TASKL would very much like to restart their tours both in the UK and abroad, but currently we have no committee member to organise them. If you feel this is something you would like to do in the future, please speak to Stuart or any other committee member

September 22 – 27, the Arts Society King’s Lynn tour to Cardiff.

After eighteen months of planning 29 members of the society at last set off to Cardiff for a 5-day tour arranged through Tailored Travel.    Despite the dreadful weather forecast somehow we managed to avoid the downpours and enjoy the sunny intervals! It was a packed programme with a wide variety of things to see:  from the Victorian splendour of Cardiff Castle, to the internationally renowned collection of French impressionist paintings in the National Museum and Art Gallery,  and in contrast the beautiful 20th century art work in Llandaff Cathedral (including a Jacob Epstein Christ).  None of us was expecting it, but the utterly captivating dramatic re-enactment of life in the 1640’s (fully interactive!) at Llanchaiach Fawr Manor House was a high spot.  We also visited the new Senedd building and the Cardiff Bay area, and saw the wide range of Welsh vernacular buildings at the award winning St Fagan’s Museum.   With a visit to NT Baddesley Clinton on the way and the Birmingham Jewellery centre on the return, it was a thoroughly stimulating and enjoyable trip.   

Kate Parker

On a chilly, windy Sunday morning members of KL Art’s Society collected at Knight’s Hill, the beginning of our trip to Krakow.  We had never been to Poland before nor had we been on an Art’s Society tour.  After an uneventful journey we arrived in Krakow where we were met by Gregory our Polish guide, he proved to be extremely conscientious, entertaining and very knowledgeable, especially about Polish history.  If we had any doubts about the friendliness of the group they were quickly dispelled on the first day, we found throughout the week that everyone was welcoming, thoughtful and helpful.

On the first morning we were taken on an extensive walking tour of the old city, which was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978.  The history of Poland is one of division, domination and occupation, invasion from Sweden, Prussia, Russia and Germany. This year, 2018, it celebrates 100 years since its re-establishment as an independent nation.  Everywhere in Krakow is a wealth of treasures, lovely buildings and quaint streets.  The centre of the city has remained unaltered for centuries.  After the Second World War and occupation by the Russians it suffered much neglect but has been beautifully restored and the treasures sent to Canada for safekeeping have been returned. Our hotel was a short distance from the gorgeous Market Square, a gem, ringed with cafes, restaurants and two churches.  The Church of the Virgin Mary has served as a watchtower for centuries.  Tradition has it that after successfully repelling an attack aeons ago a trumpeter plays on the hour, every hour, day and night, from a window in the highest tower!  We walked around the outside of Wawel Castle, hearing the story of the ever hungry, virgin eating, fire breathing dragon; saw the remains of the old walls, the houses where Copernicus and Pope John Paul II had lived and studied, and generally got a feel for the place and our surroundings.

In the afternoon a short coach journey took us to the Wieliczka Salt Mines.   Rock salt was mined here from about the 13th century and was active until recently, today salt is collected from evaporated water in the modern salt water treatment plant.  An underground health centre, opened in the 20th century, remains active today.  There are many miles of underground tunnels and chambers, seven levels in all, we went to the third, 1,000 feet underground.  We were stunned by the size, the statues carved from granite looking salt but most of all by the magnificent cathedral where even the chandeliers are made of salt.

On day 2 we visited the interior of Wawel Palace and the adjacent cathedral where the kings, queens and bishops of Poland are buried.  Situated on a rock above a bend in the river the beautiful silhouette dominates the skyline.  The first castle was built here in the 10th and 11th centuries, it has been rebuilt, extended and restored over the years.  The Italian Renaissance styled courtyard retains some of the original frescoes.  Both cathedral and palace are packed with a wealth of artefacts, statues, paintings, sculptures and tapestries; the tiny royal chapel in the palace is a gem.

In the afternoon some of us opted to visit Auschwitz.  The site of the concentration camp with its grim gas chambers has become a memorial to the millions who died here, a memorial to them, it is staffed by those determined that we never forget.

The evening was an uplifting and cleansing experience after the sombre afternoon: we attended a piano recital in the Bonerovsky Palace Hotel, held in a small, beautifully decorated room on the first floor.  Our group made up the whole audience!  The music, the surroundings, the prosecco was what was needed after the horrors of the afternoon.

The next morning we went to the old Jewish quarter on the north side of the river.  It is an area full of atmosphere, a square full of memorials, cafes and restaurants.  People had been forcibly moved from here to the ghetto south of the river where Schindler’s factory was based.  It is now a museum and tells the history of the Jewish people from the ghetto; arrests, murders, concentration camps, slave labour, the ghastly lives forced on this community.

Next, to the Jagiellonian University, founded in the 14th century; it is the oldest in Poland.  The early building is now a museum although parts, such as the Aula, a former lecture room, continue to be used for important ceremonies.  It is richly decorated, the walls with one hundred portraits from kings of the 15th century to Pope John Paul II in 1980.  There is a magnificent marquetry door at one end of the hall, too many treasures to mention.  Our museum guide was a delightful, well informed young woman rightly proud of her heritage.  Copernicus was a student here, instruments he would have known are displayed here along with state regalia.

On the final morning we headed out of the city along a beautiful valley dominated  by Piescowa Skala Castle.  Originating in the middle ages this beautiful, much renovated and extended castle houses even more beautifully displayed treasures.  We could have spent the whole day here but there was a plane to catch.

We are grateful to our guide Gregory and the many museum guides as well as the friendly members of the group. Most of all huge thanks go to Chris Cawthorne  for organising the tour, for his planning , attention to detail even reminding us to take our passports!

David and Anne Truman   28.09.2018

On 4th October a group of intrepid NADFAS travellers left King's Lynn and made their way to Stansted airport for a flight to Belfast. Our first task was to negotiate the new automated bag drop system, luckily we all passed the test. Arriving in Belfast we were met by Tommy our guide and Trevor our driver. As the week progressed their fund of stories and knowledge of their home country made them seem like a double act. A short bus tour took us to Belfast City Hall and Stormont before reaching our hotel.

On a trip along the Antrim coast we were told that this area was a principle location for the filming of Game of Thrones. This was something that came up many times during the holiday – shame that most of us had never watched the programme! A visit to the distillery at Bushmills offered a chance to taste the famous whiskey. Maybe 2 tastings was not such a good idea as our next visit was to the Giants Causeway and we certainly didn't want to miss our footing. On an unusually sunny day we travelled alongside Strangford Lough to Mount Stewart with it's wonderful garden. A closed road meant we had an extra treat crossing the Lough from Portaferry to Strangford on the ferry. Castle Ward is an unusual 'his and hers' house, he favoured the classical style and she preferred the Gothic. A visit to Derry or Londonderry, depending on whether you speak to a nationalist or a unionist, showed us the areas that came to notoriety during the troubles. The murals here and those we saw in Belfast showed the strength of feeling that existed.

A visit to the Titanic exhibition is now a must for all visitors. This attraction opened in 2012 and there are now an average of up to 3000 visitors each day. There is such a lot to see that at times it is overwhelming but the poignancy of the stories and the eventual discovery of the wreck certainly made you think. The entrance ticket also includes a visit to SS Nomadic which was the tender used to take passengers from Cherbourg to their liner, and is the last remaining White Star vessel.

A very busy holiday which showed us a different side of Northern Ireland. Even closed roads, rail signal failures and a collapsed roof at the museum could not stop our enjoyment of our few days in the country. Thanks to Chris for organising another very successful holiday

Sandra Coleman   12.10.2017

This was my first five day trip with KLDFAS since joining a year ago and I was not sure what to expect. I need not have worried. From the first, all the stress and anxiety of planning and organization was handled by our Fearless Leader, Chris Cawthorne, and once on the coach, driver Paul led us swiftly and safely up hill and down dale to our destinations – it was like being on a Magic Carpet ride. The venues we visited had delights for all tastes and a good mix of guided and self-guided tours. Each day was well-structured and offered a glimpse of so many things that I often heard “I could spend a day/weekend/week here.” From the colourful Arts and Crafts Watts Chapel and Artists’ Village to the riches of Winchester Cathedral and the amazing art collection of Petworth House which included Turners and Van Dycks, each venue offered both indoor and outdoor treats. At Osborne House on the Isle of Wight with its magnificent Durbar Room and wealth of family memorabilia, it was easy to imagine Victoria, Albert and their children roaming the gardens and swimming at the beach. On a more sombre note, the museum to house Henry VIII’s Tudor warship the “Mary Rose” at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard was a sobering reminder of “those in peril on the sea” as was HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship and scene of his greatest triumph and premature death. The Harbour Tour showed us more contemporary examples of British fighting ships such as the sleek and sinister HMS Dragon, a Type 45 air-defence destroyer as well as frigates and helicopter carriers. Our final morning was spent at Beaulieu in the New Forest where again, there was something for all tastes, from the National Motor Museum to the ruins of the medieval Beaulieu Abbey as well as a Secret Army exhibit documenting the trainers (among them Kim Philby) and agents who attended the SOE (Special Operations Executive)training camp during WW2. Palace House itself, home of the Montagu family since 1538, felt like a home well-loved and well-used, especially the dramatic dining hall with its beautiful elm dining table in front of a huge log fire. Beside all the planned venues, there were many additional sights courtesy of our excellent Blue Badge guide, Jackie Parry. These included a beautiful walk along the River Itchen in Winchester, a drive around Southwick Estate where Eisenhower had his headquarters in preparation of the D-Day landings, and a brisk almost vertical walk up to Godshilll Church on the Isle of Wight to view the 15th century fresco of Christ on the Lily Cross. Other images that stand out in my mind include a Capability Brown landscape at Petworth House, a drive along the South Downs, the view from the top deck of the early morning ferry to the Isle of Wight with a Turner sky of sun breaking through rain clouds, a herd of New Forest ponies galloping through the bracken, and semi-tame donkeys sunning themselves by a lake in Beaulieu village. But more than anything, it was the opportunity to share these experiences with a good-humoured and interesting group of people that was most enjoyable. There was lots of laughter, a few grizzles about glitches at the hotel, but more importantly, the chance to get to know like-minded folks, often with a deep knowledge and passionate interest in the arts. Many thanks to Chris Cawthorne for such a great trip; I am very much looking forward to the next.

Susan Ingleby 23.10.2016

King's Lynn DFAS 5 Day Visit to Holland 11th -15th October 2015

The tour had a busy itinerary with the right degree of organised events but with free time incorporated. It was especially lucky that the 2 major galleries visited had been recently renovated and refurbished. In Delft, the Vermeer Centre was a brand new voyage of discovery through the life, work and city of Johannes Vermeer in the 17th Century. In the studio we saw reproductions of all the 34 known works and heard how Vermeer approached his work and mastered the light, composition and colour in his paintings. We then travelled back to The Hague, to The Mauritshuis where among many works of art by Rembrandt, Rubens, Brueghel and Holbein, we saw the famous Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earing and The View of Delft. This gallery had some spectacular glass lifts, underground extensions and the new work was only finished in June 2015. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam had undergone a 10 year renovation at a cost of £375 million and was reopened in 2013 with the controversial cycle track running through the central archway! We had a guided tour of the second floor Great Hall and Gallery of Honour which led to the most famous Rembrandt of them all The Night Watch. Members then enjoyed 3 hours at leisure in the Museum culminating in a boat trip around the canals of Amsterdam. Additional visits took place to the Royal palace of Het Loo, to the Kroller Muller Museum and the Panorama Mesdag. On the journey home we spent 3 hours in Ghent. The tour manager was Ludovico Cattaruzza (Ludo) who led all the visits and recommended sights and restaurants, and who charmed everyone. The bus driver, Mark was also an excellent and attentive driver. However, it was to Chris Cawthorne, who had initiated and planned the trip from the start, that the award of the booklet “Mr Perfect “was made. It was an unforgettable and convivial trip.

Sue Williams 20.10.2015

King’s Lynn DFAS visit to Northumberland, 22-26 September 2014

King’s Lynn DFAS are a sociable bunch. This fact was brought home to me when I discovered that I was one of thirty-five people on the coach, whilst a further two others travelled separately but nonetheless wanted to be with the rest of us in the hotel for the sheer conviviality of the occasion. Their judgement was sound. As promised the trip was full of interesting visits, with the benefits of smooth arrangements and a varied programme but also packed with that intangible extra, fun. We were accompanied throughout the north by Blue Badge Guide, Kate. Blue Badge Guides are supposed to be professional, informative and helpful, but Kate had charm in buckets, and warmth and humour as well. We also had a completely unflappable driver, Joe. Although he had never been there before, he managed to manoeuvre us through rush-hour Newcastle on a sight-seeing tour, following directions which on more than one occasion mistook right for left, and vice versa! We all agreed they both added much to our enjoyment of a great trip. Our first two visits were to Harewood House and Alnwick Castle, both still family homes. Seeing family paraphernalia around subtly changes one’s appreciation of a grand house, which the National Trust, for all its expertise and experience cannot match. Both Harewood and Alnwick Castle and its spectacular gardens demand future and repeated visits, stuffed as they are with magnificent treasures, too many to fully appreciate on a single visit. We also visited Cragside and Lindisfarne Castle (National Trust) both of which in their different styles were entrancing. Cragside was the precipitous home of the great engineer, Lord Armstrong, and is packed with his late 19th century cutting-edge technology, contrasted with intriguing 21st century art installations. Lutyen’s refashioning of Holy Island’s castle offers the most beautiful western panorama over the coastline from Bamburgh to Berwick, and an unexpectedly colourful Gertrude Jekyll garden, flourishing in the face of an inhospitable North Sea. An unexpected hit with us all was Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead, where the local U3A had curated a fascinating exhibition, devolved from the Gallery’s fine art collection together with modern works and ceramics. More contemporary works were on display at the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle, which offered a memorable tea room as well! Even if, on our most northern excursion to Berwick on Tweed, the Berwick Burrell Collection did not live up to its Scottish relative near Glasgow, the visit in warm sunshine showed us one more spectacular yet under visited part of England. The 17th century ramparts afford long and beautiful views to the Cheviots in the north, and southwards to Lindisfarne over the remarkable three bridges of the River Tweed. Our final visit, to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, was far too brief, but gave us a chance to see several of Ai Wei Wei’s works currently on loan there, and an appreciation of the layout of the Park, and its rural charm, for a further visit another time. The carefully placed Henry Moore’s and Barbara Hepworth’s that we did glimpse showed how well such monumental works display in a commensurately proportioned landscape. Our grateful thanks are due to Chris Cawthorne for arranging such a thoroughly enjoyable and stimulating trip. It was excellent, as we all agreed, and for once any efforts at picking holes in the arrangements signally failed. A King’s Lynn DFAS trip should not be missed!

Kate Parker 09/2014