Over the winter period, we are trying out a new format, Sunday Brunch meets. We hope this might be more attractive than turning out on a cold, dark, and often wet Friday evening. It also avoids the issue of a lot of night closures of the A12 for long term roadworks.
Final(ish) details for our next Sunday Brunch.
Date: Sunday 24 March
Time table booked: 10.15am
Location: Hall Farm, Dedham, CO7 6LS
https://hallfarmshop.com/cafe/
I suggest everyone aims to arrive around 10am, so we can meet up in the car park before going in. The weather looks to be dry, if not sunny.
PARKING: the main car park is immediately ahead of you as you enter up a ramp from the main road. HOWEVER, this can get busy on Sundays. There is (was the last time I was there!) an additional car parking area immediately to the left as you enter. If the main car park looks busy, I'd aim the park there, as we may get the cars parked up together for a natter and/or photo.
I have currently booked for 12 people (plus Felix) and paid a £10/adult deposit. PLEASE bring some cash to reimburse me on the day and pay the difference on the bill. Bring cash for the bill too, if you can please, as it makes it much easier when paying for a group.
The List:
- Malcolm & Gwyn
- Steve & Tina
- Ian, Jackie & Felix
- Derek & Debbie
- Chris Sorrell + 1
- David Mathews
Let me be the first to Welcome Chris Sorrell and his partner, plus David Mathews, to their first Essex Meet. I hope they enjoy the experience.
So, there is one spare space available (my error on amending the booking). If not used, it shouldn't be a problem.
After we finish our brunch, I'll leave 20 mins or so (TBA on the day) for anyone who wants to go into the Farm Shop and/or check out the farm.
There is then an option for a ~1 hour convoy drive to Cressing Temple Barns: https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to ... mple-barns - CM77 8PD, just north of Witham. I have checked the route and, as expected, watch out for potholes and poor road edges. The early part of the route is quite narrow, with passing places, but not usually busy. The latter part is a bit of boring A roads, but it avoids crossing the A120, which is a nightmare on any day of the week.
Map of the route we will take is posted below.
The most likely place we may get separated is when we pass through Sudbury. It would be a good idea to check on a map, or setup your satnav in advance, as I doubt we will manage to all keep together through there. I'll lead the convoy and do my best to keep us together.
Cressing Temple Barns has free entry and hard standing parking. It's a very historic site, some of the buildings dating back to 1200. The is plenty of green space for a walk, plus wander in the ancient buildings. There is also an excellent Tiptree Tea Room and shop.
The time is yours at the destination, nothing formal is planned. You can chose to stay, explore the place, the shop, enjoy a coffee or simply depart. Equally, if convenient to your onward journey, you can leave the convoy whenever you want, but let me know before we set off, so I know we haven't lost you
Any questions? Post up in here, or PM me.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday.
Possibles
- Ian.M (Ian)(Jackie)(Felix)
- HypoThermia (Ian)
- casey (Malcolm)(Gwyn)
- GSB-TDU (Nigel)
- Webbo85 (Simon)
- SteveBishopRx8 (Steve)(Tina)
- Red & Black (Derek)(Debbie)
- New Duke (Haydn)
- Mare (Reece)