Twenty-two members of the Oakley Holidays from the Lytham St. Anne’s area enjoyed a day in Manchester on December 21st . After travelling together from Preston on a very crowded train but at a very cheap fare (thanks to masquerading as three extended families), organizer Julian Wilde led the group to their own personal bunker, the base for the afternoon.

This was situated beneath the Friends’ Meeting House opposite the Town Hall and was a convenient place for rest, orange juice and club biscuits during the afternoon.

All the group had decided that going together on the Manchester Big Wheel (a temporary visitor attraction next to the Cathedral) would be good - and it certainly was. Spectacular views over the city and into the restaurant of Marks and Spencer provided great entertainment during the ten minute ride.

Freelance shopping followed, with Ashley Hothersall and James Atherton creating havoc in Kookai, and Megan Foy in good buying form. We reassembled at the bunker to discuss Oakley plans for 2005, talk about possible invitations to new members and check over the new brochure.

Then it was round the Town Hall to the Crisp Restaurant where the pizza, pasta, conversation and atmosphere were greatly enjoyed. Andrew Marshall and George Jolliffe hoovered up any spare pizza.

Chief photographer Chris Fox continued his efforts with the group assembled on the steps of the Library Theatre before we watched “Merlin and the Cave of Dreams.” The performances were fine and the Washerwoman at the Ford was scary or sad, but overall the play seemed to require a vivid imagination (that’s what the Guardian reviewer said and we agreed).

We finished our trip with drinks in the Theatre bar and a walk back to Oxford Road station before returning by train to Preston. A successful day had been varied and good value for money. Everyone was enthusiastic about a further event between the next Easter and Summer holidays, perhaps a charity fund raiser meeting up with the Oakley members from the North East.

We had wondered what an Oakley event away from our Bilton Grange holidays would be like and, pleasingly, we found that everyone very quickly was very much in the Oakley spirit.

Many thanks to Julian Wilde for this event report.