Earlier this month, I joined a group of our members taking the opportunity of a Harry Shaw coach trip to Stamford market, to visit this charming Lincolnshire town. Having been founded by the Anglo-Saxons at a key crossing point on the River Welland, its medieval wealth stemmed from woollen cloth production, while also attracting a number of religious houses and hospitals. Following a prolonged slump in the wool and broadcloth trade, as well as the effects of the Dissolution, it recovered its prosperity, becoming a centre for barley malting and various other trades, while largely avoiding the impact of the industrial revolution. Today, many 17th and 18th century structures survive, seemingly frozen in time, with over 600 listed buildings in and around the town. Stamford was the first conservation area to be designated in England and Wales.

We spent a leisurely morning exploring the streets and alleys, following a self-led town trail (ok, perhaps not all that leisurely - there was a lot to see!). Of course, it was also necessary to check out at least two cafes, in case they were different from cafes in other places. When it was time to hop on the coach for home, after a very enjoyable day in good company, I was glad of the chance to rest my feet and possibly have a cat nap.

Only a couple of days after the Stamford we had scheduled a trip on the trains to Aston Hall, Birmingham. However, on this occasion the gods did not smile on us and we only got as far as Coventry Rail Station. At that point, all trains to Birmingham started being cancelled or delayed, due to an "incident on the line" at Berkswell. We went for a coffee, but the situation was not improving and it was decided that a change of plan was needed. As it was a Heritage Weekend, it we opted to visit the Council House open day. We were able to wander around the council chamber and saw some of the archive treasures, such as a 1533 original letter written by the Queen, Anne Boleyn to the elders of Coventry, proclaiming the birth of a princess, the future Elizabeth I. Particularly interesting was the Police Museum, also in the Council House, where we were encouraged by the museum volunteers to don old police jackets and hats (I confess to "chickening out" of this - I didn't want to mess up my hair). And I didn't take any photos as we didn't want to be charged later with impersonating a police officer! There were a number of fascinating exhibits and the ex-police volunteers were happy explain their context.