) # Timeslots to be allocated Total cost is £57 (£62 Guests) PAID AS £5 (£10 Guest) deposit to Spice when booking PLUS a balance of £52 directly to the supplier on arrival. These flights are with an instructor, in a dual controlled microlight, so you can have a go with the controls if you wish or just sit back and enjoy the experience! 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). Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Paragliding Day Course .. a perfect days introduction to the sport! Sundays: 17 July or 4th September 2016 Darley Moor Airfield near Ashbourne (DE6 2ET) # 9am to 5pm Total cost is £125 (£130 Guests) but this is paid as £10 (£15 guests) deposit when booking PLUS the balance of £115 direct to the supplier on arrival Paragliding is a fabulous experience. This day is designed to provide all the info you need to decide if flying is for you and they are normally able to get students flying low solo flights by the end of the day. This is also the way to start if you’re interested in Paramotoring, as you need to be able to paraglide before you can progress to motors. If this interests you, let the team know and they’ll show you some motor units and let you try them on! Note: Event is weather dependent and a weather check number will be provided. Weight limit 15 stone (95kg). Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Paragliding - Tandem Experience .. experience a short but dramatic paraglide! Sundays: 17 July or 4th September 2016 Darley Moor Airfield near Ashbourne (DE6 2ET) # Timeslots to be allocated Cost is £55 (£59 Guests) PAID AS £5 (£9 Guest) deposit to Spice when booking PLUS a balance of £50 directly to the supplier on arrival Get the closest feeling to everyone’s dream of truly free flight. Flying with an instructor and towed up by a winch to around 500 -700 feet, you can either help to pilot the paraglider, or just sit back and admire the views of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. The experience starts with a full briefing then a 5-10 minute flight depending on conditions. Note: Event is weather dependent and a weather check number will be provided. Weight limit 15 stone (95kg). Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Hangliding - Tandem Experience by Air Tow .. an awesome experience at 3000 feet! Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Sundays: 17 July 2016 Darley Moor Airfield near Ashbourne (DE6 2ET) # Timeslots to be allocated Cost is £199 (£204 Guests) PAID AS £20 (£25 Guest) deposit to Spice when booking PLUS a balance of £179 directly to the supplier on arrival You’re towed behind a microlight to 3000ft (or cloudbase) in the company of an experienced instructor. Once the towline is jettisoned you’ll glide free and silent in complete awe of the spectacular views overlooking the beautiful Peak District. You may even take the controls and fly the hang glider yourself or enjoy the thrill of limited aerobatics. As one member said, it’s “rather like flying with Superman”! The hang glider has an undercarriage for easier take-off and landing. Notes: Cost reflects the need for both a crewed hanglider and a crewed microlight. There is a weight limit of 95kg.

Are you officially Amazing? You could be once you have completed 10 challenging events. What better talking point for your CV! See your member handbook or visit www.spiceuk.com/amazing.asp or call us for details.

Spice Wing Walking Experience .. a 'once in a lifetime' Spice experience Dates: Sunday 31st July or Saturday 27th August 2016 Place: Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Essex (RM14 2TN) # Meet: Details to be advised Cost: £435 (£440 Guest) (Deposit £45) Includes: All instruction & equipment This is one of the most requested Spice events ever and it is back in the Spice programme! Why not come and take a walk with us on top of a Boeing Stearman Biplane. Your Wing Walking experience includes training, with you as the wing walker, on top of the Biplane smiling and waving to your friends below. After a full safety brief and training session you will be strapped into the 5 point safety harness on top of the Boeing Stearman Biplane. You will then be taken skywards on an aerial adventure of a lifetime lasting approximately 10 minutes. Your experience will include a display practice including fly pasts at various angles of bank and finish with a zoom climb from 135 mph. After landing you will receive a certificate confirming you are a trained wing walker. Spice London have linked up with Aerobatic Tactics to offer Spice members this amazing opportunity. Aerobatic Tactics operates the only UK registered Boeing Stearman, fitted with four ailerons and 300hp engine, approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for Wing Walking in the UK Important Notes: Wingwalkers need to be over the age of 18 and under 65. Height (under 6 foot), weight (under 12 stone) & adequate fitness levels apply. Arrive you arrive the details will be explained to you and then if you are happy to proceed you will be asked to sign a disclaimer. Please note wing walking can be used to raise money for charity by sponsorship and if you require this option please contact us. Pilots maintain final decision power on the safety of each flight, i.e. weather conditions and fitness to fly will be considered. The Cancellation policy which applies to this event is 20 working days notice required and loss of deposit. Time slots will be allocated and confirmed to you on receipt of booking. This event is offered by Spice London nationally to all Spice groups. The total cost is £435 and the £45 deposit secures your place with the balance being paid one month prior.

Cold War Experience, Nimrod Tour & Lunch .. re-live this incredible era! th

Date: Saturday 6 August 2016 Place: Visitor Centre, RAF Cosford Museum, Nr Telford (TF11 8UP) # Meet: 11.00am Cost: £25 (£28 Guests) Incl: Guided tour, Nimrod Experience & Lunch A fascinating day at Cosford Royal Air Force Museum with a chance to climb on board the Nimrod and understand more about the Cold War. We will meet at the Visitor Centre to enjoying an hour exploring the museum. At midday our guide will join us for an exclusive guided tour of the National Cold War Exhibition. In 2007 the £12.5 million National Cold War Exhibition was opened by Princess Anne. This land mark building truly has the ‘wow’ factor with its eye catching architecture and design. A number of the 19 aircraft are suspended in flying attitudes. Iconic cars, models, audio visual hotspots and life-size Russian (Matryoshka) dolls, tell the story. This is the only place in the UK where you can see Britain’s three V Bombers: the Vulcan, Victor and Valiant. There will be a little more time after the tour to enjoy the museum. Following on from our Cold War Tour we will enjoy a two course hot lunch in the restaurant, please select your menu choice from the menu on our website. This afternoon we will climb on board the Nimrod to learn about its intelligence gathering role in the Royal Air Force. You will learn the history of the aircraft, hear about the crews on board and get to see some of its sophisticated surveillance equipment. We have booked three time slots at 3.00pm, 3.20pm and 3.40pm as there is a maximum of 6

Flight Simulator Experience .. pilot a 737 with absolute reality Date: Saturdays: 24th Sept 2016 (Sorry, wait list) or 14th or 28th January 2017 Place: Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire (NN6 0BN) # Meet: Slots from 2pm Cost: £59 Member, £64 Guest Step inside this fully functional Boeing 737 simulator cockpit for 20 minutes of cross-country flight with an experienced pilot instructor, from engine start to shut-down. The Boeing 737 Next Generation simulator really is state of the art. Every dial, switch, instrument and anything else you can find in the cockpit works exactly as it would in the real aircraft. ______________________________ What’s the # ? If a location is followed by the # symbol it’s a secret Spice code that means you are going to receive further joining details by post or email such as tickets, maps, directions, emergency numbers etc

Animal Encounters & Equestrian Lots of fun embracing the animal kingdom

Wake up the Zoo .. get behind the scenes of a busy Zoo! nd

Date: Sunday 2 October 2016 Place: Dudley Zoo, Dudley (DY1 4QB) # Meet: 8.40am start Cost: £35 (£39 Guests) includes full English Breakfast Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a major zoo before it opens to visitors each day? What food is prepared for every animal and what else has to be done before the visitors arrive? Well now you can in our guided tour with a keeper, who will take you behind the scenes. 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!

Horse Riding Fun Day! .. lots of fun for riders of all levels - from beginners to advanced Date: Sundays: 18th September 2016 Place: Warwick International, Guys Cliff (CV34 5YD) – see online Meet: 10.00am to approx 3.30pm Cost: £70 Member, £75 Guest On arrival, we’ll be assessed and split into separate groups depending on our ability, and then get a varied programme of lessons, hacks, jumping, riding around the grounds etc depending upon what you can achieve. The afternoon includes fun games such as gymkhanas. There are plenty of opportunities to win rosettes! We’ll be entertained for the whole day and should get at around 4 hours on horseback! Just bring a packed lunch.

Meet the Meerkats Experience .. get up close with these wonderful creatures Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Saturday 20 August 2016 Priorslee, Telford (TF2 9UR) # Slots every hour from 10am to 2pm (Choose AM or PM slot) £25 (£29 Guests) Includes: At least 30 minutes with Meerkats & their keeper plus time meeting other animals, light refreshments, Spice Coordinator and free time at the centre We have got fantastic feedback from our last 3 events here, with several members saying it was their favourite event – ever! The keeper Ryan is infectiously enthusiastic and obviously loves his Meerkat family. We put you into groups of max 5 people to have a very “up close and personal” experience with the Meerkats. The keeper will introduce you to your new “best friends” and you will be able to feed them and let them climb on you if they/ you wish. The keeper will ensure that we all learn about these inquisitive creatures and that their welfare comes first at all times. The whole experience lasts 1 hour of which 30 minutes is with the meerkats and the remaining time with wallabies and other animals who live there.

Monkey Forest & Posh Picnic .. walk amongst 140 monkeys & enjoy a Spice picnic Date: Saturday 6th August 2016 Place: Monkey Forest, Trentham, Staffs (ST4 8AY) # Meet: At Entrance for 11.50am ready for 12noon Cost: £22.50 (£24.50 Guest) includes picnic Monkey forest is 60 acres of beautiful woodland and meadows where 140 monkeys live in total freedom. You are plunged into the Barbary Macaques fascinating world as you hear rustling in the trees, chattering in a strange language of sounds and mimicry, and chasing of one another through the branches. Walking along the path you are transported into a different world of animal magic! Here, the animals reign supreme! They play, pose for pictures, and climb trees right in front of you

Owl Hour .. get up close & fly these beautiful birds Date: Sundays: 17th July or 16th October 2016 Place: Blakedown, Nr Hagley (DY9 0JB) Meet: Meet 4.15pm for 4.30pm until 5.30pm Cost: £29 (£35 Guest) We are linking up with The Falconry Centre at Hagley to offer this new Owl Hour Experience which will allow us to get up close and fly these beautiful birds at the end of centre's day. After a short introduction and brief as how to fly the owls you will fly at least 5 different species of owl. The owls flown are from a selection of: Little Owl, Chaco Owl, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Snowy Owl, Long-eared Owl, Asian Brown Wood Owl and different species of Eagle Owls

Beginners Horse Trek .. a great introductory ride th

Date: Sunday 4 September 2016 Place: Ginny Hole Stables, Shropshire (DY14 8UL) # Meet: 12.30pm for 1 - 3pm trek Cost: £49 (£54 Guest) This 2 hour trek is organised by a quality, family run stables on the Shropshire/Worcestershire Countryside and is designed for 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, if members wish, we can reconvene for a drink together at the village pub. Note: weight limit is 15 stone.

Unique Wolf Experience & Walk .. exclusive Spice visit with opportunity to feed wolves Date: Saturdays: 6th August or 8th October 2016 Place: A428 between Bromham & Turvery # Meet: 10.30am (ends 1pm) Cost: £45 (£48 Guest) – note public price is £69! 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.

Medieval Jousting .. join the special few who have tried this event! th

Date: Sunday 25 September 2016 Place: Warwick International, Guys Cliff (CV34 5YD) # Meet: 9.15am - 5pm 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 quintaine (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.

Alpaca Evening in Charnwood Forest .. see the Cria's (baby Alpacas) st

Date: Thursday 21 July 2016 Place: Charley, Loughborough (LE12 9YB) # Meet: 6.45pm for 7pm Start Cost: £24 (£25 Guests) For more details, please see the writeup on line at www.spicebham.com 12

Llama Trek & Farm Visit with Lunch .. an idylic new trek in the Wye Valley th

Date: Saturday 30 July 2016 Place: Smallbrook Farm, Forest of Dean (GL15 6AE) # Meet: 11am Cost: £45 (£49 Guest). Includes: Picnic lunch on the farm afterwards There’s nothing more stress relieving than trekking with animals, and today we’re out with pack animals from various continents! We will definitely have llamas with us, plus two rescued donkeys who we will all get to drive from thier trap. We’re the guests of Alasdair and Moira Fraser, who have nurtured an unusual collection of pack animals in a most scenic and unspoilt area of calm and natural beauty. NEW FOR 2016: This year we are able to start and end at their farm where they have a lovelly collection of rare breed animals for us to meet including wild boar which we may be able to feed! The trek is around 7 miles of very easy walking and is designed in such a way that they can easily shorten or lengthen it on the day depending on conditions. Also note that if you do get tired, you can always ride in the trap!

Pony Trekking & Picnic in the Forest of Dean .. an idylic new trek in the Wye Valley th

Date: Saturday 6 or Sunday 7th August 2016 Place: Smallbrook Farm, Forest of Dean (GL15 6AE) # Meet: 10.45am for 11am Cost: £45 (£49 Guest). Includes: Picnic lunch on the farm afterwards We’re the guests of Alasdair and Moira Fraser again. But this time we’re not there for the Llamas, but to enjoy some pony trekking on their delightful rescued ponies. We start by meeting Alasdair and Moira at their farm, where they have a lovelly collection of rare breed and rescued animals for us to meet including wild boar and llamas. They also have 6 rescued trekking ponies. Each has a story to tell. Two (Ross & Alfie) made the news when found abandoned on the Celtic Manor Golf Course just before the Ryder Cup. Another two were found wandering the M5 Motorway! All are now safe on the farm and have been meticulously trained for trekking. Everyone starts off in the arena where you can get to know your pony and the team can ensure you are riding safely before you go off into the forest. What you accomplish on the following couple of hours trekking will depend on your riding ability. If you have some riding experience you’ll get the most out of the day, however all levels are welcome. Note: max weight for this event is 15 stone.

Camel Riding in Warwickshire .. haven't been "humped" - don't know what you're missing! Date: Sunday 11th September 2016 Place: Idlicote, Warwickshire (CV36 5DN) # Meet: 10.45 for 11am - 2pm Session Cost: £55 (£59 Guest) deposit £25 If your plans of trekking the deserts of the Middle East in a camel train this winter have been thwarted by political unrest, don’t worry – you’ll find the world’s most wonderful camels waiting for us in Warwickshire! This event is brought to Spice for the very first time by Joseph's Amazing Camels who are the UK’s only specialist camel company. They were started in 2000 by Joseph and Rebecca Fossett who boast the highest standards of training and animal welfare. Joseph is a member of the country’s oldest circus family and has been training animals for over 35 years including lions, tigers, elephants, bears, horses and of course camels. It’s a wonderful event – read more at www.spicebham.com

Deer Walk with a Ranger at Bradgate Park .. a deer walk in search of the magnificent Red Deer Stag! Date: Sunday 23rd October 2016 Place: Bradgate, Leceistershire (LE6 0HE) # Meet: 12.50 for 1pm Start Cost: £5 (£6.50 Guest) Extra: Take £4 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. Other than the Scottish Glens, Bradgate Park is the best place to catch a glimpse of those “hard”, powerful red deer stags. And there’s no better time to visit than during their annual rut when these magnificent, handsome deer will be looking their best. Despite standing over 6 feet tall and being the largest British land mammal, these beautiful animals are wary and can be very elusive. ______________________________ 13

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: ● 4 July ● 5th Sept ● 3rd Oct ● 14th Nov 2016 Place: Meet in Spice Office, Ryknild House, Burnett Rd, Streetly (B74 3EL) Meet: 8pm Start (ends around 9.30pm) Cost: FREE, but collection taken for Book Aid on the night 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. ● July 2016: A God in Ruins – Kate Atkinson ● Sept 2016: Do No Harm: Life, Death & Brain Surgery – Henry Marsh th

D Day Veteran Evening .. hear one mans story of WW2 th

Date: Thursday 8 September 2016 Place: Lea Marston Hotel, Haunch Lane, Lea Marston,Warwickshire (B76 0BY) Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm Cost: FREE but please donate on the night (suggested min £10) to Pelsall Heritage Trust As the years go by, the incredible stories of courage and carnage on the Normandy Beaches are slipping out of living memory. So we are delighted to be able to bring you an evening with a genuine D-Day Veteran who is also (at a spritely 91 years young!) our oldest member of Spice. We are also joined for this special evening by Simon Footer MBE from RAFBF who is an expert on this period of military history and great friend of Spice. Simeon Mayou served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service and one of his many wartime challenges was to assist the landing of American Servicemen onto Utah Beach. He will tell his story, which is both harrowing and inspiring in equal measure and with Simeon we can also expect some touching humour along the way! Simeon does not wish to deliver a “formal talk”, but is offering a very personal sharing of his collection of anecdotes with Spice friends and lots of questions.

Charity Sleep Out at St Philips .. take on the challenge & help the homeless! Date: Friday 25th - Saturday 26th November 2016 Place: St Philip's Cathedral, Colmore Row (B3 2QB) # Meet: Arrive between 7 & 8pm 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 in Winter in order to help the homeless (whilst experiencing for one night what rough sleeping is like)? Spice have been taking part in this event for the last 11 years and this one is forecast to be the biggest ever, so the venue has moved from Digbeth to the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral which will be fenced off for the night. Read more online. ______________________________

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).

Measham & Moira Social Cycle Ride .. enjoy some gentle cycling with friends rd

Date: Saturday 23 July 2016 Place: Leicestershire / Derbyshire borders. (DE12 7HR) Meet: 11.15am for an 11.30am start. Car park of Measham Leisure Cent/Library Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) Bring bike & Helmet Extra: Optional entry to Moira Furnace £2 Join Spice member Trevor who is starting to run some social cycle rides, often with the added bonus of a visit to an attraction after the ride. They are aimed at members who want a nice cycle ride but don’t want to rush around. The route: This circular ride is about 10 miles long on a mixture of cycle ways and quiet roads. We start by joining the Ashby Would Heritage Trail. This is a cycle way with only gentle gradients and a packed earth/gravel surface heading north. This will bring us to Moira and the Blast Furnace Museum at the side of the Ashby canal, where there are toilets and a cafe. This scheduled ancient monument is one of the best preserved examples of this type of building in Europe. We will then have a short section along a minor road before joining the new cycle trails through Hicks woodland park to arrive at the Hicks Cafe and cycle centre for lunch, where there are toilets. Our route now follows a minor road downhill past Willesley Wood and across a muddy bridge over the A42. We then regain good tarmac and follow a minor road for 2 miles to arrive back at Measham, where we can either retire to the local Bird in the Hand pub or Gill’s Pantry & Tea shop.

Walton & Fradley Social Cycle Ride .. enjoy some gentle cycling with friends th

Date: Sunday 28 August 2016 Place: The Swan Walton on Trent (DE12 8LZ) Meet: 10.45am for 11:00am Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) Bring bike & Helmet Join Spice member Trevor who is starting to run some social cycle rides, often with the added bonus of a visit to an attraction after the ride. They are aimed at members who want a nice cycle ride but don’t want to rush around. This is almost a totally flat route on quiet lanes and tracks with a break half way at the excellent cafe at Fradley Junction. The route: This circular ride is about 16 miles. The set off from Walton and climb the only small hill on the whole route, then it is downhill alongside the river Trent past Catton Hall. The route then heads south past a small airfield and on into Fradley before meeting the canal where we will sample the delights of David Lancaster’s excellent cafe. Fired up by the power of homemade cake, we head out again, but north into Alrewas. We pass through the village and then join the canal path to pass through a netherworld of water where the Trent, canals, and open lakes all merge into a beautiful wetland. We eventually come out by the church at Wychnor opposite old earth workings of an abandoned village. The next 2 miles are along a track until Barton under Needwood and the short journey back to The Swan at Walton to recover in the bar.

Stratford & The Greenway Social Cycle Ride .. enjoy some gentle cycling with friends Date: Sunday 18th September 2016 Place: The Four Alls Inn at Welford on Avon (CV37 8PW) Meet: 10:45am for 11:00am Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Join Spice member Trevor who is starting to run some social cycle rides, often with the added bonus of a visit to an attraction after the ride. They are aimed at members who want a nice cycle ride but don’t want to rush around. This circular ride is about 15 miles on a mixture of quiet roads, hard surfaced cycleways, canal tow paths, and Stratford town centre; it is mainly flat, though is not suitable for beginners due to the distance and the hills in the second half. The route: We set off from Welford on Avon and cycle through the village and out into open countryside on quiet roads before joining the traffic free Stratford Greenway, which has the added benefit of being flat. This takes us into Stratford and we will head down to the riverside and find a cafe for a break. We then head back through the town and pick up Sustrans route 5 that takes us to the excellent canal tow path which we will follow past numerous locks to arrive on the edge of Wilmcote village. This is followed by some longer gentle climbs before the long descent through Binton and back. ______________________________ 15

Dance Workshops VENUES : ● Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston (B12 9QH) ● Pole Dancing: 156 - 157 Warstone Centre, Warstone Lane (B18 6NZ) 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!

Bollywood Dance Masterclass

Dirty Dancing Experience!

.. intoxicating Indian dance!

.. learn the moves from the movie!

Date: Sunday 17th July 2016 Place: MAC Centre, Edgbaston - Randle Studio Meet: 12.45 for 1.00pm - 4.00pm session Cost: £16.50 (£18 Guest) You’ve asked for it, and here it is: Sheena’s back with more Bollywood! The hugely successful Bombay film industry - known universally as Bollywood - is overflowing with song and dance. In this workshop you'll get a taste of this style by learning the routine to "Jai Ho!" from the hit movie "Slumdog Millionaire". It's fun, you don't need a partner, and the music is sure to spice up your Sunday afternoon. But be careful - it may well hook you on Bollywood for life!

Date: Sunday 9th October 2016 Place: MAC Centre, Edgbaston - English Studio Meet: 12.45pm meet for 1.00pm till 4.00pm Cost: £16.50 Member, £18 Guest The one you’ve all been asking for! Welcome to Sheena’s exciting new addition to her ‘Dances From The Movies’ series of workshops. 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 practice your aerial lifts 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! Low heels or flats advisable. Bring plenty of water to drink

Salsa Dance Workshop .. latin magic for beginners & improvers Date: Friday 12th August 2016 Place: MAC Centre, Edgbaston - English Studio Meet: 7.45pm for 8pm- 10pm Cost: £10.50 (£12.50 Guest) Quite a few members have been asking for more Salsa classes, Linda (partner to Steve) is a great teacher, so why not come along and learn some cool Salsa moves. We get great feedback for these special Spice Nights as the classes are fun and easy to follow!

Zumba for Fun .. discover just how much fun a workout can be! Date: Sunday 4th September 2016 Place: MAC Centre, Edgbaston - English Studio Meet: 1.45pm for 2-4pm Cost: £7.50 Member, £9 Guest Zumba is dance inspired exercise which feels more like fun than a workout. With combinations of salsa, meringue and other dance styles, be ready to shake and whoop like no-one can see you! Jackie (our teacher) is a Spice member so knows we won’t be taking this too seriously and will just want to have a good laugh! Zumba is the most fun ever for an exercise class, raising the heart rate and endorphins all at the same time. There are low options for all moves so all levels are encouraged. Members need to bring water, a towel, an open mind and a willingness to try.

Pole Dancing with Pure Joy .. a fun introduction anyone can try! Date: Saturday 24th September 2016 Place: Warstone Centre, Jewellery Quarter Meet: 1.20pm for 1.30pm - 4pm class Cost: £20 (£23 Guest) Join us today in a purpose built studio, fitted with 6 poles! 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. Read much more about this event including detailed directions online.

Pride & Prejudice Dance Exp .. choreographed flirting from the 18th Century! Date: Friday 14th October 2016 Place: MAC Centre, Edgbaston - Performance Studio Meet: 7.45pm for 8.00pm start finish at 10.00pm Cost: £8 Member, £9.50 Guest Trust me this is a brilliant evening. The dance floor was a very interesting and exciting place to be if you were one of the younger gentry in the 18th and early 19th century. This was because a dance/ball was about the only place you were allowed to be unchaperoned with a man if you were a properly reared young lady. Many of the hundreds of dances that developed during this interesting time amounted to choreographed flirting. Very graceful, yes, but with a clear subtext. Join us for a fun evening when we try out some of the dances with Arnold Steeds.

Burlesque Dance Afternoon! .. your chance to become a sexy starlet! Date: Sunday 30th October 2016 Place: MAC Centre, Edgbaston - English Studio Meet: 10.45am meet for 11.00am - 1.00pm Cost: £18.50 Member, £22 Guest (Deposit £10) 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 are provided). We’ll learn how to peel the glove, 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! Janine from Blush 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 favorite ‘sexy’ clothes! shoes are essential but what type is up to you; whatever gives you that extra strut! Cameras are a must to capture some of the wonderful moments.

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Motor Sport Lots of crazy driving experiences to try!

Forest Segway on Cannock Chase .. trek by Segway on a forest trail th

Date: Sunday 25 September 2016 Place: Birches Valley Forest Center nr Rugeley (WS15 2UQ) # Meet: Around midday to be confirmed Cost: £35 Member, £39 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.

Off Road Karting .. like rally driving through a forest stage! th

Date: Saturday 24 September 2016 Place: Birmingham Wheels Park, Saltley (B8 1AD) # Meet: 11.45pm for 12noon Start (session approx. 2 hours) Cost: £49 (£55 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).

Hovercraft "Flying" Experience .. there's no rush like it! th

Date: Saturday 10 September Place: Hinkley, Leicestershire (LE10 3PG) # Meet: 10.45am for 11am start Cost: £45 Member, £48 Guest High Cross Hovercraft has the latest, and quietest, state of the art hovercrafts and instructors who are highly experienced and passionate hovercraft pilots who have competed successfully at top level racing events. You will be taught how to control the hovercraft at walking speed before progressing to faster challenges. We’ll take turns flying each successive level. With easy steps you’ll soon be driving with increasing confidence when you perform the equivalent of a handbrake turn in the training area. When you’re competent you can do laps of the training circuit at the speed of your choice.

Motorbike Off Road Experience .. a fantastic introduction to scrambling/ motocross Sunday 9 October 2016 (Sorry 31st July date already full) Frank F Harrison Motor X Track, Walsall (WS2 7NR) # 9.30am for 10am - 3pm session £99 (£105 Guest) Includes: all equipment & instruction, specialist clothing including boots, jackets & helmets. Also drinks & burger at lunch Due to a special relationship with a long served Spice member we have exclusive access to a fabulous off road facility in Walsall. If you have any doubts about the scale of this track, just put WS2 7NR into Google Earth and see it “from Space”! They have great equipment and brilliant instructors to teach you how to get the best from it. This fantastic introduction will get you riding in ways and on surfaces that you wouldn't believe! There is no better feeling of exhilaration, than riding a motorcycle over off road terrain. The day cater for all levels of experience from complete novice (including would-be riders who have never even sat on a motorcycle before), to experienced road and off-road riders. After a safety briefing, we’ll get off road riding instruction and assessment. Your instructors will then take you out to the course to build and develop your skills and confidence in a hands-on situation. Most people can get the hang of the skills pretty quickly. However, if the instructors do not feel you can handle a motorbike (or you are not happy on a bike) there is the opportunity to swap to one of their quad bikes instead. This writeup is edited – before booking, please read full writeup on our website. 17 Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Tank Battle Experience .. challenge your fellow teams to a tank paintball battle! Date: Sundays: 10th July or 25th September 2016 Place: Lutterworth, Leicestershire (LE17 6NW) # Meet: Session runs 2pm – 4pm Cost: £95 Member, £99 Guest This event has had great feedback. We have booked up to 4 tanks, each of which take a crew of 3 Spice members who will be with their tank throughout (so no waiting around on this one!). We start with a practice session, where we put the tank through it’s paces on the 1 mile track and firing range. We will alternate the 3 positions in the tank so that each person gets a chance to drive, a chance to load the gun and a chance to fire. The gun is adapted to fire paintball ammunition, and can be fired with the hatch up or down. In battle, of course the hatch has to be down and aimed by periscope. After practice, the tanks do battle, with each tank attempting to out manoeuvre and knock out the others with their paintball firing guns.

Quad Bike Intro & Woodland Trek .. a trek on woodland trails in Sutton Coldfield Date: Sunday 16th October 2016 Place: Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield (B75 5SA) Meet: 1.45pm meet for 2pm - 3pm session Cost: £45 (£49 Guest) Situated in the heart of the beautiful countryside at Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield, the huge NPF adventure site has great 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 bri efing 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.

Learn to Drift .. the art of controlling an out of control vehicle! th

Date: Sundays: 11 September or 18th December 2016 Place: Birmingham Wheels Park, Saltley (B8 1AD) # Meet: 12noon for 12.30 to 4.30pm time slot Cost: £89 (£99 Guest) Incl: Car, tuition & spare tyres! Popularised by films such as Fast and Furious: Toyko Drift and considered a modern day sport, Drifting can actually be traced back to the 1930s as a technique used in motorsport, developed to help the drivers navigate corners faster! Drifting has evolved over the years into it's own competitive sport, initially developed in Japan before taking the rest of the world by storm. It is now one of the fastest growing grass root sports in the UK. Drifting challenges the drivers ability to navigate the course sideways for as long as possible, executing the drift in the most controlled and stylish manner they can. Drifting is dancing for cars. For the driver, Drifting provides thrills and an adrenalin rush, as well as enjoyment of a grass roots sport. You will be driving a modified Nissan 200SX. Read more about this event at www.spicebham.com

Ferrari v Lamborghini Driving Experience .. compare these two amazing cars Date: Saturday 24th September 2016 Place: Prestwold Driving Centre, Loughborough (LE12 5SQ) # Meet: 1.00pm for 2.00pm start Cost: £89 (£95 Guest) This is your chance to drive two “Italian stallions”. Our experience will start with a welcome, introduction and safety briefing. You will then enjoy 3 miles driving a Lamborghini followed by 3 miles driving a Ferrari. There is more to come as we enjoy a high speed passenger ride in a performance saloon car. Finally, we’re awarded our Experience Certificate.

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Outdoor Pursuits What Spice are most famous for!

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

Dates: Saturdays: 9 July, 20 August, 24th September or 29th October 2016 Place: Black Rocks, Matlock, Derbyshire # Meet: 10am Start Cost: £34 (£39 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 .. try this excellent new centre! th

Date: Thursdays: 28 July or 20th October 2016 Place: Redpoint Climbing, 77 Cecil St, Birmingham (B19 3SU) – see directions online Meet: 7.00pm for 7.15pm to 9.15pm session Cost: £20 Member, £22 Guest Climbing is one of the fastest growing sports. Its 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. Just wear cool, loose (not baggy) clothing and training shoes. There are refreshment and changing facilities. 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. We warm up on the bouldering wall then something bigger when you’re ready!

Canadian Canoe Adventure .. enjoy a day out in 'canoe country' th

Date: Saturday 17 September 2016 Place: Symonds Yat, Forest of Dean (HR9 5QT) # Meet: 10.00am to approx 3.30pm Cost: £55 Member, £59 Guest Forest Adventure have come up with a varied route for Canadian style open canoes - enjoyable for absolute beginners and practiced paddlers alike. They’ve chosen one of the most scenic, photographed, stretches of the Wye, from Kerne Bridge to Huntsmans Bridge taking in views of Symonds Yat as we go. Having allowed 4½ hours, it should be a leisurely day and will include a stop for coffee and a pub! Open canoes minimise our chance of getting wet, which is always a bonus!

Overnight Forest Experience .. hike in the dark & sleep in a cave! th

Date: Saturday 29 - Sunday 30th October 2016 Place: Symonds Yat area of Forest of Dean # Meet: 8.00pm Cost: £55 (£59 Guest). Extra: Café Breakfast in morning (if you wish) Anyone with a sense of adventure will love this brilliant multi activity hike after dark. Let’s hope it’s one of those eerie moonlit nights when the deer are out in force and stars that you can reach out and touch - but whatever happens you can be sure it’ll be one of those Spice experiences which you’ll remember for a long time. We start with a bracing hike, which includes some navigation tuition. Paths may be discarded as we bash through bush intent on a compass bearing despite any obstacles - so we can play at being Special Forces on manoeuvres in the jungle with a little imagination! If our compass work serves us, we should find a cave system at around 1am. Life inside is a little more 'normal' as darkness is permanent in these fascinating places, and we will light a fire inside to lift the spirits. As we'll be a little tired by now, we'll sleep till dawn in the peace of the cave system. Refreshed and invigorated, we'll plan our final route back and find a café. 19

Go Ape in Cannock Chase .. the thrill of aerial trekking high above the forest floor Date: Sunday 25th September 2016 Place: Birches Valley Forest Centre near Rugeley (WS15 2UQ) # Meet: Around 12noon (to be confirmed with details) Cost: £33 Member, £35 Guest Go-Ape provides a truly exhilarating, adrenalin pumped experience in the tree tops. It’s an award-winning 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. The course normally takes a very enjoyable (and perhaps a little scary) 2 - 3 hours to complete.

The Big Abseil - 200 Feet Straight Down .. oh yes, the big one is back again! st

Date: Sundays: 31 July, 21st Aug or 18th Sept 2016 Place: Sandford Quarry, Bristol (BS25 5RL) # Meet: 1.15pm (to meet minibus at quarry) NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE Cost: £38 Member, £40 Guest Go ahead and impress your family and friends with this classic Spice event. We start off with full instruction on the techniques needed before our instructor builds our confidence and calms our nerves for an impressive 200-foot descent.

Symonds Yat Adventure Mission .. a fab multi activity day wrapped up in a journey! Date: Saturday: 8th October 2016 Place: Forest of Dean # Meet: 10am to approx 4pm Cost: £52 Member, £57 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!

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

Date: Saturday 22 October 2016 Place: Symonds Yat area of Forest of Dean # Meet: 10am (ends around 1pm) Cost: £39 (£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. You can 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!”

Kayak River Adventure Day .. enjoy a day out in 'canoe country' th

Date: Saturdays: 27 August or 15th October 2016 Place: Symonds Yat, Forest of Dean (HR9 5QT) # Meet: 10.00am to approx 4.30pm Cost: £55 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 timer’s event, but will also be fun for those of you who have some experience. 20

Ramble, Scramble & Dangle .. a great day out with Mark th

Date: Saturday 17 September 2016 Place: White Peak area of Derbyshire # Meet: 10.00am Cost: £34 (£39 Guest) We get the most brilliant feedback from these days out with Mark Fenton! Meeting in the White Peak, we embark on a 7 mile hike but along the way we encounter and overcome 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”.

Climbing the Longstone Pinnacle .. learn how to climb this amazing outcrop! th

Date: Saturday 13 August 2016 Place: Symonds Yat, Forest of Dean # Meet: 10.00am – 4.30pm Cost: £55 Member, £59 Guest On your arrival at 'Symonds Yat Rock' you will be met by a member of Forest Adventure’s team of highly qualified climbing instructors, who will give you a full safety brief and kit you out with your harness and helmet. Learning as a group and in pairs all the skills needed to enjoy this great sport will be taught in a relaxed way and at an easy pace. In the morning you will learn the techniques of rock climbing and Abseiling around rock faces at Symonds Yat, we will then break for lunch, after lunch we shall further challenge ourselves culminating in climbing up the Longstone Pinnacle which is a pillar of Rock 110ft on one side and 50ft on the other standing on its own, from the top you can reward yourself with a magnificent view overlooking the Wye Valley, But the fun doesn't stop there! You then abseil down the pillar back to ground level. This is an excellent day for beginners and intermediates to learn/fine tune your climbing and abseiling skills.

Zipworld Velocity - Ultimate Zipline Experience .. fly for 1 mile at nearly 100mph & 500 feet up! th

Date: Sunday 24 July 2016 Place: Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda (LL57 4YG) # Meet: Arrive 2pm Cost: £59 (£65 Guest) Includes: 2 x Zipwires, flying suit, goggles, quarry tour by truck So why should you travel to Wales for this one? Well, Zip World has the longest zipline 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. 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!

Cable Wakeboarding for Beginners & Improvers .. experience one of the fastest growing water sports th

Date: Sunday 24 July 2016 Place: Dosthill, Tamworth (B78 2DL) – Directions online Meet: Time Slots – 11am, 12noon or 1pm Cost: £26 (£29 Guests) This is a great location for water sports, with a great clubhouse on a huge lake that seems to stretch right into the distance! Wakeboarding is currently one of the fastest growing water sports in the world, and that is in no small part down to the evolution of the cable tow. A cable tow is an overhead cable between two towers with a line and handle attached. The rider attached to a single board is towed across the water. We’ll get expert tuition from the team who will be able to coach you no matter what your standard be it a complete beginner or seasoned pro! Wetsuits and all equipment are provided. Power showers and heated changing facilities are within the clubhouse. Find further details and directions online.

Shropshire Raft Tour .. discover this wonderful area by raft! th

Date: Sunday 11 September 2016 Place: Ironbridge, By Museum of the Gorge (TF8 7NH) # Meet: Arrive for 11.20am to depart 11.30am Cost: £14 (£16 Guest) Incl: 2 hour rafting with guide, life jackets, return transport to start This new and exciting event was launched last year and due to many requests, it is back for 2016. It is a new and very special way to discover the Ironbridge Gorge world heritage site – from the water! Nigel Winfield, a very experienced boatman who has run rafts down many of the world’s great rivers, has settled down in Shropshire and set up a raft company taking groups in huge rafts down the River Severn! After a safety briefing and lifejackets, we’re off on a journey through the birthplace of the Industrial revolution. We’ll venture downstream in the largest rafts in the UK! 25ft in length we can fit 12 people plus guide in each raft and on each Spice timeslot we will have 2 rafts travelling together (numbers permitting). No paddling is required as the guides do all the work. It’s a fully guided tour of around 5km and the guide will point out the key points of history and attractions along the way. No whitewater rapids (sadly) so virtually anyone can come along and enjoy the experience. The round trip is 2- 2.5 hours including returning you by road to the start point.

Inflatable Water Fun .. the best fun you can have in a wetsuit! th

Date: Sunday 24 July 2016 Place: Dosthill, Tamworth (B78 2DL) – Directions online Meet: Time Slots – 11am, 12noon or 1pm Cost: £12 (£15 Guests) This is a great location for water sports, with a great clubhouse on a huge lake that seems to stretch right into the distance! What a laugh you can have whizzing around the lake on an inflatable shield! Enjoy this exhilarating experience no matter what your confidence and ability is in the water. Riders will be provided with the necessary safety equipment and a fully qualified instructor who will tow you into to the ride of your life on this 15 minute session. Wetsuits and all equipment are provided. Power showers and heated changing facilities are within the clubhouse.

Waterskiing for Beginners & Improvers .. get a taste for water skiing at a world class centre th

Date: Sunday 24 July 2016 Place: Dosthill, Tamworth (B78 2DL) – Directions online Meet: Time Slots – 11am, 12noon or 1pm Cost: £29 (£32 Guests) This is a great location for water sports, with a great clubhouse on a huge lake that seems to stretch right into the distance! Richard and his team promise you a great morning WaterSkiing on the 'Tamworth Riviera!'. Each time slot will be for a maximum of four with 15 minutes on the water to learn or improve your skill. That said, we tend to find that members like to make a morning of it at the clubhouse and enjoy the bar and perhaps a bar snack with the other members while watching (and encouraging!) the fellow Spicers'. Wetsuits and all equipment are provided. Power showers and heated changing facilities are within the clubhouse. If you are an absolute beginner, you will also get basic tuition on dry land before you get your 15 minutes on the water. For those who have some experience, the team will work to your ability level.

White Water Rafting at Bala .. try this sport at this legendary location! rd

Date: Saturday 3 September 2016 Place: Tryweryn River, Bala, Wales (LL23 7NU) # Meet: 12.30pm Cost: £59.50 (£64 Guest) Incl: wetsuit, helmet, buoyancy aid & boot hire This is always one of the highlights the Spice programme and is always a complete sell out with a long wait list too! It’s your chance to experience the thrills and spills of real white water rafting. This time we are off to the fantastic Tryweryn River at Bala. The Tryweryn provides one of the longest stretches of river for rafting down in the country, with rapids such as “The Graveyard”, “The Ski Jump” and “The Fingers”. Each purpose-built raft will hold up to seven brave Spicer’s as you battle against the flow of the river with 6 of you rowing and one sitting in the middle cheering them on! We have 2 hours of rafting which should give us time for three or four runs and a rest in between if you need it!

Multi Water Sports Afternoon .. try a range of fun water activities th

Date: Saturday 6 August 2016 Place: Top Barn Activity Centre, Nr Worcester (WR6 6NH) # Meet: 10.30am for 11am to 1pm session Cost: £22 (£25 Guest) Includes: Instruction and all kit including wetsuits if requ’d Top Barn has a large lake and is very well equipped. We will have the opportunity to experience a variety of water sports, activities could include sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and raft building, find out which one floats your boat!

Kayaking for Fun .. an afternoon of fun on the water th

Date: Saturday 13 August 2016 Place: Top Barn Activity Centre, Nr Droitwich (WR6 6NH) # Meet: 10.30am for 11am to 1pm session Cost: £22 (£25 Guest) Includes: All kit & instruction Top Barn is a haven water based activities. Today we’ll try our hand at kayaking on their purpose built lake which is perfect for beginners and improvers. The instructors will guide you through and improve your ability whatever your level.

Rock Climbing for the Terrified .. a beginners day of climbing & scrambling st

Date: Sunday 21 August 2016 Place: Black Rocks nr Matlock # Meet: 10am Cost: £36 (£39 Guest) including all equipment & instruction A fun opportunity for people who never thought they could be rock climbers to have a go at various rock skills within a very supportive group. Mark Fenton, runs our legendary “Abseiling for the Terrified” days with fantastic feedback and results. As usual, anyone can have a go, as you don't have to be superfit, and all equipment is provided. You are in safe hands with our excellent instructors who will encourage you yet promise not to put you in any situation that you are uncomfortable. Climbing brings out the child in all of us. It is an enormous sense of achievement to reach the top. If you lose your grip or have to give in, you can relax in the security that you're well secured by the belay team. If there is time, Mark will also let you have a go with Micro ladders. Learning the techniques is quite a giggle – find out why!

Caving for the Terrified .. a great way to get started Date: Saturday 1st October 2016 Place: Matlock Bath, Matlock, Derbyshire # Meet: 10am to approx 1.30pm Cost: £36 (£39 Guest) including all equipment & instruction 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! Read more online.

Bridge Abseil & Ladder Climb .. it'll scare you to death - but you'll love it! nd

Date: Sunday 2 October 2016 Place: Millers Dale, Peak District # Meet: 10.00am Cost: £36 (£39 Guest) including all equipment & instruction Ever fancied the idea of a freefall abseil (like the SAS do out of a helicopter!) from a precipitous 80' viaduct to the river bank below .. and then climbing back up using a metal caving ladder which swings and sways! We thought you might! Once you've plucked up the courage to do it once, there will be no stopping you. It's a great confidence booster. This day is run by Mark Fenton so you can be sure that there will be lots of fun, a relaxed atmosphere where absolute beginners will find lots of nurturing and encouragement and a totally commitment to your safety at all stages. This is a brilliant first or second abseil experience. It is also an ideal training for anyone wishing to do our more advanced caving trips as you will be able to learn some of the techniques above ground rather than under! 23

Indoor Surfing (Flowboarding) .. it's surfing, Jim .. but not as we know it! th

Date: Saturday 10 September 2016 Place: Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire (MK44 1RF) # Meet: 11am for 11:15am Start Cost: £37 (£40 Guest) Incl: 1 hour Spice exclusive Flowboarding, equipment & Spice Host Flowboarding is surfing with a difference! Here, there’s no need to take a trip to the sea, or wait for the swells and perfect surf conditions, as the FlowRider is always ready and waiting for you! This sport combines all the best bits from surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding and skate boarding, wrapping them neatly into one new & exciting sport. Read more online.

Titan Zipwire & Bounce Below Experience .. a spectacular new zipline plus a cavern like no other! Sunday 11th September 2016 Zipworld Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales (LL41 3NB) # 12noon registration for 12.20pm Start £75 (£79 Guest) Dep £15. Incl: Cavern bouncing followed by 3 x Zipwires. Also, flying suit, goggles, Spice Coordinator Lots of you have enjoyed the Velocity Zip at Bethesda, so when we heard they were opening a new zipwire plus a unique series of underground trampolines at their Blaenau site we thought “we’ll ‘ave some a that!”. Our Day comprises 2 parts and with a break between the 2 when we can grab some refreshments café: ● The Bounce Below: This new attraction gives us the chance to bounce on huge trampolines suspended underground! The trampolines are hung in a cavern twice the size of St Paul's Cathedral and are accompanied by a huge light show! We’ll be given overalls and helmet and use a train to travel inside the mountain for the one-hour experience. The trampolines are reached by train, with each linked by a 60ft long slide. It is thought to be the first facility of its kind. ● Titan Zipline: The newest Zipworld Zipline, line riders fly high over Moor, Mountain and Mine on the worlds longest Zipline course. We will be taken by vehicle to the start of the first zip line – the longest of the three at 890m and 450m above sea level. There is a short and scenic walk between the end and start of the next two zip lines, which are 630m and 450m respectively. Each stretch has 4 parallel cables so we descend in teams of 4. Unlike the “Velocity Zip” at Bethesda, you are clipped to these lines in a seated rather than lying down position. Max speed on these lines is around 60mph. If you’ve already done Velocity, Titan promises a different kind of experience and we don’t think you’ll be disappointed! Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Ironbridge to Bridgnorth Raft Day and BBQ .. spend a day on a guided raft tour of the river th

Date: Sunday 25 September 2016 Place: Wharfage Car Park, Ironbridge (TF8 7NH) # Meet: Arrive for 9.20am to leave promptly at 9.30am Cost: £39 (£42 Guest) Incl: Life jackets, river guides & transport back to start We have had great feedback from our Raft Tours through the Ironbridge Gorge, so we thought you might like the opportunity of a longer trip down the River Severn. This time, Nigel and his team have got special permission to take us all the way to the historic town of Bridgnorth, with a BBQ stop on the way. A minibus will return us to Ironbridge at the end. As well as discovering the Ironbridge Gorge world heritage site, we will follow the river through beautiful countryside all the way to the Severn Valley. No doubt we will get lots of surprised looks from walkers, sightseers and other river users as our Zambezi syle rafts (the largest in the UK!) come around each corner! As ever, we will be in very safe hands. Nigel Winfield is a very experienced boatman who has run rafts down many of the world’s great rivers, has settled down in Shropshire. After a safety briefing and lifejackets, we’re off on our adventure. Each raft is 25ft and we can fit 12 people plus guide in each one. No paddling is required as the guides do all the work. It’s a fully guided tour and the guide will point out the key points of history and attractions along the way. No whitewater rapids so virtually anyone can come along and enjoy the experience. Timings: We will leave at 9.30am prompt. Lunch is between 12-1pm and will cater for both vegetarian and meat eaters. Finish at 3.30-4pm depending on river level. Parking Note: We park this time in the Dale End Car Park (£3 charge) which is by the “Museum of the Gorge” at the start of the route. We will be transported back from Bridgnorth to our cars. ______________________________

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!

Sutton Coldfield Discovery Walk

Stratford Discovery Walk

.. a right royal wander!

.. a fun filled walk & talk around this famous town!

13th

Date: Wednesday July 2016 Place: By McDonald's on The Parade (B72 1TA) Meet: 7.00pm Cost: £8.50 (£10.50 Guest) This event ties in neatly with a visit to the Sutton Pub Meet afterwards – for those who wish to go on socialising. We know that lots of our members live in and around the Sutton area, but how much do they know about the Royal Town? This is an entertaining walk, often humourous and a little quirky at times. It will certainly give you some good anecdotes to share!

Knowle Discovery Walk .. a wander around a historic & surprising village Date: Saturday 16th July 2016 Place: Outside Knowle Library (B93 0LL) – see online Meet: 10.30am Cost: £8.50 (£10.50 Guest) Knowle today is a commuter village, albeit a rather exclusive one. But in times past it was an important village and one which almost became a large market town in its own right. We’ll also discover a witch, a windmill and Knowle’s surprising industrial past …

Cardiff Discovery Day by Coach .. discover this "happening" city with Ian! Date: Sunday 17th July 2016 Place: Join us at Sutton, Birmingham or Rubery Meet: Sutton 0730/ City 0800/ Rubery 0830 Cost: £39 (£45 Guest) Incl: Coach travel and Ian Today, Cardiff is one of the most "happening" cities in Britain: the new developments in the Bay, the Millennium Stadium and even being the latest home for "Doctor Who" have all put it "on the map" in recent times. But there's much more to discover as Cardiff's history stretches back nearly 2,000 years and Ian promises to uncover just some of it today. Who destroyed it and was rewarded with a statue? What is the "Animal Wall"? Where is the "vanished canal? And - perhaps most controversially! why is Cardiff in many ways an "English City? (Dare I say that you won’t need any special Language skills in this Welsh city!) We’ll also have free time before we leave for home around 5pm.

Tamworth Walk (& Pub Night) .. a Mercian meander with Ian Date: Tuesday 30th August 2016 Place: By Robert Peel statue, Market Place (B79 7LR) Meet: 7pm Cost: £8.50 (£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. If you think you know Tamworth – think again! Note: This walk has been timed so that you have the opportunity to continue on to the Lichfield & Tamworth Pub Night.

Date: Sunday 4th September 2016 Place: outside Stratford BR Station (CV37 6PL) Meet: 11.40am -to meet those arriving by steam Cost: £8.50 (£10.50 Guest) Note – you can combine this visit with our Steam to Stratford event and arrive/ depart in style! It's amazing isn't it that millions of people from all over the world flock to Stratford-upon-Avon every year, and for the rest of us it's somewhere we "always mean to visit"! Well wait no longer, just join Ian Jelf today for an entertaining walk around this famous town. As well as the “sensible” sights we’ll discover those things most visitors never have time to hear about, including an actress' ashes, an extra-marital pregnancy and the chance to discover Stratford's mediaeval red light district, an illegal dung heap and even Shakespeare's son-in-law's haemorrhoids!

Jewellery Quarter & Cantonese! .. discover this fascinating and unique area Date: Sunday 11th September 2016 Place: Outside Jewellery Quarter Station (B18 6HA) Meet: 10.30am (ends at Henrys for buffet at 12.30pm) Cost: £19.50 (£22.50 Guest) includes walk & lunch Birmingham’s celebrated Jewellery Quarter is unique in Britain. It started off as a plush Georgian suburb before succumbing to the advance of small-scale industry. Today, jewellery workshops rub shoulders with retail outlets and modern apartments but the alleyways and squares of this most individual of areas still resound with a past just waiting to be discovered.

Bournville Village Afternoon Walk .. discover the delights of the Cadbury cummunity! Date: Saturday 8th October 2016 Place: 47 Sycamore Road, Bournville (B30 2AA) Meet: 2.30pm Cost: £8.50 (£10.50 Guest) Bournville is renowned the world over as the home of Cadbury’s chocolate. Few people though (certainly not the crowds heading into the “Cadbury World”) spare a thought for the village of Bournville itself, arguably the world’s oldest garden village and still visited by planners today. So today, in the company of Ian we’ll be ignoring the chocolate to go and find some of Bournville’s more hidden secrets: experiments in building, early solar power, unemployment relief, superlative bells and buildings that moved are just some of the things on offer in Ian’s usual style.

Ghostly & Grisly Birmingham Walk .. discover the wicked, cruel & spooky goings on! Date: Thursday 27th October 2016 Place: Statue of Victoria in Victoria Square (B3 3DH) Meet: 7.30pm Cost: £8.50 (£10.50 Guest) A very special Birmingham walk, ideal for the darker nights, as we go in search of the unexplained, the unexpected and unpleasant as we go delving into Birmingham’s grisly, ghoulish past! In the darkened streets we’ll hear tales of murders, 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!

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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 Edgbaston Dates: Mon 18 July 2016 Place: Midlands Arts Centre Edgbaston Road Cannon Hill Park Birmingham B12 9QH Time: 8.00pm Cost: Free

Solihull/ NEC

Sutton Coldfield

Date: Mon 12 Sept 2016 Place: The Arden Hotel Coventry Road Bickenhill (by Airport & NEC) B92 0EH Time: 8.00pm Cost: Free

Date: Mon 10 Oct 2016 Place: The Royal Hotel High Street Sutton Coldfield (near Police Station) B72 1UD 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: ● 22 July ● 19 Aug ● 23 Sep ● 21 Oct 2016 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 Live entertainment: ● 22/7 The Subterraneans (Rock Anthems from the likes of U2, the Stones, Queen, and even the Kaiser Chiefs!) ● 19/8 Mr Ben (Classic rock anthems from the likes of the Police & Proclaimers to Stereophonics & Snow Patrol) ● 23/9 Tru Groove (Classic funk & soul favourites from the likes of Timberlake, Alicia Keys , Plan B and Jessie J) ● 21/10 Rocket (Anthems from Bon Jovi, Kings of Leon, Jay-Z, Nelly, Black Eyed Peas, Killers, Oasis & James Brown) Our monthly night out now offers more! We have our own area from 7.30pm to 9pm and 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 – don’t buy at the public till! Live entertainment starts around 9pm with the headline act coming on after around 10.30pm. For those who have the staying power, the DJ will keep us partying right through to 2am! 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 all members are very 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 and properly 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 sometimes get 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. 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 your experience of an informal night at a pub!

Sutton Pub Night .. drop in and meet our Sutton Spicers Date: Wednesdays: ● 13 July* ● 10th Aug ● 14th Sept ● 12th Oct 2016 Place: The Bottle of Sack, Bham Rd (B72 1QG) Meet: 8pm onwards Members only *Note option of Ian Jelf Walk before David & Rob are your volunteer hosts for this night for members who live in the Sutton Coldfield and surrounding areas. David will be near the bar and (to help you spot him) will be drinking out of a pewter tankard. Contact: Any questions, call Dave on 0121 329 3663. ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night. Directions: Nearest free Car Park is the one by TKMaxx / Halfords/ Aldi. See online writeup for full details. th

Halesowen/Quinton Pub Night .. get together with our South Birmingham & Worcestershire folk! Date: Thursdays: ● 7th July ● 4th Aug ● 1st Sept ● 6th Oct 2016 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 as well. Contact: Hosts are Fiona & John. Fiona can be contacted on 07929 357 880 with any queries. ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night Directions: See online writeup for full details.

Tamworth & Lichfield Pub Night .. discover life in our northern territories! Date: Tuesdays: ● 26 July ● 30th Aug* ● 27th Sept ● 25th Oct 2016 Place: The Bole Bridge, Tamworth (B79 7PA) Meet: 8pm onwards Members Only *Note option of Ian Jelf Walk before This popular night is particularly aimed at getting together members in the Lichfield, Tamworth and surrounding areas – but all members are welcome. Tove and Jayne will be there to welcome you at The Bole Bridge, where they will reserve a table or two on the raised area. There are regular guest ales and good food at competitive prices. Contact: Any questions Contact Tove: tsalkvist@yahoo.co.uk or call 07967 540697. ● Please read notes above before attending a pub night. Directions: See online writeup for full details. th

Quiz Nights Come to 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 and prizes are awarded to winners & runners up. Losers may get a surprise too! Our quizzes are written specially for us and it’s all just for fun - so please don’t book if you’re too serious about winning!

Curry & Quiz (Harborne/ Solihull & Sutton) .. a great social evening with Steve Dell Dates: ● Wed 7th September - Bangla Lounge, 152a High St, Harborne (B17 9PN) ● Thu 4th August - Spice Club 697 Warwick Road Solihull (B91 3DA) ● Weds 20th July or 26th 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. ● Spice Club: Our deal is: Poppadum’s & dips, mixed starters, a choice of main and rice & naan for £12.95. There is limited parking nearby but if this is full you will need to use the multi storey car park. ● Bangla Lounge: We have a great deal for £9.95: 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 gastro-quiz from Steve Dell Date: Wednesday 24th August at Lee Garden, 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) – see menu on line at spicebham.com

Greek Meal & Quiz (Sutton Coldfield) .. a great social evening with Steve Dell 29th

Date: Thursday September at Eleon Greek Restaurant, 2 Maney Corner (B72 1QL) Meet: 7pm in their upstairs room Cost: £5 (£7 Guest) plus cost of food (£18.50) on the night A new addition to Steve's meals and quizzes; The same winning formula used for the curry and Chinese quizzes will see Steve will run a quiz in between courses. There will be all the usual rounds such as general knowledge, music etc. Food: The recommendation is their three course set price menu which has many options to choose from - all for £18.50 - paid on the night. See menu online. These are great events to meet others as you work in small teams. They are fun and have an edge of competitiveness but not taken too seriously!

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Some fun images from our Spring Party

Rambles & Nordic Walks Spice Rambles are a great way to get out in the outdoors, meet new friends and get fit at the same time! We do a wide range of rambles to suit every ability – so don’t miss out on the fun! Ramble Kit: 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.

Shropshire Hills High Level Ramble

Burford 10 Mile Ramble

Date: Saturday 16th July 2016 Place: Church Stretton, Shropshire # Meet: 10.45am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A circuit with Trevor starting from Church Stretton taking in the village of Little Stretton then heading into the hills to climb the long ridge of Ragleth Hill, dropping into the picturesque village of Hope Bowdler, then over Hope Bowlder Hill and finally the gruelling ascent of Caer Caradoc, before finally descending back into Church Stretton. We’ll be rewarded with fine views across the Shropshire hills of this unique and ancient landscape. Expect 10 miles with 630m of climbing and over 2 miles of ridges.

Date: Sunday 24th July 2016 Place: Burford, Cotswolds # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Just to the south of Stow on the Wold nestles the picturesque Cotswold town of Burford. It is surrounded by lovely South Cotswold countryside for us to explore with Mick for 10 miles. We also takes in the ever so scenic River Windrush. Don’t miss it!

Nordic 5 Mile Challenge Walk

Date: Sunday 17th July 2016 Place: Near Matlock # Meet: 10:30am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest This 7 mile walk with Mick starts from near the Heritage Mills. We start the climb steadily to the eastern side of the Derwent Valley, the peaceful side, to contour round then climb to cross the Hearthstone Lane track to descend past Coombs Wood to the hamlet of Lea. After a visit to the cafe at Lea Gardens we descend through Holloway and to the canal and the Derwent Valley Heritage Way for the return through the tunnel, over the aqueduct, past the pumping station and the High Peak Junction back.

Date: Sunday 24th July 2016 Place: Sutton Park, Town Gate (Park Rd) Meet: 10am Start (ends 12.00 midday) Cost: £9 (£10.50 Guest) Incl: Hire of poles/ instructors Following on from the taster sessions with Nordic Walking with Mark & Mike, we are happy to bring you a 5 mile challenge walk around Sutton Park on a beautiful route across different terrain. We will have a brief introduction on how to Nordic walk followed by a planned walk around Sutton Park lasting just under 2 hours depending on conditions. You will get a excellent workout and see how this wonderful way of walking can benefit you in many ways while meeting the regular Nordic Walkers in Spice who will be happy to welcome you. Nordic walking burns twice as many calories as normal walking and takes up to 70% pressure off the joints. There will be 2 instructors to look after you and all equipment will be provided along with expert instruction.

Tanworth in Arden Easy Ramble

Peak District Walk: Monsal Head

Date: Sunday 17th July 2016 Place: Tanworth in Arden, Warwickshire # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest An easy, mostly flat ramble of around 4 miles with Cecilia from this lovely village that was once a clearing in the ancient Forest of Arden. There are many timber framed and Georgian houses in the village. The ramble mainly uses field paths and bridleways and initially heads south to Trap’s Green, then across to Danzey Green and finally returning to Tanworth, along the valley of the infant river Alne. Back in Tanworth we can visit the lovely pub for a drink and a meal or a snack if you wish.

Date: Sunday 24th July 2016 Place: Near Matlock # Meet: 11:15am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest The view from Monsal Head has to be one of the best in the Peaks. We start by descending to the river Wye with pretty views of the river and Monsal Head Viaduct.The walk then follows the Monsal Trail for a bit before following the river along Millers Dale and around the limestone cliffs at river level. The return uses more of the Monsal Trail and you have a choice of the high lever path at the top of the valley with stunning views or you could go through the tunnels for a flatter return. Back at the start we will have the chance to eat or have an ice cream. Distance: 6 miles.

Peak District Walk: Cromford & Lee

Shuttington Evening Ramble

Berwyn Heights - High Level Walk

Date: Thursday 21st July 2016 Place: Shuttington, near Tamworth # Meet: 7pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A lovely 4 mile evening ramble with Steve, with the option to eat afterwards. It’s pretty flat and uses field paths and bridleways though farmland. We also pass by Amington Hall and finally Alvecote Pools Nature Reserve, a popular fishing spot. Back at the pub we can replace any lost fluids and enjoy a meal if desired.

Date: Saturday 30th July 2016 Place: Tan y Pistyll, Shropshire # Meet: 9.45am Start Cost: £12 Member, £15 Guest Hamish will lead this strenuous walk in mid Wales of around 10 miles with 2000 to 3000 ft of ascent. This walk will take in the major Berwyn Range peaks (around 800m). The walk maybe modified depending on the weather conditions.

Peak District Walk: Longstone

Bosworth Mod. Steam Train Ramble

Date: Sunday 7th August 2016 Place: Near Bakewell # Meet: 11am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest This is a lovely walk with lovely villages, typical Peak District landscape, a disused railway line and the stunning view from Monsal Head. Join Rob as we make our way through Little Longstone and them onto Great Longstone. We then head towards Longstone Edge and head south to join the Monsal Trail as we make our way back. Distance: 6½ miles. Leader: Rob Smith

Date: Sunday 31 July 2016 Place: Market Bosworth, Leicestershire # Meet: 11am for the 11:15am train (approx) Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) + Train ticket around £6.30 to £7 Here is a unique ramble with Rob Smith. We catch the steam train on The Battlefield Line Heritage Railway and walk back. The walk is around 7 miles is fairly flat with a couple of gentle gradients. This moderate ramble is at the request of many regulars; the pace will be the same but we will be going a little further. We start at Shackerstone and catch the train to Shenton. From there we use the Leicestershire Round over the battlefield site and on to Sutton Cheney (the church here is where Richard III reputedly had his last mass before the battle). Then we go Market Bosworth Country Park, formerly part of Bosworth Hall deer parkland. There are fine, mature trees, a lake, a planted arboretum with exotic species, a wildflower meadow and community woodland. We then reach the market town itself. Continuing along the Leicestershire Round through the village of Carlton we return to Shackerstone, where we’ll will find a pub for a drink/ bite to eat.

Balsall Common Evening Ramble Date: Wednesday 10th August 2016 Place: Balsall Common, Nr Solihull/Coventry # Meet: 7pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Rob Smith will lead us on this easy 4 mile ramble. The route uses field paths through farmland as we go to the Heart of England Way, passing a disused railway track and Beechwood tunnel on the Bham to Coventry line. We follow the Heart of England Way for a while before returning to the village. Back at the pub we can have a drink and an option to eat. The pub does great food.

Llangollen Hills Hard Ramble Date: Sunday 31st July 2016 Place: Near Llangollen # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £12 Member, £15 Guest A strenuous walk with Hamish of around 10 miles with around 2000ft of ascent. This walk starts on the bank of the River Dee just outside Llangollen and meanders through valley and over mountainside to reach the the high peaks north of the town.

Cardingmill & Long Mynd Hard Ram Date: Saturday 13th August 2016 Place: Church Stretton, Shropshire # Meet: 10.45am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A demanding walk of 11 miles with Trevor Hyde starting from Carding Mill Valley on the edge of Church Stretton, this circular walk quickly climbs up 1000ft on to the elevated ridge of the Long Mynd gaining the summit Pole Bank at 516m. The ridge is followed about 3 miles before descending to the village of Minton and Little Stretton. We then make our way back to the start point, before heading down into Church Stretton for refreshment.

Peak District Walk: Padley Gorge Date: Sunday 31st July 2016 Place: Grindleford station, Derbyshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest Starting from Grindleford station we first climb out of the valley via the wooded Padley Gorge and follow the stream with its waterfalls and stone bed. We pass the Toads Mouth Rock and on to Carl Wark hill fort giving super views of the Burbage valley. We then follow the ridge to Higger Tor and enter the Longshaw Estate which has a good cafe, lake and parkland. We return through the woods. Distance: 10 miles. Leader: Mick Cornfield.

Hopwood Easy to Moderate Ramble Date: Sunday 14th August 2016 Place: Hopwood, near Alvechurch # Meet: 12:15pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A lovely new 6 mile ramble with Rob Smith returning to this popular pub but for a different ramble. This time we head out towards the Bittell reservoirs and Barnt Green. The ramble uses sections of canal and skirts around Upper Bittell reservoir. We take in part of the Lickey Hills before returning via Barnt Green

Broadway 10 Mile Ramble Date: Saturday 6th August 2016 Place: Broadway, Cotswolds # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Broadway retains great old world charm and beauty, and is in the heart of an area of outstanding countryside. Mick has in mind around 10 miles of glorious Cotswold countryside, with gentle hills, far reaching views and possibly a few deer to see. As well as exploring the countryside, Mick will ensure we’re back in good time to explore the village and find a cream tea!

Peak District Walk: Chee Dale Date: Sunday 14th August 2016 Place: Peak District, Wye Dale Car Park # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest A glorious 7 miler with Mick. We follow the river to Blackwell Mill then climb out of the valley with super views and follow the bridleway northward. Footpaths to Wormhill before the descent back to the river at Millers Dale station, at the viaduct we follow the river path now the Monsal Trail past Chee Tor and through the rocky and picturesque Chee Dale with its stepping stones.

Nordic Walk at Ironbridge .. learn how to get more out of your social walking Date: Sunday 7th August 2016 Place: Ironbridge, Shropshire # Meet: 10am Start (lasts 2 hours) Cost: £9 (£10.50 Guest) Incl: Poles This 6 mile walk will take you through scenic areas with woodland paths, riverside trails on a different route from our last visit. There is a steady incline which has been adapted to include all abilities. The morning will commence with an introduction to learning to Nordic walk a session for beginners. When we have completed the walk we can buy lunch at the White Heart Pub.

Shugborough Moderate Ramble Date: Sunday 14th August 2016 Place: Seven Springs, Cannock Chase # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Members, £7 Guests Another walk with Richard on the Staffordshire Way, and this one takes us through the magnificent Shugborough Estate. It’s 8 miles, but has easy paths and canal tow paths. There’s variety of wildlife.

Middleton Evening Ramble

Peak District Walk: Dovedale

Date: Thursday 18th August 2016 Place: Middleton between Sutton and Tamworth # Meet: 7pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A lovely evening ramble with Steve Dell of around 4 miles. The ramble starts in the lovely village of Middleton and goes through farmland towards New Park Woods. We will have a wander around the woods as there should be a good show of bluebells when we go. Then we go towards Wishaw, through the tiny hamlet of Stoke End. Returning to the village (and pub), again using field paths through farmland and quiet country lanes. The pub does great food if you want to eat.

Date: Sunday 21st August 2016 Place: Dovedale, near Ashbourne # Meet: 11.15am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest This is a classic Peak District walk with Steve. The wonderful walk which starts along the river Dove through Dovedale with its limestone cliffs and lots of trees which should still have lots of colours. We take a break in the pretty village of Milldale and then return higher up with some lovely view over the dales. There is one significant climb which is out of Milldale. After the walk we have the option of a Sunday Lunch at the lovely Bentley brook Inn a short drive from Dovedale. Distance: 7 miles.

Stiperstones Hard Ramble

Hatton Locks Ramble

Date: Saturday 20th August 2016 Place: Nr Shrewsbury, Shropshire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £12 Member, £15 Guest A strenuous walk of around 10 miles with Hamish with around 2500 ft of ascent. This walk will take in the main section of the Stiperstones Ridge (536m) and some of the elegant conical peaks just to the south of it. Route maybe modified according to weather

Date: Saturday 27th August 2016 Place: Hatton near Warwick # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest A ten mile walk with Mick. Starting from the outskirts of Warwick we will stroll along part of the towpath to visit the locks at Hatton before returning by footpath in the quieter corner of Warwickshire just a stones throw off the M40. Traditionally known as the ´Stairway to Heaven´, Hatton Locks, form part of a 21 lock flight which descends 146' 6" over a distance of two miles. It is a dramatic historic landmark.

Alvechurch Easy Ramble Date: Sunday 21st August 2016 Place: The Red Lion, Red Lion St, Alvechurch # Meet: 1pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Escape the bank holiday crowds with a lovely ramble with Cecilia from this popular pub in Alvechurch. The route goes through farm land and a wood to the hamlet of Rowney Green and then Lower Rowney Green. The return follows a little brook and then Bridleways as we make our way back to the village and pub! There are a couple of gradients but we will take our time. Back at the pub we can have a well-deserved drink and food if you wish.

Peak District Walk: Calver & Froggatt Date: Sunday 28th August 2016 Place: Village of Calver, Peak District # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest Starting from the village of Calver we first follow the river Derwent downstream to Baslow, crossing the river at the old bidge for the climb gently to Gorsebank Lane and the path to Curbar. A steady climb below Curbar Edge and through the woods to join Froggatt Edge, descend the steep bank to join the easy riverside path back on the Derwent Valley Heritage Way all the way back to the start at Calver Mill. Distance: 6½ miles with Mick Cornfield

Learn to Nordic Walk in a Day Date: Sunday 21st August 2016 Place: Boldmere Gate, Sutton Park Meet: 10am Start (ends 12.30pm) Cost: £29 Member, £35 Guest Includes: Hire of poles. Specialist instructors. After bringing Nordic Walking to Spice West Midlands in form of tasters and introductory sessions we are pleased to welcome back the chance for you to complete the one day fast track course that will enable you to learn all aspects of Nordic walking. You will complete the 4 week course in a day and receive a certificate! Nordic walking is growing in popularity and is a way to get fit while walking with a special technique which not only burns twice as many calories as normal walking but takes up of to 70% pressure of the joints of normal walking. Once you have passed the course you will be registered with the Nordic walking website.

Bridgnorth & Rindleford Ramble Date: Monday 29th August 2016 Place: Riverside, Bridgenorth, Shropshire # Meet: 10am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Enjoy a 6 mile Bank Holiday Ramble with Mick around the village and surrounding areas of Rindleford near Bridgnorth. The ramble will take us through the beautiful Shropshire countryside. When we have finished the walk there is a near by pub for a spot of lunch and a drink. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

Pools of Sutton Park Figure of 8 Date: Monday 29th August 2016 Place: Outside Bistro at Blackroot, Sutton Park Meet: 10.30am and/or 12.45pm Start Cost: £6 Members, £7 Guests Some leisurely walking for a Bank Holiday, aimed at those who like a sociable saunter amongst beautiful scenery with an option of a 3 mile or 7 mile total. Figure of 8 walks allow you to just do one short walk, or to stay on after a break for a second circuit that makes the distance up to “moderate” level. You can decide on the day which option to choose. We meet outside the Bistro at Blackroot, where we can eat and drink between the 2 walks. For full details of the day, see this event on our website.

Moreton in the Marsh 10 Mile Ramble Date: Sunday 21st August 2016 Place: Moreton, Cotswolds # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest From this old Cotswold market town we will follow footpaths and tracks for about 10 miles, firstly following the Monarch’s Way to Blockley on to Draycott then to the remains of the medieval village of Upper Ditchford, returning to Moreton via Aston Magna, in time for ice creams. Leader is Mick Cornfield.

Stratford & Clifford Mod Ramble

Foxton Locks Ramble & Lunch

Date: Saturday 3rd September 2016 Place: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire # Meet: 11.30am at the Park & Ride or 12:00 in Stratford Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Here is a new ramble with Rob Smith from the lovely Stratford on Avon. This easy to moderate 7 mile ramble is fairly flat. We start by following the river south towards the weirs and then through farmland to the lovely village of Clifford Chambers. A bridleway takes us back to the Avon Valley Footpath as we return to Stratford passing the racecourse. The last leg will take us through quiet, interesting streets, a churchyard and riverside walk passing the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Rob will no doubt find a pub to eat after the ramble. You could also have a look around the picturesque Stratford on Avon. See parking options online.

Date: Sunday 11th September 2016 Place: Foxton Locks, Leicestershire # Meet: 11.15am Start Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) or Add £11 for Sunday Lunch A lovely walk with Rob Smith starting at the picturesque and interesting Foxton Locks (ten locks consisting of two "staircases" each of five locks on the Grand Union Canal) just over the border in Leicestershire. It is around 6 miles and you have the option of a Sunday Lunch afterwards. We start by exploring the flight of locks and the Inclined Plane (used to move larger barges that wouldn’t fit into the locks) admiring the stunning views over the surrounding countryside before going along the canal to the village of Foxton. Then we make our way towards Gumley and around the woods. We skirt Smeeton Hill and then through the village. Finally we make our way back to the pub. Menu online.

Newton & Snarestone Ramble

Peak District Walk: Parwich/ Gotham

Date: Sunday 4th September 2016 Place: Near Twycross, Leicestershire # Meet: 11.45am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest An “easy to moderate” walk with Steve Dell finishing at a lovely pub with the option of a Sunday Lunch afterwards. At the request of many regulars this will be another easy to moderate ramble. The pace will be the same but we will be going a little further, around 6½ miles but is mostly flat. The route includes the two lovely Leicestershire villages of Newton Burgoland and Snarestone joined by using bridleways and local farmland and a section of the Ashby de la Zouch canal. Theres a pub half way!

Date: Sunday 11th September 2016 Place: Parwich Village # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest This 7 mile walk with Mick starts from the village of Parwich, where we climb Parwich Hill before heading off to the Hoe Grange Quarries and the path towards Roystone Grange, belonging to the Cistercian Carenden Abbey. Leaving the Valley we join the High Peak Trail following this northwards as the Midshires Way, passing the Minninglow Incline and Minninglow Hill, the site of a Neolithic tomb on the way to Gotham. We return via footpaths crossing Low Moor and descending Parwich Hill.

Peak District Walk: The Roaches

Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Ev Ram

Date: Sunday 4th September 2016 Place: Near Upper Hulme # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest A 10 mile walk with Mick. We start with the footpath between the Roaches and Hen Cloud to cross to Gib Torr then quiet lanes and footpaths under Gradbach Hill to Gradbach. We join the Dane Valley Way to follow the river to Danebridge. Then we turn back opposite a tiny chapel to pass the Hanging Stone on our way to Lud's Church Cave with all the history and legends. We return to The Roaches at Bearstone Rock and Doxey Pool. Great views over the reservoir towards Leek. Look out for Peregrine Falcons!

Date: Monday 12th September 2016 Place: Abbots Bromley, near Rugeley # Meet: 6:15pm Start (Note early start) Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Another in the series of rambles with Steve Dell based around Curious Customs and Festivals that make England so unique. Tonight we will watch the famous Abbots Bromley Horn Dance which happens once a year on "Wakes Monday" and sees locals dancing with Reindeer Horns. It actually starts at 8am and continues all day until 8pm! As with a lot of our customs the origins are a bit vague but this has been going since the 1100s and it is believed to celebrate the granting of grazing rights in the nearby forest to villagers. We will have a short ramble and then return to the village to watch the closing dancing and no doubt visit the local pub afterwards. The village really comes to life on Horn Dance Night - there will be food stalls and music creating a carnival like atmosphere, which is well worth a visit.The ramble is only a short one of around 3 miles and starts past the lovely church, uses part of the Staffordshire Way and returns through local farmland and quiet country lanes. We start earlier than usual as we need to be back around 7:30 to watch the dancing.

Urban Ramble: City to Sutton Park Date: Sunday 4th September 2016 Place: Starts Brindley Place (ends Sutton) # Meet: 11am Start (ends around 4pm) Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) Extras: Train fare back Another in our series of lovely walks with Richard through urban and green spaces of the West Midlands using the Greenways Map. This time we are walking one way, which makes for a more interesting walk, but means using the train one way. Its 9 miles, but this is easy, flat walking and we will take it very easy. There is lots to see in a slice through the city that includes both industrial heritage with nature reserves! We will meet in Brindley Place and join the canal by the NIA. We follow the towpath along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal below Post Office Tower, heading for Spaghetti Junction. After Spaghetti we continue along the canal as far as Berwood Bridge where we turn off to continue our journey through the linked green spaces of Sorrel Park, Pipe Hayes Park, Walmley Golf Club and Newhall Valley Country Park towards Sutton Park. This is a delightful route and should act as the benchmark/ gold standard for all the city Greenway routes. Back in Sutton we can get the train back to Birmingham.

Earlswood Twilight Ramble & Supper Date: Wednesday 14th September 2016 Place: Earlswood, near Solihull # Meet: 7pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Enjoy an easy 3½ mile ramble with Steve Dell on good paths around Earlswood Lakes and Woods. Twilight rambles start in the light but finish in the dark. The woods and the lakes are quite atmospheric in the dark so make the ramble quite interesting. Back at the pub we will have an area reserved for us whilst we enjoy our pre-ordered food. Don’t forget your torch!

What’s the # ? If a location is followed by the # symbol it’s a secret Spice code that means you are going to receive further joining details by post or email such as tickets, maps, directions, emergency numbers etc

Urban Ramb: Cannon Hill/ Bournville Earlswood Ramble & Sunday Lunch Date: Saturday 17th September 2016 Place: MAC, Cannon Hill Park Meet: 12noon in main cafe Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest After the success of our first “Urban Ramble” in May, we’ve got the Birmingham Greenways Map out again and planned another triangular route which covers the area south of our previous walk. Again we are following 3 waterways; Birmingham & Worcester Canal, River Rea and Bourn Brook. It’s an easy and flat 6 - 7 miles made up of canal towpath, riverside parkland and some roads. Being farther out, this route is greener than the last one.

Date: Sunday 9th October 2016 Place: Earlswood, near Solihull # Meet: 12noon Start Cost: £19.50 (£22.50) Incl: 3 Course Sunday Lunch Enjoy a 3 mile easy ramble today with Richard which will take us on paths around Earlswood Lakes. We will then enjoy a delicious three course Sunday Lunch at The Limes Country Lodge, Forshaw Heath Road, Earlswood,B94 5JZ. The Lodge is located in the idyllic rural surroundings of Earlswood, Solihull a family run establishment just off Junction 3 of the M42.

Alvecote Marina Easy Ramble

Barton Marina Easy Ramble

Date: Saturday 15th October 2016 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.

Date: Sunday 18th September 2016 Place: Barton Marina, near Burton on Trent # Meet: 11.45am Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest We return to Barton Marina for this great 5½ mile ramble with Rob Smith from Barton Marina with its wonderful array of lovely shops, cafes and ice creams stalls. The walk initially explores the marina and woods surrounding it before venturing through Barton Under Needwood village. The walk then goes around Smiths Wood and the Dunstal Estate before returning to the Marina. There is an option to have a drink and maybe a meal after.

Henley in Arden Figure of 8 Ramble Date: Sunday 16th October 2016 Place: Henley in Arden, near Warwick # Meet: 10.30am or 1.15pm Start Cost: £6 Member, £7 Guest Figure of 8 rambles appeal to both social ramblers who just want a short morning or afternoon ramble and longer ramblers who want a full day ramble. Steve Dell has organised another one from the lovely village of Henley in Arden - both rambles are around 4½ miles and both are fairly easy. If you choose the morning ramble you can either finish then (if the weather isn't too good - or the pub is more inviting!) or carry on with the afternoon one. If you fancy a shorter later starting ramble just turn up by 1:15 for the afternoon ramble. You can decide "on the day" what you do. The morning ramble: We start from the famous High St and then following the Heart of England Way (a long distance footpath) we pass the site where Beaudesert Castle once stood. The walk uses field paths through farmland. There are a couple of gradients but not too strenuous and we will take our time. The afternoon ramble: In the afternoon we will use the Heart of England way (in the opposite direction) and the Arden Way. The route also uses field paths through farmland and takes in the hamlets of Hallend, Ullenhall and Oldberrow.

Peak District Walk: Alport Castles Date: Sunday 18th September 2016 Place: Derwent Valley # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £5.50 Member, £6.50 Guest This 10 mile walk with Mick, starts from the Fairholmes visitor centre at Derwent Dam. We follow the wooded path beside the reservoir then a steady climb round Crook Hill onto the ridge passing Hagg Side Wood and climbing Bellhag Tor for the open moorland of Rowlee Pasture. We arrive firstly at Little Moor then the Alport Castles, the largest landslip in the county forming castle like features. We descend over the moor to the reservoir where we follow the edge passing the remains of Birchenlee, Tin Town, the tin village for the workers on the dams and back to the start.

Bewdley & Arley Moderate Ramble Date: Sunday 25th September 2016 Place: Bewdley, Worcestershire # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 (£7 Guest) Extras: Optional steam train ride A return to the wonderful Severn Valley and Wyre Forest with Steve Dell. You have the option of a 6 mile moderate ramble in the morning, getting the steam train back from Arley, or you can walk back making it a 10 miler. We start from the lovely town of Bewdley and head towards Arley following the river Severn. We then head up into the Wyre Forest following Dowles Brook. After discovering some of the forest we return to the river and follow it into Arley, passing the famous Victoria Bridge. Arley is a wonderful riverside village with a great pub. From here you have a choice of steam train or walking back. The walk takes us though the delightful Eyemore Wood and then back to the river, which we follow back to Bewdley. No doubt we will find a pub to finish!

Cannock Chase War & Remembrance Date: Saturday 12th November 2016 Place: Coppice Hill Car Park, Brocton # Meet: 10.30am Start Cost: £6 Members, £7 Guests The day before Remembrance Sunday seems a poignant time for a themed ramble on Cannock Chase which was very active in wartime and has many secrets to share. The walk is “moderate” at 7½ miles and we’ll take it at a gentle pace with lots of stops to take in the sights so expect a pretty full day out. We have planned in a half hour café stop after a couple of miles where we can buy drinks and home cooked snacks. Our route will include visiting such sights as ● a former parade ground ● Freda's Grave ● Women's Auxiliary Corps hut lines ● a now dismantled camp railway ● The Katyn Memorial ● the Commonwealth War Cemetery ● German War Cemetery and Visitor Centre and Rifle Ranges from the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Richard will have some basic historical information to share as we go and will have a hand out to help us explore the German Military Cemetery in particular.

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

Clay Pigeon Shooting .. a lovely morning at a country shooting lodge th

Date: Sunday 16 October 2016 Place: Tardebigge, nr Redditch (B97 6RB) # Meet: 9.30am for 10am start Cost: £47 (£52 Guest) includes: coffee & biscuits 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. 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'.

Ultimate Archery Experience .. experience the thrills of target sports st

Date: Saturday 1 October 2016 Place: NPF, Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield (B75 5SA) Meet: 1.45pm for 2pm - 3.30pm session Cost: £39 (£42 Guest) Includes: Equipment and instruction The Range at the National Paintball Fields is a new purpose built target sport facility which offers a fun and safe environment in which to experience the thrills of target sports. Perfect for the complete beginner or experienced archer, our afternoon will begin with our instructor on the traditional archery targets. We’ll then head into the woods with our guide to the 3D Archery Field Course. Beware of snails, snakes, rats, spiders and zombies! Full training and all equipment provided

Western Style Rifle Shooting .. fire "the real thing" with the experts Sundays: 31 July or 2nd October 2016, Birmingham Shooting Centre, Hockley (B18 7RL) – see directions see online Choose time when booking (check available timeslots online or call for info) £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. Important Notes: Please read the notes on the online version of this writeup before booking to ensure you are eligible.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

SWAT Training Mission .. an incredible special forces style experience Date: Sunday 18th September 2016 Place: Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield (B75 5SA) – see directions see online Meet: 1pm for 1.15pm start 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! This close quarters battle experience has been developed using new and specialised 'Kill - House' style SWAT training facilities which has been purpose built here. We’ll be issued with SWAT uniforms and tactical gear (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' (simulation) and then wait for the signal. Go Go Go! And we're in! Read more about this event online. ______________________________ 34

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 (Acocks Green) .. another new bowling venue to enjoy! Dates: Mondays: ● 11 July ● 8th Aug ● 12th Sept ● 10th Oct or ● 14th Nov 2016 Place: AG Bowl, corner of Warwick Rd & Westley Rd, Acocks Green (B27 7UH) Meet: 7.30pm prompt Cost: £10 (£12 Guest) Includes: 2 games, Spice coordinator, shoe hire One of our regions most famous bowling venues - independently run and very “Spice friendly”. We form fairly random teams and have 2 games during the evening. Don’t worry if you can’t bowl – as none of us can - but we have fun trying! th

Karaoke Box Evening & Buffet .. discover this trendy new venue with friends Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Saturday 8 October 2016 Regency Wharf, Broad St, Birmingham (B1 2DY) 8pm (finish 11pm) £21.50 (£25 Guest) Includes: State of the art audio-video system, buffet platters, waitress service, Spice Coordinator & hire of a themed room for 3 hours Karaoke Box has opened its first venue outside of London – and it is stunning! They have a range of themed rooms, each with state of the art audio-visual karaoke systems built in. The venue has already become a popular stop off with the groups in “Limos” that cruise the clubs of Broad Street looking for late night fun! After the success of our first visit when we took to London Underground themed room for 20 people, last time we upgraded to The Galaxy Room next door which has exotic light effects, a mini dance floor and takes up to 35 maximum for even more Spice chaos – yay! We’ll have another themed room to try out this time. All have a huge choice of karaoke videos to perform to each other and discover who is best, funniest, bravest etc. Don’t worry, you don’t have to sing! Food is served on sharing platters of simple nibbles. Don’t expect a full meal, just basic “beige food” to keep us singing!

Canals Evening & Buffet at Titford Pumphouse .. unlock the secrets of our industrial past th

Date: Thursday 14 July 2016 Place: Titford Pump House, Engine Street, Oldbury, West Midlands (B69 4NL) Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start Cost: £7 (£9 Guest) Incl: buffet supper Extra: Collection on the night If you enjoy unlocking the secrets of our industrial past, you will love this opportunity to spend an exclusive Spice evening as guests of Birmingham Canal Navigation Society and learn some of the incredible engineering that went into providing our inland waterways. Our evening is at Titford Pumphouse, which, at 512ft above sea level is at the highest point of our local canal network and so had the vital job of defying gravity by keeping the levels topped up. We will discover the Pumphouse itself and the canalside features outside as well as enjoying a talk, music and buffet supper together. The evening will start with tea/coffees followed by a talk with musical accompaniment by Phil Clayton who is a well experienced, musically talented and knowledgeable speaker. He’ll explain how canals work, how and why they were built and share lots of interesting facts about the waterways. After a question and answer session, we'll enjoy a buffet supper and if weather permits we’ll see the locks outside. Phil will round off our evening with more photos, talk and questions.

Laser Tag Fun & Pizza .. lots of fun with a laser gun! Date: Friday 7th October 2016 Place: Fazeley Street, Birmingham (B5 5SE) Meet: 6.40pm for 7.00pm Briefing Cost: £21 (£23 Guest) Incl: 3 Laser Tag Games, equipment, Pizza and a non alcoholic drink Get ready for action! Get ready for lights, special effects, smoke, thrilling games and the latest technology. Often classified as combat games, Lasertag has a major advantage over paintball in that it is pain free - no bruising, clean plus having the obvious advantages of being indoors. We’ll enjoy three games of 12 minutes with a short break between games.

Inflatable Action Fun .. a fantastically bouncy experience Date: Sunday 7th August 2016 Place: Bassetts Pole, Sutton Coldfield (B75 5SA) Meet: 1.45am for 2pm - 4pm session Cost: £35.50 (£37.50 Guest) Includes: Equipment, instruction, Spice coordinator Think “it’s a Knockout”, think “Gladiators”, think “Total Wipeout” and you have some idea of the fun we are going to have today! Yes, 2 hours of fun on inflatables. Here are the games we will be playing: ● Boot Camp Challenge: No challenge is complete without an assault course! AQt least this one has a soft landings! ● Rocca Rolla: Outsmart your opponents and hold your nerve. Test your fitness, balance & gritty determination! ● Super Hero Fun Wrestling/Boxing: Have you ever experienced a muscle-bound Batman come hurtling towards you? ● Pony “Space Hopper” style racing: Bounce around on the pony style space hoppers – what’s not to like! ● Wobbly Sausage Racing: Groups of 6 people showcasing their skill at bouncing a 6 metre inflatable frankfurter across the Astro Turf arena without losing their grip on the hot dog in question! The main danger is you can’t stop laughing! ● Adult Space Hopper Race: See who can cross the line first! It’s all fun, it’s hilarious, it’s friendly and you’ll love it! PLUS - NEW FOR 2016 - A Disco Dome and Footpool

Chatsworth Private Tour .. spend an afternoon at Chatsworth Date: Sunday 17th July 2016 Place: Chatsworth House, Derbyshire (DE45 1PP) # Meet: 11.30pm tour starts Cost: £34 (£36 Guest) incl. day entrance ticket to House & Gardens & exclusive Spice tour by expert Chatsworth is a truly wonderful place, acknowledged by being twice voted the Country's Favourite National Treasure. There is of course more to this estate than meets the eye, as it covers more than 35,000 acres of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, encompassing farms, woods, moorland, rivers, villages, quarries and other industries, large and small. The House and Garden together provide around 66 full time and 23 part time jobs. Many of these people learn their trade on the estate. Our Full House tour lasts for approximately 2 hours and brings Chatsworth and the family’s history to life, taking in the masterpieces from the Devonshire collection. The tour explores the painted hall, chapel, state rooms, sculpture gallery and you also get the opportunity to visit the Victorian theatre and belvedere as part of your tour (subject to availability).After this, our tickets will allow us to enjoy the Estate as tourists for the remainder of the day.

Treasures of the Museum Tour .. enjoy the highlights of this world class museum th

Date: Sunday 17 July 2016 Place: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square (B3 3DH) Meet: 11.45am for 12noon tour. Meet in Round Room Cost: £9.50 (£11.50 Guest) Enjoy this relaxed stroll around the museum with our guide James McCormack. The tour will be very light hearted and focus on the history of both the building and the collection. We will look at some of the highlights of this world class museum. Afterwards, we can continue the discussions over tea and cake in the Edwardian Tea Room.

Spetchley Gardens Walk with the Head Gardener .. a guided walk through many styles of garden Date: Sunday 31st July 2016 Place: Spetchley, Worcestershire (WR5 1RS) # Meet: 11.30am for 12noon tour Cost: £13 (£15 Guest) Incl: Entrance, guide, Spice coordinator This beautiful historic garden, surrounded by ancient parkland, deer park and lakes is set in wonderful Worcestershire countryside with far reaching views to the Malvern Hills. It’s a stunning 30 acre garden with a Bath Stone Georgian mansion as a backdrop. Our walking tour with the Head Gardener takes up to 90 minutes and we’ll be able to ask questions on various garden management issues. We’ll discover many different forms of garden, each demanding a different style of management. Afterwards we’ll visit the wonderful tea room, where you can buy lunch if you wish.

Steam Train to Stratford .. enjoy the sights, sounds & senses of steam Date: Sunday 4th September 2016 Place: Snow Hill Station, Birmingham (B3 2BJ) # Meet: 10am for 10.23am train Cost: £27 (£29 Guest) Includes: standard class return rail ticket and booking fees Extra: Ian Jelf "Stratford Discovery Walk” - Book separately Sit back, relax and enjoy the sights, sounds and senses of main line steam rail travel as it was in the 'good old days'. Travel along the Shakespeare Line between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon, steeped in culture, history and natural beauty. The journey from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon is through beautiful countryside, the steam locomotives often work up to speeds of 60mph and even 75mph! Through the carriage windows you will see an ever changing landscape, from Birmingham's fascinating industrial past to Warwickshire's beautiful countryside with its working farms, stylish villages and stations, plus glimpses of waterways and other features that make up Shakespeare's County. An immaculate steam locomotive will pull the train of Vintage Trains traditional rail carriages, all restored authentically to their former glory. There will then be an opportunity to spend 4hours in Stratford Upon Avon before returning to Snowhill station on the 16.10 steam train. If you also book Ian Jelf’s walk, you will have around 2 hours free time

Birmingham Hippodrome Heritage Dinner .. celebrate the amazing story of this very special theatre Date: Saturday 6th August 2016 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome (B5 4TB) # Meet: 6.30pm for 6.45pm Cost: £39 (£42 Guest) Incl: Our private room, talk & 3 course diiner including tea/ coffee. Join us for this exclusive evening at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre in our own private room. Learn about the amazing story of the theatre from its beginnings as a circus and variety hall in 1899 to the major lyric theatre it is today. The knowledgeable Hippodrome Heritage volunteers will take us on a trip down memory lane as we uncover some of the stories from ther rich theatrical past and tell us tales of the stars that have graced the stage. From Laurel and Hardy to the Beatles, the story on the stage reflects the social history and changing face of entertainment over the last century. We will enjoy a delicious three course dinner. Find menu online for pre ordering.

Grace Dieu Estate History Walk .. a walk guided by a historian who was born there! th

Date: Sunday 7 August 2016 Place: Thringstone, near Ashby (LE67 8LR) – directions online Meet: 3pm in Bulls Head car park Cost: £5 (£6 Guests) paid as deposit of £2 (£3 Guest) when booking plus £3 donation on the night The Grace Dieu Estate, with its atmospheric haunted priory ruins, delightful woods, carpeted in wild flowers and Manor House is an enchanting area to explore and full of history. As someone who often drives the road between the A42 and Loughborough, the stark landmark of the ruined priory always prompts the questions “I wonder what the history is? Who lived there? How did they live? and what was it really like all those years ago?”. We have previously held ghost walks here but this time we’re visiting in daylight. Our guide, Anne Petty was born on the estate where her father was the gardener for 73 years! So for Anne, the area was her playground and she knows the estate better than anyone, including lots of stories and legends to share with us! The tour takes 2 hours and we hope to see and learn a lot in our time there. The Pub & Optional Meal: We meet Anne in the car park of The Bulls Head, who kindly allow parking for these events. This is a Crown Carvery pub and if you are welcome to join us for a meal afterwards. You get a great carvery meal for around £8. Please let us know if you are staying to eat so that we can give numbers to the pub.

Stonehenge Sunset Tour .. exclusive access to this ancient wonder of the world! Date: Saturday 27th August 2016 Place: Stonehenge, Wiltshire # (SP3 4DX) Meet: 7.15pm to 10pm Cost: £43 (£50 Guest) Incl: Spice exclusive tour to the Inner Circle This is a very exclusive annual event where you get “access all areas” at this incredible site. Read full details online.

Firework Championships .. firework companies compete to be the most spectacular! Date: Saturday 10th September 2016 Place: Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire (B49 5NL) # NOTE NEW VENUE FOR 2016 Meet: from 6pm (entry from 5pm) Cost: £20 (£22.50 Guest) Incl: Ticket, booking fees & contribution towards gazebo permit Extras: Bring a picnic, camera and a torch (as it is pitch dark when it's all over)! ● 4 professional firework companies ● 4 spectacular shows choreographed to music ● One winner! This fabulous pyrotechnic spectacular is a firm favourite of Spice members. This year we’re enjoying the show at the fabulous new venue of Ragley Hall. This is the 4th year we have put this on as a Spice event and we usually get a group of around 40 happy Spice members and pitch a Spice gazebo as a rendezvous point. It’s a great summer evening event in the grounds of one of England’s finest stately homes, with probably the best fireworks displays you will ever see! For the companies concerned, being the best, most creative and most technologically advanced is a serious business. They have to delight you as at the end, the spectators will cast their votes. Read more on our website at www.spicebham.com

Polo, Picnics & Summer Fun .. a posh day out at the polo! th

Date: Sunday 7 August 2016 Place: Ashlawn Road, Rugby (CV22 5QE) Meet: 11am Cost: £3 (£5 Guest) Summer is here and so is the Polo Season. We’ve been invited to join our friends from Rugby Polo Club to watch matches at their outdoor polo fields near Rugby. Situated in a lovely picturesque part of Warwickshire, the pitches are surrounded by mature trees, creating an atmosphere, which you cannot help but be absorbed into. The pitches are still regarded as some of the best to play on in the modern day polo circuit. Bring along a chair, picnic and sit back and enjoy the matches. We will rendezvous at 11.00am and then find an area for us to sit together. There will hopefully be an opportunity to meet the polo players, ponies and learn a little more about the sport. Oh, we may have to tread the divots too!

Oktoberfest 2016 in Leicester .. discover a little of Bavaria in Leicester th

Date: Saturday 20 August 2016 Place: Abbey Park, Leicester (LE1 3EA) # Meet: 2:15pm for 2:30pm start Cost: £15 (£16 Guest) Incl: Spice Host, 1½ pints of beer, entrance & seat reservation Do you like the fun of a Beer Festival with Lederhosen, giant beer and "Schlager" music? If so, come and join in the amazing atmosphere and experience Bavarian culture for a day. You will be in a large tent with space for 1,500 people so you definitely won’t be alone. Oktoberfest has a long tradition which started in Munich 200 years ago. It is a celebration of the gathering of the harvest. We’ll be looked after by waiters and waitresses dressed in Dirndl and Lederhosen. The tent is filled with long tables. However, you will not be sitting for long before you will want to sing along and maybe stand on the benches in true Oktoberfest style. If you like men is leather shorts, drinking songs, sausages and lager .. tthis is for You!

Blue Piano Garden Party with Terry & Gerry .. enjoy live music & BBQ at this special venue th

Date: Saturday 20 August 2016 Place: The Blue Piano, 24/26 Harborne Road, Birmingham (B15 3AA) Meet: 6.30pm Cost: £23 (£25 Guest) Incl: live music, BBQ and a welcome drink The Blue Piano is a large Edwardian house situated in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston. Family-run and independent with bar, restaurant, guesthouse and a beautiful terrace garden.The house exudes warmth and elegance. A unique South-East Asian venue, the Blue Piano has become a destination for musicians and music lovers of Birmingham with its eclectic programme of live music. This evening we have an allocaton of tickets to join this special Garden Party which includes live music, BBQ and a welcome drink of lychee punch. Spice will have an allocated seating area. Terry & Gerry will entertain us with their unique brand of cowpunk-skiffle-grooves. In the mid-eighties this 4 piece band released six singles and one album ‘From Lubbock to Clintwood East’. Each reached No 1 in the indie charts. They have toured extensively in the UK, Europe and America gathering fans from Joe Strummer, Shane MacGowan and Morrissey! 38

Crime & Punishment Evening with Supper .. enjoy a tour around the Castle's Torture Chamber rd

Date: Friday 23 September 2016 Place: Tutbury Castle (DE13 9JF) # Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm to 10.30pm Cost: £26 (£28 Guest) Exclusive Spice event with buffet supper Another wonderful evening at Tutbury Castle one of the country's most historic (and most haunted!) castles, yet an easy drive out from Birmingham. The evening will start with a buffet supper. A night for those with strong spirits to listen in awe to lecture on felons and the dark rewards of crime. The evening includes a tour around the castle's Torture Chamber in the gloom of the night. There will be a delicious buffet which we serve before the tour to ensure a good appetite for all.

Shootout & Party Food at the Kiddies Playcentre! .. laser weapons .. 'soft play' & sausage rolls! (what more could a big kid wish for?) Date: Friday 7th October 2016 Place: Adventureland, Walsall Wood/ Aldridge (WS9 9AA) – directions online Meet: 7pm for 7.15pm prompt start (finishes around 9pm) Cost: £21.50 (£25 Guest) Incl: Buffet of sandwiches, sausage rolls, soft drinks 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!

Mary Queen of Scots at Tutbury Castle .. a fabulous evening of costumed entertainment! th

Date: Saturday 12 November 2016 Place: Tutbury Castle near Burton on Trent (DE13 9JF) # Meet: 7.15pm for 7.30pm Cost: £23.50 (£26 Guest) Includes: Buffet meal Tonight we will be in the company of Mary Queen Of Scots for a wonderful evening at one of the countries most historic (and most haunted!) castles, yet an easy drive out from Birmingham. The castle is owned by The Queen and has a remarkable résumé having been 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, Prince Rupert and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Mary Queen of Scots is recreated tonight by Lesley Smith who is the curator of Tutbury Castle and one of the presenters on TV’s “Most Haunted”. Mary was held prisoner at Tutbury Castle on four occasions and it was her first English prison. She left Tutbury for the last time in 1585 when she was moved to Chartley. From there she was sent to Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire where she was executed in 1586. Here is a chance to meet Mary Queen of Scots, in full authentic costume, during her imprisonment at Tutbury where she spent a lot of time reading, writing letters and doing embroidery. Learn about Mary’s three marriages and about life in general in Tudor times. ______________________________

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.

Vulcan Bomber Restoration Visit .. enjoy this awesome aircraft rd

Date: Saturdays: 23 July or 22nd October 2016 Place: Wellesbourne, nr Stratford upon Avon (CV35 9EU) # Meet: 10.00am Cost: No cost to book but donate at least £10 to the restoration society on day Avro Vulcan XM655 (pictured right with its 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’s 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 the dedicated volunteers. Tea, coffee & biscuits will be available.

Prodrive V.I.P. Visit .. discover a world leading motorsport facility th

Date: Saturday 17 September 2016 Place: Banbury, Oxfordshire (OX16 3ER) # Meet: 10.45am for 11am tour Cost: £25 (£27 Guest) includes coffees – see full itinerary online 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 30 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 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.

RSC Behind The Scenes .. visit the new theatre th

Date: Sunday 17 July 2016 Place: Royal Shakespeare Theatre (CV37 6BB) # Meet: 10am for 10.30am tour Cost: £10.50 (£12.50 Guest) Includes booking fees & Spice Coordinator This is more than just a theatre, it is probably the most famous and respected theatre in the world. We will learn about the history of the RSC and its theatres in Stratford, as well as exploring a production in more depth to learn about the theatre making process. There will then be an opportunity for a snack/drink in the Café.

Staffordshire Hoard & Conservation Tour .. get a privileged view through powerful microscopes Date: Thursday 18th August 2016 Place: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square (B3 3DH) Meet: 9.45am for 10am Start Cost: £23 (£25 Guest) includes special access to the conservation work We are very excited to have linked up with BMAG to see both the Staffordshire Hoard in the new gallery and conservation work on Hoard objects going on in the Conservation Studio. We will first visit the Hoard exhibition under the expert eye of one of our conservators who will tell you more about this fascinating find. Following this we will be escorted to the Conservation Studios where the Hoard Conservation team will be on hand to demonstrate how they are conserving the Staffordshire Hoard. You can hear about recent findings and research and also have privileged views of the Hoard under powerful microscopes. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions. This tour is exclusive to Spice.

BBC Birmingham Behind the Scenes .. enjoy a tour of BBC Birmingham's home in The Mailbox Date: Saturdays: 20th August or 29th October 2016 Place: BBC, The Mailbox, Birmingham (B1 1RF) Meet: 1.15pm for 1.30pm tour. Meet in BBC reception Cost: £10 (£12 guest) (includes booking fees & Spice coordinator) 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.

Hippodrome Back Stage Tour .. get inside this famous theatre! Date: Saturday 27th August 2016 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street (B5 4TB) # Meet: 9.50am for 10am tour Cost: £12 (£15 Guest) includes booking fees, coordinator & refreshments afterwards Take a peek behind the scenes of a leading theatre which has recently been renovated to one of the finest you will find anywhere in the world. This is your chance to stand on the same stage as our most famous actors and actresses and have some of the magic explaining such as scene changes, costumes and “is that real blood?”. The secrets of sound and light are also revealed. All and more is covered in this stimulating 1.5 hour tour.

Chillington Hall Heirs Tour/Tractor Expedition .. by special arrangement with the Giffard family Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Saturday 8 October 2016 Codsall near Wolverhampton (WV8 1RE) # 10.50am for 11am £17.50 (£19.50 Guest) Incl: Exclusive tour of Hall by the Giffards*, Capability Brown tour of grounds in covered tractor trailer and tea/coffee & biscuits Our Heirs Tours of our regions stately properties have proved very popular. Sir Richard Fitzherbert has shown us around Tissington Hall; Charles Berkeley has shared Berkeley Castle with us; Lord Cobham has welcomed us to Hagley Hall, James Hervey- Bathurst has shown us around Eastnor Castle and now we have a tour of Chillington Hall by the current (29th) generation of the Giffard family, who have lived there for 800 years! Chillington Hall is a stunning stately property and is particularly famous for its grounds which were landscaped in 1770 by Capability Brown. It has been home to the Giffards since the 12th century, so has a unique continuity to its collection. They aim to preserve the best of the past and create the magic of another era. Despite its formal facade Chillington is first and foremost an intimate, family home and John & Crescent Giffard look forward to sharing it with us in this special private visit. Our Special Visit: We have arranged two tours in one visit. First we will be shown around of the Hall itself (approx. 45 mins). After this, we will be seated in a special covered trailer which is towed by tractor (for around 1 hour) around the extensive grounds. This is a very civilised way we to admire the work of Capability Brown and celebrate his 300th anniversary year! During the visit we will also enjoy tea/coffee and biscuits with our hosts. *Note: If for any reason the Giffard Family become unavailable, the tour will still go ahead but will be conducted by their Housekeeper.

Secrets of Tissington Walk with Sir Richard .. discover the Estate with Sir Richard Fitzherbert Date: Saturday 20th August 2016 Place: Tissington near Ashbourne (DE6 1RA) # Meet: 10.15am for 10.30am Start Cost: £18 (£20 Guest) Incl: Tour by Sir Richard Fitzherbert & teas/ coffees in Herberts Tea Rooms We’ve enjoyed quite a series of special tours of the stately homes and estates of England by the people who own them. This time we are back at the beautiful Tissington Estate for a walk and talk with the ever entertaining Sir Richard Fitzherbert. Tissington Hall was built by Francis Fitzherbert in 1609 and has served as family home for nearly 400 yrs. Today Sir Richard Fitzherbert will lead us on a guided tour of the estate including the surrounding villages and give us an insight into its history as well as how a historic estate is organized today. Expect a couple of hours wandering with Sir Richard afterwards we can find somewhere nice for lunch together if you wish. Note, walk does not include Hall interior. 41

Funeral Home Talk & Tour .. get inside a state of the art funeral home! Date: Either ● Rugby on Wed 21st Sept or ● Nuneaton on Wed 26th Oct 2016 Place: ● September: Co-op Funeralcare 38 Bilton Road, Rugby (CV22 7AL) ● October: Co-op Funeralcare, Park House, Riversley Rd, Nuneaton (CV11 5QS) Meet: Both visits start 7pm Cost: FREE (Max 10 people on each tour) 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 have the opportunity to visit two large, modern funeral homes in Rugby and Nuneaton this autumn courtesy of our friends at Co-op. 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. After the talk there will be an 'Access All Areas' 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 the night is to open our eyes to an important yet little talked about industry and how it adapts with understanding and sensitivity to the 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 better 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. We just have ten places on each visit. 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 very respectful to the dignity of this profession.

Guided Tour of The Lord Leycester Hospital .. enjoy this historic group of timber-framed buildings Date: Sunday 21st August 2016 Place: 60 High Street, Warwick, Warwickshire (CV34 4BH) # Meet: 2.15pm for 2.30pm Cost: £13.50 (£16 Guests) Incl: Guide, Tea or Coffee & Cake The Lord Leycester Hospital is not now, and has never been a medical establishment. Hospital is used in its ancient sense meaning “a charitable institution for the housing and maintenance of the needy, infirm or aged”.The Hospital is an historic group of timber-framed buildings on Warwick High Street dating mainly from the late 14th Century clustered round the Norman gateway into the town with its 12th Century Chantry Chapel above it. For nearly 200 years it was the home of Warwick’s medieval Guilds. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth I it became, under the patronage of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, a place of retirement for old warriors. So it remains today as an independent charity providing homes for ex-Servicemen and their wives. We will enjoy a guided tour by the Master of the Hospital. The tour will take about an hour and a half and include the 12th Century Chapel of St James, built over the ancient West Gate of Warwick. Then you will see the Guildhall – built in 1450 by Neville the Kingmaker, Earl of Warwick. This contains a wonderful collection of trophies and artefacts brought back by generations of Brothers. The tour also takes in the Great Hall, with a fabulous Timbered Roof, this was built for celebrations and banquets. It still is a venue for wonderful parties and wedding receptions all year round. It continues with the Courtyard in front of the Master’s House and the exquisite Master’s Garden to the rear. We will finish the tour with tea/coffee and cake in the Brethren’s Kitchen.

Alexandra Theatre Backstage Tour .. tread in the footsteps of the stars! th

Date: Saturday 10 September 2016 Place: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (B5 4DS) # Meet: 10.15am for 10.30am Start Cost: £9.50 (£10.50 Guest) Have you ever wondered what it's like to go backstage at the Alex? This tour will give you a unique insight into one of the most historic theatres in the West Midlands. See the dressing rooms that have housed the stars, visit the backstage areas that are the workhouse of theatre life and finally step on stag at the Alex and in doing so join with some of the greats of English theatre. Please note the tour covers all parts of the theatre and this includes many stairs.

Can you help? Our best behind the scenes visits have come about by the personal contacts of Spice members. If you could help arrange a visit, please get in touch – whatever it may be! In recent years we have enjoyed finding out about: 17 factories, 3 public utilities, 7 theatres, 3 art galleries, 1 prison, 5 undertakers, 9 places of worship, 2 fire stations, 1 coal mine, 3 breweries, 2 newspapers, 1 master thatcher, 3 emergency services and many, many others! But, the Spice appetite is insatiable so please call 0121 353 6161 if you’ve any good contacts to pass on!

Barton Arms Tour & Thai Meal .. a fascinating evening at this historic venue Date: Monday 26th September 2016 Place: 144 High Street, Aston, Birmingham (B6 4UP) Meet: 6.45pm for 7.00pm Start Cost: £22 (£24 Guest) Incl: Private Spice guided tour of the pub & cellar. 2 course Thai meal The Bartons Arms is one of the most beautiful pubs in the country and one of Birmingham’s best kept secrets. We have arranged a private Spice tour of this famous old pub, where we can marvel at its Victorian tiles, its magnificent wrought iron staircase and splendid “snob screens”. We’ll also take a journey down to its unique cellar and discover the ingenuity of the Victorians. There will also be a light-hearted talk and slide show, charting the pub’s amazing history and its links to the Aston Hippodrome and Laurel & Hardy. Find out if Laurel & Hardy really did stay there? .. and were the Bartons’ tiles really the inspiration behind Aston Villa’s famous claret and blue colours? The talk and tour will be hosted by local author, John Ullah, who was born just a mile from The Bartons Arms and knows it better than anyone. Our Thai Dinner: The pub now has a terrific reputation for its Thai Food. The evening will finish with a delicious 2course Thai meal, served in what is claimed to be “probably the most beautiful restaurant in the UK”.

Eastnor Castle Heirs Tour & Afternoon Tea .. discover this magical castle by the Malvern Hills! Tuesday 25th October 2016 (Schools Half Term) Ledbury/ Malvern Hills area (HR8 1RL) # 11.15 for 11.30am £23.50 (£27 Guest) Incl: Entrance to Castle and grounds, tour with James Hervey Bathurst (or tour guide if James not available) & afternoon tea of sandwiches, cake & tea/coffee Our Heirs Tours of our regions stately properties have proved very popular. Today we visit Eastnor Castle where we hope that James Hervey- Bathurst will be available to show us his family home. On Spice rambles you may have caught a glimpse of Eastnor Castle in the dramatic setting of the Malvern Hills, surrounded by a beautiful deer park, arboretum and lake. You may have wondered who lives in such a castle and how they came to be there! Well, the castle remains the home of the Hervey-Bathurst family and James splits his time between his castle and his business interests in London. James has a particular interest in trains and steam engines which is why he and his castle appeared on several Fred Dibnah TV Programmes in the 1990’s. The castle was built in 1812 in to resemble a medieval castle guarding the Welsh borders and its lavish interiors contain medieval armour and fine art. Particularly of note is the stunning Gothic Drawing Room added in the 1850’s by AW Pugin. After our tour we will be treated to a lovely afternoon tea. This includes a selection of sandwiches, homemade cake and a pot of tea or coffee. You will then have free time to explore the extensive grounds. Note: If for any reason James becomes unavailable on the day, the tour will still go ahead but with a castle steward. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Guide Dog Training Centre Visit .. how can a dog become the eyes & ears of a human? Date: Saturday 5th November 2016 Place: Edmondscote Manor, Leamington Spa (CV32 6AH) # Meet: 9.45am for 10.00am to 12.00pm tour Cost: FREE to book, but please make a donation of at least £3.00 on the day This wonderful organisation provides guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people. They are the largest breeder of working dogs in the world. The really interesting bit though is how they transform these pups into highly trained adults who you could trust your life to on the busy UK roads. 130 dogs are taught to this standard each year in Leamington. Our visit starts with a talk & video, before we’re off on a guided tour. ______________________________

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

Run, Jog or Walk in the Park .. some easy excercise in the evening! Dates: Every Tuesday Evening (Some dates may have a meal option – check online) Place: Car Park of Toby Carvery, Near Town Gate, Sutton Park (B73 6LH) Meet: 7pm Start (back in pub by 8.30pm) Cost: Free, but you must be booked. A collection is taken for our Fun Run Charity, St Mary’s Hospice An opportunity to get fit and active by enjoying an easy run, jog or fast walk with us in the evening. It’s very sociable and we will set off on a route of around 60 mins duration before returning to the pub. So that everyone can go at their own pace, we use a simple “easy to follow” route on the quiet roads of the park. Our faster runners will at the front and the slowest walkers at the back act as “back markers”. In between we have the joggers and those who run a bit and walk a bit. These evenings are appropriate to anyone who wants to increase their fitness in a sociable group. As a minimum, you should be capable of a brisk walk (that’s what most of us do!). But whatever your pace you are very welcome.

Badminton for Fun .. FREE sessions in Coventry, Wolves & Birmingham Date: Every Wednesday Place: ● Coventry: Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, Coventry CV3 1HW ● Wolverhampton: Aldersley Leisure Village, Aldersley Rd, WV6 9NW ● Birmingham: Billesley Indoor Tennis Ctr, Wheelers Lane, Billesley B13 0ST All these sessions are FREE to Spice members Meet: 1 hour session at each venue: 8.00pm to 9.00pm Cost: All sessions are FREE but must be pre booked and are for members only 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.

Fencing for Beginners .. try your hand at this Olympic sport! th

Date: Tuesday 13 September 2016 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 .. a great way to get started Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Sunday 31 July 2016 Lea Marston Hotel, nr J9 of M42 (B76 0BY) 10.00am - 3.00pm £30 (£34 Guest) incl. instruction, equipment, light lunch & refreshments throughout

This excellent golf hotel is providing 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. At the end of the day you will actually play on a championship course with guidance from the Professional. Schedule: ● 9.30am – Welcome, Tea/Coffee ● 10am - Intro to equipment & set up ● 11am - Basic Swing Movements ● 12noon - Light Lunch ● 12.45pm - Short Game - Chipping & Putting ● 1.30pm - Long Game - An introduction to Woods/Tee Shots ● 2.00pm -On Course tuition (inc basic rules of the game) ● 3 - 3.30pm - Finish No dress code is required however flat shoes are essential. Equipment is provided but you can to bring your own clubs if you have them.

Hoola Hooping .. have a workout with a Hoola Celebrity Date: Sunday 25th September 2016 Place: Midland Arts Centre, Edgbaston - Performance Studio (B12 9QH) Meet: 3.45am for 4pm - 5.00pm session Cost: £8 (£10 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.

Women's Self Defence & Street Security .. develop new confidence through learning the secrets Date: Sunday 24th July 2016 Place: Nicholson School of Dance,Unit 11 Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley St, B'ham (B5 5RT) Meet: 2.30pm - 4.30pm Cost: £19.50 (£22.50 Guest) A 2 hour fun and informative workshop, teaching the fundamentals of personal security and self defence. This short course will cover the basics of security psychology, threat analysis and physical intervention techniques. The training will be conducted in an easy and practical way and will help build the confidence and awareness of all attendees. DC (the teacher) is an experienced martial artist and runs a selection of self defence and martial arts styles and systems in the midlands as well as working in the film and games industry as an action performer and choreographer. Currently working with WM Police and JQBid, he is running an initiative to improve the safety for women on the streets of Birmingham. The workshop will suit all ages and levels of ability and fitness. You'll be safe, intrigued, enlightened and probably laugh a lot too.

Twilight Spa Experince at The Belfry .. experience their incredible Fire & Ice Date: Thursday 11th August 2016 Place: The Belfry Hotel, Wishaw, Sutton Coldfield (B76 9PR) Meet: 3pm (Ends 8pm) Cost: £75 Member, (£85 Guest) Incl: Fire & Ice, 25 min treatment & chocolate strawberries & Prosecco The Belfry Spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind. With luxurious treatment rooms and elegant relaxation rooms now is the time to spoil you from top to toe and leave the world behind you. Our Twilight Experience includes time in the Fire & Ice (groups of 4 every 15 minutes). We get a 90 minute experience through 12 bio thermal rooms, all designed to enhance your mood and invigorate the senses. We’ll also enjoy a 25 minute treatment and refreshments. More online

Rounders for Free in Sutton Park .. get some sociable sporting fun in the evening! th

Date: Tuesday 12 July 2016 Check for future dates and venues online Place: Toby Carvery, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield (B74 2YT) Meet: 7pm (back in pub 8.30pm) Incl: Host, bats, bases, balls. No tuition or serious refeeing Cost: FREE but must be pre booked and are for members only Spice Rounders nights are great. They are all about getting out in the light nights and acting like kids again! Everyone can have fun playing, even if you don't know how to hold a bat! This is a simple “DIY” event where we meet up and play!

American Pool Night & Buffet .. try our special knockout competition & buffet Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Monday 5 September 2016 Rileys, 21-22 Essex St, Birmingham (B5 4TR) 7.45pm for 2 hour session £12 ( £14 Guest)

A fun social event that everyone can enjoy whether you’ve played before or are new to the game. See online ______________________________ 45

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.

Cinema Nights - Birmingham .. informal get togethers for film lovers Date: Sundays: ● 17 July ● 21st August ● 18th September ● 16th October 2016 Place: Cineworld, Broad Street (corner of Broad St & Bishopsgate St) (B15 1DA) Meet: Meet Sean 5.50pm in foyer Extra: No cost to book, but you buy your film ticket on the night. Please find details of this and similar events on our website www.spicebham.com th

Battle of the Proms at Ragley Hall .. with Spitfire Flypast, Fireworks & Cavalry/ Infantry Date: Saturday 13th August 2016 Place: Ragley Hall, Alcester (B49 5NJ) # Meet: From 4.30pm Cost: £37 (£39 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and similar events on our website www.spicebham.com

Night of the Bride of Plan 9 From Outer Space .. it’s all about the future nd

Date: Friday 2 September 2016 Place: Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Gt Hampton St (B18 6AD) Meet: 7.15pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.45pm show Cost: £11 (£13 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang .. probably the greatest musical of all time th

Date: Wednesday 7 September 2016 – hold with a £10 deposit down now! Place: Birmingham Hippodrome (B5 4TB) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £45 (£47 Guest) (Dep £10) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Sunny Afternoon .. winner of 2015 Olivier for Best New Musical th

Date: Thursday 8 September 2016 – hold with a £10 deposit down now! Place: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (B5 4DS) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £42.50 ( £45 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.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 your place. Our normal terms do not apply.

Bowie Experience .. utterly, utterly, brilliant! Date: Thursday 15th September 2016 Place: Grand Theatre Wolverhampton (WV1 1DE) # Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £24 (£26 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

The Lady in the Van .. Alan Bennett at his finest th

Date: Saturday 17 September 2016 Place: Crescent Theatre, Birmingham (B1 2JA) Meet: 7pm in bar to collect tickets for 7.30pm Cost: £16 (£18 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Ghost .. the timeless story of love, despair and hope th

Date: Monday 19 September 2016 Place: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (B5 4DS) # Meet: 7pm in bar to collect tickets for 7.30pm Cost: £39.50 (£42.50 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Mandela Trilogy .. an amazing life brought vividly to the stage th

Date: Tuesday 20 September 2016 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome (B5 4TB) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £37 (£39 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Dial M for Murder .. a famous thriller, full of exciting twists rd

Date: Friday 23 September 2016 Place: Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Gt Hampton St (B18 6AD) Meet: 7.15pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.45pm show Cost: £11 (£13 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Imagination at the Jam House .. featuring the lead singer Leee John! th

Date: Wednesday 5 October 2016 Place: Jam House, St.Pauls Square, Birmingham (B3 1QU) Meet: Band due on 9.30pm but arrive any time Cost: £5 (£12 Guest at public price). No Spice coordinator on this one Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Dracula the Musical .. a terrifying & passionate experience! Date: Sunday 9th October 2016 Place: Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Gt Hampton St (B18 6AD) Meet: 7.15pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.45pm show Cost: £11 (£13 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

The Rocky Horror Show .. fast, funny & very sexy! th

Date: Thursday 13 October 2016 Place: Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (B5 4DS) Meet: 7.30pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 8pm show Cost: £30 (£33 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Extra: YOU MIGHT LIKE TO DRESS UP FOR THIS ONE! Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Vamos Cuba ..rip roaring entertainment! st

Date: Tuesday 1 November 2016 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome (B5 4TB) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £27.50 (£30.50 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Professor Brian Cox Live .. a dazzling journey through space & time nd

Date: Wednesday 2 November 2016 Place: Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (CV4 7AL) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £34 ( £36 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

The Catherine Tate Show Live .. the critically acclaimed, multi talented comedian Date: Thursday 10th November 2016 Place: Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (CV4 7AL) Meet: 7.30pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 8pm show Cost: £37 (£39 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

The Full Monty ..'Uproariously entertaining – every inch a whopping hit' Date: Thursday 17th November 2016 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome (B5 4TB) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £32 (£35 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.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 your place. Our normal terms do not apply.

Nutcracker .. there's no better sign that Christmas is approaching Date: Wednesday 30th November 2016 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street (B5 4TB) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £38 (£41 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Sean Lock - Keep it Light .. 8 Out of 10 Cats can’t be wrong! th

Date: Thursday 8 December 2016 Place: Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (CV4 7AL) Meet: 7.30pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 8pm show Cost: £26 (£28 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Chicago .. makes all other musicals look tame’ th

Date: Thursday 15 December 2016 Place: Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Street, Birmingham (B5 4DS) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £39.50 (£42.50 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

The Wizard of Oz .. another production from Blue Orange th

Date: Saturday 17 December 2016 Place: Blue Orange Theatre, 118 Gt Hampton St (B18 6AD) Meet: 5.30pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 6pm show Cost: £11 (£13 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

A Christmas Wassail .. a show with plenty of Christmas spirit th

Date: Sunday 18 December 2016 Place: Crescent Theatre, Birmingham (B1 2JA) Meet: 7pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.30pm show Cost: £20 (£22 Guest) incl Spice Coordinator, mulled wine & mince pie Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

Dick Whittington .. John Barrowman, Steve McFadden & Matt Slack Date: Thursday 19th January 2017 Place: Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street (B5 4TB) Meet: 6.45pm (to collect tickets from coordinator) for 7.15pm show Cost: £27.50 (£30.50 Guest) includes all booking fees & Spice Coordinator Please find details of this and other productions on our website www.spicebham.com

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.

Drumming Experience for Beginners .. Spice help you realise another childhood ambition Dates: Wednesday 14th September 2016 Place: Drum School, Lawley Middleway, Birmingham (B4 7XX) – directions online Meet: 7pm to 9pm 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.

Ukulele for Fun .. have fun learning this popular instrument! rd

Date: Sunday 23 October 2016 Place: Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), English Studio, Edgbaston (B12 9QH) Meet: 11am to 1pm 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.

Blacksmithing Evenings Stg1 & 2 .. learn a new skill with friends Either: Stage 1 on Wed 5th October or Stage 2 evening on Wed 19th October 2016* 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. Time Slots: We can only take 6 at the forge at a time (you can’t have too many irons in the fire as they say!), so have 2 groups of 6 people. Please choose 6.30 or 8.30pm when booking. *Want to do more? Once you have done your first Blacksmithing Evening, you are eligible to book on one of the Stage 2 Blacksmithing Evenings. The format is the same but you will be using tongs which makes it slightly more tricky. Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Colour U Confident Workshop .. discover what you should be wearing! Saturday 26 November 2016 (Sorry, 17th September now full) 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 (note they charge £2 supp. for card payments) Do you want to know which colours make you look younger, healthier and slimmer? Find details of this event online.

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Glass Experience at Red House Cone .. discover glass making heritage & get “hands on”! Date: Saturday 10th September 2016 Place: High Street, Wordsley, Stourbridge (DY8 4AZ) Meet: 11am to approx 2pm Cost: £16 (£19 Guest) Includes: Guided Tour, Demonstration and glass tile making Red House Cone: Built at the end of the 18th century on the picturesque Stourbridge canal, the Red House Glass Cone lies in the heart of the Stourbridge Glass Quarter and was used for the manufacture of glass until 1936. It stands at 100ft tall. It's huge. It is one of only four left in the UK. For over 140 years its occupants produced some of the country's most beautiful glassware. The attraction is now a busy heritage site. Our Day: ● We start our experience with a guided tour around the site with a knowledgable and friendly Tour Guides, learning fascinating facts about the glass making industry and its importance to the local area. ● There will then be a half hour glassblowing demonstration hilighting some of the properties of hot glass whilst making a piece of studio glass. ● Finally it is our turn as we head to the Glass Fusing Studio. You will design and then decorate a glass tile; using frit, stringers and pre-cut pieces of coloured glass. This will be a 1.15 minute experience. Please note: The tiles will be fused in a kiln overnight, so you will need to arrange to collection. There also a gift shop on site.Visitor parking is free.

Axe Throwing .. get stuck in! th

Date: Saturday 17 September 2016 Place: Newton Longville, Buckinghamshire (MK17 0BU) # Meet: 2.45pm for 3pm start Cost: £35 (£37 Guest) includes teas/ coffees That's right you did see it correctly! This 2 -2.5 hour Axe Throwing workshop will start with a short briefing followed by a demo given by an experienced instructor. They will run through the safety aspects involved with learning how to throw the axes. You will then start with some light training axes ‘angels’ to get used to the technique of throwing the axe before giving the more challenging ‘norse’ axes ago. This will equip you with the skills to enable you to begin to master the art of axe throwing. Once your technique has been developed with the instructors you will move onto the more challenging axes. Each instructor runs their session slightly differently with light hearted competition i.e. throwing the axes backwards. You will then conclude your experience with a ‘throw off’.

Stone Carving for Beginners .. create your own decorative stone sculpture to take away Date: Saturday 24th September 2016 Place: Derbyshire Eco-Centre, near Wirksworth (DE4 4LS) # Meet: 9.30am to 4pm Cost: £55 (£59 Guest) Incl: all tools, stone, references & tuition Explore your creative development through the medium of stone. Join Richard, a stone carver with over 35yrs experience, who will guide you through skills and techniques required to produce your own relief carving. A wonderful opportunity to create work that is based on architectural church carvings or abstract sculptural and naturalistic forms. Advice and guidance is provided throughout, in both the design and with the tool skills needed to bring your design to life. The workshop is open to all, absolute beginners and those with experience in similar crafts.

African Drumming Extravaganza .. try something creative, loud and exhilarating! th

Date: Saturday 16 July 2016 Place: Midlands Arts Centre (Music Room 5) (B12 9QH) Meet: 1.45pm for 2pm until 4pm Cost: £19 Member, £22 Guest Would you like the experience of being in a band that sounds amazing within just a couple of hours? Would you like to have great fun doing something creative, loud and exhilarating? Expert drummer Sarah Westwood is bringing her array of traditional West African drums for you to play, teaching the essentials of drumming, good technique, traditional rhythms, call & response sequences. This is for all, no matter how good…or bad you think you are at music. It is about having fun playing and learning together. Sarah is an inspiring teacher who'll give you a great time & lots of laughs!

Perform Grand Opera in a Day .. an amazing opportunity to discover your inner impresario! Date: Sunday 18th September 2016 Place: Unit 5, The Square, Five Ways, Broad St, Birmingham (B15 1AS) Meet: 10.00am to approx 4.00pm Cost: £29 (£35 Guest) Incl: intensive group tuition, tea, coffee, biscuits, & sheet music This fully interactive day workshop for Spice men and women offers us the chance to learn one or two opera choruses, and perform one of them with a trained opera singer. This is aimed at ordinary people with basic singing ability who are keen to have a go at something really special! You do not need to be able to read music as sectional coaching (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) is a key part of the day. Also, you don’t need to master Italian pronunciation as all the lyrics will be in English! It is an intensive day, but great fun, and members of the Midland Opera Chorus will be on hand to help with the music at every stage. The day will end with a semi-staged performance of one of the choruses, with a trained opera singer. The programme for our day: ● 10.00 Arrive at Midland Opera – tea, coffee, introductions. ● 10.20 Warm up – introduction to singing technique group sing with MO Musical Director. ● 10.45 Overview of the first chorus (could be Hebrew Slaves, for example) – break into sections for intensive work, led by singing teachers ● 11.50 Group sing. Tea/ coffee. ● 12.10 Overview of the afternoon’s activity: an opera chorus with a soloist – introduce soloist – demonstration aria (could be something from Carmen). Return to sections for a first look at the music ● 12.30 Lunch break – not included but many options available on Broad Street. ● 1.15 Reconvene & continue work on music in sections – intensive work led by singing teachers and MO chorus members. ● 1.45 Sections come together to see how it sounds – soloist also joins in – work with MO Musical Director ● 2.00 Staging led by MO Stage Director – possible access to some costuming – singing and acting rehearsal ● 3.15 Performance with soloist and chorus, recorded on video which will be available to all participants – play back and discussion – tea, coffee, cakes. ● 4.00 End.

Science of Attraction & Relationships Workshop .. the ultimate guide from a world expert! th

Date: Saturday 29 October 2016 Place: Lea Marston Hotel, just off A4097 nr M42 (B76 0BY) Meet: 10.00am start Cost: £59 (£65 Guest) Deposit £10. Includes: coffees/teas & light buffet lunch We are flying in a world expert for the day from her home in Edinburgh to run this exciting new workshop. Mairi Macleod PhD is a Science Writer, Journalist and Evolutionary Biologist. You can read all about her at www.sexyscience.co. This day brings science to human relationships and attraction. It’s a fun day, but also one that could shape the rest of your life! About the day: Why do some people crave love and affection while others would rather have a one-night-stand? Is it a good idea to play hard to get? How can women of a certain age increase their chances of finding a decent man? And are bad boys really the sexiest? Increasingly people want answers to questions like these as so many of us, with our busy lives, are finding it tough to find the right partner. That’s why I, an evolutionary scientist as well as life-traveller, have put together a day of workshops to let men and women get together and gain insights from the psychology and biology of attraction and relationships. The sessions are presented in a fun, informal, and easy to understand format with plenty of discussion and interaction encouraged (though not obligatory). No previous scientific knowledge required! Through short questionnaires you will be able to determine your own personality type, your sociosexuality score, and more and then enjoy a multimedia presentation on the science with presenter led discussion among participants. You will learn how the research findings apply to you, helping you to understand your own and others’ relationships, feelings and desires, and allowing you to predict outcomes and make the best relationship decisions. Also, have fun and make new friends! Please find the full itinerary for this day with the online version of this writeup.

Chocolate Blind Tasting Experience .. a chocolate lovers dream Date: Saturday 13th August 2016 Place: Churchgate Mews, Loughborough (LE11 1TZ) Meet: 5.45pm for 6pm start Cost: £24 (£25 Guest) Do you see yourself as a chocolate connoisseur? If the answer is yes then this experience is especially for you. This two hour experience begins with a talk by the Chocolatier about the origins of cocoa, how it's grown and manufactured from a bean to a bar. This is followed with a tasting of several chocolates from around the world. You will have the opportunity to sample chocolate from all around the world, learning lots along the way. Once you’ve overdosed on chocolate you will be split into teams (dependant on group size) to play a game of “guess the chocolate”. A selection of handmade truffles will be presented to each team for you to taste and decide what it is. Each team will record their answers and an overall winning team will be proclaimed dependent upon the amount of correct answers. 52

Wire Work Bracelet Workshop .. enjoy this creative experience th

Date: Saturday 15 October 2016 Place: Hylton Street, Jewellery Quarter (B18 6HN) – detailed directions online Meet: 10.30am (ends 12.30pm) Cost: £29.50 (£33 Guest) Discover new skills using wire and beads to create a unique bracelet. You pick the colour of the beads and I'll show you how to enhance these into a stunning effect using tools and techniques to twist wire into shapes and spirals. These techniques are a transferable skill that would allow you to make beautiful necklaces and earrings in the future too.

Crafternoon Tea Workshops .. eat, drink and be crafty! ● Sunday 14 August 2016 : Make a Decopatch Plant Pot ● Sunday 28th August 2016: Upcycle Vintage Sewing Bee Place: Living in Loveliness, St John's Hall, Hill St, Essington (WV11 2BX) Meet: Both are 11am start. Decopatch is a 2 hour session. Upcycle Sewing is 4 hours Cost: Each session is £30. This is paid as £5 deposit to Spice to book plus £25 paid direct to supplier on the day. Includes: Instruction, equipment & a fun afternoon tea! Kerrie Padmore is one of the most enthusiastic Spice suppliers I have ever met. She has turned an unimposing ex church hall into quite a “grandmas attic” full of French dressers of china teacups and every possible craft material. She has even created a craft shop and café as well as two busy workshop spaces. Her mission is to get people of all ages and abilities involved in her wide range of craft activities – and have a lot of fun doing so! Crafternoon Tea: This concept combines learning a new skill with enjoying a lovely afternoon tea party. ● Sunday 14th August: Make a Decopatch Plant Pot: This is a modern take on an old craft of decoupage. This technique uses decorative papers and glue to decorate objects. This is perfect for up-cycling old plant pots. During this workshop you will learn how to use the Decopatch technique and will be shown tips and tricks how to get the best results from Decopatch. This craft is not especially messy, but please take note not to wear your best clothing. You will receive a full detailed worksheets and have a colourful pot to take home and use or give as a unique gift. No experience needed. ● Sunday 28th August: Upcycle Vintage Sewing Bee: Today we will make a beautiful jean messenger bag. You will learn basic sewing skills using a sewing machine including sewing seams, attaching a lining, putting in a gusset, making a bag strap. This workshop is perfect for beginners who have basic sewing machine skills. You need to bring a pair of jeans to up cycle (if you don’t have any, charity shops are a good source or pinch a friends when they’re not looking!). All other materials and equipment are included within the workshop fee. You will receive a full detailed worksheets and should have a unique bag to take home or give as a gift to the person whose jeans you stole! th

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Knitting for the Terrified! .. a fun afternoon with needles & wool Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Saturday 3 September 2016 The Spice Office, Ryknild House, Burnett Rd, Streetly (B74 3EL) 3pm Start (ends around 6pm) £12 (£14 Guest) paid as £2 (£4 guest) deposit to Spice to book plus £10 cash on the day to instructor to cover materials etc Knitting is trendy (my daughter told me - so it must be!). So whether you are starting from scratch or perhaps re-igniting an interest you discovered many years ago at granny’s knee - now’s the time to get knitting! Spice member and keen knitter Sarb will provide everything you need and get a small group of Spice men and women on the way to producing a garment that you can take away and finish at home. Knitters find it rewarding, relaxing and quite a meditative/ stress busting activity. So why not find out for yourself with Spice friends.

Magic for Beginners .. learn the secrets from an enthusiast! st

Date: Wednesday 21 September 2016 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. 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!

Gorgeous Earrings Workshop .. create your own unique earrings Date: Saturday 24th September 2016 Place: Hylton Street, Jewellery Quarter (B18 6HN) Meet: 10.30am (ends 12.30pm) Cost: £29.50 Member, £33 Guest To create beautifully balanced earrings with a professional finish isn't easy. But with tuition and design tips from these workshop you’ll be able to do it. You will create a trio of earrings using a wide range of available components (known as findings) while learning how to create neat, circular loops. This is perfect for beginners and those wanting to experiment.

Watercolour Painting Intro Day .. a fun day unleashing your creative potential! th

Date: Sunday 30 October 2016 Place: Centre of England Arts, Meriden, 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.

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Some Weekends & Holidays The following pages contain selected weekends & trips offered to our members. There are very many more weekends away of all different types on our website. Spice UK overseas trips are listed separately in the colour section of this Newsletter.

Cervinia - Spice Midlands Ski Trip .. discover this awesome ski area with Spice Sat 28 January - Sat 4th February 2016 Early Booking Discount Hotel Breuil, Cervinia, Italy # Note, price will rise to £849 from Birmingham Airport 1st September 2016 £799 (Deposit £150) Flights, transfers, chalet accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 7 evening meals Insurance available through Spice UK if required. Ski Pass & any equipment hire. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A TRIP AIMED AT LOCAL MEMBERS, THIS EVENT MUST BE BOOKED THROUGH SPICE UK. TO BOOK ONLINE WITH SPICE UK YOU WILL NEED A SPICE UK LOG IN (DIFFERENT TO YOUR WM ONE) OR YOU MAY CALL TO BOOK ON 0161 873 8788 Cervinia: Come with us to discover this “Italian superstar” of a resort, with 350km of fantastic skiing shared with Zermatt Dominated by the mighty Matterhorn and surrounded by outstanding scenery, the compact village of Cervinia is one of the highest resorts in the Alps. The extensive ski area is served by an impressive lift system which connects Cervinia with Valtournenche as well as Zermatt in Switzerland. The skiing in Cervinia seems almost limitless - from Plateau Rosa you can reach the slopes of both Zermatt and Valtournenche. We can ski up and over the Swiss border, enjoy some of the skiing on the Zermatt side and return to Italy in time for a late (and much cheaper) lunch! Our accommodation: The Breuil hotel is one of the iconic hotels in Cervinia and with its superb location right on the piste in the centre of the resort it is always a popular choice. The staff are always welcoming and accommodating ensuring you have a pleasant and relaxing stay. The Cretaz chairlift is just behind the hotel and the main Plan Maison cable -car is approximately 7 minutes' walk away. All the twin rooms have shower, hairdryer, TV, safe, telephone and most rooms have a balcony. The hotel offers good facilities including a large restaurant with view over the nursery slopes and spa centre with solarium, sauna, whirlpool and Turkish bath. Read the full write up for this amazing trip at www.spicebham.com

Date: Place: Meet: Cost: Incl: Extra: Note:

Christmas in our Italian Castle .. with trips to Turin, Genova, Swiss Lakes & much more! Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Thu 1st Dec 2016 - Tue 6th Dec 2016 Villa Castello di Torrazzetta, near Milan # IN ITALY - SEE DETAILS £439 Member Sharing Twin or Double (Deposit £120). Incl: Meals except lunches. Drinks with the included meals and as specified in itinerary. Coaching. Airport transfers (for the Flybe flight specified) Some entry fees and guiding, transport etc that is within the itinerary Hosting throughout by Claire Dymond & Richard Coulter. Our own Charity Ball with entertainment and ten course meal! Lots of surprises no doubt! Extra: Transport to Milan (see notes online of recommended flights to book) We had a fabulous trip to Italy in May, staying in Castle Torrezzetta. And, yes, everyone – those who came and those who missed it - have been asking me when we will be going back there again! This time we’re going at Christmas time and have a brand new schedule of tours, meals and experiences. Read the full itinerary and details at www.spicebham.com

Bham to Worcester Downhill Walking Break .. enjoy a 2 day canal walk & hotel with spa! Sun 16 - Mon 17th Oct 2016 Meet 10am at Gas Street Birmingham (B1 2JF) # £99 (£109 Guest) Sharing or add £30 for single Room (Deposit £20) Luggage transfers throughout, 1 night in 4 star hotel with dinner, b’fast & spa. Minibus or taxi transfers to/from hotel and to Worcester BR Station on Monday Extras: Train fare on Monday (as one way route). Lunches/ snacks. Join Richard for the walk that Julia Bradbury made famous on TV. Its 30.7 miles, but over 2 days we can achieve it at a relaxed pace. What’s more, we are travelling slightly downhill from the Birmingham plateau to near sea level. This lovely canal towpath with locks, tunnels and aqueducts makes for a fine walk which takes us through industrial heritage and open countryside on an intercity adventure. We are beside the canal all the way except for one stretch of tunnel at Wast Hill. Please read the full details of this special Spice adventure online at www.spicebham.com Date: Place: Cost: Incl:

Chill Out Bike Amble Weekend .. gentle, sociable cycling in stunning countryside Friday 9 - Sunday 11th September 2016 Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) £144 (£164 Guest) Deposit £30. Includes: Friday evening light supper, two nights B&B, 4 course evening meal and guided rides Extra: Bike hire if required £20 Saturday £5 per hour Sunday (Must be pre-booked but pay there) 2 days of relaxed and laid back cycling in beautiful Mid Wales, where we’ll cycle alongside the beautiful Mawdach estuary, as featured in Julia Bradbury's Railway Walks, and soak up the seclusion of lovely Lake Vyrnwy. Both rides are ideal for a leisurely days cycling as the trails are flat, and there is wonderful scenery. The Mawdach Trail is a purpose laid cycle and walkers track. It has been specially created for outdoor lovers to enjoy; following the route where a classic railway line once ran, along the beautiful Mawdach estuary. As you cycle along, the fresh sea breezes will blow away any city dust, while you enjoy the ever changing views and watch the variety of birds that populate this beautiful estuary. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

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Acrylic Painting Weekend .. discover your creative potential! Friday 16 - Sunday 18th September 2016 Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) £150 (£170 Guest) Deposit £30. Incl: 2 nights B&B, Friday buffet supper, 2 buffet lunches, 4 course dinner & all instruction. Extra: A small charge is made for consumables used Another fun filled painting experience from the brush of experienced artist and instructor Julie Hyde. Acrylic paints are perhaps the most versatile and fun media to use, and you don’t have to be a budding Monet or Piccasso to enjoy this stress free, fun weekend. Julie will breakdown the mystique whether you’re a complete beginner, or have some experience. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

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Outdoor Digital Photography Weekend .. see what you can acheive with professional help! Friday 14 - Sunday 16th October 2016 Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) £183 (£203 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? This weekend aims to change all that. Amist beautiful scenery, we’ll get to grips with how your digital camera really works. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Serenity Weekend .. tune in to your inner self Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Friday 21 - Sunday 23 October 2016 (Sorry, August date is now full) Lluest Fach Farm, Mid Wales (SY21 0PB) # from 6pm (buffet at 8.30pm) £160 (£180 Guest) Deposit £30. Includes: 2 nights B&B, Friday buffet supper, 2 buffet lunches, 4 course evening meal and all instruction This is a weekend of gentle personal exploration for those intrigued by alternative spiritual and holistic practices. The holistic approach deals with the mind, body and spirit as an interactive whole and can help deal with the stresses and pressure of modern day living. Through the use of healing touch, energy therapies, chakra work, sound, dowsing, movement and meditation you will discover and explore hidden elements of yourself. Learning to connect with your hidden self can help promote greater self confidence which can lead to a more balanced and harmonious lifestyle. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request.

See the whole programme of events at Lluest Fach online at www.spicebham.com 56

Llandrindod & Elan Valley Walking W’end .. stunning walking in “Red Kite Country” Friday 29 - Sunday 31st July 2016 4* Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells (LD1 5DY) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £179 (£199 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 days guided walks (Deposit £35). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extra: Transport to walk starts if used Overview: We have secured a tasty summer date to return to the Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells which will hopefully coincide with some lovely summery weather and allow us to experience it at its very best. The quieter hills of mid Wales, locally known as the forgotten Welsh Lake District are beautiful; with high heather moorlands and wooded valley providing a home to some of Britain’s rarest wildlife, from goshawk, to hen harrier, black grouse and the stunning Red Kites. The area is beautiful with deep carved valleys are interspersed with ancient woodlands, peaceful reservoirs and friendly villages with inviting pubs. By contrast just a few miles to the east the countryside changes with lush valleys and the rolling Aberedw hills; guaranteeing interesting scenery and varied walking. The four star Metropole Hotel in the historic Victorian Spa town of Llandrindod Wells, with great cuisine, real ale bar & spa pool and leisure facilities! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

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Best of the Norfolk Broads Walking W’end .. explore the Broads & a delightful coastline Friday 5 - Sunday 7th August 2016 Burlington Palm Hotel, Great Yarmouth (NR30 1EG) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £169 (£189 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 days guided walks (Deposit £30). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extra: Transport to walk starts if used Overview: The Norfolk has always been high on the wish list with recent visits to Kings Lynn and Cromer. We’ve secured a new hotel on the sea front that occupies an enviable location, in the quiet part of town, with only the manicured parks separating it from the miles of golden sands. If you wish you can simply relax on the hotel’s deck and watch the world go by, and if the sea’s too cold for you, you can always take a dip in the hotels pool. And the walking is great too, this year it’s our plan to walk to further explore the Broads and some sections of the delightful coastline. The Norfolk Broads is a unique national park famed for its quiet waterways and stunning nature reserves. But contrary to popular belief, it’s not just accessible by boat, and much of it is networked by a maze of peaceful footpaths. Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Lynton & North Devon Coast Walking W’end .. discover "little Switzerland" with the Walkwise team! Friday 26th - Monday 29th August 2016 Valley of the Rocks Hotel, Lynton, North Devon (EX35 6HS) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 7pm) £229 (£249 Guest) sharing. Incl: 3 b’fasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 dinner & 3 guided walks (Deposit £45). Single supp £60 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts if used Overview: The North Devon coastal region around Lynton and Porlock offers an undisturbed tranquility and timeless charm! These areas each offer something unique, with tremendous sea-scapes and plunging cliffs to one side and on the other, stunning heather moorland and deep cut river valleys that typify the Exmoor National Park. We’re surrounded by hidden haunts, ancient and knarled woodland and sparkling rivers dotted with medieval towns, an abundance of wild life including the Exmoor wild ponies and red deer set around picture-postcard villages with exquisite cream teas! 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.

See the whole Walkwise Programme is online at ww.spicebham.com 57

Summer in Snowdonia Walking W’end .. walk three distinct & impressive areas of Snowdonia over three days Friday 26th - Monday 29th August 2016 Royal Victoria Hotel, Llanberis (LL55 4TY) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £261 (£281 Guest) sharing. Incl: 3 b’fasts, 3 picnic lunches, 3 dinner & 3 guided walks (Deposit £45). Single supp £60 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts if used Overview: Superb, safe and sociable walking that typifies the stunning Snowdonia National Park from Llanberis. Snowdonia is all about impressive open views, craggy ridges, small upland lakes with excellent footpaths enabling us to take on superb mountain walking. This year we’re going to walk through 3 distinct and impressive areas of Snowdonia! We will start locally with the ridge which sits astride LLanberis and Nant y Betws. The middle day will spent between LLanberis and Llyn Ogwen. The last day we will take on the striking Moel Siabod in the Betsy Coed area. As always our comfort will be taken care of by the Legacy Royal Victoria Hotel and this weekend is sure to provide a lot of pleasure! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request

Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Tintern, Offa's Dyke & Wye Way Walking Week .. discover varied walking throughout this incredible area Saturday 27th August - Saturday 3rd September 2016 Lindors Country House Hotel, St. Briavels, Lydney, Gloucs (GL15 6RB) # Any time from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £599 (£619 Guest) sharing. Incl: 7 b’fasts, 5 picnic lunches, 7 dinner & 5 days of guided walking (Deposit £100). Single supp £140 otherwise we link twin shares Extras: Transport to walk starts if used Overview: This is a great opportunity to take your time and enjoy exploring an amazing and varied walking area. Not only encompassed is the start of two great trails ‘The Wye Valley Way’ and ‘Offa’s Dyke’ but also the Forest of Dean and the Black Mountains too, wow! This wonderful walking area is primarily fed by a long deep, steep sided gorge between Chepstow and Monmouth near the English and Welsh border but as alluded the district radiates out to embrace the Forest of Dean on the River Severn in the east and as far as the Black Mountains to the west. The whole area sports an unrivalled history and is literally littered with medieval relics, monuments and defences. Finally, central to our big picture sits the internationally acclaimed Tintern Abbey! All this magnificent walking is made possible by basing ourselves at its heart in the splendid Lindors Country House hotel owned and run by the friendly Christian Guild. The house staff offer great service and lovely locally sourced and produced food. It has good wine and beers plus a swimming pool too! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

Gloucester & The Cotswolds Walking W’end .. enjoy some of the Cotswold's most beautiful countryside Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th September 2016 The Holiday Inn, Gloucester (GL4 3RX) # Anytime from 4pm (meal at 8pm) £169 (£189 Guest) sharing. Incl: 2 b’fasts, 2 picnic lunches, 2 dinner & 2 days guided walks (Deposit £30). Single supp £40 otherwise we link twin shares Extra: Transport to walk starts if used. Sunday Night option can be added on request Overview: The Cotswolds Way stretches from Bath to Chipping Campden, so this Holiday Inn is ideally placed to allow us to access the central section of this long distance path. The hotel is also equipped with a leisure club! Our walks will concentrate on the area between Stroud and Leckhampton. This region includes some of the most diverse and beautiful countryside in the whole of the Cotswold’s. There is so much to enjoy in its sleepy vales, rolling downlands, hills crowned with ancient hill forts, fairytale woodlands with enchanting glades, picture perfect villages .. with welcoming old Inns! Edited details - full writeup for this break can be found at www.spicebham.com or sent on request Date: Place: Meet: Cost:

See the whole Walkwise Programme is online at www.spicebham.com 58

Events Index A Christmas Wassail .............................. 49 Abbots Bromley Horn Dance Ramble .... 32 Abseiling for Beginners, Symonds Yat ... 20 Abseiling for the Terrified ...................... 19 Acrylic Painting Weekend ...................... 57 African Drumming Extravaganza ........... 51 Alex Theatre Backstage Tour ................. 42 Alpaca Evening Experience ................... 12 Alvechurch Easy Ramble ....................... 31 Alvecote Marina Easy Ramble ............... 33 American Pool Night & Buffet ............... 45 An Evening of Kidnap, Gangs & Fraud .... 3 Axe Throwing......................................... 51 Back Stage at The Hippodrome .............. 41 Badminton: Cov,Wolves & Bham .......... 44 Balloon Flight ........................................... 8 Balsall Common Evening Ramble .......... 30 Barn Dance & Supper ............................... 1 Barton Arms Tour and Thai Meal ........... 43 Barton Marina Easy Ramble ................... 33 Bastille Meal at the Pancake House .......... 1 Battle of the Proms at Ragley Hall.......... 46 BBC Behind the Scenes .......................... 41 Beginners Horse Trek ............................. 12 Berwyn Heights - High Level Walk ....... 29 Bewdley & Arley Moderate Ramble ...... 33 Bham Hippodrome Heritage Dinner ....... 37 Bham - Worcs Downhill Walking Break 56 Blacksmithing Evenings ......................... 50 Bollywood Dance Masterclass................ 16 Bosworth Mod Steam Train Ramble ...... 30 Bournville Village Discovery Walk ........ 25 Bowie Experience ................................... 47 Bridge Abseil & Ladder Climb ............... 23 Bridgnorth & Rindleford Ramble ........... 31 Broadway 10 Mile Ramble ..................... 30 Burford 10 Mile Ramble ......................... 29 Burlesque Dance Afternoon.................... 16 Cable Wakeboarding .............................. 21 Camel Experience in Warwickshire ........ 13 Canadian Canoe Adventure .................... 19 Canals Discovery Evening & Buffet ....... 35 Cannock Chase Remembrance Ramble .. 33 Cardiff Discovery Day by Coach ............ 25 Cardingmill/ Long Mynd Hard Ramble . 30 Cervinia - Spice Midlands Ski Trip ........ 56 Charity Sleep Out ................................... 14 Chatsworth Private Tour ......................... 36 Chicago .................................................. 49 Chill Out Bike Amble Weekend ............. 57 Chillington Hall Heirs Tour & Tractor ... 41 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ........................ 46 Chocolate Blind Tasting Experience....... 52 Christmas in our Italian Castle................ 56 Cinema Night ......................................... 46 Clay Pigeon Shooting ............................. 34 Climbing the Longstone Pinnacle ........... 21 Cold War Experience & Nimrod Tour .... 10 Colour U Confident Workshop ............... 50 Comedy Night & Dinner at Hogarths ....... 7 Contemporary Indian Banquet Shuffle ..... 6 Crafternoon Teas: Sewing & Decopatch. 53 Crime & Punishment Ev'g with Supper .. 39 Curry and Quiz's ..................................... 28 D Day Veteran Evening .......................... 14 Dail M for Murder .................................. 47 Deer Walk at Bradgate Park ................... 13 Dick Whittington .................................... 49 Dirty Dancing Experience ...................... 16 Dracula the Musical ................................ 48 Drumming Experience for Beginners ..... 50 Earlswood Easy Ramble & Lunch .......... 33 Earlswood Twilight Ramble & Supper ... 32 Eastnor Castle Heirs Tour & Tea ............ 43 Edmunds Fine Dining Experience ............ 5 Fencing for Beginners ............................ 44 Ferrari v Lamborghini Driving Exp ........ 18 Firework Championships ........................ 38

Fly a Plane from Coventry to Stratford ..... 8 Forest Segway on Cannock Chase .......... 17 Foxton Locks Mod Ramble/ Lunch ......... 32 French Connection Bistro Shuffle ............. 2 Funeral Home Talk & Tour ..................... 42 Ghost ....................................................... 47 Ghostly and Grisly Birmingham Walk .... 25 Glass Experience at Red House Cone ..... 51 Gliding Evening at Stratford ..................... 8 Go Ape in Cannock ................................. 20 Golf - Learn to Play in a Day .................. 44 Gorgeous Earrings Workshop ................. 54 Grace Dieu Estate History Walk ............. 37 Greek Meal & Quiz - Sutton Coldfield.... 28 Guide Dog Training Centre Visit ............ 43 Guided Tour: Lord Leycester Hospital .... 42 Hangliding - Tandem Experience ............. 9 Hatton Locks Ramble.............................. 31 Haunted Halloween Banquet ..................... 7 Helicopter Lesson ..................................... 8 Henley in Arden Figure of 8 Ramble ...... 33 Hoola Hooping ........................................ 45 Hopwood and Barnt Green Ramble......... 30 Horse Riding Fun Day! ........................... 11 Hovercraft "Flying" Experience .............. 17 Imagination at the Jam House ................. 47 Indoor Climbing at Redpoint ................... 19 Indoor Surfing (Flowboarding) ............... 24 Inflatable Action Fun .............................. 36 Inflatable Water Fun ............................... 22 Ironbridge to Bridgnorth Raft Day .......... 24 Jersey Nights Evening ............................... 6 Jewellery Quarter Walk & Buffet............ 25 John Travolta â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Black Tie Dinner ............. 3 Karaoke Box Evening & Buffet .............. 35 Kayak River Adventure........................... 20 Kayaking for Fun .................................... 23 Knitting for the Terrified ......................... 53 Knowle Discovery Walk ......................... 25 Lasan Indian Banquet ................................ 2 Laser Tag Fun and Pizza ......................... 35 Learn to Drift! ......................................... 18 Learn to Nordic Walk in a Day ............... 31 Little Italy Dinner Shuffle in Solihull........ 5 Llama Trek & Rare Breeds Farm Visit ... 13 Llangollen Hills Hard Ramble ................ 30 Magic for Beginners................................ 54 Mandela Trilogy...................................... 47 Mary Queen of Scots: Tutbury Castle ..... 39 Measham & Moira Social Cycle Ride ..... 15 Medieval Jousting ................................... 12 Meet the Meerkats Experience ................ 11 Michelin Rated Indian Dinner Shuffle ...... 4 Microlighting Experience Flight ............... 9 Middleton Evening Ramble .................... 31 Monkey Forest and Posh Picnic .............. 11 Moreton in the Marsh 10 Mile Ramble ... 31 Motorbike Off Road Experience ............. 17 Multi Water Sports Afternoon ................. 23 Newton Burgoland Ramble ..................... 32 Night of the Bride of Plan 9 .................... 46 Nordic 5 Mile Challenge Walk ............... 29 Nordic Walk at Ironbridge and Lunch ..... 30 Nutcracker ............................................... 49 Off Road Karting .................................... 17 Oktoberfest 2016 in Leicester ................. 38 On The Rocks Dining Experience ............. 6 Outdoor Digital Photography Weekend .. 57 Overnight Forest Experience ................... 19 Owl Hour ................................................ 12 Paragliding ................................................ 9 Peak District Walks (Various)......... 29 - 33 Perform Grand Opera in a Day................ 52 Pie Factory Night with Live Music ........... 4 Pizza and Putt Evening at The Belfry ........ 4 Pizza By Goli Italian Dinner Shuffle ......... 5 Plough and Harrow Dinner Shuffle ........... 5 Pole Dancing with Pure Joy .................... 16

Polo, Picnics and Summer Fun ............... 38 Pony Trekking & Picnic Forest of Dean . 13 Pools of Sutton Park Fig of 8 Ramble ..... 31 Preview Evenings ................................... 26 Pride and Prejudice Dance Experience ... 16 Prison Lunch at Sudbury .......................... 7 Prodrive V.I.P. Visit ............................... 40 Professor Brian Cox Live ....................... 48 Quad Bike Woodland Trek ..................... 18 RAF Cosford Tornado Ball....................... 2 Ramble, Scramble and Dangle ................ 21 Rock Climbing for the Terrified ............. 23 Rounders for Free in Sutton Park ............ 45 RSC Behind The Scenes ......................... 40 Run, Jog or Walk in the Park .................. 44 Salsa Dance Workshop ........................... 16 Saxon Mill Dinner Shuffle ........................ 2 Science of Attraction and Relationships . 52 Sean Lock - Keep it Light ....................... 49 Serenity Weekend ................................... 57 Shootout and Party Food ........................ 39 Shropshire Hills High Level Ramble ...... 29 Shropshire Raft Tour .............................. 22 Shugborough Hall Moderate Ramble...... 30 Shuttington Evening Ramble .................. 29 Spanish Evening at El Borracho De Oro ... 4 Spetchley Gardens with Head Gardener . 36 Spice Book Club ..................................... 14 Spice Hits Town ..................................... 26 Spice Wing Walking Experience ............ 10 Staffordshire Hoard Conservation Tour .. 40 Stately Secrets of Tissington Walk ......... 41 Steam Train to Stratford ......................... 37 Stiperstones Hard Ramble ...................... 31 Stone Carving For Beginners .................. 51 Stonehenge Sunset Tour ......................... 37 Stratford & Greenway Soc. Cycle Ride .. 15 Stratford & Clifford Chambers Ramble .. 32 Stratford Discovery Walk ....................... 25 Summer Ball and Optional Sleepover ....... 1 Sunny Afternoon .................................... 46 Sutton Coldfield Discovery Walk ........... 25 SWAT Training Mission ........................ 34 Symonds Yat Adventure Mission ........... 20 Tamworth Discovery Walk (and Pub) .... 25 Tandem Skydive from 12,000ft ................ 8 Tank Battle Experience........................... 18 Tanworth in Arden Easy Ramble ............ 29 Ten Pin Bowling ..................................... 35 The Big Abseil - 200 Feet ....................... 20 The Blue Piano Dining with live music .... 6 The Blue Piano Garden Party ................. 38 The Catherine Tate Show Live ............... 48 The Full Monty ....................................... 48 The Lady in the Van ............................... 47 The Rocky Horror Show ......................... 48 The Wizard of Oz ................................... 49 Titan Zipwire & Bounce Below .............. 24 Tobogan and Fondue Night ...................... 3 Treasures of the Museum Tour ............... 36 Turtle Bay Caribbean Dinner Shuffle ....... 5 Twilight Spa Experince at The Belfry .... 45 Ukukulele for Fun................................... 50 Ultimate Archery Experience ................. 34 Urban Rambles ............................. 32 & 33 Vamos Cuba ........................................... 48 Veg Out - Meat Free Dinner Shuffle......... 2 Vulcan Bomber Restoration Exp ............ 40 Wake up the Zoo .................................... 11 Walton & Fradley Social Cycle Ride ...... 15 Watercolour Painting Intro Day .............. 54 Waterskiing for Beginners & Improvers . 22 Western Style Rifle Shooting.................. 34 White Water Rafting at Bala ................... 22 Wire Work Bracelet Workshop .............. 53 Wolf Experience & Walk ....................... 12 Zip World - Ultimate Zipline Experience 21 Zumba for Fun ........................................ 16

Notice Board If you have a notice, members may place it here free to an audience of around 3000 motivated people. Notices will be deleted after approx 3 months - earlier if space dictates. Contact richard@spicebham.com

Holiday Accomodation: Snowdonia For rent, 2 bedroom Grade 2 listed cottage in Snowdonia. Website- sts-holidays.co.uk ref 5155 // 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// 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.midland-hotel.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.spain-lamanga.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: Harborne, Room rent free in return for care & companionship, with Spice member (lady) who has limited mobility. Call Linder on 0121 429 4610 to discuss the specifics, but the hope is to to find a Spice member of long stading who is honest and dependable and is able to provide some support and help in return for rent free living. 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: Wanted: A pair of walking poles for a trip August 10 – 21 2016 by Spice member. She hopes a kind Spice member might lend her their's. She’s 5’ tall and needs poles that preferably fold down in some way when not in use. Rubber tips would also be ideal. Can collect from Coventry/Birmingham/Warwick/Nuneaton/Sutton or via the Spice office. If you can help, email Kerry: ginolad123@hotmail.com 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

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.

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As you will see we have many weekenders for the Spice family. We have highlighted some of our national weekend breaks. Please remember this is only a selection of breaks and the most up to date information is available on the website.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;No Spicer should miss a Dragon Boat Day. It really sums up what Spice is all about â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fun, friendship, excitement & the chance to try an activity that anyone can enjoy!â&#x20AC;?

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Your money is protected via our Trust Account in compliance with EC Package Travel Regulations.

Highlighted Holidays LAKE GARDA AUTUMN CHILLOUT 6 days, Sunday 09 October 16 from Â£549 Departs London Stansted & Manchester

COSTA BLANCA CHILLOUT 8 days, Sunday 25 September 16 from Â£639 Departs London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol & Glasgow 6SDLQÂ¶V &RVWD %ODQFD ORFDWHG RQ WKH FHQWUDO (DVWHUQ FRDVWOLQH LV D SRSXODU GHVWLQDWLRQ IRU WRXULVWV ZKR DUULYH HYHU\ VXPPHU WR WDNH DGYDQWDJH RI WKH ZDUP FOLPDWH VXQ GUHQFKHG EHDFKHV ODLG EDFN OLIHVW\OH DQG OLYHO\ HYHQLQJ FXOWXUH &DOSH LV VLWXDWHG DSSUR[LPDWHO\ NP IURP $OLFDQWH DLUSRUW :LWK DURXQG LQKDELWDQWV WKLV XQDVVXPLQJ IRUPHU Â¿VKLQJ YLOODJH KDV EHFRPH D SRSXODU UHVRUW $ GLVWLQJXLVKLQJ IHDWXUH RI WKH WRZQ LV WKH Â³3HQRQ GH ,IDFKÂ´ DQ LPSRVLQJ URFN ZKLFK ULVHV IURP WKH VHD DQG FUHDWHV D XQLTXH ODQGVFDSH IRU WKLV FRDVWDO UHVRUW &DOSHÂ¶V WZR PDLQ EHDFKHV WKH &DQWDO 5RLJ DQG WKH 3OD\D $UHQDO DUH UHQRZQHG IRU WKHLU ORQJ VWUHWFKHV RI Â¿QH VDQG DQG FOHDU ZDWHUV SHUIHFW IRU VZLPPLQJ DQG DOVR SRSXODU ZLWK VXUIHUV 3URWHFWLRQ IURP WKH ZLQG E\ VXUURXQGLQJ PRXQWDLQV PHDQV WKDW WKH WRZQÂ¶V EHDFKHV JHQHUDOO\ UHPDLQ ZDUP DQG WKH VHD FDOP

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WALK THE PILGRAMS WAY 8 days, Sunday 09 October 16 from Â£970 Departs London Stansted only

THAILAND & THE RIVER KWAI 14 days, Sunday 09 October 16 from Â£1699 Departs London Heathrow, Manchester & Glasgow )URP \RXU DUULYDO LQ %DQJNRN WR \RXU GHSDUWXUH WKLV KROLGD\ LV VXUH WR GHOLJKW HQWUDQFH DQG UHOD[ ZH DUH GHOLJKWHG WR SUHVHQW WR \RX WKLV OX[XU\ &KLOORXW ZLWK D WZLVW 7KH WKUHH FHQWUHV IRU WKLV KROLGD\ DUH %DQJNRN WKH 5LYHU .ZDL DQG WKH UHVRUW RI +XD +LQ Â± LQGLYLGXDOO\ DOO H[FLWLQJ SODFHV WR YLVLW EXW FRPELQHG WKH\ ZLOO TXLWH VLPSO\ WDNH \RXU EUHDWK DZD\

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LA SANTA SPORTS HOLIDAY 8 days, Thursday 13 October 16 from Â£529

SKI BEGINNERS

Departs London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham & Edinburgh

8 days, Saturday 25 February 17 from Â£589

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SKI NEW YEAR 9 days, Friday 30 December 16 from Â£999 Departs London Gatwick, Manchester & Birmingham $Q H[WHQGHG 1HZ <HDU VNL WULS EHFDXVH RI ZKHQ 1HZ <HDUÂ¶V 'D\ IDOOV DQG DW D JUHDW SULF IRU WKH WLPH RI \HDU 6NLLQJ KROLGD\V LQ $OSH GÂ¶+XH] RIIHU D KLJK VXQQ\ SODWHDX VXUURXQGHG E\ DQ DPD]LQJ VQRZ ERZO ZLWK PLOH DIWHU PLOH RI YDULHG SLVWHG DQG RII SLVWH RSSRUWXQLWLHV )URP FKDOOHQJLQJ EODFN UXQV WR ZLGH RSHQ EOXHV DQG JUHHQV WKH NP RI VNLLQJ LV VSUHDG RYHU D KXJH DUHD SURYLGLQJ HQGOHVV RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU DOO OHYHOV RI VNLHU DQG ERDUGHU $OSH GÂ¶+XH] ERDVW H[FHOOHQW VQRZ UHFRUGV GXH WR WKH KLJK DOWLWXGH WKH 6DUHQQH *ODFLHU DQG RYHU VQRZ FDQQRQV 7KH 3LTXH %ODQF VXPPLW DW P DIIRUGV EUHDWKWDNLQJ YLHZV DFURVV WKH ZKROH RI WKH 6RXWKHUQ $OSV DQG SURYLGHV D ZRQGHUIXO VWDUWLQJ SRLQW IRU WKH 6DUHQQH GHVFHQW RQH RI WKH ORQJHVW EODFN UXQV LQ WKH ZRUOG DW IXOO\ NP IURP WRS WR ERWWRP $OSH GÂ¶+XH] LV LGHDO IRU VQRZERDUGHUV WRR SURYLGLQJ ZHOO PDLQWDLQHG VQRZ SDUNV DQG SOHQW\ RI ERDUGHU IULHQGO\ FDEOH FDUV DQG FKDLU OLIWV

All Spice UK air holidays are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme in the event of failure of the tour operator. Each tour operators ATOL number is stated at the end of every holiday write up on our website www.spiceuk.com plus full terms and conditions. Your money is protected via our Trust Account in compliance with EC Package Travel Regulations.

SKI CHAMONIX 8 days, Saturday 04 March 17 from Â£679 Departs London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham & Edinburgh 6NL &KDPRQL[ DQG HQMR\ H[FHOOHQW LQWHUPHGLDWH DQG DGYDQFHG VNLLQJ DQG VXSHUE VQRZERDUGLQJ 7KLV LV RQH RI )UDQFHÂ¶V SUHWWLHVW $OSLQH UHVRUWV $ VNLLQJ KROLGD\ LQ &KDPRQL[ GHOLYHUV IDQWDVWLF DOO URXQG VNLLQJ IRU FRQÂ¿GHQW VNLHUV 7KH 1XUVHU\ VORSHV DUH ORYHO\ WRR ZLWK VNL WXLWLRQ WKDWÂ¶V QRWKLQJ VKRUW RI H[FHOOHQW 7KLV LV D WUDGLWLRQDO $OSLQH WRZQ VHW DJDLQVW EUHDWKWDNLQJO\ VSHFWDFXODU VFHQHU\ DW WKH IRRW RI WKH PDMHVWLF 0RQW %ODQF 6NL LQ &KDPRQL[ RQ DQG DURXQG :HVWHUQ (XURSHÂ¶V KLJKHVW SHDN IRU JHQXLQH VNL DQG QRQ VNL WKULOOV *RRG VNLHUV UHWXUQ KHUH \HDU DIWHU \HDU WR KRQH WKHLU VNLOOV RQ WKH KDLU UDLVLQJ DQG EHDXWLIXO 9DOOpH %ODQFKH 2WKHUV Ã&#x20AC;RFN KHUH WR WDFNOH VRPH RI )UDQFHÂ¶V PRVW FKDOOHQJLQJ RII SLVWH VNLLQJ 7KHUHÂ¶V JODFLHU VNLLQJ WRR 7KH UHVRUW LWVHOI KDV DQ H[FHOOHQW UDQJH RI VSRUWLQJ DQG OHLVXUH IDFLOLWLHV DQG D ODUJH VSRUWV FHQWUH /DVW EXW QHYHU OHDVW WKH QLJKWOLIH LV XQULYDOOHG ,Q VKRUW D VNLLQJ KROLGD\ LQ &KDPRQL[ LV RQH RI WKH EHVW DOO URXQG RSWLRQV DQG KLJKO\ UHFRPPHQGHG

To book visit www.spiceuk.com or call Spice UK on 0161 873 8788