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Twenty one Oakley members from the Lytham St. Annes area travelled to Manchester by train on December 21st for eleven hours of very hectic and enjoyable activities. Outdoor ice skating in Piccadilly Gardens on a cold sunny afternoon proved a demanding opening (with Ed Nussey again declared top skater) and after replenishing energies with fast food the group travelled in taxis to Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United FC for a guided tour.


The stadium impressed everyone and a very comprehensive tour included the dressing rooms, players’ lounge and a chance to walk down the tunnel to the (recorded) roar of the waiting crowd. Lianne Fox sent text greetings from the group to other Lythamers unable to join the trip – some unavoidably absent in the French Alps.


A drama workshop led by a professional actor from the Library Theatre was a complete contrast and the challenge of interpreting Shakespeare was both difficult and popular.

Pizza Express was somewhat easier and a leisurely meal gave everyone the chance to catch up with personal news and discuss plans for attending the Oakley Holidays in 2007.



All the 31 Lythamers purchased tickets in a special raffle which enabled a donation of £64 to be passed on by Ed Bury to a suitable community project during his world challenge expedition to Namibia in the summer. Prizes in kind were donated by Oakley members and included a day on the Leighs’ farm, a session of first aid-training with Chris Fox, an Evening Out with George Jolliffe and a sophisticated dinner cooked by Ashley Hothersall.

Julian Wilde