Getting Known at Knaresborough

 Wednesday 14th January 2026          Getting Known at Knaresborough 

Today marks a milestone in one of the Lads achievements, the person in question is me, Dave.

It’s been 10 years since I began sharing the friendship of this walking group and what a 10 years it as been. So many outings and adventures we have experienced and enjoyed together. 

This visit to the North Yorkshire market town of Knaresborough was yet another one to add to that list.

It would be a group of 8 of us that would emerge from the railway station here in the town, market day was in flow, even though it had been a cold start to the day for the Lads, train cancellations adding some delay to our final arrival time, that of almost midday. A chance meeting with the Town Crier and his accomplice bringing some excitement to all concerned as we mingled with the crowd. 

A lunchtime meal appointment was secured at the Lavender Tea Rooms situated in the market square, so after a brief tour of the various stalls we didn’t have far to go for lunch. It was 12:30 when John, Derek, Dave, Brian, Colin, John Howarth, Glenn and Mark set foot inside the Tea Rooms and climbed the rather old and steep stairs to our allotted tables etc on the first floor. This particular building dating back a few hundred years, very quaint to say the least.

Not before too long our respective orders were taken and our conversations began to flow, yet again the main topic was geared around upcoming arrangements etc, notes added to our dairies but only in pencil as things can alter as the days go by.

Some 15 minutes later our meals arrived and we began to enjoy them very much so, indeed most of us feeling very satisfied with what we had chosen. 

We spent just over an hour in this cosy setting before venturing outside and on towards the Castle ruins and admire the views from this vantage point overlooking the river down below us, a brief moment was spent here before we began to make our way back towards the railway station in order to catch our returning train at 14:40.

 

Mark was the first to leave the train at his appropriate station,  the rest of us travelling on to Leeds, from here then taking our respective homeward bound journey.

Upon  reflection although not much walking was actually done, it was great to be together yet again.

Cheers Everyone.

Meet-up in Leeds

 Wednesday 7th January 2026               Meet-up in Leeds

This would be the first of the years get-together for the Lads, seven of them converging in Leeds Railway Station at about midday. It was a cold start for all of them, freezing overnight temperatures adding to the underfoot conditions as they now made their way through the streets of the city heading in the direction of the Royal Armouries and the surrounding area. Their intended target was that of Pizza Express outlet, but on way they chose a different venue, that of the Joshua Tetley building.

So it was Keith, John, Derek, Dave, Brian, Colin and Glenn that set foot inside this reinvigorated establishment, much to their delight. The whole ground floor was now a large bar and eating area with plenty of seating facilities to suit all occasions etc.

The Lads choosing an appropriate table and making themselves feel at home so to speak. Not before too long the menu had been browsed over and their individual choices along with a drink ordered.

It was about twenty minutes before their meals were served, so as per usual the main topic of conversation was what were the final arrangements for the upcoming outings etc, along with this the lads talked about past events and each other’s health issues that have to be considered when making their plans etc.

Everyone seamed to be pleased with this change of venue, so with our meals enjoyed and the time now at a few minutes after 2 pm it was farewell to the Joshua Tetley building and make our respective journeys homeward bound.

Yet another great day out with the Lads 

Cheers Everyone 

Christmas Lunch at the Railway Inn

 Wednesday 3rd December 2025.       Christmas Lunch at the Railway Inn

It’s that time of the year again, so a rather extended group of the Lads have decided to make a return visit to the Railway Inn at Drighlington in order to have a so called Christmas Lunch. They had chosen this venue a few years back and were delighted with that outcome and hopefully the same will be said of today’s visit. 

It would be 14 of the Lads that travelled to Drighlington by whatever means necessary to participate.Those being Pete Hoyle, Colin Rouse, Keith Bland, John Hey, Derek Lee, Dave Dean, Brian Pickles, Colin Ward, John Howarth, Glenn Pearson, Don Alexander, Glenn Walton, Mark Simpson and finally Russ Parkinson.

A meeting up time of midday had been arranged and by 12:15 we were all sat around a very long table engrossed in conversations. With some new but familiar faces you can only imagine the noise that ensued until our meal order was taken. 

It was an extensive menu that was on offer along with the traditional Christmas lunch, so the choice was ours . Eventually our various orders were taken and sent off to the kitchen etc. more conversations taking place until those meals arrived,

 Brian had brought along a few photos from past events at Thackrays, they were proving a success in jogging the lads memories, eventually names were put to those obscure faces. All good fun.

With our various meals consumed it was time to circulate around the table and engage with each and everyone .

Eventually and at a convenient moment Dave took to his feet and delivered a poignant speech which included all aspects of this particular group of Lads, it was well received and appreciated.

With the clock at a little after 2:15 it was time to settle the bill and say farewell to the Railway, a little confusion now ensued regarding our payments but this was soon rectified to everyone’s satisfaction .So it was goodbye to one and all as we took our respective journeys home.

Upon reflection we were not let down by this choice of venue , each of us enjoying every aspect of our Christmas Lunch get-together.

Cheers Everyone.

The Greenway Walk

 Wednesday 26th November 2025.          The Greenway Walk

Today’s adventure for the Lads would take them to the market town of Ossett, a location on the outskirts of Wakefield. Once there they will stretch their legs with a leisurely stroll through the market square picking up a bite to eat on their way before joining the Greenway pathway that would eventually lead them to the outer reaches of Dewsbury.

It was a cold start to the morning, but with clear skies and a pleasant amount of sunshine it was great to be out there enjoying the fantastic views.It was  John, Derek, Brian, Colin , Dave, Glenn and Mark that ambled along engrossed in various conversations as they made their way.

They had all met up at the bus terminal in Ossett at about 11:15 making their way there by either bus or train or a combination of both. It was well after 1pm when they reached the towpath of the canal basin in Dewsbury, their intention was to have a lunchtime meal at the Leggers Pub situated close to the canal, unfortunately a notice board telling them that no food was available at that present time came as a disappointment, so after a few minutes consultation plan B was put into action, so it was off to a Cloggs cafe in the town centre just over half a mile away. 

This proved to be a good decision as the lads all agreed, the food was great and so of cause was the banter that took place at our table. Now with 2:15pm approaching it was time to consider which bus or train they would be catching in order to head homeward bound, John, Brian and Mark heading for the train station, the rest of us off to the reconfigured bus station and try to locate our appropriate bus.

Upon reflection today’s adventure was full of enjoyment with an invigorating lift to our wellbeing.

Cheers Everyone.

Visit to the NRM at York

 Wednesday 19th November 2025.             NRM visit York

Today would see 9 of the Lads journeying to the city of York and experience a visit to the National Railway Museum. Those participating would be Colin, John, Brian, Mark and John Howarth travelling by train from Leeds , whilst Derek , Glenn, Dave and Russ had decided to make their train journey from Wakefield.

They eventually all Gathered inside the foyer of the museum at around 11:20 after what seemed to be a much longer distance covered than previously experienced when walking from the city railway station to the museum.

It was a cold and chilly morning with overnight frost and sleet beginning to melt away underfoot conditions proving an obstacle at times etc. However we were soon inside the vast hallways and beginning our visit, somehow there seemed to be more exhibits on display that encouraged a more closer investigation as to their individual histories and background stories, great insight etc.

After a brief glimpse of some of the fantastic steam engines gathered here it was time for a coffee break for some of the gang, plus a bite to eat before continuing our leisurely pursuit of this fantastic array of railway memorabilia. The rest of us decided to have lunch a little later across in the newly opened Station Hall just a short distance away from the Main Hall, this was about at 1 o’clock.

Yet again this new venue gave us much more to see about the different types of passenger carriages that had been constructed in different eras of the railways existence, magnificent displays.

Now with our lunches consumed and our various conversations still ringing in our ears it was off to the station here in York to take our respective onward train journeys homeward bound, we all eventually said farewell to the city around 3 pm.

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What a great days experience, throughly enjoyed by everyone.

Cheers Lads.

Glenn’s Birthday Bash

 Wednesday 12th November 2025.             Glenn’s Birthday Bash

Today would see 9 of the Lads take a trip to the Whitelocks Pub, this is located in Turks Yard in the City of Leeds, a home from home for most of them. A meeting time of midday as been suggested, a few of us arriving early, namely Brian, John, Derek, Dave and birthday boy Glenn, the rest drifting in as and when , those being Colin, Keith, Mark and finally Russ.

A suitable place had been reserved for us by Mark, as this venue can become rather busy at lunchtime etc due to its popularity and quaint atmosphere. 

Once assembled and formal greetings over we began to study the lunchtime menu and eventually order our chosen meals and drinks, as per usual the various conversations were struck up around our table, main topic being the performance of the local football team, United, other things did get discussed as the afternoon wore on and our meals were consumed. 

Time always seems to fly when you are wrapped up with jovial banter etc and soon it became time to wish Glenn a happy birthday as we sang the celebration song along with others in the Whitelocks enjoying similar circumstance. Great Stuff as a big cheer went up for all concerned.

By now it was approaching 2pm, so we steadily paid our individual tallies and said farewell to this atmospheric venue and began to make our ways homeward bound etc.

Yet Another Great Day out with the Lads.

Cheers Everyone.

Roundhay Park plus visiting Tim Kearney

 Wednesday 5th November 2025.   Roundhay Park plus visiting Tim Kearney 

As the title suggests the Lads coordinated a visit to see their dear friend Tim Kearney at the Mansion along with a leisurely walk through Roundhay Park and Gardens etc. It was a pleasant morning as 6 of the gang alighted from the No 12 bus at the terminus close to the far entrance to the park, those being Colin, Glenn, Derek, Brian, Dave and John, the time was just a few minutes after 11:00am.

Derek and Colin making their way to the Mansion while the rest of us took a walk around the Canal Gardens and admire the tree stump carvings along with the many species trees showing their autumn colours etc, splendid.

A time of 11:30 had been arranged to meet up with Tim, so by this time Derek and Colin were inside the Mansion along with Russ and we soon joined them as we assembled ourselves around three pushed together tables, some few minutes later Don Alexander came and added another person to our group.

Our visit to see Tim lasting well over an hour and a half, with plenty of conversations taking place around the table as we sat and consumed our sausage sandwiches and various drinks etc.

Don kindly offered to give Tim a lift home in his car, Russ also leaving by car, the rest of us now venturing a little further down through the park and on towards the other entrance gate close to the far end of the lake, plenty of autumn leaves were scattered along the footpath as we walked along, eventually we arrived at the bus stop with only a few minutes to wait for the arrival of a suitable bus to take us back to the city centre in order to take our respective journeys home. It was a few minutes after 2 o’clock by now.

What a good time we all had today, plenty of laughs with long discussions about this, that and the other, great stuff.

Cheers Everyone.